Prophetic Commissioning and the Divine Presence

2:1 Son of man The Hebrew word used here, ben-adam, also could be understood as “son of Adam.” Yahweh uses this term to address Ezekiel 93 times in this book (for comparison, it appears only six more times in the ot). Yahweh never refers to Ezekiel by name.

2:2 the Spirit came into me Ezekiel describes a physical experience with the Spirit of God, who regularly moves him or picks him up (compare Ezek 3:24; 8:3). Compare to Ezekiel’s physical act of literally internalizing God’s message in 2:8–3:3. Compare note on 1:3.

2:3 nations who are rebelling Yahweh punctuates Ezekiel’s commissioning with references to Israel’s rebellion. Israel is called rebellious four more times after this initial accusation.

2:4 Thus says the Lord Yahweh Although he is given only a formulaic prophetic introduction, Ezekiel is commissioned to speak on God’s behalf. At this point, the focus is his calling as a prophet, not the specific message to Israel.

2:5 they, whether they listen or whether they fail The prophet’s responsibility is to preach the message. The people will be held accountable for how they respond to it.

a rebellious house This phrase, beth meri in Hebrew (meaning “rebellious house”), is unique to Ezekiel and is used 15 times to refer to Israel, four times in this commissioning scene (see note on v. 3).

2:6 you must not be afraid of them Ezekiel receives similar encouragement in 3:9–11 (compare Jer 1:8).

2:8 eat what I am giving to you By obeying Yahweh’s command to eat, Ezekiel immediately distinguishes himself from rebellious Israel. He must obey without knowing what will be offered. Ezekiel literally receives the words of God in his mouth (compare Jer 1:9, where God says He put His words in the prophet’s mouth).

2:9 a scroll with writing A scroll (megillah in Hebrew) was a roll of papyrus or leather parchment. A written scroll might be called a sepher, which was not a book in the modern sense, but a type of written document. This verse uses both Hebrew terms together.

2:10 was written on the front and back A papyrus scroll could have writing on both sides, but a parchment scroll could not—the hairy side of the leather hide was too rough. Techniques to smooth the rough side were not developed until the first century ad. Since the entire surface of the scroll was covered in writing, Ezekiel could not add to the message.