Ezekiel 3:14
So the spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the LORD was strong upon me.
Original Language Analysis
רוּחִ֔י
So the spirit
H7307
רוּחִ֔י
So the spirit
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
1 of 11
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
נְשָׂאַ֖תְנִי
lifted me up
H5375
נְשָׂאַ֖תְנִי
lifted me up
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
2 of 11
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
וַתִּקָּחֵ֑נִי
and took me away
H3947
וַתִּקָּחֵ֑נִי
and took me away
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
3 of 11
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
וָאֵלֵ֥ךְ
H1980
וָאֵלֵ֥ךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
4 of 11
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
מַר֙
in bitterness
H4751
מַר֙
in bitterness
Strong's:
H4751
Word #:
5 of 11
bitter (literally or figuratively); also (as noun) bitterness, or (adverbially) bitterly
בַּחֲמַ֣ת
in the heat
H2534
בַּחֲמַ֣ת
in the heat
Strong's:
H2534
Word #:
6 of 11
heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)
רוּחִ֔י
So the spirit
H7307
רוּחִ֔י
So the spirit
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
7 of 11
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
וְיַד
but the hand
H3027
וְיַד
but the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
8 of 11
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
יְהוָ֥ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֥ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
9 of 11
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Ezekiel 37:1The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones,2 Kings 3:15But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him.Ezekiel 8:3And he put forth the form of an hand, and took me by a lock of mine head; and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the inner gate that looketh toward the north; where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provoketh to jealousy.Ezekiel 1:3The 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.2 Kings 2:16And they said unto him, Behold now, there be with thy servants fifty strong men; let them go, we pray thee, and seek thy master: lest peradventure the Spirit of the LORD hath taken him up, and cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley. And he said, Ye shall not send.Ezekiel 3:12Then the spirit took me up, and I heard behind me a voice of a great rushing, saying, Blessed be the glory of the LORD from his place.
Historical Context
After receiving his difficult commission (593 BC), Ezekiel responded with bitterness—understandable given the message of judgment and expected rejection. The vision's overwhelming nature and ministry's difficulty produced emotional turmoil. Yet God's hand remained strong, enabling ministry despite personal struggle. This shaped understanding of prophetic calling: not easy triumphalism but costly obedience. Ministers serve faithfully not from constant joy but from divine constraint.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Ezekiel's bitterness challenge expectations of constant emotional enthusiasm in ministry?
- What does God's strong hand despite human distress teach about divine enabling transcending feelings?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
"So the spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the LORD was strong upon me." Ezekiel experiences conflicting emotions—bitterness and anger alongside divine compulsion. The phrase "heat of my spirit" suggests frustration or distress. Yet "the hand of the LORD was strong" indicates sovereign enabling transcending natural emotions. This demonstrates that effective ministry doesn't require constant emotional enthusiasm—divine calling and empowerment suffice. God uses imperfect, struggling servants who persevere despite discouragement.