Yehezkiel 3:22

Isolated and Silenced

3:22 The hand ¹  of the Lord rested on me there, and he said to me, “Get up, go out to the valley, ²  and I will speak with you there.”

Yehezkiel 4:1

Ominous Object Lessons

4:1 “And you, son of man, take a brick ³  and set it in front of you. Inscribe ⁴  a city on it – Jerusalem.

Yehezkiel 4:8

4:8 Look here, I will tie you up with ropes, so you cannot turn from one side to the other until you complete the days of your siege. ⁵ 

Yehezkiel 5:1

5:1 “As for you, son of man, take a sharp sword and use it as a barber’s razor. ⁶  Shave off some of the hair from your head and your beard. ⁷  Then take scales and divide up the hair you cut off.

Yehezkiel 5:5

5:5 “This is what the sovereign Lord says: This is Jerusalem; I placed her in the center of the nations with countries all around her.

Yehezkiel 5:8-9

5:8 “Therefore this is what the sovereign Lord says: I – even I – am against you, ⁸  and I will execute judgment ⁹  among you while the nations watch. ¹⁰  5:9 I will do to you what I have never done before and will never do again because of all your abominable practices. ¹¹ 

Yehezkiel 7:7

7:7 Doom is coming upon you who live in the land! The time is coming, the day ¹²  is near. There are sounds of tumult, not shouts of joy, on the mountains. ¹³ 

Yehezkiel 7:16

7:16 Their survivors will escape to the mountains and become like doves of the valleys; all of them will moan – each one for his iniquity.

Yehezkiel 7:24

7:24 I will bring the most wicked of the nations and they will take possession of their houses. I will put an end to the arrogance of the strong, and their sanctuaries ¹⁴  will be desecrated.

Yehezkiel 12:4

12:4 Bring out your belongings packed for exile during the day while they are watching. And go out at evening, while they are watching, as if for exile.

Yehezkiel 13:23

13:23 Therefore you will no longer see false visions and practice divination. I will rescue my people from your power, and you ¹⁵  will know that I am the Lord.’”

Yehezkiel 14:3

14:3 “Son of man, these men have erected their idols in their hearts and placed the obstacle leading to their iniquity ¹⁶  right before their faces. Should I really allow them to seek ¹⁷  me?

Yehezkiel 14:8

14:8 I will set my face against that person and will make him an object lesson and a byword ¹⁸  and will cut him off from among my people. Then you will know that I am the Lord.

Yehezkiel 14:14

14:14 Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, ¹⁹  and Job, were in it, they would save only their own lives by their righteousness, declares the sovereign Lord.

Yehezkiel 16:3

16:3 and say, ‘This is what the sovereign Lord says to Jerusalem: Your origin and your birth were in the land of the Canaanites; your father was an Amorite and your mother a Hittite.

Yehezkiel 16:16

16:16 You took some of your clothing and made for yourself decorated high places; you engaged in prostitution on them. You went to him to become his. ²⁰ 

Yehezkiel 16:53

16:53 “‘I will restore their fortunes, the fortunes of Sodom and her daughters, and the fortunes of Samaria and her daughters (along with your fortunes among them),

Yehezkiel 17:10

17:10 Consider! It is planted, but will it prosper?

Will it not wither completely when the east wind blows on it?

Will it not wither in the soil where it sprouted?’”

Yehezkiel 17:19-21

17:19 “‘Therefore this is what the sovereign Lord says: As surely as I live, I will certainly repay him ²¹  for despising my oath and breaking my covenant! 17:20 I will throw my net over him and he will be caught in my snare; I will bring him to Babylon and judge him there because of the unfaithfulness he committed against me. 17:21 All the choice men ²²  among his troops will die ²³  by the sword and the survivors will be scattered to every wind. Then you will know that I, the Lord, have spoken!

Yehezkiel 17:23

17:23 I will plant it on a high mountain of Israel,

and it will raise branches and produce fruit and become a beautiful cedar.

Every bird will live under it;

Every winged creature will live in the shade of its branches.

Yehezkiel 18:2

18:2 “What do you mean by quoting this proverb concerning the land of Israel,

“‘The fathers eat sour grapes

And the children’s teeth become numb?’ ²⁴ 

Yehezkiel 18:18

18:18 As for his father, because he practices extortion, robs his brother, and does what is not good among his people, he will die for his iniquity.

