Ezekiel 2:9

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

And when I looked {H7200}, behold, an hand {H3027} was sent {H7971} unto me; and, lo, a roll {H4039} of a book {H5612} was therein;

When I looked, there was a hand stretched out to me, holding a scroll.

Then I looked and saw a hand reaching out to me, and in it was a scroll,

And when I looked, behold, a hand was put forth unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book was therein;

Commentary

Context

Ezekiel 2:9 is a pivotal moment in the prophet Ezekiel's divine commissioning. Following a profound vision of God's glory and a direct verbal command to stand on his feet (Ezekiel 2:1-8), this verse describes the tangible manifestation of the message Ezekiel is to deliver. Ezekiel, a priest living among the Judean exiles by the Chebar River in Babylon (597 BC), is being prepared for a difficult prophetic ministry to a rebellious nation. This verse sets the stage for the specific content of his prophecy, which is revealed in the subsequent verses.

Key Themes

  • Divine Revelation and Authority: The appearance of a "hand" directly sent to Ezekiel signifies God's active and personal involvement in conveying His message. This is not a human word but a direct, authoritative revelation from the Almighty. It underlines the divine origin of the prophetic word.
  • The Prophetic Mandate: The "roll of a book" represents the specific message and burden God is entrusting to Ezekiel. It symbolizes the complete and pre-ordained nature of the divine word the prophet is to proclaim, emphasizing that he is a messenger, not an inventor, of the message.
  • The Written Word: The "roll of a book" highlights that God's communication is precise, recorded, and meant to be faithfully delivered. In ancient times, scrolls were the primary means of preserving and transmitting important texts, underscoring the enduring and weighty nature of God's word.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "roll of a book" in Hebrew is megillah sepher (מְגִלַּת סֵפֶר), which literally means "scroll of a book." This term precisely describes the ancient form of a written document, made from papyrus or parchment and rolled up. The use of this term emphasizes that what Ezekiel is about to receive is not an abstract idea but a concrete, written revelation, a complete message to be unfolded and proclaimed.

Reflection and Application

Ezekiel 2:9 reminds us of the direct and intentional way God communicates His will. Just as a divine hand delivered a specific message to Ezekiel, God continues to reveal Himself and His truth through His written Word. This verse underscores the importance of receiving and heeding God's revelation. For us today, the "roll of a book" represents the Bible—the authoritative, complete, and divinely inspired message from God to humanity. Like Ezekiel, we are called to engage with this divine truth, to understand its contents, and to allow it to shape our lives and our witness to the world. It serves as a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path, guiding us through life's complexities.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 8:3 (5 votes)

    And he put forth the form of an hand, and took me by a lock of mine head; and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the inner gate that looketh toward the north; where [was] the seat of the image of jealousy, which provoketh to jealousy.

  • Revelation 10:8 (3 votes)

    ¶ And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go [and] take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth.

  • Revelation 10:11 (3 votes)

    And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.

  • Revelation 5:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

  • Revelation 5:5 (3 votes)

    And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

  • Ezekiel 3:1 (3 votes)

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

  • Daniel 10:10 (3 votes)

    ¶ And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and [upon] the palms of my hands.