Ezekiel 1:1 kjv

Now 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.

Ezekiel 1:1 nkjv

Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the River Chebar, that the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God.

Ezekiel 1:1 niv

In my thirtieth year, in the fourth month on the fifth day, while I was among the exiles by the Kebar River, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God.

Ezekiel 1:1 esv

In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I was among the exiles by the Chebar canal, the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.

Ezekiel 1:1 nlt

On July 31 of my thirtieth year, while I was with the Judean exiles beside the Kebar River in Babylon, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God.

Ezekiel 1 verses

Ezekiel 1 1 Meaning

Ezekiel 1:1 serves as the crucial opening to the prophet Ezekiel's book, establishing the precise setting and time of his first divine vision. It places the prophetic encounter historically and geographically among the Jewish exiles by the Chebar Canal in Babylonia. The verse immediately introduces a dramatic spiritual event: the heavens were supernaturally opened, granting Ezekiel direct access to profound, divine revelations—"visions of God"—that initiated his prophetic ministry amidst the national crisis of exile.

Ezekiel 1 1 Context

h2Ezekiel 1:1 sets the stage for one of the most profound and unique prophetic ministries in the Old Testament. Historically, this verse firmly anchors Ezekiel's calling in the reality of the Babylonian Exile. The date mentioned – the thirtieth year – likely refers to Ezekiel's age, making him qualified as a priest for temple service, which adds poignancy to his visions being outside Jerusalem. More broadly, the thirtieth year may relate to a specific significant historical marker within Israel's history, though the precise event is debated, some suggest the discovery of the book of the Law under King Josiah in his 18th regnal year (c. 622 BC) when Ezekiel would have been a baby (making him 30 years old from the beginning of Josiah’s reforms).

The exile to Babylon began with King Jehoiachin's deportation in 597 BC. Ezekiel was among this first group of exiles. The phrase "fifth year of the captivity of King Jehoiachin" places Ezekiel's vision squarely in 593 BC. This means Ezekiel was living far from Jerusalem, the presumed place of God's primary presence, among a dispirited community who likely felt abandoned by their God. Thus, the verse immediately confronts a prevailing assumption that God's power and presence were confined to the Temple in Jerusalem or the land of Judah. God reveals Himself actively and powerfully even in a foreign land, affirming His sovereignty over all creation and His enduring covenant with His people, even in their disobedience and suffering.

Ezekiel 1 1 Word analysis

h2ul

• Now (wāyəhī): This common Hebrew introductory particle, often translated as "it came to pass" or "and it was," frequently signals a new and significant event or turning point in a narrative. Here, it marks the commencement of Ezekiel's prophetic visions.
• in the thirtieth year (šelōšīm šānāh): Most widely interpreted as Ezekiel's age, signaling the customary age for Levitical priests to begin full service (Num 4:3). As a priest himself (Eze 1:3), this highlights his preparedness and divine commission at a stage when he would have served in the Temple. Alternatively, it might relate to a significant historical event like the beginning of King Josiah’s religious reforms in 622 BC, placing Ezekiel's vision 30 years from a time of national revival.
• in the fourth month (baḥōdeš haRəvīʿī): Specific calendrical detail, anchoring the event in real time. Corresponding to Tammuz (July/August) in the Israelite calendar, indicating the precise timing of the revelation.
• on the fifth of the month (baḥamiššāh laḥōdeš): Further precision, giving an exact day. The combination of year, month, and day lends historical veracity to the divine encounter.
• as I was among the exiles (beqesārat / baggōlāh): Emphasizes Ezekiel's status and location. "Among the exiles" (baggōlāh) directly points to the forced displacement of the Jewish people from their homeland, underscoring that God's presence is not geographically limited. It presents a divine encounter amidst suffering and displacement.
• by the Chebar Canal (nehār Kəvār): Identifies the precise physical location. This was an artificial irrigation canal near Nippur in southern Mesopotamia, east of the Euphrates River, where many Jewish captives were settled. It confirms God's manifest presence in a foreign, "unclean" land, a radical theological point for the exiles who thought God only resided in Jerusalem.
• the heavens were opened (niftěḥū haššāmayim): A pivotal theological phrase signifying direct divine revelation and intervention. It marks a moment when the barrier between the human and divine realms is removed, allowing God's glory and purposes to be revealed directly to humanity (Gen 7:11; Isa 64:1; Mk 1:10; Acts 7:56). It is often a prelude to a profound spiritual experience or call.
• and I saw (wā'er'eh): Personal, direct testimony from the prophet. It stresses that Ezekiel personally witnessed what transpired, emphasizing the reality of his experience.
• visions of God (mar'ōt ʾelōhīm): Specifies the nature and source of the revelation. This is not a dream or mere imagination, but divinely granted, authoritative insights into the divine realm. The plural "visions" suggests either multiple specific manifestations or the overwhelming, encompassing nature of the revelation itself. It clarifies that the contents of his subsequent prophecy are from God.

