Ezekiel 3:15

The name Tel-abib means possibly, Hill of corn-ears, or shortly, Cornhill; but see against this Frd. Del. Heb. Lang. p. 16. Names compounded with the word Tel, hill, are very common. The place is not otherwise known.

and I sat where they sat This is the Heb. marg. (Ḳri); the text is as R.V., "and to where they dwelt." The passage is almost certainly corrupt. Most probably the words: "that dwelt by the river Chebar, and" should be omitted: then I came to them of the captivity to Tel-abib where they dwelt; and I sat there astonied among them seven days.

astonished among them R. V. astonied, i.e. dumb and motionless. Ezra 9:3-4, "And when I heard this word I rent my garment and my mantle, and sat down astonied," Daniel 9:27; Daniel 11:31. There was enough in the prophet's circumstances to produce a conflict of feelings in his mind the sin of Israel, who were yet his own people; the task before which he stood, and his close and awful communications with heaven. The simple feeling of bitterness and indignation which filled his mind when he newly left the presence of God became broken into a tumult of feelings when he saw the face of men. Zeal for God becomes tempered and humanized in actual service. Ezekiel felt himself a prophet a moment ago, now he feels himself a watchman (Ezekiel 3:17 seq.). Comp. the pathetic story of Samuel and Saul, 1 Samuel 15:25-31.

seven days Job's friends "sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights; and none spake a word unto him; for they saw that the affliction was very great." The week was the first large division of time, and the long period of motionless silence expresses the strength of the prophet's emotions. Ezra sat in stupor only until the evening.