Ezekiel 3:14
New International Version
The Spirit then lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness and in the anger of my spirit, with the strong hand of the LORD on me.

New Living Translation
The Spirit lifted me up and took me away. I went in bitterness and turmoil, but the LORD’s hold on me was strong.

English Standard Version
The Spirit lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness in the heat of my spirit, the hand of the LORD being strong upon me.

Berean Standard Bible
So the Spirit lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness and in the anger of my spirit, with the strong hand of the LORD upon me.

King James Bible
So the spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the LORD was strong upon me.

New King James Version
So the Spirit lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the LORD was strong upon me.

New American Standard Bible
So the Spirit lifted me up and took me away; and I went embittered in the rage of my spirit, and the hand of the LORD was strong on me.

NASB 1995
So the Spirit lifted me up and took me away; and I went embittered in the rage of my spirit, and the hand of the LORD was strong on me.

NASB 1977
So the Spirit lifted me up and took me away; and I went embittered in the rage of my spirit, and the hand of the LORD was strong on me.

Legacy Standard Bible
So the Spirit lifted me up and took me away; and I went embittered in the wrath of my spirit, and the hand of Yahweh was strong on me.

Amplified Bible
So the Spirit lifted me up and took me away, and I went embittered [by the sins of Israel] in the rage of my spirit; and the hand of the LORD was strong on me.

Christian Standard Bible
The Spirit lifted me up and took me away. I left in bitterness and in an angry spirit, and the LORD’s hand was on me powerfully.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So the Spirit lifted me up and took me away. I left in bitterness and in an angry spirit, and the LORD’s hand was on me powerfully.

American Standard Version
So the Spirit lifted me up, and took me away; and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; and the hand of Jehovah was strong upon me.

Contemporary English Version
Then the Spirit carried me away. The LORD's power had taken complete control of me, and I was both annoyed and angry.

English Revised Version
So the spirit lifted me up, and took me away: and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit, and the hand of the LORD was strong upon me.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then the Spirit lifted me and took me away. I went away feeling bitter and angry. The strong power of the LORD came over me.

Good News Translation
The power of the LORD came on me with great force, and as his spirit carried me off, I felt bitter and angry.

International Standard Version
Then the Spirit lifted me up and carried me away. I went bitterly with an angry attitude as the hand of the LORD rested on me.

Majority Standard Bible
So the Spirit lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness and in the anger of my spirit, with the strong hand of the LORD upon me.

NET Bible
A wind lifted me up and carried me away. I went bitterly, my spirit full of fury, and the hand of the LORD rested powerfully on me.

New Heart English Bible
So the Spirit lifted me up, and took me away; and I went in bitterness, in the anger of my spirit; and the hand of the LORD was strong on me.

Webster's Bible Translation
So the spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the LORD was strong upon me.

World English Bible
So the Spirit lifted me up, and took me away; and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; and Yahweh’s hand was strong on me.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And [the] Spirit has lifted me up, and takes me away, and I go bitterly, in the heat of my spirit, and the hand of YHWH [is] strong on me.

Young's Literal Translation
And a spirit hath lifted me up, and doth take me away, and I go bitterly, in the heat of my spirit, and the hand of Jehovah on me is strong.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the spirit lifted me up, and it will take me and I shall go bitter, in the heat of my spirit; and the hand of Jehovah was strong upon me.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The spirit also lifted me, and took me up: and I went away in bitterness in the indignation of my spirit: for the hand of the Lord was with me, strengthening me.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then the Spirit lifted me and took me away. And I went forth in bitterness, with the indignation of my spirit. For the hand of the Lord was with me, strengthening me.

New American Bible
And the spirit lifted me up and took me away, and I went off, my spirit angry and bitter, for the hand of the LORD pressed hard on me.

