Ezekiel 1:1 - Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

The thirtieth year] The reference of the number is uncertain. Suggested explanations are, (1) that Ezekiel's age is meant; (2) that the reckoning is from some recent era, such as Josiah's reformation (621 b.c.), or the independence of Babylon under Nabopolassar (625 b.c., taking thirty as a round number), or the accession of Nebuchadrezzar (604 b.c., reading 'thirteenth' for 'thirtieth'), or some Babylonian epoch otherwise unknown to us; (3) that 'the thirtieth year' is an insertion made with the object of harmonising the different periods assigned for the duration of the exile by Jeremiah (70 years, Jeremiah 25:11; Jeremiah 29:10) and Ezekiel (40 years, Ezekiel 4:6) respectively. Of these explanations (1) is improbable, and if (3) be not accepted we are shut up to some of the forms of (2). Among these 625 b.c. (Nabopolassar) seems a more likely starting-point for an epoch than 621 b.c. (Josiah's reformation), but, on the other hand, the latter date agrees more exactly with the number given. The fourth month] the month Tammuz = June-July: see on Ezekiel 8:14. The river of Chebar] the nârKabari (Great River, or 'Grand Canal') of the inscriptions. It was a large navigable canal branching off from the Euphrates, and passing near Nippur, SE. of Babylon. It is probably represented by the modern Shatt-en-Nil, a canal 120 ft. wide, which divides the ruins of Nippur in two.