Ezekiel 3:1

KJV

¶ Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel.

KJV (with Strong's)

Moreover he said {H559} unto me, Son {H1121} of man {H120}, eat {H398} that thou findest {H4672}; eat {H398} this roll {H4039}, and go {H3212} speak {H1696} unto the house {H1004} of Israel {H3478}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He said to me, "Human being, eat what you see in front of you; eat this scroll. Then go and speak to the house of Isra'el."

Berean Standard Bible

“Son of man,” He said to me, “eat what you find here. Eat this scroll, then go and speak to the house of Israel.”

American Standard Version

And he said unto me, Son of man, eat that which thou findest; eat this roll, and go, speak unto the house of Israel.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 3:1 marks a pivotal moment in the prophet Ezekiel's divine commissioning, where God commands him to symbolically "eat this roll" and then "go speak unto the house of Israel." This act of consuming the scroll represents the profound internalization of God's message, preparing Ezekiel to deliver a challenging word of judgment and lamentation to a rebellious nation in exile. It underscores the divine origin of his prophetic ministry and the essential requirement of fully assimilating God's truth before proclaiming it.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Ezekiel's awe-inspiring vision of God's glory and his initial call to prophetic ministry in [Ezekiel 1](/ezekiel/1 "Ezekiel 1 - Vision of God's Glory") and [Ezekiel 2](/ezekiel/2 "Ezekiel 2 - Ezekiel's Call"). In [Ezekiel 2:8-10](/ezekiel/2-8 "Ezekiel 2:8-10 - The Scroll of Woe"), God had already presented the prophet with a scroll written on both sides, filled with "lamentations, and mourning, and woe." Therefore, the command in [Ezekiel 3:1](/ezekiel/3-1 "Ezekiel 3:1 - The Command to Eat the Scroll") to "eat this roll" is the direct continuation and culmination of this preparatory stage, emphasizing the necessary internalization of the difficult message before its proclamation. The subsequent verses in [Ezekiel 3:2-3](/ezekiel/3-2 "Ezekiel 3:2-3 - Ezekiel Eats the Scroll") describe Ezekiel's obedience and the unexpected sweetness of the scroll despite its sorrowful content, highlighting the divine origin and spiritual nourishment derived from God's word, even when it carries a harsh message.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel was a priest living among the Jewish exiles by the Kebar River in Babylonia (modern-day Iraq) following the first deportation of Judah in 597 BC. The "house of Israel" refers specifically to these exiles, a people who had repeatedly rebelled against God, leading to their captivity. They were disheartened, disillusioned, and often resistant to prophetic messages that challenged their sin or offered hope that seemed distant. The act of eating a scroll, while symbolic, would have resonated within a culture where written documents, particularly divine or legal texts, held immense authority and significance. Prophets often engaged in symbolic actions to convey profound spiritual truths, making the message tangible and memorable for a people accustomed to visual and performative communication.
* **Key Themes:** The verse significantly contributes to several key themes within the book of Ezekiel. It powerfully illustrates the theme of **Divine Commissioning**, where God directly initiates and equips His chosen messenger, underscoring His sovereignty over human affairs and His determination to communicate with His people. The command to "eat this roll" introduces the theme of **Internalization of God's Word**, emphasizing that true prophetic ministry (and indeed, any effective spiritual service) must stem from a deep, personal assimilation of divine truth, making it an intrinsic part of the messenger's being. Furthermore, the explicit directive to "go speak unto the house of Israel" highlights the **Prophetic Mandate** to confront a rebellious people with God's word, even when that word is one of judgment, as foreshadowed by the scroll's contents in [Ezekiel 2:10](/ezekiel/2-10 "Ezekiel 2:10 - The Scroll's Contents"). This verse also subtly touches upon the theme of **God's Relentless Pursuit of His People**, as He continues to send prophets even in their exile, demonstrating His unwavering covenant faithfulness despite their disobedience.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Son of man (Hebrew, _bên ʼâdâm'_):** This compound phrase, frequently used by God to address Ezekiel (over 90 times in the book), emphasizes Ezekiel's humanity (`ʼâdâm`, a human being, individual, or species) and frailty in contrast to God's divine majesty. The term `bên` (son) signifies a relationship or belonging, thus "son of man" highlights Ezekiel's identity as a mortal, earthly representative, grounding his prophetic authority not in his own power but in his humble receptivity to God's word. It serves to distinguish the prophet from the divine source of the message.