New Revised Standard Version
The spirit lifted me up and bore me away; I went in bitterness in the heat of my spirit, the hand of the LORD being strong upon me.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
So the spirit lifted me up, and carried me away, and I went in the strength of my spirit; and the hand of the LORD was strong upon me.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And The Spirit picked me up and he brought me, and I went in the eagerness of my spirit, and the hand of LORD JEHOVAH was strong upon me
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
So a spirit lifted me up, and took me away; and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit, and the hand of the LORD was strong upon me.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the Spirit lifted me, and took me up, and I went in the impulse of my spirit; and the hand of the Lord was mighty upon me.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Ezekiel Eats the Scroll
13It was the sound of the wings of the living creatures brushing against one another and the sound of the wheels beside them, a great rumbling sound. 14So the Spirit lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness and in the anger of my spirit, with the strong hand of the LORD upon me. 15I came to the exiles at Tel-abib who dwelt by the River Kebar. And for seven days I sat where they sat and remained there among them, overwhelmed.…

Cross References
Jeremiah 20:9
If I say, “I will not mention Him or speak any more in His name,” His message becomes a fire burning in my heart, shut up in my bones, and I become weary of holding it in, and I cannot prevail.

Acts 20:22
And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.

2 Kings 2:16
“Look now,” they said to Elisha, “we your servants have fifty valiant men. Please let them go and search for your master. Perhaps the Spirit of the LORD has taken him up and put him on one of the mountains or in one of the valleys.” “Do not send them,” Elisha replied.

1 Kings 18:12
I do not know where the Spirit of the LORD may carry you off when I leave you. Then when I go and tell Ahab and he does not find you, he will kill me. But I, your servant, have feared the LORD from my youth.

2 Corinthians 5:14
For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, therefore all died.

Isaiah 63:10
But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit. So He turned and became their enemy, and He Himself fought against them.

Acts 2:2
Suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.

1 Samuel 10:6
Then the Spirit of the LORD will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be transformed into a different person.

2 Corinthians 12:2-4
I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows. / And I know that this man—whether in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows— / was caught up to Paradise. The things he heard were inexpressible, things that man is not permitted to tell.

Revelation 1:10
On the Lord’s day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet,

1 Thessalonians 5:19
Do not extinguish the Spirit.

Isaiah 6:8
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: “Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?” And I said: “Here am I. Send me!”

Jonah 1:3
Jonah, however, got up to flee to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa and found a ship bound for Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went aboard to sail for Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD.

Acts 8:39
When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, but went on his way rejoicing.

Jeremiah 15:17
I never sat with the band of revelers, nor did I celebrate with them. Because Your hand was on me, I sat alone, for You have filled me with indignation.


Treasury of Scripture

So the spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the LORD was strong on me.

the spirit

Ezekiel 3:12
Then the spirit took me up, and I heard behind me a voice of a great rushing, saying, Blessed be the glory of the LORD from his place.

Ezekiel 8:3
And he put forth the form of an hand, and took me by a lock of mine head; and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the inner gate that looketh toward the north; where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provoketh to jealousy.

Ezekiel 37:1
The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones,

Numbers 11:11-19
And Moses said unto the LORD, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me? …

Jeremiah 6:11
Therefore I am full of the fury of the LORD; I am weary with holding in: I will pour it out upon the children abroad, and upon the assembly of young men together: for even the husband with the wife shall be taken, the aged with him that is full of days.

Jeremiah 20:14-18
Cursed be the day wherein I was born: let not the day wherein my mother bare me be blessed…

but

Ezekiel 1:3
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 8:1
And it came to pass in the sixth year, in the sixth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I sat in mine house, and the elders of Judah sat before me, that the hand of the Lord GOD fell there upon me.

Ezekiel 37:1
The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones,

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Anger Bitterly Bitterness Embittered Hand Heat Lifted Rage Spirit Strong Wind
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














So the Spirit lifted me up
The phrase "the Spirit lifted me up" indicates a divine action, where the Spirit of God actively engages with Ezekiel, elevating him both physically and spiritually. The Hebrew word for "Spirit" here is "רוּחַ" (ruach), which can mean wind, breath, or spirit. This suggests a powerful, life-giving force that is not only guiding but also empowering Ezekiel. In the context of the prophetic tradition, being lifted by the Spirit signifies a transition into a state of divine revelation or mission, emphasizing the authority and presence of God in the prophet's life.

and took me away
The phrase "and took me away" implies a relocation or a change in position, both physically and metaphorically. The Hebrew verb "לָקַח" (laqach) means to take, seize, or capture. This suggests that Ezekiel is being moved by divine compulsion, indicating that his prophetic journey is not of his own choosing but is directed by God's sovereign will. This movement underscores the theme of obedience and submission to God's plan, a recurring motif in the lives of the prophets.