Yehezkiel 20:16

20:16 I did this ²⁵  because they rejected my regulations, did not follow my statutes, and desecrated my Sabbaths; for their hearts followed their idols. ²⁶ 

Yehezkiel 21:4

21:4 Because I will cut off from you both the righteous and the wicked, my sword will go out from its sheath against everyone ²⁷  from the south ²⁸  to the north.

Yehezkiel 22:9

22:9 Slanderous men shed blood within you. ²⁹  Those who live within you eat pagan sacrifices on the mountains; ³⁰  they commit obscene acts among you. ³¹ 

Yehezkiel 23:22

23:22 “Therefore, Oholibah, this is what the sovereign Lord says: Look here, ³²  I am about to stir up against you the lovers with whom you were disgusted; I will bring them against you from every side:

Yehezkiel 23:42

23:42 The sound of a carefree crowd accompanied her, ³³  including all kinds of men; ³⁴  even Sabeans ³⁵  were brought from the desert. The sisters ³⁶  put bracelets on their wrists and beautiful crowns on their heads.

Yehezkiel 24:25

24:25 “And you, son of man, this is what will happen on the day I take ³⁷  from them their stronghold – their beautiful source of joy, the object in which their eyes delight, and the main concern of their lives, ³⁸  as well as their sons and daughters: ³⁹ 

Yehezkiel 26:3

26:3 therefore this is what the sovereign Lord says: Look, ⁴⁰  I am against you, ⁴¹  O Tyre! I will bring up many nations against you, as the sea brings up its waves.

Yehezkiel 26:14

26:14 I will make you a bare rock; you will be a place where fishing nets are spread. You will never be built again, ⁴²  for I, the Lord, have spoken, declares the sovereign Lord.

Yehezkiel 27:7

27:7 Fine linen from Egypt, woven with patterns, was used for your sail

to serve as your banner;

blue and purple from the coastlands of Elishah ⁴³  was used for your deck’s awning.

Yehezkiel 28:12

28:12 “Son of man, sing ⁴⁴  a lament for the king of Tyre, and say to him, ‘This is what the sovereign Lord says:

“‘You were the sealer ⁴⁵  of perfection,

full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.

Yehezkiel 28:17

28:17 Your heart was proud because of your beauty;

you corrupted your wisdom on account of your splendor.

I threw you down to the ground;

I placed you before kings, that they might see you.

Yehezkiel 29:21

29:21 On that day I will make Israel powerful, ⁴⁶  and I will give you the right to be heard ⁴⁷  among them. Then they will know that I am the Lord.”

Yehezkiel 31:5

31:5 Therefore it grew taller than all the trees of the field;

its boughs grew large and its branches grew long,

because of the plentiful water in its shoots. ⁴⁸ 

Yehezkiel 33:15

33:15 He ⁴⁹  returns what was taken in pledge, pays back what he has stolen, and follows the statutes that give life, ⁵⁰  committing no iniquity. He will certainly live – he will not die.

Yehezkiel 33:21

The Fall of Jerusalem

33:21 In the twelfth year of our exile, in the tenth month, on the fifth of the month, ⁵¹  a refugee came to me from Jerusalem ⁵²  saying, “The city has been defeated!” ⁵³ 

Yehezkiel 34:30

34:30 Then they will know that I, the Lord their God, am with them, ⁵⁴  and that they are my people, the house of Israel, declares the sovereign Lord. ⁵⁵ 

Yehezkiel 35:3

35:3 Say to it, ‘This is what the sovereign Lord says:

“‘Look, I am against you, Mount Seir;

I will stretch out my hand against you

and turn you into a desolate ruin.

Yehezkiel 35:10

35:10 “‘You said, “These two nations, these two lands ⁵⁶  will be mine, and we will possess them,” ⁵⁷  – although the Lord was there –

Yehezkiel 36:8

36:8 “‘But you, mountains of Israel, will grow your branches, and bear your fruit for my people Israel; for they will arrive soon. ⁵⁸ 

Yehezkiel 36:31

36:31 Then you will remember your evil behavior ⁵⁹  and your deeds which were not good; you will loathe yourselves on account of your sins and your abominable deeds.

