Ezekiel 1:3
the word of the LORD came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the Chebar canal, and the hand of the LORD was upon him there.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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It's striking that Ezekiel, a priest exiled in Babylon, isn't just told God's word, but that "the hand of the LORD was upon him." This signifies more than just receiving a message; it points to a powerful, even overwhelming, divine empowerment compelling him for the prophetic task ahead. It highlights that when God calls, He also equips, often with a force that transcends our own abilities and circumstances.
Ezekiel, a priest exiled in Babylonia, receives a powerful divine encounter by the Chebar Canal. The opening verses set the stage for his prophetic ministry, emphasizing that God’s message came directly to him with undeniable force, not merely as a thought or feeling, but as an overwhelming divine empowerment that prepared him to receive and deliver God’s word to the captive people.
How do we know for sure when God is speaking? Ezekiel's experience shows it's not just a thought, but a tangible divine encounter.
The phrase 'the word of the LORD came' isn't just a literary device; it signifies a direct, undeniable impartation from God. It emphasizes the divine origin and absolute certainty of the message.
Ezekiel wasn't just told something; he was touched by God's power. What does that divine 'hand' do to a prophet?
The phrase 'the hand of the LORD was upon him' signifies more than just God's attention; it points to a tangible, powerful divine enablement and influence.
God chose a priest, exiled in a foreign land, to deliver His most profound visions. What does this tell us about God's reach?
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Noun
The covenant name of the Creator God of Israel, YHWH, revealing His self-existence, holiness, and faithful relationship with His people.
yad · Hebrew Noun
The divine power, authority, or prophetic anointing placed upon a servant of God, often signifying the compelling call or enabling presence of the Spirit for ministry.
Ezekiel receives his prophetic call while in exile in Babylon, a time of immense national crisis for the Jewish people after the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Under King Jehoiakim, Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquers Judah and takes some of the royal family and nobility, including young men like Daniel, into exile.
597 BC— this verse
Second Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar deports King Jehoiachin, many political leaders, and skilled workers, including the priest Ezekiel, to Babylon. This event marks a significant shift in Judah's fate and the Jewish people's history.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Destruction of the Temple
After a prolonged siege, Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, taking most of the remaining population into exile. This is the catastrophic event that the prophecies of Ezekiel often address.
c. 571 BC
Ezekiel's Final Recorded Prophecy
The book of Ezekiel concludes with a prophecy dated to this year, indicating the prophet's ministry spanned nearly two decades in exile.
This passage echoes Ezekiel's experience, showing the 'word of the LORD' coming to Jeremiah in a similar way, establishing God's direct communication with His prophets even in times of distress.
1 Kings 18:46The 'hand of the LORD' powerfully coming upon Elijah demonstrates the same divine empowerment that enables prophets to carry out God's will, just as it did for Ezekiel in Babylon.
Isaiah 6:1-8Isaiah's encounter with God's glory in the temple, marked by the phrase 'Woe is me!', parallels Ezekiel's overwhelming vision and his own sense of inadequacy when confronted by God's presence and word.
Daniel 10:10-11Daniel also experiences the 'hand of the LORD' strengthening him and hears the 'word of the LORD' coming to him, highlighting the persistent theme of God directly engaging His servants, even in foreign lands.
barnesEzekiel 1:3: "The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him."
Came expressly - The phrase marks that it was in truth a heaven-sent vision. The hand of the Lord - A phrase in all prophecy implying a "constraining" power, because the spirit "constrains" the prophet independently of his own will.
clarkeEzekiel 1:3: "The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him."
The hand of the Lord - I was filled with his power, and with the influence of the prophetic spirit.
It's striking that Ezekiel, a priest exiled in Babylon, isn't just told God's word, but that "the hand of the LORD was upon him." This signifies more than just receiving a message; it points to a powerful, even overwhelming, divine empowerment compelling him for the prophetic task ahead. It highlights that when God calls, He also equips, often with a force that transcends our own abilities and circumstances.
Ezekiel, a priest exiled in Babylonia, receives a powerful divine encounter by the Chebar Canal. The opening verses set the stage for his prophetic ministry, emphasizing that God’s message came directly to him with undeniable force, not merely as a thought or feeling, but as an overwhelming divine empowerment that prepared him to receive and deliver God’s word to the captive people.
Ezekiel, a priest exiled in Babylonia, receives a powerful divine encounter by the Chebar Canal. The opening verses set the stage for his prophetic ministry, emphasizing that God’s message came directly to him with undeniable force, not merely as a thought or feeling, but as an overwhelming divine empowerment that prepared him to receive and deliver God’s word to the captive people.
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Ezekiel's identity as a 'priest' and his location in the 'land of the Chaldeans' are deeply significant, showing God's sovereignty extends even to His exiled people.
"the word of the LORD came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the Chebar canal, and the hand of the LORD was upon him there." — It's striking that Ezekiel, a priest exiled in Babylon, isn't just told God's word, but that "the hand of the LORD was upon him." This signifies more than just receiving a message; it points to a p…
