1. Son of man. ben-‘adam. This is God’s customary form of address to Ezekiel. The form occurs 93 times throughout the book. Daniel is the only other prophet so named, but the title appears in his book but once. The Hebrew has several words for man: (1) ’ish, which refers to man as a male or husband; (2) ’enosh, which is a more general term, seldom used in the singular, more usually collective for the whole human race. It seems to comprehend man in his frailty, disease, and mortality. Jesus, who took upon Himself not the nature of angels, but of the human race after four thousand years of sin had left their stamp of degeneracy, is prophetically designated “Son of ’enash” (Dan. 7:13; ’enash is the Aramaic form of ’enosh); (3) ’adam, which describes man in a generic sense. God said, “Let us make ’adam in our image” (Gen. 1:26). Our English word “mankind” in many instances suitably translates ’adam; (4) geber, which describes man in his youthful vigor.
Ezekiel, addressed as “son of man” (ben-’adam), is reminded of the fact that he is a member of the human race. It was through human channels that God purposed to convey His message of salvation to perishing souls. He could have employed other means. Angels might have been appointed His ambassadors. An audible voice from heaven might have been the evangel. But God desired to make man a sharer in the joys of unselfish ministry to others, and so He committed unto him the “word of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:19). This task no “son of man” may shirk. Souls are either won or lost by the manner in which he relates himself to this responsibility. Thus, to be addressed as a “son of man” is a call to personal or public ministry in ardent passion for fellow creatures.
Stand upon thy feet. The vision of the glory of God had prostrated Ezekiel. In a similar manifestation of the power of God, Daniel declared, “There remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength” (Dan. 10:8). In the call to divine service these prophets were led first to feel their own weakness. Then divine power came and activated them, restoring to them physical strength and enabling them to receive the heavenly communication.