Read Verse Keyword Strong's
Prev

Ezekiel 8:1

Next

¶ And it came to pass in the sixth year, in the sixth [month], in the fifth [day] of the month, [as] I sat in mine house, and the elders of Judah sat before me, that the hand of the Lord GOD fell there upon me.

And it came to pass in the sixth {H8345} year {H8141}, in the sixth {H8345} month, in the fifth {H2568} day of the month {H2320}, as I sat {H3427} in mine house {H1004}, and the elders {H2205} of Judah {H3063} sat {H3427} before {H6440} me, that the hand {H3027} of the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069} fell {H5307} there upon me.

On the fifth day of the sixth month of the sixth year, as I was sitting in my house, and the leaders of Y'hudah were sitting there with me, the hand of Adonai ELOHIM fell on me.

In the sixth year, on the fifth day of the sixth month, I was sitting in my house, and the elders of Judah were sitting before me; and there the hand of the Lord GOD fell upon me.

And it came to pass in the sixth year, in the sixthmonth, in the fifthdayof the month, as I sat in my house, and the elders of Judah sat before me, that the hand of the Lord Jehovah fell there upon me.

Commentary

Ezekiel 8:1 marks a pivotal moment in the prophet Ezekiel's ministry, setting the stage for a profound and disturbing vision that exposes the deep-seated idolatry within Jerusalem. This verse precisely dates the event, emphasizing its historical authenticity and divine origin.

Context

This verse opens a new section of Ezekiel's prophecies, occurring approximately 14 months after his initial call to ministry described in Ezekiel 1:1-3. The setting is Ezekiel's house in Babylon, where he, along with many other Jews, had been exiled following Nebuchadnezzar's first deportation of Judah in 597 BC. The "sixth year, in the sixth month, in the fifth day of the month" (around September 592 BC) indicates a specific point in the Babylonian captivity. The presence of the "elders of Judah" before Ezekiel suggests they were seeking divine counsel or prophetic insight, perhaps concerning their future or the fate of Jerusalem, which was still standing at this time, though under siege.

Key Themes

  • Divine Revelation and Empowerment: The phrase "the hand of the Lord GOD fell there upon me" signifies a powerful and direct divine intervention, granting Ezekiel a prophetic vision and the spiritual power to receive and declare it. This phrase consistently indicates God's direct inspiration and control over His prophets, as seen in Ezekiel 3:22 and elsewhere.
  • Prophetic Authority in Exile: Despite being far from Jerusalem and its temple, God's presence and prophetic word were powerfully active among the exiled community. This highlights that God is not confined to a geographical location or a temple building.
  • Imminent Judgment Revealed: This verse serves as the prelude to a series of shocking revelations about the abominations being committed in Jerusalem, which are detailed in the subsequent verses of this chapter, particularly Ezekiel 8:6. The vision aims to justify God's impending judgment on the city and its temple.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase "the hand of the Lord GOD" (yad Yahweh Adonai) is a common prophetic idiom in Ezekiel and other prophetic books, denoting the overwhelming power and direct influence of God upon the prophet, leading to revelation or divine action. It signifies not merely a gentle touch but a compelling, supernatural force that enables the prophet to receive and communicate God's message, often involving visions or out-of-body experiences.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 8:1 reminds believers that God is sovereign and communicates His will even in difficult or displaced circumstances. Just as He met Ezekiel in exile, God can meet us wherever we are, providing guidance and revealing truth. It underscores the importance of being attentive to divine revelation, whether through scripture, prayer, or the discernment of God's leading. Furthermore, the willingness of the elders to sit before Ezekiel shows the importance of seeking wise, godly counsel in times of uncertainty.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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 20:1 (6 votes)

    ¶ And it came to pass in the seventh year, in the fifth [month], the tenth [day] of the month, [that] certain of the elders of Israel came to enquire of the LORD, and sat before me.

  • Ezekiel 1:2 (4 votes)

    In the fifth [day] of the month, which [was] the fifth year of king Jehoiachin's captivity,

  • Ezekiel 1:3 (4 votes)

    The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him.

  • Ezekiel 33:31 (4 votes)

    And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee [as] my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, [but] their heart goeth after their covetousness.

  • Ezekiel 14:1 (4 votes)

    ¶ Then came certain of the elders of Israel unto me, and sat before me.

  • Ezekiel 14:4 (3 votes)

    Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols;

  • Ezekiel 3:12 (2 votes)

    Then the spirit took me up, and I heard behind me a voice of a great rushing, [saying], Blessed [be] the glory of the LORD from his place.