Ezekiel 3:1
New International Version
And he said to me, “Son of man, eat what is before you, eat this scroll; then go and speak to the people of Israel.”

New Living Translation
The voice said to me, “Son of man, eat what I am giving you—eat this scroll! Then go and give its message to the people of Israel.”

English Standard Version
And he said to me, “Son of man, eat whatever you find here. Eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.”

Berean Standard Bible
“Son of man,” He said to me, “eat what you find here. Eat this scroll, then go and speak to the house of Israel.”

King James Bible
Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel.

New King James Version
Moreover He said to me, “Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.”

New American Standard Bible
Then He said to me, “Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.”

NASB 1995
Then He said to me, “Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.”

NASB 1977
Then He said to me, “Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then He said to me, “Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.”

Amplified Bible
He said to me, “Son of man, eat what you find [in this book]; eat this scroll, then go, speak to the house of Israel.”

Christian Standard Bible
He said to me, “Son of man, eat what you find here. Eat this scroll, then go and speak to the house of Israel.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He said to me: “Son of man, eat what you find here. Eat this scroll, then go and speak to the house of Israel.”

American Standard Version
And he said unto me, Son of man, eat that which thou findest; eat this roll, and go, speak unto the house of Israel.

Contemporary English Version
The LORD said, "Ezekiel, son of man, after you eat this scroll, go speak to the people of Israel."

English Revised Version
And he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go, speak unto the house of Israel.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The LORD said to me, "Son of man, eat what you find. Eat this scroll. Then speak to the people of Israel."

Good News Translation
God said, "Mortal man, eat this scroll; then go and speak to the people of Israel."

International Standard Version
Then he told me, "Son of Man, eat! Eat what you see —this scroll—and then go talk to the house of Israel."

Majority Standard Bible
“Son of man,” He said to me, “eat what you find here. Eat this scroll, then go and speak to the house of Israel.”

NET Bible
He said to me, "Son of man, eat what you see in front of you--eat this scroll--and then go and speak to the house of Israel."

New Heart English Bible
He said to me, "Son of man, eat that which you find. Eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel."

Webster's Bible Translation
Moreover he said to me, Son of man, eat what thou findest; eat this roll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.

World English Bible
He said to me, “Son of man, eat what you find. Eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And He says to me, “Son of man, eat that which you find, eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.”

Young's Literal Translation
And He saith unto me, 'Son of man, that which thou findest eat, eat this roll, and go, speak unto the house of Israel.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will say to me, Son of man, eat what thou shalt find; eat this roll, and go speak to the house of Israel.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he said to me: Son of man, eat all that thou shalt find: eat this book, and go speak to the children of Israel.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he said to me: “Son of man, eat whatever you will find; eat this scroll, and, going forth, speak to the sons of Israel.”

New American Bible
He said to me: Son of man, eat what you find here: eat this scroll, then go, speak to the house of Israel.

New Revised Standard Version
He said to me, O mortal, eat what is offered to you; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
MOREOVER he said to me, Son of man, eat that which you find; eat this scroll, and go speak to the house of Israel.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he said to me: “Son of man, eat the thing that you find. Eat this scroll and go speak with those of the household of the children of Israel”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And He said unto me: 'Son of man, eat that which thou findest; eat this roll, and go, speak unto the house of Israel.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he said to me, Son of Man, eat this volume, and go and speak to the children of Israel.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Ezekiel Eats the Scroll
1“Son of man,” He said to me, “eat what you find here. Eat this scroll, then go and speak to the house of Israel.” 2So I opened my mouth, and He fed me the scroll.…

Cross References
Revelation 10:9-10
And I went to the angel and said, “Give me the small scroll.” “Take it and eat it,” he said. “It will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.” / So I took the small scroll from the angel’s hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach turned bitter.

Jeremiah 15:16
Your words were found, and I ate them. Your words became my joy and my heart’s delight. For I bear Your name, O LORD God of Hosts.

Revelation 10:8
Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me again, saying, “Go, take the small scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel standing on the sea and on the land.”

Jeremiah 1:9
Then the LORD reached out His hand, touched my mouth, and said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.

Psalm 119:103
How sweet are Your words to my taste—sweeter than honey in my mouth!

John 6:53-58
So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of Man, you have no life in you. / Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. / For My flesh is real food, and My blood is real drink. ...

Matthew 4:4
But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Revelation 2:17
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes, I will give the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone inscribed with a new name, known only to the one who receives it.

John 4:32-34
But He told them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” / So the disciples asked one another, “Could someone have brought Him food?” / Jesus explained, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work.

Hebrews 5:12-14
Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food! / For everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness. / But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil.

1 Peter 2:2
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,

Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, / so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.

Isaiah 55:1-3
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost! / Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods. / Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant—My loving devotion promised to David.