Yehezkiel 36:37

36:37 “This is what the sovereign Lord says: I will allow the house of Israel to ask me to do this for them: ⁶⁰  I will multiply their people like sheep. ⁶¹ 

Yehezkiel 38:23

38:23 I will exalt and magnify myself; I will reveal myself before many nations. Then they will know that I am the Lord.’

Yehezkiel 39:25

39:25 “Therefore this is what the sovereign Lord says: Now I will restore ⁶²  the fortunes of Jacob, and I will have mercy on the entire house of Israel. I will be zealous for my holy name.

Yehezkiel 40:13

40:13 He measured the gateway from the roof of one alcove to the roof of the other, a width of 43¾ feet ⁶³  from one entrance to the opposite one.

Yehezkiel 40:47

40:47 He measured the court as a square 175 feet long and 175 feet wide; ⁶⁴  the altar was in front of the temple.

Yehezkiel 40:49

40:49 The length of the porch was 35 feet ⁶⁵  and the width 19¼ feet; ⁶⁶  steps ⁶⁷  led up to it, and there were pillars beside the jambs on either side.

Yehezkiel 41:4-5

41:4 Then he measured its length as 35 feet, ⁶⁸  and its width as 35 feet, ⁶⁹  before the outer sanctuary. He said to me, “This is the most holy place.”

41:5 Then he measured the wall of the temple ⁷⁰  as 10½ feet, ⁷¹  and the width of the side chambers as 7 feet, ⁷²  all around the temple.

Yehezkiel 41:12

41:12 The building that was facing the temple courtyard at the west side was 122½ feet ⁷³  wide; the wall of the building was 8¾ feet ⁷⁴  all around, and its length 157½ feet. ⁷⁵ 

Yehezkiel 42:12

42:12 were the chambers ⁷⁶  which were toward the south. There was an opening at the head of the passage, the passage in front of the corresponding wall toward the east when one enters.

Yehezkiel 44:3

44:3 Only the prince may sit in it to eat a sacrificial meal ⁷⁷  before the Lord; he will enter by way of the porch of the gate and will go out by the same way.”

Yehezkiel 44:8

44:8 You have not kept charge of my holy things, but you have assigned foreigners ⁷⁸  to keep charge of my sanctuary for you.

Yehezkiel 45:2-3

45:2 Of this area a square 875 feet ⁷⁹  by 875 feet will be designated for the sanctuary, with 87½ feet ⁸⁰  set aside for its open space round about. 45:3 From this measured area you will measure a length of eight and a quarter miles ⁸¹  and a width of three and one-third miles; ⁸²  in it will be the sanctuary, the most holy place.

Yehezkiel 45:18

45:18 “‘This is what the sovereign Lord says: In the first month, on the first day of the month, you must take an unblemished young bull and purify the sanctuary.

Yehezkiel 47:5

47:5 Again he measured 1,750 feet and it was a river I could not cross, for the water had risen; it was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be crossed.

Yehezkiel 47:19

47:19 On the south side it will run from Tamar to the waters of Meribath Kadesh, the river, ⁸³  to the Great Sea. This is the south side.

[3:22]  ¹ tn Or “power.”

[3:22]  sn Hand in the OT can refer metaphorically to power, authority, or influence. In Ezekiel God’s hand being on the prophet is regularly associated with communication or a vision from God (1:3; 3:14, 22; 8:1; 37:1; 40:1).

[3:22]  ² sn Ezekiel had another vision at this location, recounted in Ezek 37.

[4:1]  ³ sn Ancient Near Eastern bricks were 10 to 24 inches long and 6 to 13 1/2 inches wide.

[4:1]  ⁴ tn Or perhaps “draw.”

[4:8]  ⁵ sn The action surely refers to a series of daily acts rather than to a continuous period.

[5:1]  ⁶ tn The Hebrew word occurs only here in the OT.

[5:1]  ⁷ tn Heb, “pass (it) over your head and your beard.”

