Ezekiel 2:2 kjv
And the spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard him that spake unto me.
Ezekiel 2:2 nkjv
Then the Spirit entered me when He spoke to me, and set me on my feet; and I heard Him who spoke to me.
Ezekiel 2:2 niv
As he spoke, the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard him speaking to me.
Ezekiel 2:2 esv
And as he spoke to me, the Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and I heard him speaking to me.
Ezekiel 2:2 nlt
The Spirit came into me as he spoke, and he set me on my feet. I listened carefully to his words.
Ezekiel 2 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezek 1:28 | "...when I saw it, I fell on my face: and I heard a voice..." | Ezek 1:28 (Preceding prostration) |
| Acts 9:4-6 | "And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice... and he trembling and astonished said..." | Acts 9:4-6 (Paul's encounter, falling down) |
| Dan 8:17-18 | "...I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he touched me, and set me upright." | Dan 8:17-18 (Daniel falling, divinely raised) |
| Rev 1:17 | "And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying..." | Rev 1:17 (John's prostration, then divine touch) |
| Isa 6:5-7 | "Then said I, Woe is me!... Then flew one of the seraphims...and laid it upon my mouth..." | Isa 6:5-7 (Isaiah's response to God's glory) |
| Num 11:25 | "...the Spirit rested upon them: and they prophesied, and did not cease." | Num 11:25 (Spirit empowers elders to prophesy) |
| Judg 3:10 | "And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel..." | Judg 3:10 (Spirit empowers Othniel) |
| 1 Sam 10:6 | "And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy...and shalt be turned into another man." | 1 Sam 10:6 (Spirit enables Saul to prophesy) |
| Joel 2:28-29 | "...I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh... your sons and your daughters shall prophesy..." | Joel 2:28-29 (Promise of widespread Spirit outpouring) |
| Isa 61:1 | "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me..." | Isa 61:1 (Messianic anointing, fulfilled by Jesus) |
| Lk 4:18 | "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel..." | Lk 4:18 (Jesus' declaration, fulfillment of Isa 61:1) |
| Acts 1:8 | "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses..." | Acts 1:8 (Promise of Spirit's empowering for witness) |
| Acts 2:4 | "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues..." | Acts 2:4 (Pentecost, Spirit fills believers) |
| Acts 4:31 | "...they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness." | Acts 4:31 (Spirit fills for boldness in proclamation) |
| 1 Cor 2:10-14 | "...God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things..." | 1 Cor 2:10-14 (Spirit reveals spiritual truths) |
| Rom 8:15 | "...ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." | Rom 8:15 (Spirit enables sonship) |
| Eph 6:14 | "Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth..." | Eph 6:14 (Command to stand firm spiritually) |
| 1 Pet 5:9 | "Whom resist stedfast in the faith..." | 1 Pet 5:9 (Standing firm in resistance) |
| Ps 119:105 | "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." | Ps 119:105 (Guidance by God's Word) |
| 1 Sam 3:10 | "And the LORD came, and stood, and called...Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth." | 1 Sam 3:10 (Samuel's receptive hearing) |
| Isa 50:4 | "The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season..." | Isa 50:4 (Discipled ear to speak God's word) |
| Matt 11:15 | "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." | Matt 11:15 (Call for spiritual understanding) |
Ezekiel 2 verses
Ezekiel 2 2 Meaning
Ezekiel 2:2 describes a pivotal moment in the prophet's commissioning: the Spirit of God empowers him to move from a state of overwhelmed prostration to one of attentive readiness, enabling him to truly hear and comprehend the divine communication. It signifies the divine enablement necessary for a prophet to stand and receive God's word for his people, transitioning from awe-struck humility to empowered service.
Ezekiel 2 2 Context
Ezekiel 2:2 immediately follows a profound vision of God's glory in Ezekiel chapter 1, which caused the prophet to fall prostrate in awe (Ezek 1:28). This verse marks the beginning of Yahweh directly addressing Ezekiel, commanding him to stand and appointing him as a prophet to a rebellious house of Israel among the exiles in Babylon (Ezek 2:1-3:3). The historical context is the Babylonian exile, around 593 BC, where the Israelites are grappling with the destruction of Jerusalem and their understanding of God's covenant. This specific verse emphasizes God's initiative in raising and empowering His chosen messenger for a challenging task, indicating that divine revelation and prophetic service are not possible by human strength alone.
