Chronological
Ezekiel’s Vision of Living Creatures
1 It was the thirtieth year, on the fifth day of the fourth month [C of Ezekiel’s life, or of Nabopolassar’s reign, or since King Josiah’s reforms]. I was by the Kebar ·River [Canal; C a branch of the Euphrates River south of Babylon] among the ·people who had been carried away as captives [exiles]. The ·sky [heavens] opened, and I saw visions of God.
2 It was the fifth day of the month of the fifth year that King Jehoiachin had been ·a prisoner [in exile/captivity; C 593 bc; 2 Kin. 24:12, 15]. 3 The ·Lord spoke his word [L word of the Lord came] to Ezekiel son of Buzi in the land of the Babylonians by the Kebar ·River [Canal; 1:1]. There ·he felt the power of the Lord [L the hand of the Lord was on him].
4 When I looked, I saw a ·stormy wind [windstorm] coming from the north [C storms often represent the presence of God; Jer. 23:19]. There was a great cloud with ·a bright light [or lightning flashing] around it and ·fire flashing out of [or brightness all around] it. Something that looked like glowing ·metal [or amber] was in the center of the fire. 5 Inside ·the cloud [or the fire; L its midst] was what looked like four living creatures [Rev. 4:6–8], who ·were shaped like [had the appearance of] humans, 6 but each of them had four faces and four wings. 7 Their legs were straight. Their feet were like a calf’s hoofs and ·sparkled [gleamed] like ·polished [burnished] bronze [Rev. 1:15]. 8 The living creatures had human hands under their wings on their four sides. All four of them had faces and wings, 9 and their wings touched each other. The living creatures did not turn when they moved, but each went straight ahead.
10 Their faces looked like this: Each living creature had ·a human face [or the face of a man] and the face of a lion on the right side and the face of an ox on the left side. And each one also had the face of an eagle. 11 That was what their faces looked like. Their wings were spread out above. Each had two wings that touched one of the other living creatures and two wings that covered its body. 12 Each went straight ahead. Wherever the ·spirit [or wind] would go, the living creatures would also go, without turning. 13 The living creatures looked like burning coals of fire or like torches. Fire went back and forth among the living creatures. It was ·bright [radiant], and lightning flashed from it. 14 The living creatures ·ran [darted] back and forth like ·bolts [flashes] of lightning.
15 Now as I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel on the ground by each of the living creatures with its four faces. 16 The wheels and ·the way they were made [their construction/structure] ·were like this [had this appearance]: They looked like sparkling ·chrysolite [or topaz; or beryl]. All four of them looked the same, like one wheel ·crossways inside [L in the middle of] another wheel. 17 When they moved, they went in any one of the four directions, without turning as they went. 18 The rims of the wheels were high and ·frightening [or awesome] and were full of eyes all around.
19 When the living creatures moved, the wheels moved beside them. When the living creatures ·were lifted up [rose] from the ground, the wheels also ·were lifted up [rose]. 20 Wherever the ·spirit [or wind] would go, the living creatures would go. And the wheels ·were lifted up [rose] beside them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. 21 When the living creatures moved, the wheels moved. When the living creatures stopped, the wheels stopped. And when the living creatures ·were lifted [rose] from the ground, the wheels ·were lifted [rose] beside them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.
22 Now, ·over [stretched over] the heads of the living creatures was something like a ·dome [vault; expanse; or platform; Gen. 1:2] that sparkled like ·ice [crystal] and was ·frightening [or awesome]. 23 And under the ·dome [vault; expanse; or platform] the wings of the living creatures were stretched out straight toward one another. Each living creature also had two wings covering its body. 24 I heard the sound of their wings, like the ·roaring sound of the sea [L sound of many waters], as they moved. It was like the voice of ·God Almighty [L the Almighty], a ·roaring sound [tumult] like a noisy army. When the living creatures stopped, they lowered their wings.
25 A voice came from above the ·dome [vault; expanse; or platform] over the heads of the living creatures. When the living creatures stopped, they lowered their wings. 26 Now above the ·dome [vault; expanse; or platform] there was something that looked like a throne. It looked like ·a sapphire gem [or lapis lazuli]. And on the throne high above was a ·shape [form; figure] like a ·human [man]. 27 Then I noticed that from the waist up the shape looked like glowing ·metal [or amber] with fire inside. From the waist down it looked like fire, and a bright light was all around. 28 The surrounding ·glow [radiance; brightness] looked like the rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day. ·It seemed to look like [L This was the appearance of the likeness of] the glory of the Lord [C his manifest presence]. So when I saw it, I ·bowed [fell] facedown on the ground and heard a voice speaking.
The Lord Speaks to Ezekiel
2 He said to me, “·Human [T Son of man; C used 93 times in the book to address the prophet; it means “human being” and stresses the frailty of humanity in contrast to the sovereignty of God], stand up on your feet so I may speak with you.” 2 While he spoke to me, ·the Spirit [or a spirit; or a wind] entered me and put me on my feet. Then I heard ·the Lord [L him] speaking to me.
