Ezekiel 3:15

Then I came to them of the captivity at Telabib, that dwelt by the river of Chebar, and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days.

Then I came {H935} to them of the captivity {H1473} at Telabib {H8512}, that dwelt {H3427} by the river {H5104} of Chebar {H3529}, and I sat {H3427} where they sat {H3427}, and remained {H3427} there astonished {H8074} among {H8432} them seven {H7651} days {H3117}.

I went to the exiles who were living in Tel-Aviv, by the K'var River and stayed with them there in a stupefied state for seven days.

I came to the exiles at Tel-abib who dwelt by the River Kebar. And for seven days I sat where they sat and remained there among them, overwhelmed.

Then I came to them of the captivity at Tel-abib, that dwelt by the river Chebar, and to where they dwelt; and I sat there overwhelmed among them seven days.

Context of Ezekiel 3:15

Ezekiel 3:15 marks a significant moment in the prophet Ezekiel's early ministry. Following his dramatic vision of God's glory by the river Chebar and his divine commission (Ezekiel 1-3:11), Ezekiel is instructed to go to the "house of Israel" among the exiles. This verse describes his physical journey to Telabib, a specific settlement of Jewish captives near the Chebar river in Babylon, where he was to deliver God's message. The people of Israel were in exile, a consequence of their disobedience and idolatry, and Ezekiel was called to be a watchman to them in this foreign land.

Key Themes in Ezekiel 3:15

  • Empathy and Solidarity: Ezekiel's act of "sitting where they sat" demonstrates profound empathy and identification with the suffering of his people. He didn't come as a detached messenger but immersed himself in the daily life and despair of the exiles. This period of silent observation was crucial for understanding their plight before delivering God's often-harsh messages.
  • Divine Burden and Astonishment: The phrase "remained there astonished among them seven days" highlights the overwhelming impact of his prophetic calling and the burden of the messages he was to deliver. It wasn't just physical exhaustion but a deep spiritual and emotional shock at the reality of their situation and the weight of God's judgment. This period of silence reflects a profound processing of the divine encounter and the gravity of his mission, similar to how Ezekiel was given a scroll full of lamentations and woe.
  • Preparation for Ministry: The seven days of silence serve as a period of intense spiritual and psychological preparation. Before speaking for God, Ezekiel needed to fully grasp the weight of his task and the spiritual condition of the people he was sent to. This silent contemplation allowed him to internalize the divine word and the human suffering.

Linguistic Insight: "Astonished"

The KJV word "astonished" comes from the Hebrew verb שָׁמֵם (shamem), which carries a stronger meaning than mere surprise. It implies being desolate, appalled, stunned into silence, or even horror-struck. It can denote a state of shock, devastation, or being overwhelmed to the point of speechlessness. Ezekiel's astonishment wasn't just wonder; it was a profound, perhaps even dreadful, realization of the spiritual desolation of his people and the severity of God's judgment that he was now commissioned to declare.

Practical Application

Ezekiel's experience in Telabib offers several valuable lessons for believers today:

  • The Importance of Empathy: Before we attempt to speak truth or offer guidance, it is vital to understand and empathize with the struggles of others. Sitting with people in their pain, listening, and observing can be more powerful than immediate words.
  • Processing God's Word: When God reveals challenging truths or calls us to difficult tasks, it requires time for internal processing. Like Ezekiel's seven days, we may need periods of quiet reflection and even "astonishment" to fully grasp the weight of God's message and our role in it. This silent processing can be a form of being still before the Lord.
  • The Weight of Divine Calling: Serving God is not always easy or comfortable. Ezekiel's astonishment reminds us that a genuine calling often comes with a profound sense of responsibility and the overwhelming realization of the spiritual realities involved.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Job 2:13

    So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that [his] grief was very great.

  • Psalms 137:1

    ¶ By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.

  • Ezekiel 1:1

    ¶ Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth [month], in the fifth [day] of the month, as I [was] among the captives by the river of Chebar, [that] the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.

  • Genesis 50:10

    And they came to the threshingfloor of Atad, which [is] beyond Jordan, and there they mourned with a great and very sore lamentation: and he made a mourning for his father seven days.

  • Ezekiel 10:15

    And the cherubims were lifted up. This [is] the living creature that I saw by the river of Chebar.

  • Jeremiah 23:9

    ¶ Mine heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine hath overcome, because of the LORD, and because of the words of his holiness.

  • Habakkuk 3:16

    ¶ When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops.

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