And you shall take from these a small number: The demonstrative pronoun these refers to Ezekiel’s hair. It is not exactly clear from where Ezekiel should take these few hairs. Instead of from these, the Hebrew actually says “from there,” so it is possible that Ezekiel took a small number of hairs from all the cut hair before he divided it, or from each pile before he destroyed them. However, because of the placement of these words, it is best to understand that he took a few hairs only from the third pile. Translators may render this clause as “But take a few of the hairs from that pile” or simply “But keep a little of this hair.” Ezekiel probably had to catch some after he had thrown them into the air, although Good News Translation implies that he had to “Keep back a few hairs” before he threw them in the air.

And bind them in the skirts of your robe: Ezekiel had to wrap these hairs in the skirts of your robe, that is, the “hem” (Good News Translation) of his long outer garment. The hem of the long flowing robes worn by people in those days could easily be lifted up to form a pouch to carry things safely. It is acceptable in translation to render this clause as “and wrap up these hairs in a safe place in your clothing” or “and put them in a pocket in your clothes.”

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 .