Ezekiel 2:10 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 2:10 mean?

Ezekiel 2:10 describes a scroll that is opened and shown to Ezekiel, with writing on both sides. The writing is filled with messages of sorrow, grief, and warning—specifically "lamentations, and mourning, and woe."

In this scene, God is speaking to Ezekiel, who is being called as a prophet to the people of Israel. The scroll represents the message Ezekiel is to deliver, and the fact that it is written "within and without" (on both sides) highlights the fullness and seriousness of the coming judgment. The content—grief and disaster—sets the tone for Ezekiel’s mission and the difficult truths he must proclaim.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 2:10

• "spread" (פָּרַשׂ, pāraš): This word means to spread out or open up, emphasizing that the scroll is fully revealed to Ezekiel, nothing hidden.
• "within" (פָּנִים, pānîm) and "without" (אָחוֹר, ʾāḥôr): These words mean the inside and outside surfaces of the scroll, showing that the message is complete and overflowing—there is no space left unwritten.
• "lamentations" (קִינָה, qînâ), "mourning" (אֵבֶל, ʾēvel), and "woe" (הִי, hî): These words each describe a different aspect of sorrow—public grieving, deep sadness, and cries of distress—underscoring the heavy and troubling nature of the message Ezekiel is to bring.

Why Ezekiel 2:10 matters

• Ezekiel 2:10 makes clear that Ezekiel’s prophetic message is not one of comfort but of warning and sorrow, preparing the reader for the challenging words that follow in the book.
• The detail that the scroll is written on both sides stresses the overwhelming extent of the coming judgment—there is no relief or empty space.
• This verse connects directly to Ezekiel’s calling, showing that being a prophet often means delivering hard truths, not just encouragement or hope.