_Take thee a sharp knife, take thee a barber's razor_ The latter expression explains the former; _and cause it to pass upon thy head_, &c. Hair being then accounted an ornament, and baldness a token of sorrow, therefore shaving denoted calamity or desolation. “Among the Arabs,” says Harmer, chap. 6.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou shall burn a third part in the midst of the city_ In the midst of that portraiture of the city, which the prophet was commanded to make, chap. Ezekiel 4:1. This signified the destruction of the inhabitants within the city by famine and pestilence; for both famine and pestilence may be said to... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thus saith the Lord, This is Jerusalem_ Here the explication of the foregoing type is given, namely, that the hair to be shaved off signified Jerusalem, which was to be destroyed. _I have set it in the midst of the nations_ I set Jerusalem in the midst of the heathen nations, that it might be a pat... [ Continue Reading ]
_Therefore, because ye multiplied more than the nations_ Their multiplying, in the common sense of the word, was a blessing promised to them, and could not be alleged against them as a crime; therefore a word ought to be supplied here, as is done in many versions, namely, _because ye multiplied your... [ Continue Reading ]
_The fathers shall eat the sons_, &c. Fathers eating their children, and children their fathers, expresses the height of misery, and the most grievous famine. We have sufficient proof that such instances happened in the Jewish nation amidst their more than common calamities. Josephus relates some in... [ Continue Reading ]
_A third part of thee_, &c. In this verse is given an explication of what the burning of the hair, the smiting of it with a knife, &c., signified: see on Ezekiel 5:2. _And I will draw out a sword after them_ My anger shall still pursue them, even into the countries whither they shall be banished and... [ Continue Reading ]
_So it shall be an instruction to the nations_ They shall learn from such an example of vengeance to fear me, and be afraid of my judgments. _When I shall send upon them the evil arrows of famine_ Hail, tempest, drought, mildew, locusts, all which contribute to make a famine. _So will I send upon yo... [ Continue Reading ]