3:1 Son of man See note on Ezek 2:1.

Eat this scroll See 2:8 and note; 2:9 and note.

3:2 I opened my mouth Ezekiel obeys. See note on 2:8.

3:3 And I ate Ezekiel literally internalizes Yahweh’s words. Compare Jeremiah’s metaphorical use of this image in Jer 15:16.

like sweet honey The psalmist says the words of God are sweeter than honey in Psa 19:10; 119:103.

3:4 you must speak to them with my words Internalizing the message prepared Ezekiel to speak for Yahweh.

3:5 a people of obscure speech and of a difficult language The Hebrew phrase used here translates literally as “deep of lip and heavy of tongue.” Since this phrase refers to languages that Ezekiel does not know, it emphasizes his commission as a prophet to Israel in exile, not to the people of Babylon.

3:6 they would have listened to you Yahweh tells Ezekiel that a mission to foreign people would have been easier and more fruitful than his mission to Israel. Compare the success of Jonah’s preaching to Nineveh in Jonah 3:4–5.

3:7 hard of heart Israel’s hardness of heart is a bigger obstacle to Yahweh’s message than the linguistic barrier faced with a foreign people.

3:8 I have made your face hard against their faces Compare Jer 1:18–19. Yahweh promises Ezekiel a divine strength in proclaiming the message that is equal to Israel’s stubborn resistance.

3:9 a diamond The word here, shamir, is a rare term occurring only three times (Ezek 3:9; Jer 17:1; Zech 7:12). Context indicates the substance is a very hard stone or mineral.

harder The Hebrew word chazaq is repeated three times in Ezek 3:8–9. Its use likely plays on Ezekiel’s name, yechezqel, which means “God toughens.”

flint This is a dark quartz known for its hardness. The word used here, tsor, often refers to flint knives (see Exod 4:25).

you must not fear them Compare Jeremiah’s commissioning in Jer 1:8, 17. Both prophets are encouraged to trust Yahweh in the face of the people’s opposition.

3:11 go to the exiles Ezekiel’s ministry is specifically intended for the Jews exiled in Babylon. His message addresses their crisis of faith after exile and helps explain Yahweh’s judgment of idolatry.

Thus says the Lord Yahweh See note on Ezek 2:4. Ezekiel consistently uses formulaic prophetic phrases. Again, the emphasis is on his role as a prophet of Yahweh, not on the prophecy.

3:12 And the Spirit lifted me up See note on 2:2.

the sound of a great earthquake A theophany is often accompanied by sounds and storm imagery (compare Exod 19:18; Psa 68:8; Matt 27:54). See note on Ezek 1:4.

3:14 in bitterness in the heat of my spirit Ezekiel is likely describing his excitement following an intense spiritual encounter, not a bitter anger. In Hebrew, heat is associated with a highly emotional state—hot with excitement, hot with anger. Likewise, the Hebrew word for “bitterness” carries the sense of emotional agony.

the hand of Yahweh Represents a physical manifestation of God’s power and presence. See note on Ezek 1:3.

3:15 Tel Abib The settlement of Jewish exiles where Ezekiel lived. It was apparently located near Nippur on the Chebar canal (also rendered “Kebar River”). The name is modified from its Babylonian name meaning “mound produced by a great flood.” It likely refers to the abandoned mound of an ancient city where the Babylonians settled the Jewish deportees. It is the only mention of the place name in the biblical text.

the Kebar River Located in Babylon. See note on 1:1.

seven days The priestly ordination ritual in Lev 8:33 required a specific length of time. Leviticus specifies seven days as the period for ritual purity. Elsewhere in the ot, it reflects time allotted for mourning (Gen 50:10; 1 Sam 31:13). Job sits for seven days and nights after the tragic loss of family and property in Job 2:13.

3:16 the word of Yahweh came to me The prophet’s standard introduction to his prophecies. While not unique to Ezekiel, the phrase is distinctive of his style. He uses it 49 times; comparatively, Jeremiah uses it 10 times, and Zechariah uses it twice.

3:17 as a watchman The Hebrew word used here, tsopheh, refers to a lookout or sentry whose job was to warn the settlement of coming danger. The image illustrates the prophet’s role to remind the people of God’s impending judgment if they fail to repent.

3:18 Surely you will die This literary pattern, known as case law, outlines what will happen under certain conditions. For example, if A happens, then B will be the consequence. The format is prominent in Exod 21–23 and Lev 19–20.

warn the wicked from his wicked way Ezekiel’s responsibility ends with providing the warning. He is given the same obligation to warn the wicked to repent and the righteous not to stray into wickedness.

wicked person will die because of his guilt The consequences for sin are the same whether a person has lived a wicked life or a righteous life (see Ezek 3:20; compare Rom 6:23).

from your hand I will seek his blood Ezekiel will face consequences if he fails to carry out his duties. Based on similar phrasing in 2 Sam 4:11 and Gen 9:5–6, it appears Ezekiel’s punishment will also be death. If his failure to warn is equated to murder, then biblical law would require the death penalty (see Exod 21:12; Lev 24:17; Num 35:31–33). The only exception allowed is for unintentional manslaughter (see Exod 21:13).

3:20 I place a stumbling block before him The sequence of events is the focus here. Yahweh lays the stumbling block only after the righteous person has already turned to injustice.

3:22 the hand of Yahweh was on me Ezekiel physically experiences the power and presence of Yahweh again. See Ezek 1:3 and note. He refers to this experience as either the “hand of Yahweh” or the “Spirit” (see 2:2 and note).

the valley The Hebrew term here almost always indicates a broad, smooth plain in a valley, not a narrow, mountainous valley. The term describes a wide open area where cattle can graze and travel is relatively easy. This reference is to the river valley of southern Mesopotamia.

3:23 I saw near the Kebar River Ezekiel’s initial vision and commissioning ends as it started: with a vision of the glory of Yahweh, described in detail in 1:1–2:2. On the Chebar canal (also rendered “Kebar River”), see note on 1:1.

I fell on my face The same reaction as in 1:28.

3:24 And the Spirit came into me See 2:2 and note. The sequence of events is identical to the earlier vision. Ezekiel falls on his face, then the Spirit enters him and sets him on his feet before God speaks.

3:25 they will place cords on you Ezekiel is bound again in 4:8. Both occurrences symbolize the consequences of the predicted judgment.

3:26 you will be silenced In the ancient world, paralysis and muteness were common symptoms of being overcome by a supernatural power. Ezekiel may have been mute for up to seven years based on 24:27 and 33:21–22, or he may have been mute only when not prophesying (see v. 27).

you will not be a reproving man for them Ezekiel is confined to his house and bound so that he is unable to warn Israel.

3:27 I will open your mouth Whenever God gives Ezekiel a message, He opens the prophet’s mouth so he can share it. Ezekiel may have become mute after each time God spoke, or a long-term muteness might end only when God allows it.