Ezekiel 2:10 Meaning and Explanation
“And he spread it before me; and it was written within and without: and there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The scroll is filled with lamentations, mourning, and woe—the difficult content of Ezekiel's prophetic message.
The Context of Ezekiel 2:10
The scroll's content of judgment prepares Ezekiel for his prophetic task.
What Does Ezekiel 2:10 Mean?
The scroll is unrolled fully, written on both sides (within and without), signifying its completeness and fullness. The content is not blessing or comfort but lamentation, mourning, and woe—words of judgment and sorrow. This reflects the state of Israel and the cost of their rebellion. The difficult content prepares Ezekiel for the hard truths he will proclaim.
Writing on both sides emphasizes that God's judgment is comprehensive and without remainder. Every surface of the scroll is filled with divine word. Ezekiel's calling, then, is not to offer easy comfort but to faithfully deliver a message of judgment rooted in Israel's own choice to rebel. The prophet must consume and speak words that bring sorrow.
Ezekiel 2:10 in the Original Language
qinah (קִינָה), 'lamentation' — a formal expression of grief and mourning, often used of prophetic judgment literature.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ezekiel 2:10
What does Ezekiel 2:10 mean?
The scroll is filled with lamentations, mourning, and woe—the difficult content of Ezekiel's prophetic message.
What is the context of Ezekiel 2:10?
The scroll's content of judgment prepares Ezekiel for his prophetic task.