[5:8]  ⁸ tn Or “I challenge you.” The phrase “I am against you” may be a formula for challenging someone to combat or a duel. See D. I. Block, Ezekiel (NICOT), 1:201-2, and P. Humbert, “Die Herausforderungsformel ‘h!nn#n' ?l?K>,’” ZAW 45 (1933): 101-8. The Hebrew text switches to a second feminine singular form here, indicating that personified Jerusalem is addressed (see vv. 5-6a). The address to Jerusalem continues through v. 15. In vv. 16-17 the second masculine plural is used, as the people are addressed.

[5:8]  ⁹ tn The Hebrew text uses wordplay here to bring out the appropriate nature of God’s judgment. “Execute” translates the same Hebrew verb translated “carried out” (literally meaning “do”) in v. 7, while “judgment” in v. 8 and “regulations” in v. 7 translate the same Hebrew noun (meaning “regulations” or in some cases “judgments” executed on those who break laws). The point seems to be this: God would “carry out judgments” against those who refused to “carry out” his “laws.”

[5:8]  ¹⁰ tn Heb “in the sight of the nations.”

[5:8]  sn This is one of the ironies of the passage. The Lord set Israel among the nations for honor and praise as they would be holy and obey God’s law as told in Ezek 5:5 and Deut 26:16-19. The practice of these laws and statutes would make the peoples consider Israel wise. (See Deut 4:5-8, where the words for laws and statutes are the same as those used here). Since Israel did not obey, they are made a different kind of object lesson to the nations, not by their obedience but in their punishment as told in Ezek 5:8 and Deut 29:24-29. Yet Deut 30 goes on to say that when they remember the cursings and blessings of the covenant and repent, God will restore them from the nations to which they have been scattered.

[5:9]  ¹¹ tn Or “abominable idols.”

[7:7]  ¹² sn The day refers to the day of the Lord, a concept which, beginning in Amos 5:18-20, became a common theme in the OT prophetic books. It refers to a time when the Lord intervenes in human affairs as warrior and judge.

[7:7]  ¹³ tc The LXX reads “neither tumult nor birth pains.” The LXX varies at many points from the MT in this chapter. The context suggests that one or both of these would be present on a day of judgment, thus favoring the MT. Perhaps more significant is the absence of “the mountains” in the LXX. If the ר (resh) in הָרִים (harim, “the mountains” not “on the mountains”) were a ד (dalet), which is a common letter confusion, then it could be from the same root as the previous word, הֵד (hed), meaning “the day is near – with destruction, not joyful shouting.”

[7:24]  ¹⁴ sn Or “their holy places” (KJV, ASV, NASB, NCV, NRSV).

[13:23]  ¹⁵ tn The Hebrew verb is feminine plural, indicating that it is the false prophetesses who are addressed here.

[14:3]  ¹⁶ tn Heb “the stumbling block of their iniquity.” This phrase is unique to the prophet Ezekiel.

[14:3]  ¹⁷ tn Or “I will not reveal myself to them.” The Hebrew word is used in a technical sense here of seeking an oracle from a prophet (2 Kgs 1:16; 3:11; 8:8).

[14:8]  ¹⁸ tn Heb “proverbs.”

[14:14]  ¹⁹ sn Traditionally this has been understood as a reference to the biblical Daniel, though he was still quite young when Ezekiel prophesied. One wonders if he had developed a reputation as an intercessor by this point. For this reason some prefer to see a reference to a ruler named Danel, known in Canaanite legend for his justice and wisdom. In this case all three of the individuals named would be non-Israelites, however the Ugaritic Danel is not known to have qualities of faith in the Lord that would place him in the company of the other men. See D. I. Block, Ezekiel (NICOT), 1:447-50.

[16:16]  ²⁰ tc The text as written in the MT is incomprehensible (“not coming [plural] and he will not”). Driver has suggested a copying error of similar-sounding words, specifically לֹא (lo’) for לוֹ (lo). The feminine participle בָאוֹת (va’ot) has also been read as the feminine perfect בָאת (va’t). See L. C. Allen, Ezekiel (WBC), 1:228, n. 15.b, and D. I. Block, Ezekiel (NICOT), 1:486, n. 137.

[17:19]  ²¹ tn Heb “place it on his head.”

[17:21]  ²² tc Some manuscripts and versions read “choice men,” while most manuscripts read “fugitives”; the difference arises from the reversal, or metathesis, of two letters, מִבְרָחָיו (mivrakhyv) for מִבְחָריו (mivkharyv).

