Chapter 1 – Chapter 3

Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

1 NOW it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.

Note 296. The thirtieth year. The date at which this reckoning commences is doubful Calvin dates from a Jubilee, (vol. 1, p. 52.,) but Jerome from the 18th year of King Josiah, when the book of the law was found. Origen, Hom. I., understands it of Ezekiel’s age; and so does Gregory, Hom. II. Maldonatus interprets it of the captivity, and quotes the authority of Theodoret. Pradus, as quoted by Rosenmfiner, agrees with Jerome. The Editor refers his readers once for all to the valuable commentary of Rosenmuller on this Prophet for all kinds of valuable critical information; while the English student will find the notes to Archbishop Newcome’s version very judicious.

2 In the fifth day of the month, in the fifth year of the captivity of King Jehoiakim,

3 The word of Jehovah came to Ezekiel, son of Buzi the priest, in the land of the Chaldreans, near the river Chebar, and the land of Jehovah was upon him there.

4 And I looked, and, behold, tempestuous wind coming from the north; a great cloud, and a fire folding round itself, and a brightness was round about it; and out of the midst there was, as it were, the appearance of Hasmal in the midst of the fire.

5 And in the middle of this, was the likeness of four living creatures, and their aspect was the likeness of a man:

6 They had each four faces and four wings,

7 Their feet were straight, and the sole of their feet like that of a calf’s foot, (or round, volume 1,) and they cast forth sparks like the appearance of polished brass:

8 And they had human hands under their wings on their four sides; and they had four faces and wings.

9 And each wing was connected with the next wing: when they moved they did not turn back: each animal went forward in the direction of his face.

10 As to the likeness of their faces, these four had the face of a man and the face of a lion on the right side; and on the left, these four had the face of an ox and the face of an eagle.

11 Their faces, then, and their wings were extended from above, and each wing was bound to its neighbor, and two covered their body.

Note 297. Or, “divided.” See vol. 1, p. 75, note.. The MSS. vary slightly. Calvin has translated very literally; and the Prophet’s language being so elliptical, it is almost impossible to present a perfectly accurate representation of “a cherub” to a modern inquirer.

12 And each walked in the direction of its face; and wheresoever the spirit (or will,) proceeded, they proceeded they did not return in their course.

13 As to the likeness of the living creatures, their aspect was like coals of burning fire, like the appearance of lamps passing up and down between the living creatures: and the fire was ‘bright, and lightning’ issued from it.

14 And the living creatures ran and returned like lightning.

15 While I was; beholding’ the living creatures, behold one wheel on the earth, near each living, creature, at right angles, at the face of each.

Note 298. Explained in a note, p. 82, vol. 1 See Jerome in Comment. ad Heseam, cap. 12, and Chrysos. Orat. 35, p. 448, ed. Morell...Rosen. in ver.

16 The appearance of the wheels and their workmanship was like chrysolite: and they were all alike’ and their appearance and their form were like one wheel within another.

17 When they moved forward, they went upon their four sides: they did not turn back when they proceeded.

18 And I beheld their circumferences, and their size, and their terribleness; and their strakes were full of eyes, round about these four.

19 And when the living creatures walked, the wheels moved beside them; and when the living creatures were raised from the earth, the wheels were raised with them.

Note 299. Alexander Knox, who beautifies whatever he touches upon, has applied this verse most happily in illustration of the “exquisitely regular” movements of the almighty, and the “attendant machinery of Providence.” — Remains, Ezekiel 6:9.

20 Withersoever the spirit led the living creatures, tither it also led the wheels: the wheels were raised up also with the living creatures, because their spirit was in the wheels also.

21 When the animals moved forward, the wheels did the same: they both were stationary and both elevated together; because the spirit of the animals was in the wheels.

22 Above the heads of the living creatures was the likeness of a firmament, as the appearance of terrible crystal stretched over and above their heads.

23 And under the firmament their wings were straight, each towards its neighbor: and each living creature had two wings, which covered their bodies on this side and on that.

24 And I heard the voice of their wings, like the voice of mighty waters, and like the voice of God’ the voice of their speech was like the sound of an army when they moved forward; and when they stood, they let down their wings.

25 And there was a voice from the firmament over their heads when they stood and let down their wings.

26 And above the firmament over their heads was the likeness of a throne, like the vision of a sapphire stone: and above the likeness of the throne was an image like the aspect of a man upon it.

27 And I saw, as it were, the color of amber, like the appearance of fire round about within it: from the appearance of his loins, both upwards and downwards, I saw the aspect of fire, and a brightness all round about him.

28 Like the appearance of a bow in a cloud on a rainy day, such was the aspect of his brightness round about. This was a vision of the similitude of Jehovah’s glory: and I gazed at it, and fell upon my face, and heard a voice speaking unto me. And he said unto me, —

Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

1 Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee.

