Ezekiel 3:1

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

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}.

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."

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

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

Context of Ezekiel 3:1

This verse marks a pivotal moment in the prophetic commissioning of Ezekiel. Having already received a profound vision of God's glory and a clear call to ministry in Ezekiel chapters 1 and 2, the prophet is now given a specific instruction for delivering the divine message. Ezekiel was among the Jewish exiles in Babylonia (Chaldea), living by the Kebar River, when he received these profound revelations from God. The command to "eat this roll" is a symbolic act, vital for his preparation to speak to a rebellious nation.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Commissioning: God directly instructs Ezekiel, emphasizing His authority and purpose in sending the prophet. This isn't a self-appointed task but a divine assignment.
  • Ingestion of God's Word: The act of eating the "roll" (or scroll) symbolizes the complete internalization and assimilation of God's message. It implies that the prophet must fully understand and absorb the divine truth, making it a part of his very being, before he can effectively deliver it. This concept is mirrored later in Revelation 10:9-10.
  • Prophetic Mandate: Ezekiel is specifically commanded to "go speak unto the house of Israel." His mission is clearly defined: to convey God's words to His chosen people, who were in exile due to their disobedience.
  • Preparation for Ministry: The eating of the scroll is a preparatory step, highlighting that effective ministry stems from a deep, personal engagement with God's revelation.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Son of man" (Hebrew: ben-adam) is God's frequent address to Ezekiel throughout the book. It emphasizes Ezekiel's humanity and frailty in contrast to God's omnipotence, while also setting a thematic stage for the future Messiah, who would also be known by this title (see Daniel 7:13). The "roll" (Hebrew: megillah) refers to a scroll, which in the subsequent verses (Ezekiel 2:10, Ezekiel 3:3) is described as being filled with lamentations, mourning, and woe, indicating the difficult and often sorrowful nature of the message Ezekiel was to deliver.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 3:1 offers timeless principles for anyone seeking to serve God or communicate His truth. First, it underscores the necessity of internalizing God's Word. We are called not merely to read the Bible, but to "eat" it – to meditate on it, allow it to transform our thinking, and make it a part of who we are. Only then can we effectively share its message with others. Second, it highlights the importance of divine commissioning; our spiritual tasks are not self-assigned but flow from God's specific call. Finally, it reminds us that delivering God's message, especially one of repentance or warning, can be challenging, requiring deep conviction and spiritual nourishment from the source itself.

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Cross-References

  • Revelation 10:9 (10 votes)

    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 (10 votes)

    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 (7 votes)

    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 (7 votes)

    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 (6 votes)

    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 (6 votes)

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

  • 1 Timothy 4:15 (4 votes)

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