[17:21]  ²³ tn Heb “fall.”

[18:2]  ²⁴ tn This word only occurs here and in the parallel passage in Jer 31:29-30 in the Qal stem and in Eccl 10:10 in the Piel stem. In the latter passage it refers to the bluntness of an ax that has not been sharpened. Here the idea is of the “bluntness” of the teeth, not from having ground them down due to the bitter taste of sour grapes but to the fact that they have lost their “edge,” “bite,” or “sharpness” because they are numb from the sour taste. For this meaning for the word, see W. L. Holladay, Jeremiah (Hermeneia), 2:197.

[20:16]  ²⁵ tn The words “I did this” are not in the Hebrew text, but are supplied for stylistic reasons. Verses 15-16 are one long sentence in the Hebrew text. The translation divides this sentence into two for stylistic reasons.

[20:16]  ²⁶ tn Heb “for after their idols their heart was going.” The use of the active participle (“was going”) in the Hebrew text draws attention to the ongoing nature of their idolatrous behavior.

[21:4]  ²⁷ tn Heb “all flesh” (also in the following verse).

[21:4]  ²⁸ tn Heb “Negev.” The Negev is the south country.

[22:9]  ²⁹ tn Heb “men of slander are in you in order to shed blood.”

[22:9]  ³⁰ tn Heb “and on the mountains they eat within you.” The mountains mentioned here were the site of pagan sacrifices. See 18:6.

[22:9]  ³¹ sn This statement introduces vv. 10-11 and refers in general terms to the sexual sins described there. For the legal background of vv. 10-11, see Lev 18:7-20; 20:10-21; Deut 22:22-23, 30; 27:22.

[23:22]  ³² tn The word הִנֵּה (hinneh, traditionally “behold”) indicates becoming aware of something and has been translated here as a verb.

[23:42]  ³³ tn Heb “(was) in her.”

[23:42]  ³⁴ tn Heb “and men from the multitude of mankind.”

[23:42]  ³⁵ tn An alternate reading is “drunkards.” Sheba is located in the area of modern day Yemen.

[23:42]  ³⁶ tn Heb “they”; the referents (the sisters) have been specified in the translation for the sake of clarity.

[24:25]  ³⁷ tn Heb “(Will) it not (be) in the day I take?”

[24:25]  ³⁸ tn Heb “the uplifting of their soul.” According to BDB 672 s.v. מַשָּׂא 2, the term “uplifting” refers to “that to which they lift up their soul, their heart’s desire.” However, this text is the only one listed for this use. It seems more likely that the term has its well-attested nuance of “burden, load,” here and refers to that which weighs them down emotionally and is a constant source of concern or worry.

[24:25]  ³⁹ tn In the Hebrew text there is no conjunction before “their sons and daughters.” For this reason one might assume that the preceding descriptive phrases refer to the sons and daughters, but verse 21 suggests otherwise. The descriptive phrases appear to refer to the “stronghold,” which parallels “my sanctuary” in verse 21. The children constitute a separate category.

[26:3]  ⁴⁰ tn The word הִנֵּה (hinneh, traditionally “behold”) draws attention to something and has been translated here as a verb.

[26:3]  ⁴¹ tn Or “I challenge you.” The phrase “I am against you” may be a formula for challenging someone to combat or a duel. See D. I. Block, Ezekiel (NICOT), 1:201-2, and P. Humbert, “Die Herausforderungsformel ‘h!nn#n' ?l?K>,’” ZAW 45 (1933): 101-8. The Hebrew text switches to a second feminine singular form here, indicating that personified Jerusalem is addressed (see vv. 5-6a). The address to Jerusalem continues through v. 15. In vv. 16-17 the second masculine plural is used, as the people are addressed.

[26:14]  ⁴² sn This prophecy was fulfilled by Alexander the Great in 332 b.c.

[27:7]  ⁴³ sn This is probably a reference to Cyprus.

[28:12]  ⁴⁴ tn Heb “lift up.”

[28:12]  ⁴⁵ tn For a discussion of possible nuances of this phrase, see M. Greenberg, Ezekiel (AB), 2:580-81.