Ezekiel 2 2 Word analysis
- And the Spirit (וְרוּחַ, və·rū·aḥ): The Hebrew term ruach has a rich semantic range, encompassing "wind," "breath," and "spirit." In this context, it unequivocally refers to the Spirit of God, specifically the Holy Spirit, the animating power of Yahweh. Its entrance signifies a divine impartation, an indwelling of power that transcends human ability. This contrasts sharply with pagan deities or spirits that might possess or manipulate. It highlights that true prophetic insight and strength come solely from Yahweh.
- entered into me (בָּאָה בִּי, bā·’āh bî): This phrase denotes a personal, profound indwelling or filling, rather than a mere fleeting touch. It's a transformative event. This act of divine ingress makes the prophet a vessel for God's purposes, setting him apart and preparing him for a demanding ministry. The Spirit does not merely act on Ezekiel but within him.
- when he spake unto me (בְּדַבְּרוֹ אֵלָי, bə·ḏabbə·rō ’ē·lāy): This temporal clause signifies simultaneity. The Spirit's entrance occurs precisely as God speaks. It implies that the very act of God's speaking imparts the power needed to receive that speech. This divine speech isn't just words; it carries an enabling power. It could also suggest that the Spirit prepares the listener for the Word, making one receptive to divine truth that transcends mere human understanding.
- and set me upon my feet (וַתַּעֲמִידֵנִי עַל־רַגְלָי, wattō·‘ă·mî·ḏe·nî ‘al-rag·lāy): From a posture of prostration (humility, fear, unworthiness) after seeing God's glory, Ezekiel is physically raised to a standing position. This is not by his own will or strength. This act symbolizes being elevated to a position of readiness, attentiveness, and capacity for service. It indicates empowerment to respond to God's command to "stand" (Ezek 2:1), shifting from overwhelming awe to active duty. Standing before God signifies one who is ready to receive and execute divine instructions, rather than remaining incapacitated by fear.
- and I heard him that spake unto me (וָאֶשְׁמַע אֵת דִּבְּרוֹ אֵלָי, wā’eš·ma‘ ’êṯ dib·brō ’ê·lāy): The culmination of the Spirit's work. It's not just a physical act of hearing, but a spiritual and receptive hearing, implying understanding, acknowledgment, and preparation to obey. The Spirit’s empowering enables genuine receptivity to the divine message, overcoming any human inability or resistance. This is active listening, critical for a prophet whose entire ministry hinges on faithfully relaying God's exact words.
Ezekiel 2 2 Bonus section
The Spirit's immediate work to "set me upon my feet" right as God begins to speak emphasizes the urgency and directness of God's call to Ezekiel. It suggests that divine readiness for service is often instantaneous and directly linked to God's impartation of grace, overcoming any human physical or spiritual weakness. This swift empowerment indicates that Ezekiel was to immediately shift from worshipping awe to active obedience, illustrating the immediate transformational power of God's presence and Spirit. This sequence – revelation, prostration, divine empowerment to rise, and then commissioned hearing – forms a typical pattern for prophetic calls, highlighting that intimacy with God often precedes public ministry.
Ezekiel 2 2 Commentary
Ezekiel 2:2 is a profound statement on divine empowerment for prophetic ministry. Having been utterly overwhelmed by the glorious vision of God (Ezekiel 1), Ezekiel falls on his face, a common response to encountering divine majesty. This verse transitions him from that state of humility and perhaps even fear to a posture of readiness. The Spirit's entrance is crucial: it is not a consequence of Ezekiel's own piety or strength, but entirely God's initiative. This infilling of the Ruach is directly linked to God's speaking, indicating that the Spirit provides the capacity to both stand in God's presence and effectively receive His message. The action of being "set upon my feet" signifies restoration from a state of incapacitation to one of alertness and capacity to perform God's will. True hearing ("I heard him") in this context means spiritual comprehension and acceptance, not merely auditory perception. This foundational experience for Ezekiel underscores a core biblical principle: all true service and effective communication of God's Word stem from divine enablement.
- Example for practical usage: Just as Ezekiel was enabled by the Spirit to hear and stand for God's message, believers today need the Holy Spirit's guidance to understand and respond to the Scriptures and live out their faith.
- Example: When facing a daunting task for God, recognize that similar to Ezekiel, your ability comes not from yourself but from the empowering Spirit of God.