CHAPTER XXXIX _The prophet goes on to denounce the Divine judgments against_ _Gog and his army_, 1-7; _and describes their dreadful slaughter_, 8-10, _and burial_, 11-16, _in terms so very lofty and comprehensive, as must certainly_ _denote some very extraordinary interposition of Providence i... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 39:2. _AND LEAVE BUT THE SIXTH PART OF THEE_] The margin has, _strike thee with six plagues_; or, _draw thee back with a hook of_ _six teeth_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 39:3. _I WILL SMITE THY BOW OUT OF THY LEFT HAND_] The _Persians_ whom Antiochus had in his army, Ezekiel 38:5, were famous as _archers_, and they may be intended here. The _bow_ is held by the _left hand_; the _arrow_ is pulled and discharged by the _right_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 39:6. _I WILL SEND A FIRE ON MAGOG_] On Syria. I will destroy the Syrian troops. _AND AMONG THEM THAT DWELL CARELESSLY IN THE ISLES_] The auxiliary troops that came to Antiochus from the borders of the Euxine Sea.-_Martin_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 39:7. _IN THE MIDST OF MY PEOPLE ISRAEL_] This defeat of Gog is to be in Israel: and it was there according to this prophecy, that the immense army of Antiochus was so completely defeated. _AND I WILL NOT LET THEM POLLUTE MY HOLY NAME ANY MORE_] See on _1Macc 1:11_, c., how Antiochus... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 39:9. _AND SHALL SET ON FIRE - THE WEAPONS_] The Israelites shall make bonfires and fuel of the weapons, tents, c., which the defeated Syrians shall leave behind them, as expressive of the joy which they shall feel for the destruction of their enemies and to keep up, in their _culinary... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 39:11. _THE VALLEY OF THE PASSENGERS ON THE EAST OF THE SEA_] That is, of _Gennesareth_, according to the _Targum_. The valley near this lake or sea is called _the Valley of the Passengers_, because it was a great road by which the merchants and traders from Syria and other eastern cou... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 39:12. _AND SEVEN MONTHS_] It shall require a long time to bury the dead. This is another figurative expression; which, however, may admit of a good deal of _literal_ meaning. Many of the Syrian soldiers had secreted themselves in different places during the pursuit after the battle,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 39:17. _GATHER YOURSELVES - TO MY SACRIFICE_] This is an allusion to a custom common in the east: when a sacrifice is made, the friends and neighbours of the party sacrificing are invited to come and feast on the sacrifice.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 39:18. _YE SHALL - DRINK THE BLOOD OF THE PRINCES OF THE EARTH_] I need not mention the custom of the Scandinavians: they were accustomed to drink the blood of their enemies out of the skulls of the dead. But this is spoken of _fowls_ and _beasts_ here-_rams,_ _lambs_, and _goats_. The... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 39:19. _AND YE SHALL EAT FAT - AND DRINK BLOOD_] _Who_ shall eat and drink, c.? Not the _Jews_: though _Voltaire_ says they ate _human_ _flesh_, and are invited here by the prophet to _eat the flesh and_ _drink the blood of their enemies_ which is a most unprincipled falsehood. It is t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 39:25. _NOW WILL I BRING AGAIN THE CAPTIVITY OF JACOB_] Both _they_ and the _heathen_ shall know that it was for their iniquity that I gave them into the hands of their enemies: and now I will redeem them from those hands in such a way as to prove that I am a _merciful God_, as well as... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 39:26. _AFTER THAT THEY HAVE BORNE THEIR SHAME_] After they shall have borne the _punishment_ due to a line of conduct which is their _shame_ and reproach, viz. _idolatry_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 39:27. _WHEN I HAVE - GATHERED THEM_] Antiochus had before captured many of the Jews, and sold them for _slaves_; see Daniel 11:33.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 39:28. _AND HAVE LEFT NONE OF THEN ANY MORE THERE._] All that chose had liberty to return; but many remained behind. This promise may therefore refer to a _greater restoration_, when not a Jew shall be left behind. This, the next verse intimates, will be in the _Gospel dispensation_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 39:29. _FOR I HAVE POURED OUT MY SPIRIT_] That is, I will pour out my Spirit; see the notes on Ezekiel 36:25, where this subject is largely considered. This _Spirit_ is to enlighten, quicken, purify, and cleanse their hearts; so that, being completely changed, they shall become God's p... [ Continue Reading ]