Book of Ezekiel - Chapter 2 - Verse 10

When the verse says, "He spread it before me; and it was written within and without: and there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe," it refers to a prophetic vision given to the prophet Ezekiel. In this vision, Ezekiel is shown a scroll that is filled with messages of sorrow and distress. The scroll is unique in that it is written on both sides, emphasizing the seriousness and urgency of the message contained within. The words of lamentations, mourning, and woe signify imminent judgment and calamity that will befall the people of Israel due to their disobedience and rebellion against God.

This verse serves as a warning to the people of Israel about the consequences of their actions and the impending judgment that will come upon them if they do not repent and turn back to God. It is a reminder of the importance of obedience and faithfulness to God's commands, as well as the reality of divine judgment for sin. By displaying the scroll before Ezekiel, God is emphasizing the severity of the situation and urging the people to heed the message of lamentations, mourning, and woe contained within.

One interpretative approach to this verse in the context of the Book of Ezekiel is to view it symbolically. The act of spreading a scroll before someone was a common practice when presenting a message of great importance. In this case, the scroll contained words of lamentations, mourning, and woe, indicating a message of judgment and impending doom. The fact that the scroll was written on both sides signifies that the message is complete, leaving nothing out. The repetition of the words lamentations, mourning, and woe reinforces the severity of the message being conveyed. The theological implication of this verse is that it serves as a warning to the people of Israel to repent and turn back to God, or else face the consequences of their actions. Studying the specific words used in this verse can provide deeper insights into the emotions and consequences associated with disobedience to God's commands.