Proverbs 9:5
“Come, eat my bread and drink the wine I have mixed.


Treasury of Scripture

Moreover he said to me, Son of man, eat that you find; eat this roll, and go speak to the house of Israel.

eat.

Ezekiel 3:10
Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, all my words that I shall speak unto thee receive in thine heart, and hear with thine ears.

Ezekiel 2:8,9
But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee…

1 Timothy 4:15
Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

go

Ezekiel 3:11,15,17-21
And go, get thee to them of the captivity, unto the children of thy people, and speak unto them, and tell them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear…

Ezekiel 2:3
And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day.

Jeremiah 24:1-7
The LORD shewed me, and, behold, two baskets of figs were set before the temple of the LORD, after that Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon had carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, and the princes of Judah, with the carpenters and smiths, from Jerusalem, and had brought them to Babylon…

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Ezekiel 3
1. Ezekiel eats the scroll
4. God encourages him
15. God shows him the rule of prophecy
22. God shuts and opens the prophet's mouth














And He said to me
This phrase introduces a direct communication from God to the prophet Ezekiel. The Hebrew root for "said" is "אָמַר" (amar), which is often used in the Old Testament to denote divine speech. This highlights the authority and sacredness of the message. In the context of Ezekiel's prophetic ministry, it underscores the personal and direct nature of God's guidance. Historically, prophets were seen as mouthpieces of God, and this phrase sets the stage for the divine instruction that follows.

Son of man
The term "Son of man" is a translation of the Hebrew "בֶּן־אָדָם" (ben-adam), which literally means "son of Adam" or "human being." This phrase emphasizes Ezekiel's humanity and his role as a representative of the people. It is a reminder of the prophet's humble position before God, despite being chosen for a significant mission. Theologically, it points to the incarnation theme, later fully realized in Jesus Christ, who frequently used this title for Himself.

eat what you find
The command to "eat" is symbolic, representing the internalization of God's word. The Hebrew verb "אָכַל" (akal) means to consume or devour, suggesting a deep, transformative engagement with the message. This act of eating signifies the necessity for Ezekiel to fully absorb and understand the divine revelation before he can convey it to others. It is a call to spiritual nourishment and preparation for the prophetic task.

eat this scroll
The "scroll" (Hebrew: "מְגִלָּה", megillah) is a physical representation of God's word. Scrolls were the primary medium for written communication in ancient times, often containing important religious or legal texts. The act of eating the scroll symbolizes the complete assimilation of God's message into Ezekiel's being. This imagery is echoed in other scriptural contexts, such as Revelation 10:9-10, where John is also instructed to eat a scroll, highlighting the continuity of prophetic tradition.

and go
The directive "go" (Hebrew: "הָלַךְ", halak) implies movement and action. It signifies the transition from preparation to mission. Ezekiel is not only to internalize the message but also to act upon it. This command reflects the dynamic nature of God's call, which requires obedience and readiness to serve. It is a reminder that the reception of divine revelation is not an end in itself but a means to fulfill God's purposes.

speak to the house of Israel
The "house of Israel" refers to the collective people of Israel, God's chosen nation. In the Hebrew context, "בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל" (beit Yisrael) denotes both a familial and national identity. Ezekiel's mission is to deliver God's message to his fellow Israelites, who were in exile in Babylon at the time. This phrase underscores the covenant relationship between God and Israel, and the prophet's role in calling the people back to faithfulness. It highlights the enduring relevance of God's word to His people, regardless of their circumstances.

Verse 1. - Eat that thou findest, etc. The iteration of the command of Ezekiel 2:8 seems to imply, like the words, "be not thou rebellious," in that verse, some reluctance on the prophet's part. In substance the command was equivalent to that of Revelation 22:18, 19. The true prophet does not choose his message (Acts 4:20); his "meat" is to do his Lord's will (John 4:34), and he takes what he "finds" as given to him by that will.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of man,”
אָדָ֕ם (’ā·ḏām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

He said
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to me,
אֵלַ֔י (’ê·lay)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

“eat
אֱכ֑וֹל (’ĕ·ḵō·wl)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 398: To eat

what
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

you find here.
תִּמְצָ֖א (tim·ṣā)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present

Eat
אֱכוֹל֙ (’ĕ·ḵō·wl)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 398: To eat

this
הַזֹּ֔את (haz·zōṯ)
Article | Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

scroll,
הַמְּגִלָּ֣ה (ham·mə·ḡil·lāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4039: A scroll

then go
וְלֵ֥ךְ (wə·lêḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

and speak
דַּבֵּ֖ר (dab·bêr)
Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the house
בֵּ֥ית (bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of Israel.”
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 3:1 He said to me Son of man (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 2:10
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