* **eat (Hebrew, _ʼâkal'_):** This primitive root means "to eat" literally or figuratively, encompassing concepts like consuming, devouring, or feeding. In this context, it is a powerful metaphor for the complete and intimate assimilation of God's message. It implies not just intellectual understanding, but a profound spiritual ingestion that integrates the divine word into the prophet's very being, making it a part of his spiritual metabolism. This act signifies that the message is not external information but an internal, life-giving (though potentially bitter) substance.
* **roll (Hebrew, _mᵉgillâh'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to roll," this term specifically refers to a scroll or volume, a common form of written document in ancient times. In the context of prophecy, it represents the divine revelation—the complete and authoritative word of God. The physical act of eating the "roll" underscores the tangible nature of the divine communication and the prophet's direct engagement with the written (or divinely inscribed) word, which contains the specific message God intends for Israel.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest;":** This opening clause establishes the divine origin of the command ("he said unto me") and the direct address to Ezekiel as a human agent ("Son of man"). The instruction "eat that thou findest" serves as a general directive, preparing the prophet for the specific object of consumption. It implies a readiness to receive and internalize whatever God provides, symbolizing a posture of complete submission and receptivity to divine revelation.
* **"eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel.":** This second clause specifies the object of the command ("this roll") and links the act of eating to the subsequent mandate ("go speak"). The repetition of "eat" emphasizes the importance of the internalization process. The "roll" (or scroll) contains the divine message, as revealed in [Ezekiel 2:10](/ezekiel/2-10 "Ezekiel 2:10 - The Scroll's Contents"), filled with "lamentations, and mourning, and woe." The ultimate purpose of this internalization is external proclamation: "go speak unto the house of Israel." This highlights the dual nature of prophetic ministry—first, profound reception, then faithful transmission to the designated audience, the exiled people of God, who are in desperate need of His word.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 3:1 is rich in **Symbolism**. The central symbol is the "roll" or scroll, which represents the divine word and the prophetic message itself. The act of "eating" the scroll is a powerful **Metaphor** for the complete internalization and assimilation of God's truth. It is not merely intellectual comprehension but a deep spiritual absorption that makes the message an intrinsic part of the prophet's being. This **Figurative Language** transforms an abstract concept (receiving a message) into a concrete, visceral experience, emphasizing the profound impact the divine word must have on the messenger. The recurring address "Son of man" is a form of **Apostrophe**, directly addressing Ezekiel and consistently reminding him of his human nature in contrast to the divine speaker, while also setting a thematic stage for the future Messiah. The verse also employs **Imperative Mood** ("eat," "go," "speak"), conveying the directness and authority of God's command, leaving no room for equivocation or delay in Ezekiel's mission.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 3:1 profoundly illustrates the intimate and transformative nature of divine revelation in the life of a prophet, and by extension, for all who are called to communicate God's truth. The command to "eat the roll" underscores the theological principle that God's word is not merely information to be transmitted, but a living, active substance that must be fully integrated into the messenger's being. This internalization process is essential for authentic and powerful proclamation, ensuring that the message flows from a place of deep conviction and personal encounter with God. It highlights God's sovereign initiative in commissioning His servants and His meticulous preparation of them for challenging ministries, particularly when the message is difficult or unwelcome.