3 He said, “·Human [T Son of man; 2:1], I am sending you to the ·people [L sons; T children] of Israel, that nation of rebels who have ·turned [rebelled] against me. They and their ·ancestors [fathers] have ·sinned [revolted; transgressed] against me ·until [to] this very day. 4 I am sending you to people who are ·stubborn [impudent] and ·who do not obey [stubborn; obstinate]. You will say to them, ‘This is what the Lord God says.’ 5 They may listen, or they may not, since they are a ·people who have turned against me [L rebellious house]. But they will know that a prophet has been among them. 6 You, ·human [T son of man; 2:1], don’t be afraid of ·the people [L them] or their words. Even though ·they may be like thorny branches and stickers [L briars and thorns are] all around you, and though you ·may feel like you live with stinging [L sit among; or dwell among] scorpions, don’t be afraid. Don’t be afraid of their words or terrified by their looks, because they are a ·people who turn against me [L rebellious house]. 7 But speak my words to them. They may listen, or they may not, because they ·turn against me [are rebellious]. 8 But you, ·human [T son of man; 2:1], listen to what I say to you. Don’t ·turn against me [rebel] ·as those people do [L like that rebellious house]. Open your mouth and eat what I am giving you.”
9 Then I looked and ·saw [T behold] a hand stretched out to me, and a ·scroll [scroll with writing on it; L scroll of a document/book] was in it [Jer. 36:2; Rev. 10:2]. 10 He ·opened [unrolled] the scroll in front of me. Written on the front and back were ·funeral songs, sad writings, and warnings about disaster [L words of lament, mourning, and woe].
3 Then the Lord said to me, “·Human [T Son of man; 2:1], eat what ·you find [you see; is before you]; eat this scroll. Then go and speak to the ·people [L house] of Israel.” 2 So I opened my mouth, and he ·gave [fed] me the scroll to eat.
3 He said to me, “·Human [T Son of man; 2:1], eat this scroll which I am giving you, and fill your stomach with it.” Then I ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth [Jer. 15:16; Rev. 10:9, 10].
4 Then he said to me, “·Human [T Son of man; 2:1], go to the ·people [L house] of Israel, and speak my words to them. 5 [L For; Because] You are not being sent to people ·whose speech you can’t understand [of obscure/foreign language; L deep of lip], ·whose language is difficult [L and heavy tongue]. You are being sent to [L the house of] Israel. 6 You are not being sent to many nations ·whose speech you can’t understand [of obscure/foreign language; L deep of lip], ·whose language is difficult [L and heavy tongue], whose words you cannot understand. If I had sent you to them, they would have listened to you. 7 But the ·people [L house] of Israel will not be willing to listen to you, because they are not willing to listen to me. Yes, all the ·people [L house] of Israel are ·stubborn [hardheaded] and ·will not obey [hardhearted]. 8 ·See [T Behold], I now make ·you as stubborn [L your face as strong as their face] and ·as hard as they are [L your forehead as strong as their forehead]. 9 I am making ·you [L your forehead] as hard as ·a diamond [or flint; or the hardest stone], harder than ·stone [or flint]. Don’t be afraid of them or be ·frightened [terrified; dismayed] by them, though they are a ·people who turn against me [L rebellious house].”
10 Also, he said to me, “·Human [T Son of man; 2:1], ·believe [L take in your heart] all the words I will speak to you, and ·listen carefully to them [L hear with your ears]. 11 Then go to the ·captives [exiles], ·your own [L the sons of your] people, and say to them, ‘The Lord God says this.’ Tell them this whether they listen or not.”
12 Then ·the Spirit [or the spirit; or a wind] lifted me up, and I heard a loud rumbling ·sound [or voice] behind me, ·saying, “Praise the glory of the Lord [C his manifest presence] in heaven [or as the glory of the Lord rose from its place].” 13 ·I heard [or It was the sound of] the wings of the living creatures touching each other and the sound of the wheels by them. It was a loud rumbling sound. 14 So ·the Spirit [or the spirit; or a wind] lifted me up and took me away. I ·was unhappy and angry [L went in bitterness in the heat/wrath of my spirit], and I felt the great ·power [L hand] of the Lord. 15 I came to the ·captives [exiles] from Judah, who lived by the Kebar ·River [Canal; 1:1] at Tel Abib. I sat there seven days where these people lived, feeling ·shocked [stunned; overwhelmed; distressed].
Israel’s Warning
16 ·After [L At the end of] seven days the ·Lord spoke his word [L word of the Lord came] to me again. He said, 17 “·Human [T Son of man; 2:1], I ·now make [or have made] you a watchman for [L the house of] Israel. Any time you hear a word from my mouth, warn them for me. 18 ·When [or If] I say to the wicked, ‘You will surely die,’ but you don’t speak out to warn them to stop their evil ways, they will die ·in their sin [for their iniquity]. But I will hold you ·responsible [accountable] for their death. 19 But if you warn the wicked and they do not turn from their wickedness or their ·evil ways [wicked lifestyle], they will die because of their sin. But you will have saved your ·life [soul].
20 “Again, ·those who do right [the righteous] may turn away from ·doing good [righteousness] and ·do evil [commit iniquity/injustice]. If I ·make something bad happen to [L lay a stumbling block before] them, they will die. Because you have not warned them, they will die because of their sin, and the ·good [righteous things] they did will not be remembered. But I will hold you ·responsible [accountable] for their deaths. 21 But if you have warned ·those good people [the righteous] not to sin, and they do not sin, they will surely live, because they ·believed [took; received] the warning. And you will have saved your ·life [soul].”
22 Then I felt the ·power [L hand] of the Lord there. He said to me, “Get up and go out to the ·plain [or valley]. There I will speak to you.” 23 So I got up and went out to the ·plain [or valley]. ·I saw [T And behold] the glory of the Lord [C his manifest presence] standing there, like the glory I saw by the Kebar ·River [Canal; 1:1], and I ·bowed [fell] facedown on the ground.
24 Then the Spirit entered me and ·made me stand [set me] on my feet. He spoke to me and said, “Go, shut yourself up in your house. 25 As for you, ·human [T son of man; 2:1], the people will tie you up with ·ropes [cords] so that you will not be able to go out among them. 26 Also, I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth so you will be silent [C Ezekiel would be mute for seven and a half years (see dates in 1:1–3 and 33:21–22), except when the Lord opened his mouth with prophetic revelations; v. 27]. You will not be able to ·argue with [rebuke; reprove] the people, ·even though they turn against me [L for they are a rebellious house]. 27 But when I speak to you, I will open your mouth, and you will say to them, ‘The Lord God says this.’ Those who will listen, let them listen. Those who refuse, let them refuse, because they are a ·people who turn against me [rebellious house].
The Map of Jerusalem
4 “Now, ·human [T son of man; 2:1], get yourself a brick, put it in front of you, and ·draw [inscribe; engrave] ·a map [L the city] of Jerusalem on it. 2 Then ·surround it with an army [lay a siege against it]. Build ·battle [siege] works against the city and a ·dirt road to the top of the city walls [siege ramp/mound against it]. Set up camps around it, and put ·heavy logs in place to break down the walls [battering rams all around]. 3 Then get yourself an iron ·plate [pan] and set it up like an iron wall between you and the city. Turn your face toward the city ·as if to attack it [or and it will be under siege] and then ·attack [besiege it]. This is a sign to [L the house of] Israel.
4 “Then lie down on your left side, and take the ·guilt [punishment; iniquity] of [L the house of] Israel on yourself. Their ·guilt [punishment; iniquity] will be on you for the number of days you lie on your left side. 5 I have ·given [assigned to] you the same number of days as the years of the people’s sin. So you will have the ·guilt of Israel’s sin on you [punishment/iniquity of the house of Israel] for three hundred ninety days.
6 “After you have finished these days, lie down a second time, on your right side. You will then have the ·guilt [punishment; iniquity] of [L the house of] Judah on you. I will give it to you for forty days, a day for each ·year of their sin [L year]. 7 Then you will ·look [L turn your face] toward Jerusalem, which is being ·attacked [besieged]. With your arm bare, you will prophesy against Jerusalem. 8 [L And look/T behold] I will put ·ropes [cords] on you so you cannot turn from one side to the other until you have finished the days of your ·attack on Jerusalem [siege].
9 “Take wheat, barley, beans, ·small peas [lentils], millet and spelt [C a kind of wheat; all foods common to Babylon, where Ezekiel was exiled], and put them in one ·bowl [vessel; container], and make them into bread for yourself. You will eat it the three hundred ninety days you lie on your side. 10 You will eat ·eight ounces [L twenty shekels] of food ·every day at set times [L from time to time]. 11 You will ·drink [L measure out and drink] ·about two-thirds of a quart [L a sixth of a hin] of water ·every day at set times [L from time to time]. 12 Eat your food as you would eat a barley cake, baking it over human dung where the people can see.” 13 Then the Lord said, “In the same way [L the sons/T children of] Israel will eat unclean food [C ritually; Lev. 11] among the nations where I ·force them to go [drive/banish them].”
14 But I said, “·No [Ah], Lord God! I have never ·been made unclean [defiled myself; C ritually]. From the time I was young until now I’ve never eaten anything that died ·by itself [naturally; C a carcass] or was ·torn [mauled] by ·animals [wild beasts]. ·Unclean [Impure; C ritually] meat has never entered my mouth.”
15 “Very well,” he said. “Then I will give you cow’s dung instead of human dung to use for your fire to bake your bread.”
16 He also said to me, “·Human [T Son of man; 2:1], I am going to cut off the supply of bread to Jerusalem. They will eat the bread that is measured out to them, and they will ·worry as they eat [eat anxiously]. They will drink water that is measured out to them, and they will be in ·shock [terror; dismay] as they drink it. 17 This is because bread and water will be hard to find [C because of the siege] The people will be ·shocked [terrified; dismayed] at the sight of each other, and they will ·become weak [waste away] because of their ·sin [punishment; iniquity].
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