Threat of destruction against the people, especially the war party in Jerusalem, with promise of restoration to the exiles Though the symbolism in ch. 9, 10, shewing the slaughter of the inhabitants and the burning of the city, might have seemed exhaustive, there were thoughts in men's minds which... [ Continue Reading ]
The men that plot evil 1. The gate referred to is the outer eastern gate; the position taken up by the cherubim and glory was outside the temple precincts wholly. Jaazaniah and Pelatiah are named "princes of the people." Possibly they were more prominent members of the ruling party. It is the manner... [ Continue Reading ]
_give wicked counsel_ lit. _who counsel evil counsel_. The evil counsel probably refers to the revolutionary enterprizes of these men against the authority of Babylon, which the prophet severely condemns (ch. 17). The city was divided into factions, one part holding with Babylon and another with Egy... [ Continue Reading ]
It is _not near;_let us _build_ Rather as R.V. THE TIME TO BUILD HOUSES IS NOT NEAR, lit. _the building of houses is not near_. The phrase "to build houses" is to be taken as in ch. Ezekiel 28:26, "And they shall dwell with confidence therein, and shall build houses and plant vineyards and shall dwe... [ Continue Reading ]
The prophet felt called to prophesy against these men and all this is part of the vision. See on ch. Ezekiel 3:21.... [ Continue Reading ]
_things that come into your mind_ i.e. your projects. Apparently as yet the rebellion was no more than a plan which was being hatched.... [ Continue Reading ]
Comp. ch. Ezekiel 22:25; Ezekiel 7:23. Those opposed to the schemes of the ruling party, or suspected of opposition, were openly or on various pretexts cut off.... [ Continue Reading ]
Those slain in the midst of Jerusalem will be the only "flesh" that will remain in the pot. The living conspirators who think they shall be safe shall be dragged forth and judged far away from the protecting city, on the borders of Israel. The figure of the pot and flesh is used differently in ch. 2... [ Continue Reading ]
_have feared_ YE FEAR. The language of the ruling class, in spite of its recklessness (Ezekiel 11:3), betrays the consciousness of the risks they incur; and their fears shall be more than verified.... [ Continue Reading ]
_hands of strangers_ i.e. foreign conquerors, the Babylonians.... [ Continue Reading ]
_in the border of Israel_ far away from the city, which they hoped would protect them. Cf. Jeremiah 52:26, "So Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard took them and brought them to the king of Babylon to Riblah; and he smote them and put them to death in Riblah, in the land of Hamath." 2 Kings 25:18 _... [ Continue Reading ]
Ezekiel 11:11 are wanting in LXX.... [ Continue Reading ]
While Ezekiel was uttering this prophecy Pelatiah fell down dead, and the prophet seemed to see in the event the coming destruction of all the remnant of Israel before the wrath of God, and fell on his face to intercede for them. This incident is exceedingly difficult to estimate. The prophet tells... [ Continue Reading ]
_the men of thy kindred_ Lit. _the men of thy redemption_. This could only mean, the men to be redeemed, or delivered, by thy intercession the men for whom thou shouldst pray. Such a sense is difficult to draw from the words. In usage the term has not the meaning of "kindred." Probably the word shou... [ Continue Reading ]
_yet will I be to them_ Rather: and HAVE BEEN TO THEM FOR A SANCTUARY BUT LITTLE in the countries where they are come. The expression "for a sanctuary but little" refers to the taunt of the dwellers in Jerusalem that the exiles were far from the sanctuary and had no part in Jehovah. It is true that... [ Continue Reading ]
But this time of privation for the exiles shall come to an end. They shall be gathered out of the countries, and the land of Israel given to them; from which they shall remove all its abominations. They shall receive a new heart to walk in the Lord's commandments; and he shall be their God and they... [ Continue Reading ]
_shall take away_ i.e. remove. Cf. ch. Ezekiel 37:22-23. The "detestable things" are the false gods (1 Kings 11:5; 1 Kings 11:7; 2 Kings 23:13), and all the accompaniments of the debased worship (cf. ch. Ezekiel 33:25-26).... [ Continue Reading ]
_give them one heart_ Cf. Jeremiah 32:38, "And they shall be my people and I will be their God, and I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me for ever." LXX. "another" heart (_r_for _d_). Some MSS., Targ. and Syr. read _new_, which is the prophet's own term, ch. Ezekiel 36:26. Bo... [ Continue Reading ]
_shall be my people_ Then shall the covenant between the Lord and Israel be fully realized, for this is the idea of the covenant, that he should be their God and they his people, ch. Ezekiel 36:28; Ezekiel 37:27; Jeremiah 31:33.... [ Continue Reading ]
But those who cleave to their abominations shall receive the recompense of their ways there is no peace saith the Lord to the wicked (Isaiah 48:22). The language "whose heart walketh _after the heart of_their detestable things" is without parallel or meaning; elsewhere it is: whose heart walketh af... [ Continue Reading ]