[29:21]  ⁴⁶ tn Heb “I will cause a horn to sprout for the house of Israel.” The horn is used as a figure for military power in the OT (Ps 92:10). A similar expression is made about the Davidic dynasty in Ps 132:17.

[29:21]  ⁴⁷ tn Heb “I will grant you an open mouth.”

[31:5]  ⁴⁸ tn Heb “when it sends forth.” Repointing the consonants of the Masoretic text would render the proposed reading “shoots” (cf. NRSV).

[33:15]  ⁴⁹ tn Heb “the wicked one.”

[33:15]  ⁵⁰ tn Heb “and in the statutes of life he walks.”

[33:21]  ⁵¹ tn January 19, 585 b.c.

[33:21]  ⁵² map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.

[33:21]  ⁵³ tn Heb “smitten.”

[34:30]  ⁵⁴ sn A promise given to Abraham (Gen 15:7) and his descendants (Gen 15:8; Exod 6:7).

[34:30]  ⁵⁵ sn The blessings described in vv. 25-30 are those promised for obedience in Lev 26:4-13.

[35:10]  ⁵⁶ sn The reference is to Israel and Judah.

[35:10]  ⁵⁷ tn Heb “it.”

[36:8]  ⁵⁸ tn Heb “they draw near to arrive.”

[36:31]  ⁵⁹ tn Heb “ways.”

[36:37]  ⁶⁰ tn The Niphal verb may have a tolerative function here, “Again (for) this I will allow myself to be sought by the house of Israel to act for them.” Or it may be reflexive: “I will reveal myself to the house of Israel by doing this also.”

[36:37]  ⁶¹ sn Heb “I will multiply them like sheep, human(s).”

[39:25]  ⁶² tn Heb “cause to return.”

[40:13]  ⁶³ tn Heb “twenty-five cubits” (i.e., 13.125 meters).

[40:47]  ⁶⁴ tn Heb “one hundred cubits long and one hundred cubits wide, a square” (i.e., 52.5 meters by 52.5 meters).

[40:49]  ⁶⁵ tn Heb “twenty cubits” (i.e., 10.5 meters).

[40:49]  ⁶⁶ tn Heb “eleven cubits” (i.e., 5.775 meters).

[40:49]  ⁶⁷ tc The LXX reads “ten steps.”

[41:4]  ⁶⁸ tn Heb “twenty cubits” (i.e., 10.5 meters).

[41:4]  ⁶⁹ tn Heb “twenty cubits” (i.e., 10.5 meters).

[41:5]  ⁷⁰ tn Heb “house” throughout Ezek 41.

[41:5]  ⁷¹ tn Heb “six cubits” (i.e., 3.15 meters).

[41:5]  ⁷² tn Heb “four cubits” (2.1 meters).

[41:12]  ⁷³ tn Heb “seventy cubits” (36.75 meters).

[41:12]  ⁷⁴ tn Heb “five cubits” (i.e., 2.625 meters).

[41:12]  ⁷⁵ tn Heb “ninety cubits” (i.e., 47.25 meters).

[42:12]  ⁷⁶ tc The MT apparently evidences dittography, repeating most of the last word of the previous verse: “and like the openings of.”

[44:3]  ⁷⁷ tn Heb “to eat bread.”

[44:8]  ⁷⁸ tc Instead of an energic nun (ן), the text may have read a third masculine plural suffix ם (mem), “them,” which was confused with ן (nun) in the old script. See D. I. Block, Ezekiel (NICOT), 2:621.

[44:8]  tn This word is not in the Hebrew text but is supplied from the context.

[45:2]  ⁷⁹ tn Heb “five hundred cubits” (i.e., 262.5 meters); the phrase occurs twice in this verse.

[45:2]  ⁸⁰ tn Heb “fifty cubits” (i.e., 26.25 meters).

[45:3]  ⁸¹ tn Heb “twenty-five thousand cubits” (i.e., 13.125 kilometers).

[45:3]  ⁸² tn Heb “ten thousand cubits” (i.e., 5.25 kilometers).

[47:19]  ⁸³ tn Or “valley.” The syntax is difficult. Some translate “to the river,” others “from the river”; in either case the preposition is supplied for the sake of English.