Ezekiel 3:22-27

A Period of Silence. Another ecstatic mood falls upon Ezekiel, accompanied by a vision similar to the former (ch. 1) but not this time described. The Divine voice seems to decree for him a period of temporary silence and inactivity. Perhaps Ezekiel 3:25 should read, I will lay bands on thee and bind thee: at any rate, he is restrained in some way, whether, as some suppose, by some physical disability (e.g. catalepsy) or merely by the angry incredulity of his hearers, from proclaiming his message in public. He does not open his mouth, except in his own house to those who consult him privately (cf. Ezekiel 8:1), until his message is confirmed by the fall of Jerusalem (Ezekiel 33:21 f.).