Ezekiel 2:1 kjv

And he said unto me, Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee.

Ezekiel 2:1 nkjv

And He said to me, "Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak to you."

Ezekiel 2:1 niv

He said to me, "Son of man, stand up on your feet and I will speak to you."

Ezekiel 2:1 esv

And he said to me, "Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you."

Ezekiel 2:1 nlt

"Stand up, son of man," said the voice. "I want to speak with you."

Ezekiel 2 verses

Ezekiel 2 1 Meaning

Ezekiel 2:1 captures a pivotal moment in the prophet Ezekiel's commissioning. Following his overwhelming vision of God's glory that left him prostrate, this verse records God's direct command for Ezekiel to stand upright. This command signifies divine empowerment and preparation for the crucial task of receiving and delivering God's prophetic word to the exiles. The divine address "Son of man" simultaneously emphasizes Ezekiel's human nature and unique identity as God's chosen messenger, highlighting that the awesome message will come through a mortal instrument.

Ezekiel 2 1 Context

Ezekiel 2:1 follows immediately after the prophet Ezekiel's profound and awe-inspiring vision described in Ezekiel chapter 1. There, Ezekiel, a priest in exile by the river Kebar in Babylon, witnessed the "likeness of the glory of the Lord" (Ezek 1:28). This overwhelming encounter with divine majesty caused him to fall prostrate on his face, a common response to sacred encounters signifying reverence, humility, and fear. The exilic context is crucial; Judah had fallen, the temple was destroyed or soon to be, and many exiles wrestled with despair, false hope, and the question of God's presence and power amidst their captivity. In this desperate situation, God's direct address and command to Ezekiel mark the beginning of his prophetic ministry, commissioning him to deliver messages of judgment, lament, and future hope to a rebellious people, affirming God's continued engagement with His chosen nation even in their lowest point.

Ezekiel 2 1 Word analysis

• And he said: This indicates the speaker is the one whose "likeness of the glory" Ezekiel had just witnessed in Ezek 1:28. It signifies divine initiative; God is actively communicating with His chosen servant.
• unto me: Refers to Ezekiel himself, marking him as the direct recipient of God's personal revelation and command.
• Son of man: (Hebrew: ben-'ādām, בֶּן־אָדָם) This unique title, used extensively throughout Ezekiel (93 times), emphasizes Ezekiel's humanity and mortality in stark contrast to the divine majesty he has just encountered. It highlights his position as a human instrument, grounded in solidarity with his fellow men, through whom God chooses to speak. This humbling address underscores that the message comes from God, not from human wisdom or power. The title also has future resonance with the messianic "Son of Man" figure in Daniel and the New Testament, hinting at God's ultimate plan involving a divinely appointed human figure.
• stand upon thy feet: (Hebrew: ‘ămōḏ ‘al raglekā, עֲמֹד עַל רַגְלֶךָ) This command directly counteracts Ezekiel's prostrate position from Ezek 1:28. It implies several critical things:
  • Divine Empowerment: Ezekiel, overwhelmed, would not have been able to stand on his own. God's command simultaneously grants the strength and ability.
  • Readiness and Receptivity: Standing upright signifies preparedness to receive instruction, pay attention, and assume a posture of dignity and availability for service.
  • Transition from Awe to Action: It moves Ezekiel from overwhelmed reverence to a state where he can actively engage with the divine will, demonstrating God's desire for an active participant in His prophetic ministry.
  • Position for Authority: It is a posture of someone empowered to act or speak, contrasting with the subjugation of lying face down.
• and I will speak: This declares the divine purpose behind the command to stand. God's intention is to communicate directly with Ezekiel, initiating the transmission of His word for the people. This highlights the verbal nature of prophecy and God's active engagement with His prophet.
• unto thee: Reinforces that the upcoming divine discourse is personally directed to Ezekiel, designating him as the sole recipient of this particular revelation at this moment.

Ezekiel 2 1 Bonus section

• The phrase "Son of man" is almost exclusively used by God when addressing Ezekiel, marking his unique prophetic identity and setting him apart, yet simultaneously reminding him of his human frailties and limitations without God's power.
• This verse highlights the sequence of prophetic encounters: divine manifestation (Ch. 1), human prostration (1:28), divine command to rise and empowerment (2:1), and subsequent reception of the divine message.
• The standing posture for receiving a divine word or being commissioned is a recurring theme in scripture (e.g., Daniel, Acts), signifying a position of attentiveness, availability, and conferred authority.

Ezekiel 2 1 Commentary

Ezekiel 2:1 encapsulates the essence of a prophet's commissioning: a divine encounter followed by God's direct empowerment for the task of communication. After being completely overcome by the overwhelming glory of God, Ezekiel lay prostrate, a natural human response to such majesty. God's command to "stand upon thy feet" is not merely a change in posture but a transformative act of divine enablement. It elevates Ezekiel from fear and weakness to a position of readiness and strength, specifically for the purpose of receiving God's word. The consistent address "Son of man" serves as a constant reminder of Ezekiel's mortal identity amidst his extraordinary calling, anchoring him in his humanity even as he carries divine messages. This verse establishes that the prophetic ministry is not a human undertaking but a divinely initiated and empowered one, where a humble human instrument is called, strengthened, and given God's own words to speak to a people desperately in need of divine truth amidst their exile and spiritual confusion.