EZEKIEL—NOTE ON EZEKIEL 1:1 Inaugural Vision. The story of Ezekiel’s call as a prophet is the most complex of all the “prophetic call stories” in the OT. It is also one of the most carefully structured. Ezekiel has a vision of the glory of God (Ezekiel 1:1). He receives his prophetic commission thro... [ Continue Reading ]
EZEKIEL—NOTE ON EZEKIEL 1:2 Probably the “thirtieth year” of v. Ezekiel 1:1 should be linked with the FIFTH YEAR OF THE EXILE OF KING JEHOIACHIN (593 B.C.). Jehoiachin’s exile is the reference point for dates throughout the book. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0... [ Continue Reading ]
EZEKIEL—NOTE ON EZEKIEL 1:4 A STORMY WIND announces the Lord’s approach, as in Job 38:1. The NORTH is associated with God’s home (see Psalms 48:2), and in Jeremiah 1:1 it indicates the source of divine judgment (Jeremiah 1:13). The phrase AS IT WERE shows that Ezekiel is struggling for the right wor... [ Continue Reading ]
EZEKIEL—NOTE ON EZEKIEL 1:9 THEIR WINGS TOUCHED recalls the description of the cherubim in the Most Holy Place in Solomon’s temple (1 Kings 6:27). The four-sided form of the creatures ensures that they can do the impossible: go STRAIGHT FORWARD, in any direction, but WITHOUT TURNING. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var imag... [ Continue Reading ]
EZEKIEL—NOTE ON EZEKIEL 1:10 The creatures’ shape was mainly HUMAN, but each had four FACES. Many suggestions have been made to explain their symbolism. Certainly each creature is majestic in its realm, whether among the wild (LION) and domestic (OX) animals, or in the air (EAGLE). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images... [ Continue Reading ]
EZEKIEL—NOTE ON EZEKIEL 1:12 The term SPIRIT can refer either to God’s spirit or to wind. Given v. Ezekiel 1:20, it seems likely that this is a reference to a “spirit” distinct from that of the living creatures (see esv footnote). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=... [ Continue Reading ]
EZEKIEL—NOTE ON EZEKIEL 1:22 The term EXPANSE appears four times in the immediate context (vv. Ezekiel 1:22, Ezekiel 1:25). Compare Genesis 1:6, Genesis 1:14, where it is used nine times. There the expanse forms the dome of the sky. Here it is a horizontal layer above the wings of the creatures. The... [ Continue Reading ]
EZEKIEL—NOTE ON EZEKIEL 1:28 BOW... ON THE DAY OF RAIN. Given the threatening message that follows, the bow is likely a symbolic reference to the Lord sending arrows of lightning (see Psalms 7:12; Habakkuk 3:9). The GLORY OF THE LORD is his demonstrated presence with his people. It was visible as a... [ Continue Reading ]