Ezekiel 3:22
And the hand of the LORD was there upon me; and he said unto me, Arise, go forth into the plain, and I will there talk with thee.
Original Language Analysis
וַתְּהִ֥י
H1961
וַתְּהִ֥י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 14
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
עָלַ֛י
H5921
עָלַ֛י
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 14
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
שָׁ֖ם
H8033
יַד
And the hand
H3027
יַד
And the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
4 of 14
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
יְהוָ֑ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
was there upon me and he said
H559
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
was there upon me and he said
Strong's:
H559
Word #:
6 of 14
to say (used with great latitude)
ק֥וּם
unto me Arise
H6965
ק֥וּם
unto me Arise
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
8 of 14
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
צֵא֙
go forth
H3318
צֵא֙
go forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
9 of 14
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
הַבִּקְעָ֔ה
into the plain
H1237
הַבִּקְעָ֔ה
into the plain
Strong's:
H1237
Word #:
11 of 14
properly, a split, i.e., a wide level valley between mountains
וְשָׁ֖ם
H8033
וְשָׁ֖ם
Strong's:
H8033
Word #:
12 of 14
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
Cross References
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.Ezekiel 8:4And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, according to the vision that I saw in the plain.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.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,
Historical Context
The 'plain' (Hebrew: biq'ah) likely refers to the flat region near the Chebar River in Babylon where the exiles settled. This geographic specificity grounds Ezekiel's vision in physical reality—not merely mystical experience but concrete location. God meets His servant in the exile location, demonstrating presence transcending Jerusalem's temple. The move from crowded settlement to open plain enabled private divine communication.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's hand upon Ezekiel remind us that ministry effectiveness comes from divine calling, not human initiative?
- What does the command to 'go forth' teach us about revelation requiring obedient action, not merely passive reception?
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Analysis & Commentary
The 'hand of the LORD' upon Ezekiel signals divine initiative and empowerment for prophetic mission. God's hand throughout Scripture represents His power, guidance, and claim on His servants (cf. Ezra 7:6; Luke 1:66). The command to 'arise, go forth into the plain' demonstrates that divine vision must lead to obedient action. Receiving revelation requires response—knowledge demands movement. The plain becomes the location for further divine communication.