Ezekiel 1:3 kjv

The 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 1:3 nkjv

the word of the LORD came expressly to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the River Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was upon him there.

Ezekiel 1:3 niv

the word of the LORD came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, by the Kebar River in the land of the Babylonians. There the hand of the LORD was on him.

Ezekiel 1:3 esv

the word of the LORD came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the Chebar canal, and the hand of the LORD was upon him there.

Ezekiel 1:3 nlt

(The LORD gave this message to Ezekiel son of Buzi, a priest, beside the Kebar River in the land of the Babylonians, and he felt the hand of the LORD take hold of him.)

Ezekiel 1 verses

Ezekiel 1 3 Meaning

Ezekiel 1:3 describes the specific, powerful, and undeniable moment of God’s revelation to Ezekiel, identifying him as a priest, son of Buzi. It situates this divine encounter precisely in the context of the Babylonian exile, near the Chebar Canal, emphasizing that even in a foreign land and under captivity, the Lord’s word and power reached His chosen messenger. This verse firmly establishes the prophet's identity, his call, and the extraordinary divine initiative that brought forth the subsequent visions and messages for the exiles.

Ezekiel 1 3 Context

Ezekiel chapter 1 opens during the fifth year of Jehoiachin’s exile (Ezek 1:2), approximately 593 BC. This period follows the first deportation of Judah's elite to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar in 597 BC. Ezekiel himself was among these exiles, removed from his homeland and priestly duties at the Temple in Jerusalem. The people in exile were likely questioning God’s presence and power, feeling abandoned and defeated, far from the sacred Temple. This verse sets the stage by affirming that even in this dire and foreign land, the sovereign God of Israel initiated communication, countering despair and reasserting His omnipresence and continued covenant faithfulness, even when His people are in a land associated with the polytheistic Chaldean empire.

Ezekiel 1 3 Word analysis

• The word of the LORD (הָיֹה הָיָה דְבַר יְהוָה - hayoh hayah devar YHWH):

  • "Hayoh hayah": This phrase, literally "coming, it came," or "being, it was," is an emphatic repetition of the verb "to be" or "to come." It conveys a sense of certainty, definite occurrence, and undeniable force. It emphasizes that this was not a mere thought or feeling but a tangible, powerful, and deliberate act of divine communication. It points to the divine initiative and authority behind the prophecy.
  • "Devar YHWH": "Devar" means "word, speech, matter, thing." "YHWH" is the personal, covenant name of God, revealing His self-existent and ever-present nature. The phrase highlights the divine origin and authoritative nature of the message, distinguishing it from human speculation or dreams.

• came expressly: Implied by the emphatic "hayoh hayah," signifying direct, clear, and unambiguous transmission. It denotes a definite encounter, not a vague impression.

• to Ezekiel (אֶל־יְחֶזְקֵאל - el Yechezkel):

  • Ezekiel: The prophet's name (יְחֶזְקֵאל, Yechezkel) means "God strengthens" or "God will strengthen." This meaning is profoundly significant for a prophet called to a daunting task amidst a disheartened exiled people. His name itself foreshadows the divine enablement required for his demanding ministry of delivering harsh judgments and future hope.

• the priest (הַכֹּהֵן - ha'kohen):

  • Signifies his lineage and training in Temple worship and law. As a priest, he understood the holiness of God, the sacrificial system, and the covenant laws. His priestly background heavily influenced his prophetic message, especially his extensive focus on God's glory (Kevod YHWH), the Temple, defilement, and restoration. This was unusual for many prophets, connecting him uniquely to sacred traditions now disrupted by exile.

• the son of Buzi (בֶּן־בּוּזִי - ben Buzi):

  • Identifies his immediate family and further validates his priestly lineage, providing specific context for his background and legitimacy.

• in the land of the Chaldeans (בְּאֶרֶץ כַּשְׂדִּים - be'eretz Kasdim):

  • Chaldeans: Refers to Babylonia, the empire that had conquered Judah. This detail highlights the geographical and political reality of the exile. It emphasizes that God's presence and activity were not confined to the land of Israel or the Jerusalem Temple. This challenges the popular theological understanding of the time that YHWH was solely confined to Jerusalem.
  • "in the land": Marks the precise and unusual setting for divine revelation, contrasting with revelations typically occurring in the Holy Land or Jerusalem.

• by the Chebar Canal (עַל־נְהַר כְּבָר - al nehar Kebar):

  • Chebar Canal: A specific irrigation canal in Babylonia (likely near Nippur, a significant Babylonian city where many exiles settled). This detail grounds the dramatic, often surreal visions that follow in a concrete, physical location. It's a reminder that even in foreign and oppressive circumstances, God can reveal Himself powerfully to His people.

• and the hand of the LORD (וַתְּהִי עָלָיו שָׁם יַד־יְהוָה - vattehi alav sham yad YHWH):

  • "Yad YHWH": Literally "hand of YHWH." This idiomatic expression denotes divine power, enabling, compulsion, and active control over the prophet. It suggests a powerful, almost physical, manifestation of God's influence that moved Ezekiel, compelling him into a state of prophetic experience (visionary or receptive). This is distinct from merely "the word came"; it speaks of divine intervention that directly influences and empowers the human agent.
  • was upon him there: This further emphasizes the immediacy and tangible nature of God's empowerment specifically at that very location. It confirms Ezekiel's direct experience of divine presence and power in a foreign land.

Ezekiel 1 3 Bonus section

The strong sense of divine compulsion conveyed by "the hand of the LORD" is a recurring motif in Ezekiel (Ezek 3:14, 22; 8:1; 37:1; 40:1). It highlights that Ezekiel’s prophecies were not of his own will or desire but were sovereignly imposed upon him by God, ensuring the divine origin and authority of his pronouncements to a dispirited audience who needed to know that God was still actively engaged with them. This also validates Ezekiel's transition from his established role as a temple priest to an extraordinary visionary prophet in a totally different setting, stressing that God defines ministry beyond traditional boundaries.

Ezekiel 1 3 Commentary

Ezekiel 1:3 is foundational to understanding the entire book. It is more than a simple introduction; it's a profound statement about God's omnipresence and sovereign initiative amidst human despair. The "word of the LORD came expressly" highlights the intentional, forceful, and clear nature of the divine communication, leaving no doubt about its authenticity or authority. The emphasis on Ezekiel being a priest signifies that God repurposes His covenant servants even when their traditional functions are suspended by circumstances. Instead of ministering in the Temple, Ezekiel is now a conduit for God's message of judgment and future restoration in the unlikely setting of a foreign, pagan land. The specific mention of "the land of the Chaldeans by the Chebar Canal" is crucial, challenging the prevailing theological belief that God's activity was limited to Judah. This radical idea of God's universal presence prepared the exiles for a new understanding of their relationship with YHWH. Finally, "the hand of the LORD was upon him there" signifies divine empowerment, compelling and enabling Ezekiel for a monumental prophetic task, a crucial point of connection between God's will and the prophet's obedience, transforming an exiled priest into a visionary prophet.