2 And the Spirit came to me when he addressed me, and placed me upon my feet: and I heard him address me; and he said unto me —

3 Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, To revolting tribes who have rebelled against me: They and their fathers have acted perfidiously against me, Even to this very day.

4 They are children of a hard face, and of a stiff heart. Therefore I send thee unto them; And you shall say to them — Thus says the Lord Jehovah

5 And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will not, For they are a rebellious house, Yet shall know that a Prophet has been among them.

6 And you, son of man, be not afraid of them; Fear not their words, though they are rebellious, And are thorns towards time, and you dwellest with scorpions. Be not afraid of their language; Be not dismayed at their looks, Since they are a rebellious house.

7 And you shall utter my words unto them, Whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear; For they are rebels.

8 And you, son of man, hear what I say unto thee: Be not you rebellious like that. rebellious house; Open thy mouth, and eat what I put before thee.

9 Then I looked up, and, behold, a hand extended to me; And lo! a roll of a book was in it:

10 Then he spread it before my face; And lo! The roll was written behind and before, And the writing was lamentations, and morning, and wo.

Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

1 After that he said to me, Son of man, eat completely what you has found; namely, this roll, And go and speak to the house of Israel.

2 So I opened my mouth, and he fed me with that roll.

3 And said to me, Son of man, Feed thy belly, and fill thy bowels with this roll which I give thee. So I ate it, and it was in my mouth Like honey for sweetness.

4 Then he said to me, Son of man! Go to the house of Israel and address them in my words,

5 Since you art not sent to a people profound in lip and hard of speech, You art sent to the house of Israel:

6 Not to many peoples profound in lip and heavy in speech, Whom you canst not understand; Had I sent thee unto them, they would have hearkened unto thee.

Note 300. See vol. 1, p. 131, note.

7 But the house of Israel will not hear thee; Because they will not hear me; Since the whole house of Israel are hard of front and stout of heart.

8 Lo! I have made thy face hard against their faces, And thy forehead hard, against their forehead.

9 As an adamant, harder than flint, Have I made thy forehead: fear them not: Be not broken down at their presence, For they are a house of rebellion.

10 Moreover, he said to me, Son of man! All my words which I shall speak to thee, Receive in your heart and hear with your ears:

11 And go — Judea thee to the captives, to the children of thy people, And speak unto them and tell them, — Thus saith the Lord Jehovah, Whether they will hear, or whether they will not.

12 Then the Spirit raised me up: and I heard behind me A voice of mighty rustling, which said, Blessed be the glory of Jehovah from his place!

13 1 heard also the sound of the wings of the living’ creatures, Each kissing that of its companion, And the noise of the wheels beside them — the sound of a mighty shaking.

14 Then the Spirit raised me, and took me away, And I set forth in bitterness and indignation of spirit, And the hand of Jehovah was strong upon me.

15 Then I came to the captives at Thel-abib, They were seated by the river Chebar: there they sat: And I also sat there seven days desolate in the midst of them.

16 Then it happened at the end of the seven days, Thai the word of Jehovah came to me, saying,

17 Son of man! I have appointed thee a watchman over the house of Israel; Hence you shalt hear words from my mouth, And shall warn them from me.

18 When I say unto the wicked, You shall surely die: And you warnest him not, and speakest not unto him; And warnest him not from his wicked way to save his life: That wicked man shall die in his iniquity; But his blood. will I require at thy hand.

19 Yet if you warn the wicked, and he turn not from his impious and evil way, He shall die in his iniquity; But you has freed your own soul.

20 If a just man shall turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity: And I put a stumbling-block before his face, he shall die: Because you has not warned him, he shall die in his sins, The righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; But his blood will I require at thy hand.

21 Then if you warn the righteous that he sin not, And he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned, You also has delivered your own soul.

22 Then the hand of Jehovah was upon me, and he said to me, Arise, go unto the plain, and there I will speak to thee.

23 Then I arose, and went to the plain, and lo! The glory of Iehovah stood there, As the glory which I had beheld by the river Chebar:

24 And I fell upon my face, and the Spirit entered into me, And placed me upon my feet, and addressed me, and said, Go — shut thyself within your house.

25 And now — son of man! — lo! they shall put chains upon thee, And shall bind thee with them, and you shall not go forth into the midst of them:

26 Then I will make thy tongue cleave to thy palate, And you shall be dumb, and be no longer a reprover to them: Because they are a house; of rebellion.

27 But when I shall speak to thee, and shall open thy mouth, You shall say unto them, Thus says the Lord Jehovah, He who hears, may hear: he who forbears, may forbear; Since they are a house of rebellion.

Note 301. See vol. 1, p. 168, note.