Introduction to Ezekiel 2:3
Ezekiel 2:3 is part of the divine commission of Ezekiel as a prophet to Israel. This verse marks the beginning of God’s charge to Ezekiel, in which He commands him to deliver a message to the rebellious Israelites. The verb שֹׁולֵ֨חַ (“I am sending”) plays a crucial role in the prophetic call, indicating a continuous, present, and authoritative action. Unlike past-tense commissioning statements that describe an event that has already taken place, the participial form of this verb suggests an ongoing divine mission.
This study will examine the grammatical structure, aspect, and theological implications of שֹׁולֵ֨חַ within Ezekiel 2:3.
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלַ֗י בֶּן־אָדָם֙ שֹׁולֵ֨חַ אֲנִ֤י אֹֽותְךָ֙ אֶל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֶל־גֹּויִ֥ם הַמֹּורְדִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר מָרְדוּ־בִ֑י הֵ֤מָּה וַאֲבֹותָם֙ פָּ֣שְׁעוּ בִ֔י עַד־עֶ֖צֶם הַיֹּ֥ום הַזֶּֽה׃
Analysis of Key Words/Phrases
1. שֹׁולֵ֨חַ אֲנִי אֹֽותְךָ (sholeaḥ ani otkha)
– Root: שָׁלַח (“to send”)
– Form: Qal active participle masculine singular
– Translation: “I am sending you”
– Function: Indicates an ongoing and present action of sending, rather than a completed event.
2. אֶל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (el benei yisra’el)
– Noun phrase: “to the children of Israel”
– Function: The direct recipients of Ezekiel’s prophetic message.
3. אֶל־גֹּויִ֥ם הַמֹּורְדִ֖ים (el goyim hamordim)
– Noun phrase: “to the rebellious nations”
– Function: Describes the Israelites metaphorically as “nations” (plural), emphasizing their disobedience.
Explanation of Grammatical Function
The Verb שֹׁולֵ֨חַ as a Qal Active Participle
The form שֹׁולֵ֨חַ is a Qal active participle. The participle in Biblical Hebrew often functions to describe continuous or habitual actions. In this case, it does not indicate that Ezekiel has already been sent in the past, but rather that the act of sending is presently occurring and will continue into the future.
– Contrast with Qal Perfect:
If the verse had used שָׁלַחְתִּי (“I have sent”), it would emphasize a completed action. Instead, the participle expresses an ongoing process.
– Theological Significance:
The use of שֹׁולֵ֨חַ conveys that Ezekiel’s commission is not a one-time event, but part of a continual divine mandate. God remains actively engaged in sending him, reinforcing the prophet’s enduring responsibility.
The Syntax of שֹׁולֵ֨חַ אֲנִי
In Biblical Hebrew, participles often function as predicate adjectives, but here שֹׁולֵ֨חַ is fronted before the subject אֲנִי (“I”). This word order inversion adds emphasis, stressing the continuous nature of God’s action.
– Regular Word Order:
– Normal syntax: אֲנִי שֹׁולֵ֨חַ אֹֽותְךָ (“I am sending you”)
– In Ezekiel 2:3: שֹׁולֵ֨חַ אֲנִי אֹֽותְךָ (lit. “Sending am I you”)
– Effect of the Fronting:
– Highlights the action of sending rather than the sender.
– Increases urgency, emphasizing that God is actively engaged in this mission.
The Object אֹֽותְךָ (“You”)
The pronoun אֹֽותְךָ (“you”) is the direct object of שֹׁולֵ֨חַ. The presence of an explicit direct object marker (את) reinforces that Ezekiel is the designated recipient of the action.
– Absence of את in Some Cases:
– Some Hebrew verbs do not require את when the object is obvious.
– Here, the marker clarifies the specificity of Ezekiel’s calling.
The Plural גֹּויִ֥ם (“Nations”) Referring to Israel
In this verse, Israel is referred to in the plural form as גֹּויִ֥ם (“nations”). This is unusual, as Israel is typically called a singular nation (גּוֹי).
– Interpretive Significance:
– The plural may emphasize Israel’s fragmentation due to their rebellion.
– It may also compare them to Gentile nations, stressing that they have become like pagan peoples through disobedience.
The Repetition of בִי (“Against Me”)
The phrase מָרְדוּ־בִי (“they have rebelled against Me”) is followed by פָּ֣שְׁעוּ בִ֔י (“they have transgressed against Me”). The repetition of בִי (“against Me”) emphasizes:
1. The personal nature of Israel’s rebellion—they are not just breaking laws, but rebelling directly against God.
2. Legal overtones—the terms מָרַד (“to rebel”) and פָּשַׁע (“to transgress”) are often used in covenant violation contexts.
The Significance of שֹׁולֵ֨חַ in Biblical Prophetic Discourse
The participle שֹׁולֵ֨חַ in Ezekiel 2:3 serves a critical function in prophetic discourse, distinguishing Ezekiel’s mission as ongoing rather than completed. This grammatical nuance aligns with the broader theme of prophetic accountability—Ezekiel is not merely called once, but continually being sent to a rebellious people.
