Matthew Poole and continuators on Ezekiel 1:3

3 The word of the Lord came expressely unto : Ezekiel the Priest , the Son of Buzi , in the Land of the Chaldeans, by the River Chebar , and the hard of the Lord was upon him there.

What was Visions, ver. 1. is here the Word, both as signifying and declaring the mind of God what he would do, and as containing his commands to Ezekiel and to the people, to whom these Visions spake by signs.

Least the Prophet should want his warrant, or the Jews except to his advice, it is plainly told them that Iehovah the Sovereign Lord and Eternal God by Ezekiel counsels, warns, commands and threatens.

Emphatically translated as 'tis emphatically exprest in Heb. Being with him 'twas with him, so long he might discern, so clear he might understand, so near he could not be deceived, or easily forget what he was to tell them.

Ezekiel signifies either the strength of God, or strengthned by God, and in a few syllables contains what is more largely set forth, ch. 3. ver. 8, 9. He speaks of himself in a third Person.

Who therefore should be regarded as one whose interest among the Priests at Ierusalem, would be best promoted if better things might be hoped and shortly expected, then he must now tell them; it was likely he dealt truly with them, when he must share so much in the sad things foretold. He was of the Priests originally, he was a Prophet by extraordinary call.

Of a contemned man, so the Etymology of the Heb. which gave the Rabbi's occasion to apply it to Ieremiah, and to account the Prophet either Son or Servant to Ieremiah. But 'tis a proper name.

Enemies to, and now masters of poor Captived Jews, Church of God, their God makes him a Prophet, who was an ordinary Priest in the Land of Israel.

Tho' a River of Mesopotamia, yet here seems placed in Chaldaea, because Mesopotamia was part of the Kingdom of the Chaldaeans, so Chebar or Chobar was in the Land, i. e. within the Kingdom of Chaldaea, but particularly in Mesopotamia a Province of that Kingdom.

The divine impulse moving with power and efficacy on Ezekiel for the work, and clearly confirming and demonstrating to the Captive Jews, that he was the Prophet of the Lord, and spake to them in his name, the Spirit of Prophesie as the Ch. Par.

God is not confined though most Prophets were in the Land of Israel yet here in Chaldaea, also appears a great Prophet, and should be hearkned unto.

Marginal references: Jehezkel.; chap. 3.22. and 37.1.