Ezekiel 3:15
Then I came to them of the captivity at Tel-abib, that dwelt by the river of Chebar, and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days.
Original Language Analysis
וָאָב֨וֹא
Then I came
H935
וָאָב֨וֹא
Then I came
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
1 of 19
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
הַגּוֹלָ֜ה
to them of the captivity
H1473
הַגּוֹלָ֜ה
to them of the captivity
Strong's:
H1473
Word #:
3 of 19
exile; concretely and collectively exiles
וָאֵשֵׁ֥ב
and I sat
H3427
וָאֵשֵׁ֥ב
and I sat
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
6 of 19
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
נְהַר
by the river
H5104
נְהַר
by the river
Strong's:
H5104
Word #:
8 of 19
a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity
וָֽאֵשֵׁ֔ר
H834
וָֽאֵשֵׁ֔ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
וָאֵשֵׁ֥ב
and I sat
H3427
וָאֵשֵׁ֥ב
and I sat
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
12 of 19
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
שָׁ֑ם
H8033
וָאֵשֵׁ֥ב
and I sat
H3427
וָאֵשֵׁ֥ב
and I sat
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
14 of 19
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
שָׁ֛ם
H8033
שִׁבְעַ֥ת
them seven
H7651
שִׁבְעַ֥ת
them seven
Strong's:
H7651
Word #:
16 of 19
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
יָמִ֖ים
days
H3117
יָמִ֖ים
days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
17 of 19
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
Cross References
Psalms 137:1By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.Job 2:13So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great.Genesis 50:10And they came to the threshingfloor of Atad, which is beyond Jordan, and there they mourned with a great and very sore lamentation: and he made a mourning for his father seven days.Ezekiel 1:1Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.Jeremiah 23:9Mine heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine hath overcome, because of the LORD, and because of the words of his holiness.Ezekiel 10:15And the cherubims were lifted up. This is the living creature that I saw by the river of Chebar.Habakkuk 3:16When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops.
Historical Context
Tel-abib by Chebar canal (593 BC) housed Jewish exiles displaced from Jerusalem. Ezekiel's seven-day silence demonstrated solidarity with their trauma. This parallels Job's friends initially sitting silently (Job 2:13)—shared suffering precedes helpful speech. The prophet's identification shaped his credibility: he wasn't a distant critic but fellow sufferer. This principle guides pastoral ministry: shepherds share sheep's struggles, identifying with weakness while pointing toward strength.
Questions for Reflection
- How does sitting where others sit shape ministry that addresses real struggles rather than abstract theories?
- What does seven days of silence teach about listening and understanding before speaking?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
"Then I came to them of the captivity at Telabib, that dwelt by the river of Chebar, and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days." Ezekiel identifies with the exiles' condition—sitting where they sat, sharing their circumstances. The seven days of astonished silence demonstrates empathy: feeling the weight of their suffering before speaking. This models incarnational ministry: identifying with people's struggles before addressing them. The silence shows wisdom: understanding context precedes proclamation. Effective ministry requires compassionate identification, not distant criticism.