Ezekiel 3:3

KJV

And he said unto me, Son of man, cause thy belly to eat, and fill thy bowels with this roll that I give thee. Then did I eat [it]; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he said {H559} unto me, Son {H1121} of man {H120}, cause thy belly {H990} to eat {H398}, and fill {H4390} thy bowels {H4578} with this roll {H4039} that I give {H5414} thee. Then did I eat {H398} it; and it was in my mouth {H6310} as honey {H1706} for sweetness {H4966}.

Complete Jewish Bible

as he said, "Human being, eat this scroll I am giving you; fill your insides with it." When I ate it, it tasted as sweet as honey.

Berean Standard Bible

“Son of man,” He said to me, “eat and fill your stomach with this scroll I am giving you.” So I ate, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth.

American Standard Version

And he said unto me, Son of man, cause thy belly to eat, and fill thy bowels with this roll that I give thee. Then did I eat it; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 3:3 describes a profound moment in the prophet's commissioning where God commands him to consume a scroll containing messages of lamentation, mourning, and woe for the house of Israel. Ezekiel obeys, and remarkably, the scroll tastes "as honey for sweetness" in his mouth. This act symbolizes the complete internalization and assimilation of God's divine word by the prophet, signifying that even difficult truths, when received directly from God, carry an inherent goodness and privilege, preparing Ezekiel for his challenging ministry to a rebellious people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a crucial point in the narrative of Ezekiel's prophetic call, immediately following his awe-inspiring vision of God's glory and the divine chariot throne in [Ezekiel 1](/ezekiel/1 "Ezekiel 1 - Vision of God's Glory"). In [Ezekiel 2](/ezekiel/2 "Ezekiel 2 - Ezekiel's Commission"), God explicitly commissions Ezekiel to be a prophet to the rebellious house of Israel, emphasizing their stubbornness and resistance. Before Ezekiel 3:3, the Lord presents Ezekiel with a scroll, instructing him to eat it. [Ezekiel 2:10](/ezekiel/2-10 "Ezekiel 2:10 - Contents of the Scroll") reveals that this scroll was written "within and without: and there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe." Thus, Ezekiel 3:3 is the direct response to this divine command, depicting the physical act of consuming the scroll and the surprising sensory experience that accompanies it, thereby confirming Ezekiel's acceptance and internalization of his difficult prophetic mandate.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel was a priest living in exile in Babylon, among the first wave of Judahites deported by Nebuchadnezzar in 597 BC. His ministry began around 593 BC, a period of immense national crisis and spiritual despair for the exiled Israelites. They struggled with false hopes of a quick return to Jerusalem and often resisted the true prophetic messages. The act of eating a scroll, while seemingly unusual, was a powerful symbolic gesture in the ancient Near East, signifying the complete absorption of a message or covenant. Prophets were often seen as embodying the message they delivered, making this physical act a vivid representation of Ezekiel's complete identification with God's word. The scroll itself, a common medium for written communication, underscored the authoritative and unalterable nature of God's decree.

* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 3:3 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Ezekiel and biblical prophecy. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Commission and Empowerment**, demonstrating that God not only calls His prophets but also supernaturally equips them for their tasks. Ezekiel's consumption of the scroll is an act of divine preparation, making God's word an intrinsic part of his being. Secondly, it underscores the **Internalization of God's Word**, emphasizing that a prophet's message is not merely intellectual but deeply assimilated, becoming part of their very essence before it is delivered. This is crucial given the challenging nature of the message—"lamentations, and mourning, and woe"—as revealed in [Ezekiel 2:10](/ezekiel/2-10 "Ezekiel 2:10 - The Scroll's Contents"). Lastly, the "sweetness" of the scroll, despite its grim content, introduces the theme of the **Privilege and Goodness of Divine Revelation**. Even difficult truths from God are ultimately good and sweet because they originate from Him, are true, and serve His righteous purposes, a sentiment echoed in [Psalm 19:10](/psalms/19-10 "Psalm 19:10 - The Sweetness of God's Law") and [Psalm 119:103](/psalms/119-103 "Psalm 119:103 - Delight in God's Word").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **eat (Hebrew, _ʼâkal'_):** From H398, a primitive root meaning "to eat (literally or figuratively)." In this context, it signifies not just physical consumption but a profound, almost spiritual, assimilation. Ezekiel is commanded to take God's word into the deepest parts of his being, making it an intrinsic part of him, much like food becomes part of the body. This is crucial for a prophet who must embody the message he delivers.
* **roll (Hebrew, _mᵉgillâh'_):** From H4039, referring to a written document rolled up. This term emphasizes the authoritative, recorded, and complete nature of God's message to Ezekiel. It is not a spontaneous utterance but a pre-ordained, comprehensive revelation that is to be fully absorbed, containing specific pronouncements of judgment and sorrow.
* **honey (Hebrew, _dᵉbash'_):** From H1706, meaning "honey (from its stickiness); by analogy, syrup." This word is used metaphorically to describe the surprising pleasantness of the scroll's taste. Despite the scroll's grim content ("lamentations, mourning, and woe"), its divine origin makes it inherently sweet and desirable to the prophet, highlighting the privilege and delight of receiving direct revelation from God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said unto me, Son of man, cause thy belly to eat, and fill thy bowels with this roll that I give thee."**: This opening clause establishes the divine command. God directly addresses Ezekiel as "Son of man," a title emphasizing his humanity and mortality in contrast to God's divine majesty. The command to "cause thy belly to eat, and fill thy bowels" is a vivid, visceral metaphor for complete and thorough internalization. The "belly" (H990, _beṭen_) and "bowels" (H4578, _mêʻeh_) refer to the innermost parts of the body, often associated with deep emotion and core being. This is not a superficial reading but a profound absorption of the "roll" (scroll), which represents God's authoritative and difficult message. The phrase "that I give thee" underscores the divine origin and authority of the message.
* **"Then did I eat [it];"**: This simple statement signifies Ezekiel's immediate and complete obedience to the divine command. There is no hesitation or questioning, only an act of submission and internalization. This obedience is critical for a prophet, demonstrating his readiness to receive and deliver God's word, regardless of its nature.
* **"and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness."**: This final clause describes the astonishing outcome of Ezekiel's obedience. Despite the scroll's contents of "lamentations, mourning, and woe" (as revealed in [Ezekiel 2:10](/ezekiel/2-10 "Ezekiel 2:10 - The Scroll's Contents")), Ezekiel experiences it as overwhelmingly pleasant. The **simile** "as honey for sweetness" (H1706, _dᵉbash_ and H4966, _mâthôwq_) conveys a sense of delight, indicating that receiving God's word, even a word of judgment, is inherently good, precious, and a privilege because it comes from the Lord. It suggests that the prophet finds joy and satisfaction in being God's messenger, regardless of the message's difficulty.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 3:3 is rich in **Symbolism** and **Metaphor**. The central act of "eating the scroll" is a powerful **symbol** for the complete internalization and assimilation of God's word. It goes beyond intellectual understanding to a deep, visceral absorption, signifying that God's message must become an integral part of the prophet's very being before it can be effectively delivered. The "roll" itself is a **symbol** of divine revelation, a fixed and authoritative word from God. The phrase "as honey for sweetness" is a vivid **simile** and **metaphor** that describes the surprising and delightful experience of consuming the scroll. Despite the scroll's grim contents of "lamentations, mourning, and woe," the inherent goodness and privilege of receiving God's word directly from Him make it sweet. This **juxtaposition** of bitter content with sweet taste highlights the divine origin and ultimate value of God's truth, even when it is challenging. The repeated address "Son of man" throughout Ezekiel, including here, serves as a constant reminder of Ezekiel's human frailty in contrast to God's omnipotence, emphasizing that God chooses and empowers human instruments for His divine purposes.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 3:3 powerfully illustrates the nature of divine revelation and prophetic calling. The command to "eat" the scroll signifies that God's word is not merely to be heard or read, but fully internalized, becoming part of the prophet's very being. This deep assimilation ensures that the message delivered is truly God's, not merely human opinion. The surprising sweetness of the scroll, despite its content of "lamentations, mourning, and woe," underscores the inherent goodness and privilege of receiving divine truth. Even difficult messages of judgment or suffering are ultimately sweet because they originate from a holy and righteous God, serving His perfect will and leading to ultimate redemption or justice. This act of consumption also represents God's equipping of His chosen instruments, providing them with the necessary spiritual nourishment and authority to fulfill their challenging missions.

