A Prophet Restrained (3:22-27). 

        It would seem that a short interval is to be assumed be­tween this and the previous section, during which Ezekiel’s message had met serious opposition. Now God commands him to abstain from public ministry (ver. 24). Since the exiles would oppose him — the language of ver. 25 is probably to be taken figuratively of the restraint of bitter opposition, rather than of physical restraint — God would match restraint with restraint (ver. 26) by making the prophet dumb, though from time to time he would be able to speak (ver. 27).

        This is a suitable point for considering one of the major problems of interpretation in Ezekiel. Ezekiel’s dumbness is mentioned again in 24:27; 29:21; 33:22; on the other hand, there are passages where it is virtually denied, e.g. 14:4; 17:2f, 12; 19:1; 20:3, etc. In ch. 4 he is described as lying on his side for 430 (or 390, cf. ver. 9) days, bound with cords (ver. 8), unless indeed this verse implies some form of paralysis; yet at the same time he is pressing the siege of Jerusalem with his model (4:1-3) and also for 390 days making cakes and eating them, measuring his water and doing other actions apparently incompatible with his physical position. That these are not to be taken as happening consecutively is seen from the chronology. Between 1:2 and 8:1 are only 413 days, or 443, if it was a leap year of 13 months.

        Once we realize that a completely literal interpretation of 4:1-5:4 is impossible, and link this fact with Ezekiel’s ex­treme symbolism, we shall be prepared to recognize a meta­phorical or symbolical element in the language used. Ezekiel’s dumbness may mean no more than the absence of any pro­phetic message for considerable periods of time. The actions of 4:1-5:4 need only have been carried out at such times as he had visitors, or may even, though less likely, have been lived out purely in the prophet’s mind. On the other hand, the extremely vivid trance-visions may point to some abnormality m Ezekiel’s make-up.

        The use of dried cow’s dung (4:15) for fuel is common in countries where other forms of fuel are scarce.