Commentary on Ezekiel Chapters 1-20 John Calvin
JOHN CALVIN
not occur through any negligence or delay which can be accounted a fault, but the office of teaching had been so imposed that he was not yet instructed by any fixed commands; as if any one were chosen ambassador either by a king or a senate, and were afterwards furnished with his instructions, so the Prophet was called to the prophetic office., but knew not yet what he was to say. He had indeed eaten the roll, but God had not yet suggested whence he ought to begin, nor how he ought to temper his doctrine. Hence Ezekiel had not yet been drawn forth: therefore he says, that he sat with either great stupor or great desolation, as they say. For his very appearance would rouse the attention of men, that they should enquire the meaning of this unusual sorrow. Whatever it was, we see that this silence was a preparation for the discharge of his duty with greater fruit and efficacy, since his speech ought afterwards to be received with greater reverence when he had been silent for seven days
Then he says, I came to the exiles who sat in Thelabib I willingly accord with the opinion of those who take this for the name of a place, and ancient interpreters even have left these two words. Their Septuagint version has {μετέωρον}, as if it meant
signifies to elevate, but it ought to be {,}תלולthelol, if the Prophet meant that he was exalted, but this is not suitable, since he rather asserts that he was like the rest of mankind after the vision was withdrawn. Some render it
but I am not aware of their reason: but as I have already said, their opinion is probable, who suppose it the proper name of a place. Jerome translates, ``a* heap of fruit,'' and not badly; for this was probably the origin of the place's name, as cities and villages and mountains often receive their name from their situation and other circumstances; so also this place was called Thelabib. For {,}תלthel,* signifies ``a heap,'' and {,}אביבabib, means a ``stalk,'' or ``straw of corn,'' and it may, therefore, be that the place was called Thelabib on account of its fertility, since the harvest there is very plentiful. But this is of no great moment. What we have mentioned must be especially remembered, that the Prophet was beheld in that sad and sorrowful countenance, and was silent for seven days
Ezekiel 3:16-17
16. And it came to pass at the end of seven days, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
16. Et accidit a fine septem dierum 76 factus 77 sermo Iehovae ad me, dicendo.
17. Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.
17. Fili hominis, speculatorem posui 78 to domui Israel: audies ergo ex ore meo sermones, et admonebis illos ex me.
Now the Prophet shows more clearly why he continued in silence for seven days, because, indeed, he had been appointed a teacher, but the time had not fully arrived in which he was to utter the commands of God. He waited, therefore until he should receive a distinct message. Hence he says, at the end of seven days I received a 76That is, "after seven days." — Calvin. 77Happened or occurred, for the same word is variously repeated. — Calvin. 78Or. appointed. — Calvin.