ul

• "Now in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth of the month": This precise dating, down to the day, roots Ezekiel's spiritual experience in tangible history, underscoring its reality and authenticity. It functions much like a legal or official record, establishing a credible historical timestamp for God's direct revelation. This meticulous detail implicitly contrasts with the perceived "silence" of God during the early exile.
• "as I was among the exiles by the Chebar Canal": This phrase dramatically shifts the expectation of where a prophet might encounter God. Traditionally, revelation was tied to the Temple or specific holy sites within Israel. By experiencing this profound vision in pagan Babylon, among a disheartened exiled community, God demonstrates His universal sovereignty and His faithful presence even with His displaced people. It subtly counters any notion that the exile meant God had abandoned His people or that His power was limited by geography or pagan rulers.
• "the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God": This powerful pairing signifies an ultimate divine breakthrough. "Heavens opened" heralds direct access to the divine realm, transcending natural barriers. Following this, "I saw visions of God" establishes the content of this breakthrough—not abstract thoughts, but concrete, direct, and divinely originating visual revelations, establishing Ezekiel as a true seer commissioned directly by the Almighty. This opening event sets the stage for a series of unparalleled cosmic and earthly manifestations of God's glory and judgment throughout the book.

Ezekiel 1 1 Bonus section

h2

• A Priestly Prophet's Call: The age of "thirty years," understood as Ezekiel's age, highlights his background as a priest. Priests were typically inducted into full service at this age (Num 4:3). Yet, Ezekiel's "service" would be performed not in the desecrated Temple, but in visions among the exiles. This demonstrates God's re-commissioning of a Levitical figure for a new type of spiritual service suited to the unique conditions of the exile.
• Counter-cultural Revelation: The setting in Babylonia is profoundly significant. Many ancient Near Eastern cultures believed their gods were territorial. For YHWH to manifest powerfully and openly in "enemy" territory directly countered this worldview and provided immense hope and theological understanding to the exiled Israelites that their God was truly sovereign over all lands and peoples.
• Preparatory Significance: The opening of the heavens and the vision of God set the stage for the dramatic display of divine glory, especially the "throne-chariot" vision in the subsequent verses. This foundational encounter provided Ezekiel with an unparalleled perspective on God's transcendent holiness and majesty, preparing him for the weighty prophetic messages he was to deliver.

Ezekiel 1 1 Commentary

h2Ezekiel 1:1 establishes the critical foundation for the prophet's profound and often perplexing ministry. It introduces a priest in exile who, unlike his fellow captives, does not find God silent or distant, but rather dynamically present. The precision of the date emphasizes the historical certainty of the divine encounter, indicating that God's actions are purposeful and specific, even in periods of great national crisis. His location by the Chebar Canal signifies that God's manifest presence and revelatory power are not confined to the land of Israel or the Temple in Jerusalem; God's sovereignty extends universally. This radically challenges the prevailing notion among the exiles that God had abandoned them or was weaker than Babylonian deities. The opening of the heavens, a recurrent biblical motif, signifies an unparalleled moment of divine transparency and direct revelation, commissioning Ezekiel not merely as a messenger of words, but as a direct eyewitness to the very glory and presence of God. This divine opening enabled Ezekiel to perceive the mar'ōt ʾelōhīm, authoritative visions that formed the backbone of his messages of judgment, hope, and restoration for a people wrestling with their faith in a foreign land. The verse marks a new epoch of revelation where God actively sought out and communicated with His people beyond their former geographical and spiritual boundaries, proving His unwavering faithfulness.