Ezekiel 19 - Introduction
_A LAMENTATION FOR THE PRINCES OF ISRAEL UNDER THE PARABLE OF LIONS' WHELPS TAKEN IN A PIT; AND FOR JERUSALEM, UNDER THE PARABLE OF A WASTED VINE._ _Before Christ 593._... [ Continue Reading ]
_A LAMENTATION FOR THE PRINCES OF ISRAEL UNDER THE PARABLE OF LIONS' WHELPS TAKEN IN A PIT; AND FOR JERUSALEM, UNDER THE PARABLE OF A WASTED VINE._ _Before Christ 593._... [ Continue Reading ]
A LAMENTATION FOR THE PRINCES OF ISRAEL— The expression alludes to the mournful songs sang at funerals. This chapter is of that species which Bishop Lowth calls, "Poetical Parables." The style of itself is excellent, and the allegory well sustained. Houbigant, instead of _princes,_ would read after... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT IS THY MOTHER? A LIONESS— Hereby is meant Jerusalem; the _lions_ with which she was familiar, are the kings of the nations; the young lions which she produced, are the princes the successors of king Josiah, whose life and disgraces the prophet here points out.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SHE BROUGHT UP ONE OF HER WHELPS— This is meant of _Jehoahaz,_ who neglected to follow the good example of his father Josiah, and pursued the evil practices of his wicked predecessors. See his history, 2 Kings 23:32; 2 Kings 23:37.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE NATIONS ALSO HEARD OF HIM— _But when the nations united together against him, he was taken,_ &c. _and brought with a bridle_ or _hook into the land of Egypt._ Houbigant. See Isaiah 37:29 and Vitringa, vol. 2: p. 329.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN SHE TOOK ANOTHER OF HER WHELPS— Hereby is meant Jeconiah, who was placed upon the throne of Jerusalem by the Jews. The character which the prophet here gives of him, agrees perfectly well with him, and with him alone. His cruelty and wickedness are described in Ezekiel 19:6. Exodus 24:8 and Jer... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE KNEW THEIR DESOLATE PALACES— _And he destroyed their palaces._ Houbigant, with the Chaldee and LXX.... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THEIR PIT— The Arabs dig a pit where the lions are observed to enter; and, covering it slightly with reeds or small branches of trees, they frequently decoy and catch them. Pliny has taken notice of the same practice. Shaw, 172. 4to.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY PUT HIM IN WARD, &C.— _And having put a bridle_ or _hook upon him, they cast him into a cave._ Houbigant. See on Ezekiel 19:4.... [ Continue Reading ]
THY MOTHER IS LIKE A VINE, &C.— _Thy mother is like a vine, which is planted by the waters._ Houbigant. Others read it, _Thy mother is like a vine of thy vineyard._ We have here a second part of this mournful song, which respects Zedekiah. It is more obscure than the first, possibly because the prop... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SHE HAD STRONG RODS— Zedekiah had many sons, who were like branches coming forth from the tree whereof the prophet speaks here. This vine exalted and flattered herself with the multitude of her branches; Zedekiah forgot God, and imitated the crimes of Jehoiachim, whom the Scripture reproaches wi... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT SHE WAS PLUCKED UP IN FURY— Nebuchadrezzar, irritated at the infidelity of Zedekiah, who, without any regard to his covenant, had entered into a league with the king of Egypt, came and besieged Jerusalem, took it, and put to death the sons of Zedekiah in the presence of their father. See 2 Kings... [ Continue Reading ]
AND NOW SHE IS PLANTED IN THE WILDERNESS— Or in Judaea itself, which is made a wilderness. Houbigant. Other commentators suppose, that the prophet by this expression marks out the state of the Jewish captivity in Babylon. He uses, as is frequent with the prophets, the present tense for the future, t... [ Continue Reading ]
AND FIRE IS GONE OUT OF A ROD OF HER BRANCHES— This alludes to Ishmael, who conspired against Gedaliah, and perished not long after; so that no hope remained that any one of the royal blood of David would reign in Judges. See Jeremiah 41:1; Jeremiah 41:18 and Houbigant. In chap. 17: the king of Juda... [ Continue Reading ]