* [Psalm 19:10](/psalms/19-10 "Psalm 19:10 - The Sweetness of God's Law")
* [Psalm 119:103](/psalms/119-103 "Psalm 119:103 - Delight in God's Word")
* [Revelation 10:9-10](/revelation/10-9 "Revelation 10:9-10 - John Eats the Scroll")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel's experience of eating the scroll and finding it sweet offers profound lessons for every believer today. We are called to "eat" God's Word, not merely to skim its surface or treat it as an academic text, but to truly internalize it—to meditate on its truths, allow it to penetrate our hearts and minds, and let it transform our entire being. This deep assimilation means embracing all of God's counsel, even the parts that confront our sin, challenge our comfort, or speak of difficult realities like judgment or suffering. Just as the scroll of woe was sweet to Ezekiel, so too should we find inherent goodness and delight in all of God's truth, recognizing that it is always for our ultimate good and His glory. This process of spiritual nourishment through the Word prepares and empowers us for our own unique callings and ministries, enabling us to speak and live out God's truth with authenticity and power in a world desperately in need of it.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How deeply do I allow God's Word to penetrate my life? Am I merely reading it, or truly "eating" it?**
* **What parts of God's Word do I find difficult to accept or internalize, and how can I cultivate a heart that finds even these truths "sweet"?**
* **In what ways does God's Word equip and empower me for the specific tasks and challenges He has set before me?**

### FAQ
**Why did God command Ezekiel to physically eat a scroll?**

Answer: The command for Ezekiel to physically eat the scroll in [Ezekiel 3:3](/ezekiel/3-3 "Ezekiel 3:3 - Ezekiel Eats the Scroll") is a powerful symbolic act. It signifies the complete and profound internalization of God's message. For a prophet, the word of God must become an intrinsic part of their being, not just an intellectual understanding. By consuming the scroll, Ezekiel was literally taking God's revelation into his "belly" and "bowels," representing the deepest parts of his physical and spiritual self. This ensured that the message he was to deliver to the rebellious house of Israel was truly God's word, assimilated and embodied by the messenger, preparing him for his challenging commission as seen in [Ezekiel 2:7](/ezekiel/2-7 "Ezekiel 2:7 - Israel's Rebellion").

**How could a scroll filled with "lamentations, and mourning, and woe" taste "as honey for sweetness"?**

Answer: The paradoxical sweetness of the scroll, despite its grim contents (as described in [Ezekiel 2:10](/ezekiel/2-10 "Ezekiel 2:10 - The Scroll's Contents")), highlights a profound theological truth. The sweetness does not come from the message's content (which was indeed difficult and painful) but from its divine origin. Receiving a direct word from God, being chosen as His messenger, and experiencing His presence is an immense privilege and delight. Even messages of judgment, when they come from a righteous and holy God, are ultimately good and true, serving His perfect purposes. This echoes the sentiment found in [Psalm 19:10](/psalms/19-10 "Psalm 19:10 - The Sweetness of God's Law"), which describes God's statutes as "sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb," emphasizing the inherent value and delight in God's word itself, regardless of its specific pronouncements.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel's experience of consuming the scroll and finding it sweet, even though it contained messages of woe, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment. Jesus Christ is the ultimate Word of God incarnate, the very embodiment of divine revelation (as stated in [John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God") and [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). While Ezekiel had to physically eat a scroll to internalize God's message, believers in Christ spiritually "eat" and "drink" of Him, receiving His very life and truth into their innermost being through faith ([John 6:53-56](/john/6-53 "John 6:53-56 - Eating the Flesh and Drinking the Blood")). The message that Christ brings is indeed one of judgment for sin, but it is also supremely sweet because it offers salvation, grace, and eternal life to all who believe. The "bitterness" of sin and its consequences is transformed into the "sweetness" of forgiveness and redemption through His atoning sacrifice ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Just as Ezekiel was empowered for his prophetic ministry by internalizing the scroll, so too are believers empowered for their witness by the indwelling Spirit of Christ, who illuminates the Scriptures and enables them to live out the "sweet" truth of the Gospel ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power to Witness")). Thus, Ezekiel's symbolic act foreshadows the ultimate spiritual nourishment and delight found in Christ, the living Word, who fully embodies and perfectly fulfills all of God's revelation.

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

Jeremiah 15:16

Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.

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.

Psalms 19:10

More to be desired [are they] than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Psalms 119:103

¶ How sweet are thy words unto my taste! [yea, sweeter] than honey to my mouth!

Psalms 119:11

¶ Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Colossians 3:16

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.