Ezekiel Chapter 2 · Verse 1
And he said unto me, Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee.
Original Language Analysis
בֶּן
unto me Son
H1121
בֶּן
unto me Son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
3 of 9
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אָדָם֙
of man
H120
אָדָם֙
of man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
4 of 9
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
עֲמֹ֣ד
stand
H5975
עֲמֹ֣ד
stand
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
5 of 9
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
6 of 9
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
רַגְלֶ֔יךָ
upon thy feet
H7272
רַגְלֶ֔יךָ
upon thy feet
Strong's:
H7272
Word #:
7 of 9
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
Cross References
Daniel 10:11And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.Ezekiel 3:17Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.Ezekiel 3:4And he said unto me, Son of man, go, get thee unto the house of Israel, and speak with my words unto them.Ezekiel 4:1Thou also, son of man, take thee a tile, and lay it before thee, and pourtray upon it the city, even Jerusalem:Ezekiel 3:1Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel.Ezekiel 5:1And thou, son of man, take thee a sharp knife, take thee a barber's razor, and cause it to pass upon thine head and upon thy beard: then take thee balances to weigh, and divide the hair.Acts 9:6And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
Historical Context
Prophetic commissioning often involved visual theophanies and specific calling (Isaiah 6, Jeremiah 1). God's address to Ezekiel as 'son of man' established the prophet's role as representative human—speaking to humans as one who shares their nature and struggles. In Ezekiel's exilic context, where the people felt abandoned and powerless, this title reminded them that God uses ordinary humans as His spokespersons. The command to stand indicated active participation in God's plans rather than passive resignation to exile. Ezekiel would need to stand firm against opposition, rejection, and persecution from his own people.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing your human frailty before God's glory paradoxically empower rather than discourage faithful service?
- What responsibilities is God calling you to 'stand up' and face rather than remain prostrate in fear or inadequacy?
Analysis & Commentary
God addresses Ezekiel with the title 'Son of man' (ben-adam, בֶּן־אָדָם), which appears 93 times in this book—more than any other biblical book. This title emphasizes Ezekiel's humanity, frailty, and mortality in contrast to divine glory just revealed. The command to 'stand upon thy feet' demonstrates that prostration before God's glory (1:28) was appropriate initially, but God wants servants standing ready for commission, not perpetually prostrate. The Spirit enables Ezekiel to stand (2:2), showing that human strength alone cannot fulfill God's calling. This pattern—overwhelming revelation of God's glory, human inability, divine enablement—characterizes true prophetic ministry. Jesus adopts 'Son of Man' as His preferred self-designation (used over 80 times in the Gospels), connecting His incarnation to Ezekiel's emphasis on humanity in contrast to divine glory, while also invoking Daniel 7:13's apocalyptic figure.