And he said to me: God is probably the speaker here, although it could be an angel (see the comments on 1.28). This is the first time God addresses Ezekiel directly. But it is possible to understand the Hebrew of this clause as “And it [the voice] said to me” (similarly Traduction œcuménique de la Bible). Good News Translation takes this approach and does not identify the speaker until 3.1. Translators may say “The one speaking said to me” (similarly Parole de Vie). However, it will be better for most languages to identify the speaker at this point.

For Son of man, International Children’s Bible says “Human being.”

Stand upon your feet: God tells Ezekiel to “stand up” (Good News Translation). At this point Ezekiel was lying prostrate on the ground (see 1.28). In some languages it will be more natural to begin God’s words with “Stand up, you mere human being.”

And I will speak with you: The Hebrew waw conjunction rendered and connects this clause with the previous one. It may be omitted here if that is more natural in a language (so Good News Translation). I will speak with you is not simply a future action, but shows God’s intention, so it may be rendered “I want to talk to you” (Good News Translation). New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh renders this clause and the previous one as “O mortal, stand up on your feet that I may speak to you,” which is a good model. Parole de Vie also expresses these clauses well with “Stand up, you mere human! I’m going to talk to you.”

Quoted with permission from Gross, Carl & Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Ezekiel. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .