Footnote

a Whether Ezekiel carried out the tableau literally, actually lying on his side in the streets during the daylight hours of 430 days, or whether it took place only in vision, is problematic. Commentators are divided on the matter, some believing that the scene was visionary, Ezekiel then relating and describing the vision to the people. Others hold that he acted out the scene after having the vision. But, either way, it does not in the least alter the understanding of the fulfillment of the prophecy and its application to Judah and Israel at that time, nor would it affect the final fulfillment of certain features of the prophecy upon Christendom. The important thing is not how the visionary command was executed in Ezekiel’s case. It is the significance of the command that concerns and affects us.