XVII. This chapter contains a “riddle” or “parable “(Ezekiel 17:3), with its explanation (Ezekiel 17:11), closing with a clear Messianic prophecy couched in language taken from the parable (Ezekiel 17:22). While it is a distinct communication, it belongs to the same series of prophecies which began... [ Continue Reading ]
A RIDDLE... A PARABLE. — What the prophet has to say is called a riddle as well as a parable, because there is something in it recondite and obscure — something which, until it is explained, should excite the minds of the people to guess its meaning.... [ Continue Reading ]
A GREAT EAGLE WITH GREAT WINGS. — In the original “_the_ great eagle.” This is explained in Ezekiel 17:12 of “the king of Babylon.” Nebuchadnezzar is compared to an eagle also in Jeremiah 48:40; Jeremiah 49:22; and Cyrus to a bird of prey in Isaiah 46:11. He has great and long wings, because he has... [ Continue Reading ]
INTO A LAND OF TRAFFICK. — Literally, _a land of Canaan,_ the word being sometimes used for merchant or merchandise, as in Hosea 12:8 (Engl. 7); Isaiah 23:8; Zephaniah 1:11. The parallelism of the next clause shows that this is its meaning here. Babylon has already been called Canaan in Ezekiel 16:2... [ Continue Reading ]
OF THE SEED OF THE LAND. — In place of the captive Jehoiachin Nebuchadnezzar did not set over the land an eastern satrap, but appointed a native prince, Zedekiah, the uncle of Jehoiachin. He was “planted,” not like the tall cedar on the mountain, but yet like “a willow tree by great waters” where it... [ Continue Reading ]
A SPREADING VINE OF LOW STATURE. — Had Zedekiah been faithful to his oath and allegiance to Nebuchadnezzar and to his higher allegiance to God, Israel might have been fruitful and prosperous as a dependent kingdom. WHOSE BRANCHES TURNED TOWARDS HIM. — Better, _That its branches might turn towards h... [ Continue Reading ]
ANOTHER GREAT EAGLE. — This is explained in Ezekiel 17:15 of Pharaoh. He was also powerful, ruling a populous land, but is not described as with the variegated feathers of Ezekiel 17:3, because he did not rule over the same diversity of people with Nebuchadnezzar. Zedekiah, while owing his position... [ Continue Reading ]
OF HER SPRING. — Our translators probably intended by this word, as they evidently did in Psalms 65:10, “her springing forth,” her growth; but it would be’ better now to substitute the word _growth,_ PLUCK IT UP BY THE ROOTS. — The word here is a different one from the “pull up “in the earlier part... [ Continue Reading ]
MOREOVER THE WORD OF THE LORD. — The form of expression leaves it uncertain whether the explanation of the parable was given at the same time with the parable itself, or whether, as is more probable, a little time was suffered to elapse, during which it should be “a riddle” to the people that they m... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT THE KINGDOM MIGHT BE BASE. — (See the Notes on Ezekiel 17:6.)... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL HE ESCAPE THAT DOETH SUCH THINGS? — The faithlessness of Zedekiah and his court to his own sworn covenant was an act, in addition to all his other wickedness, especially abominable to God. The sanctity of an oath had always been most strongly insisted upon in Israelitish history. It must be re... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE PLACE... HE SHALL DIE. — The distinct prophecy of the death of Zedekiah at Babylon is here given in a form to bring out in the strongest light the fitness and justice of his punishment. It was to be in the place of the king to whom he owed his crown, and to whom he had given his fealty, yet a... [ Continue Reading ]
BY CASTING UP MOUNTS. — This translation implies that “the casting up mounts and building forts” were to be the act of Pharaoh; but such things are done not by the relieving, but by the besieging army. A better translation would be, “when they cast up mounts,” &c. — _i.e.,_ at the time of the siege.... [ Continue Reading ]
MINE OATH... MY COVENANT. — Zedekiah’s oath and covenant to Nebuchadnezzar are called the Lord’s, because made in the Lord’s name, and also because He had commanded them. Rebellion against Nebuchadnezzar was, therefore, under the circumstances, apostasy from the Lord Himself. With Ezekiel 17:21 the... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL ALSO TAKE. — In what has passed all has been done according to God’s will, but yet through human instrumentality: Israel has been punished, Jehoiachin has been, and Zedekiah is about to be, carried into captivity, as God designed; yet Nebuchadnezzar has done it all for his own purposes. Now G... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE MOUNTAIN OF THE HEIGHT OF ISRAEL, _i.e.,_ Mount Zion, called in the parallel passage (Ezekiel 20:40) “mine holy mountain.” Similar prophecies are also to be found in Isaiah 2:2; Micah 4:1; Psalms 2:6. No point is made more clear in the prophecies of the Christian dispensation than that it is... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL THE TREES OF THE FIELD SHALL KNOW. — As the cedar represents the kingdom of Israel, so the other trees represent all other earthly powers who shall ultimately acknowledge the work of the Lord in the redemption of mankind through His Son. HAVE BROUGHT DOWN THE HIGH TREE. — Comp, the song of Hann... [ Continue Reading ]