CHAPTER VII _This chapter, which also forms a distinct prophecy, foretells_ _the dreadful destruction of the land of Israel, or Judah, (for_ _after the captivity of the ten tribes these terms are often_ _used indiscriminately for the Jews in general,) on account of_ _the heinous sins of its inh... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 7:2. _AN END, THE END IS COME_] Instead of קץ בא הקץ _kets ba_ _hakkets, one_ MS. of _Kennicott's, one_ of _De Rossi's_, and _one_ of _my own_, read קץ בא בא הקץ _kets ba, ba hakkets_, "The end cometh, come is the end." This reading is supported by all the ancient Versions, and is und... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 7:4. _THINE ABOMINATIONS SHALL BE IN THE MIDST OF THEE_] They shall ever stare thee in the face, upbraid thee with thy ingratitude and disobedience, and be witnesses against thee.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 7:5. _AN EVIL, AN ONLY EVIL_] The great, the sovereign, the last exterminating evil, is come: the sword, the pestilence, the famine, and the captivity. Many MSS. read אחר _achar, after_. So evil cometh after evil; one instantly succeeds another.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 7:6. _AN END IS COME, THE END IS COME: IT WATCHETH FOR THEE_] This is similar to the _second_ verse; but there is a _paronomasia_, or play upon letters and words, which is worthy of note. קץ בא בא הקץ הקץ אליך _kets ba, ba hakkets, hekits elayich_. קצה katsah signifies to make an _end_... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 7:7. _THE MORNING IS COME UNTO THEE_] Every note of _time_ is used in order to show the _certainty_ of the thing. The _morning_ that the executioner has _watched_ for is come; the _time_ of that _morning,_ in which it should take place, and the _day_ to which that _time,_ _precise hour... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 7:10. _BEHOLD THE DAY_] The same words are repeated, sometimes varied, and pressed on the attention with _new figures_ and _new_ _circumstances_, in order to alarm this infatuated people. Look at the _day_! It is come! _THE MORNING IS GONE FORTH_] It will wait no longer. The _rod_ tha... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 7:11. _VIOLENCE IS RISEN, UP INTO A ROD OF WICKEDNESS_] The prophet continues his metaphor: "Pride has budded." - And what has it brought forth? _Violence_ and _iniquity_. To meet these, the _rod of_ _God_ cometh. There is such a vast rapidity of succession in the ideas of the prophet... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 7:12. _LET NOT THE BUYER REJOICE, NOR THE SELLER MOURN_] Such is now the state of public affairs, that he who through want has been obliged to _sell his inheritance_, need not _mourn_ on the account; as of this the enemy would soon have deprived him. And he who _has bought_ it need not... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 7:13. _FOR THE SELLER SHALL NOT RETURN_] In the sale of all heritages among the Jews, it was always understood that the heritage must return to the family on the _year of jubilee_, which was every _fiftieth_ year; but in this case the _seller_ should not return to possess it, as it was... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 7:14. _THEY HAVE BLOWN THE TRUMPET_] Vain are all the efforts you make to collect and arm the people, and stand on your own defence; for all shall be dispirited, and none _go to the battle_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 7:15. _THE SWORD_ IS _WITHOUT_] War through all the _country_, and _pestilence_ and _famine_ within the city, shall destroy the whole, except a small remnant. He who endeavours to flee from the one shall fall by the other.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 7:16. _THEY - SHALL BE ON THE MOUNTAINS LIKE DOVES OF THE_ _VALLEYS_] Rather, _like mourning doves_ הגאיות haggeayoth, chased from their dove-cotes, and separated from their mates.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 7:17. _ALL KNEES SHALL BE WEAK_ AS _WATER._] _Calmet_ understands this curiously: La frayeur dont on sera saisi, fera qu'on ne pourra retenir son urine. D'autres l'expliquent d'une autre souillure plus honteuse. I believe him to be nearly about right. _St. Jerome_ is exactly the same:... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 7:19. _THEY SHALL CAST THEIR SILVER IN THE STREETS_] Their riches can be of no use; as in a time of famine there is no necessary of life to be _purchased_, and _gold_ and _silver cannot fill_ _their bowels_. _IT IS THE STUMBLING-BLOCK OF THEIR INIQUITY._] They loved riches, and placed... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 7:20. _AS FOR THE BEAUTY OF HIS ORNAMENT_] Their _beautiful_ _temple_ was their highest _ornament_, and God made it _majestic_ by his presence. But they have even taken its riches to make their _idols_, which they have brought into the very courts of the Lord's house; and therefore God... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 7:22. _THE ROBBERS SHALL ENTER INTO IT_] The Chaldeans shall not only destroy the city; but they shall enter the temple, deface it, plunder it, and burn it to the ground.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 7:23. _MAKE A CHAIN_] Point out the _captivity_; show them that it shall come, and show them the reason: "Because the land is full of bloody crimes," c.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 7:24. _THE WORST OF THE HEATHEN_] The Chaldeans; the most cruel and idolatrous of all nations.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 7:25. _THEY SHALL SEEK PEACE_] They see now that their ceasing to pay the tribute to the king of Babylon has brought the Chaldeans against them; and now _they sue for peace_ in vain. He will not hear: he is resolved on their destruction.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 7:26. _THEN SHALL THEY SEEK A VISION_] Vision shall perish from the prophet, the law from the priest, and counsel from the ancients. Previously to great national judgments, God restrains the influences of his Spirit. His word is not accompanied with the usual unction; and the _wise men... [ Continue Reading ]