and I went in bitterness
The expression "and I went in bitterness" reveals Ezekiel's emotional state as he embarks on his mission. The Hebrew word for "bitterness" is "מַר" (mar), which conveys a sense of distress or sorrow. This highlights the internal struggle and the weight of the prophetic burden Ezekiel carries. It reflects the reality that following God's call can be challenging and filled with personal sacrifice, yet it is a necessary part of fulfilling divine purpose.

and in the anger of my spirit
The phrase "and in the anger of my spirit" further describes Ezekiel's emotional turmoil. The Hebrew word for "anger" is "חֵמָה" (chemah), which can denote fury or indignation. This suggests that Ezekiel is not only distressed but also deeply troubled by the message he must deliver and the resistance he anticipates from the people. It underscores the intensity of the prophetic calling and the righteous indignation that often accompanies the proclamation of God's truth in the face of sin and rebellion.

with the strong hand of the LORD upon me
The concluding phrase "with the strong hand of the LORD upon me" signifies divine empowerment and support. The "strong hand" is a metaphor for God's power and authority, often used in the Hebrew Bible to describe God's intervention in human affairs. This indicates that despite Ezekiel's personal struggles, he is under the protection and guidance of the Almighty. The phrase reassures that God's presence is with him, providing the strength and courage needed to fulfill his prophetic mission. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God's faithfulness and the assurance that He equips those He calls to serve Him.

(14) I went in bitterness, in the heat of my prophet now begins to realise the sorrow and the trial of the task laid upon him. The command of the Lord was sweet (Ezekiel 3:3), its performance is bitter. "But the hand of the Lord was strong" upon him, and he could not forbear. Compare the similar experience of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 20:8-9; see also Amos 3:8), when in his discouragement he had almost resolved to refuse to declare God s message, but the word of the Lord was as a burning fire within, and he could not refrain--an experience which every faithful teacher in God's name is obliged, more or less fully, to pass through.

Verse 14. - The Spirit lifted me up (see note on ver. 12). Here the LXX. has the more definite phrase, "the Spirit of the Lord. For bitterness (see note on Ezekiel 2:3). The heat of my spirit. The first noun is here translated literally. Elsewhere it is rendered as "wrath" (Deuteronomy 29:23; Job 21:20; Proverbs 15:11, et al.), "fury" (Jeremiah 4:4). Here probably it points to the conflict of emotions - indignation against the sins of his people, the dread of failure, the consciousness of unfitness. The hand of the Lord, etc. The word for "strong" is the same as that which enters into Ezekiel's name. Taking this and ver. 9 into account, there seems sufficient reason for translating as the Vulgate does, confortans (so Luther, "held me firm"), at least for thinking of that meaning as implied (comp. Ezra 7:9; Ezra 8:18; Nehemiah 2:8; Daniel 10:18). There was a sustaining power in spite of the "bitterness" and the "heat." In a more general sense, as in Ezekiel 1:3, it is used as implying a special intensity of prophetic inspiration, as in the case of Elisha (2 Kings 3:15); but this is the only case in which it occurs with the adjective "strong."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So the Spirit
וְר֥וּחַ (wə·rū·aḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - common singular
Strong's 7307: Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit

lifted me up
נְשָׂאַ֖תְנִי (nə·śā·’aṯ·nî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

and took me away,
וַתִּקָּחֵ֑נִי (wat·tiq·qā·ḥê·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 3947: To take

and I went
וָאֵלֵ֥ךְ (wā·’ê·lêḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

in bitterness
מַר֙ (mar)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 4751: Bitter, bitterness, bitterly

and in the anger
בַּחֲמַ֣ת (ba·ḥă·maṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 2534: Heat, anger, poison

of my spirit,
רוּחִ֔י (rū·ḥî)
Noun - common singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 7307: Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit

with the strong
חָזָֽקָה׃ (ḥā·zā·qāh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 2388: To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer

hand
וְיַד־ (wə·yaḏ-)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027: A hand

of the LORD
יְהוָ֥ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

upon me.
עָלַ֖י (‘ā·lay)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 3:14 So the Spirit lifted me up (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 3:13
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