And, behold: As elsewhere the Hebrew word hinneh rendered behold is often translated “Look” (New Jerusalem Bible) or “See” (New Revised Standard Version). Some translations omit it (so Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version), but others try to capture the emphasis it conveys by saying “For my part” (Bible en français courant).

I will put cords upon you: See the comments on 3.25. Here God is the one who ties Ezekiel up, not the people. As in 3.25, it is best to take this description of Ezekiel being tied up with ropes metaphorically, that is, translators may say “I am going to restrain you as if I would tie you up with ropes.” Of course, it is also possible to translate this clause literally.

So that you cannot turn from one side to the other: The reason Ezekiel is tied up is also different from that in 3.25. Here he is tied up so that he cannot turn over. Although he was able to move during this period, he had to stay lying on one side (see verses 4-6).

Till you have completed the days of your siege, that is, until Ezekiel had finished “attacking” Jerusalem, which God told him to do for a total of 430 days. Translators may say “until your attack is over” or “for all the time that you are threatening Jerusalem.”

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 .