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.
This verse introduces one of Scripture's most extraordinary visions with precise historical and prophetic credentials. The phrase 'the word of the LORD came expressly' uses the Hebrew 'hayoh hayah' (הָיֹה הָיָה), an emphatic construction meaning 'certainly came' or 'definitely came,' emphasizing the undeniable reality of divine revelation. Ezekiel's priestly lineage ('the son of Buzi') is significant—as a priest, he should have been serving in Jerusalem's temple, but instead ministers among exiles by Babylon's irrigation canals. The 'hand of the LORD' (yad-Yahweh, יַד־יְהוָה) denotes powerful divine enablement and prophetic empowerment, a phrase appearing seven times in Ezekiel. This theophany occurs in exile, demonstrating that God's presence is not confined to Jerusalem's temple. The vision transforms Ezekiel from priest to prophet, from temple servant to exilic spokesman for God.
Historical Context
This vision occurred in 593 BC, the fifth year of King Jehoiachin's exile, exactly five years after Nebuchadnezzar's first conquest of Jerusalem (597 BC). Ezekiel was among the 10,000 skilled workers, nobles, and leaders deported to Babylon (2 Kings 24:14-16). The 'river Chebar' (modern Shatt en-Nil) was a major irrigation canal southeast of Babylon near Nippur, where a Jewish settlement existed. Archaeological discoveries at Nippur confirm significant Jewish presence. As a priest approximately 30 years old (the age priests began temple service, Numbers 4:3), Ezekiel faced crushing disappointment—he would never serve in Jerusalem's temple. Yet God commissioned him for a different, vital ministry: calling exiles to repentance and offering hope of future restoration.
Questions for Reflection
How does God's appearance to Ezekiel in exile challenge our assumptions about where and how God meets His people?
What disappointments or displaced expectations in your life might God be transforming into new ministry opportunities?
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse introduces one of Scripture's most extraordinary visions with precise historical and prophetic credentials. The phrase 'the word of the LORD came expressly' uses the Hebrew 'hayoh hayah' (הָיֹה הָיָה), an emphatic construction meaning 'certainly came' or 'definitely came,' emphasizing the undeniable reality of divine revelation. Ezekiel's priestly lineage ('the son of Buzi') is significant—as a priest, he should have been serving in Jerusalem's temple, but instead ministers among exiles by Babylon's irrigation canals. The 'hand of the LORD' (yad-Yahweh, יַד־יְהוָה) denotes powerful divine enablement and prophetic empowerment, a phrase appearing seven times in Ezekiel. This theophany occurs in exile, demonstrating that God's presence is not confined to Jerusalem's temple. The vision transforms Ezekiel from priest to prophet, from temple servant to exilic spokesman for God.