* [Jeremiah 15:16](/jeremiah/15-16 "Jeremiah 15:16 - Jeremiah's Delight in God's Word")
* [Revelation 10:9-10](/revelation/10-9 "Revelation 10:9-10 - John Eats the Scroll")
* [Psalm 119:103](/psalms/119-103 "Psalm 119:103 - The Sweetness of God's Words")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 3:1 offers a profound blueprint for anyone engaged in ministry, teaching, or simply living out their faith. The command to "eat this roll" challenges us to move beyond superficial engagement with Scripture to a deep, transformative internalization of God's Word. It's not enough to merely read or study; we are called to "consume" it—to meditate on it, allow it to penetrate our hearts and minds, and let it shape our identity and worldview. Only when God's truth becomes an intrinsic part of who we are can we authentically and powerfully communicate it to others. This verse reminds us that effective spiritual service flows from a wellspring of personal encounter and assimilation of divine revelation, preparing us to speak God's truth, even when it is challenging or unpopular, to a world in need of His message.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I "eat" God's Word, truly internalizing it beyond surface-level reading or study?**
* **How does my personal assimilation of Scripture impact my ability to speak God's truth to others?**
* **What "rolls" (messages or truths) has God given me to internalize before I can effectively share them with my "house of Israel" (my sphere of influence)?**
* **What challenges do I face in fully embracing and proclaiming God's message, especially when it involves "lamentations, mourning, and woe" for a rebellious world?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of Ezekiel being called "Son of man"?**

Answer: The title "Son of man" (Hebrew: *ben-adam*) is God's primary address to Ezekiel throughout the book. Its significance lies in emphasizing Ezekiel's humanity and mortality in stark contrast to the divine majesty and omnipotence of God, who is speaking to him. It serves to humble the prophet, reminding him that his authority comes not from himself but from being a mere mortal chosen by God. This title also sets a thematic stage, as it is later used by Jesus to refer to Himself, highlighting His dual nature as both fully human and fully divine (e.g., [Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")).

**Why was Ezekiel commanded to "eat this roll"?**

Answer: The command to "eat this roll" is a powerful symbolic act. The roll (or scroll) contained God's message for Israel, described in [Ezekiel 2:10](/ezekiel/2-10 "Ezekiel 2:10 - The Scroll's Contents") as being filled with "lamentations, and mourning, and woe." By commanding Ezekiel to eat it, God was instructing him to fully internalize and assimilate the divine message, making it a part of his very being. It signifies that the prophet must not merely be a messenger who delivers words, but one whose life and spirit are saturated with God's truth, even its difficult aspects. This act ensured that Ezekiel's proclamation would flow from deep personal conviction and divine enablement, rather than mere intellectual understanding.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 3:1, with its profound imagery of ingesting the divine word for proclamation, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. As the eternal Word of God made flesh ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God"), [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), Jesus perfectly embodied the internalization and proclamation of God's truth. He lived a life of complete obedience, His very being saturated with the Father's will and words ([John 8:28](/john/8-28 "John 8:28 - Jesus Does Nothing of His Own Accord")). Unlike Ezekiel, who ate a *written* scroll, Jesus *was* the living Word, perfectly embodying the message of salvation and judgment. His ministry was the ultimate "speaking unto the house of Israel" and indeed, to all humanity, bringing forth the truth of God's kingdom and the call to repentance ([Mark 1:15](/mark/1-15 "Mark 1:15 - Jesus Preaches the Gospel")). Furthermore, Jesus is the ultimate "Son of Man" ([Daniel 7:13](/daniel/7-13 "Daniel 7:13 - The Son of Man Coming with the Clouds")), a title that in the New Testament emphasizes both His humanity and His divine authority as the Messiah. Thus, Ezekiel's experience foreshadows the perfect union of divine message and human messenger found supremely in Christ, who not only ate the roll but *was* the roll, fully embodying God's truth and delivering it with unparalleled authority and love.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Revelation 10:9

And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take [it], and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.

Revelation 10:10

And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.

Ezekiel 3:17

Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.

Ezekiel 3:21

Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous [man], that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.

Ezekiel 2:8

But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee.

Ezekiel 2:9

And when I looked, behold, an hand [was] sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book [was] therein;

1 Timothy 4:15

Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.