*THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET
EZEKIEL

1 Namely, in Chaldea, among the Jews, who, with king Jehoiachin, were carried away out of their own country into Babylon, among whom God had His own people (Ezek. 11:16, 17, etc.), nevertheless it appears from this place that many of them were unbelieving and obstinate persons.

2 See Ezek. 2 on verse 5. Also in the sequel.

a Ezek. 2:3, 5, 6, 7, 8; 3:26, 27.

3 Namely, inwardly by the spirit to perceive what punishment they themselves had endured and others were still to be expected, to the end that they would convert themselves. Compare Isa. 6:9; 42:18.

b Isa. 6:9; Jer. 5:21.

c Jer. 5:21.

4 That is, believe not, nor obey, after all the warnings and threatenings which God has given them by His prophets.

5 Since they will not see or hear, I shall still hold another sign before them.

6 Namely, a wallet or bundle, staff, traveling-coat, shoes or other necessities for a journey. Compare Mat. 10:9, 10. Others understand furniture, as bed, straw-mattress, chairs, tables, chests, cabinets, etc.

7 That is, as such that they behold it with their eyes. For, the Lord wanted to give these captives, by what the prophet would do publicly, a certain sign from what they, of Judah and Jerusalem, would surely experience shortly, since they would not believe that it would go ill with them, yea, they hoped soon to return to that place, Jer. 28:3, scolding the prophet Jeremiah, by whose admonition they had permitted themselves to be carried away into Chaldea.

8 Namely, where thou dwellest.

9 Namely, where thou hast not dwelt in the same city; and that to arrange thyself in every way after the manner of those who move indeed and are accustomed to change often and frequently their habitations; which was to be a sign unto the people that king Zedekiah with his people would be constrained suddenly to move out of Judah and Jerusalem, and to be carried away captive to Babel.

10 He uses these words it may be to leave the prophet in doubt of the fruitful result of this sign, that he would learn to be content with only to obey His command. It shows also that He wanted to arouse some good hope in the prophet to stir him up to diligence.

11 Namely, how I will punish them for their rebellion.

12 That is, notwithstanding they are very mischievous or willful and disobedient, so that there is not much amendment to be expected, nevertheless I will show them this visible sign for their greater conviction. Other, because they are a rebellious house. God would likewise indicate not to expect much about the conversion of Jews. Or, maybe they shall see, that is, to be convinced in their heart, that they be a rebellious house, whereas such punishments shall befall their people, and by theirs in which they found themselves, they still have not become better.

13 Namely, whereof is spoken in the previous verse.

14 Hebr. as the furniture for removing, that is, which men take along with them when they move, depart, or take a journey.

15 It seems that the prophet is instructed first to bring forth his stuff into a place before his house being within the wall, and afterward to break through the wall, and to go away with it in the dark, to signify that the Jews would seek to escape away privily and that king Zedekiah would get away out of Jerusalem, and flee by night, as it also came to pass 2 Kings 25:4; Jer. 39:4; 52:7. At even is here taken for the night. See Job 7 on verse 4.

16 Hebr. according to the goings forth of removing, that is, after the manner of the going forth of them who take a journey.

17 Namely, to signify that king Zedekiah would cause the city walls to be broken, that he with his soldiers may escape the danger through the breach. See the accomplishment thereof 2 Kings 25:4; Jer. 52:7.

18 That is, the stuff, as in the 4th verse and the 7th verse.

19 See on verse 3.

20 This signifies that king Zedekiah would flee away so swiftly and so dismayed to escape the hands of the Chaldeans, that he would scarcely see the land through which he fled. Thereafter Zedekiah would be deprived of his sight by the loss of his eyes, so that he would not see the land of Babylon. See the accomplishment 2 Kings 25:7; Jer. 39:7; 52:11. The covering of the face has also been a sign of shame and grief which a man already has, and of trouble which is to be expected. Compare 2 Sam. 15 on verse 30; Esther 7:8; Jer. 14:3.

21 Namely, to signify that which was to come; namely, the ruin of king Zedekiah, and of the city of Jerusalem. Also verse 11; Ezek. 24:24. Compare Psalm 71:7 with the annotation.

22 Hebr. of removing.

23 That is, not with any iron tools and open force, but as with a thievish agility and without noise, to signify that king Zedekiah with his company would seek privily to escape and flee from the hands of the Chaldeans. See 2 Kings 25:4.

24 Namely, the traveling-tools.

25 That is, what is the matter that thou dost thus suddenly remove in a strange kind of way?

26 That is, this prophecy which is propounded unto you by the sign of my removing. See 2 Kings 9 on verse 25. Or thus: This burden is against the prince, against Jerusalem, etc.

27 That is, king Zedekiah. The sense is, that the burden which he carried upon his shoulders was a sign of the burden of great misery, which would shortly come unto the king, his lords and all the people.

28 Namely, the Jews who lived within Jerusalem, or the city Jerusalem, wherein the Jews and Israelites were gathered.

29 See on verse 6.

30 Namely, thus to move in bearing this furniture.

31 Namely, the king of Judah and his people.

32 Or, carrying off.

33 Namely, to Babel. See the accomplishment hereof 2 Kings 25.

34 Namely, king Zedekiah, of whom is spoken in the previous 10th verse.

35 That is, of those of Jerusalem and all Judah.

36 Namely, such furniture as is needful for traveling, as verse 4.

37 Compare verses 4, 6, 7.

d 2 Kings 25:4.

38 Compare verse 5.

39 Compare verse 6.

e Ezek. 17:20.

40 Namely, by the Chaldean soldiers, who shall pursue after him in his flight and shall catch him. See of the accomplishment 2 Kings 25:5, 6, and of the phrase Job 19 on verse 6.

41 Namely, because, by sentence passed upon him, his eyes shall be blinded earlier, 2 Kings 25:7.

f Ezek. 5:10, 12.

42 See Ezek. 5 on verse 10.

43 Namely, those who accompanied king Zedekiah in his flight. See the fulfillment hereof 2 Kings 25:5. Understand also the Egyptians who were formerly come to help the king in the siege, Jer. 37:5. Likewise those who were fled into Egypt after Gedaliah’s death, Jer. 42:16, 17, 18; 43:5, 6, 7, etc.

44 The word signifies properly wings, and here bands and troops of soldiers. Also Ezek. 17:21; 39:4.

45 See Ezek. 5 on verse 2.

46 See Ezek. 5 on verse 13.

47 See Ezek. 6 on verse 7.

48 Hebr. men of number, that is, a few men who may easily be counted. See Gen. 34 on verse 30.

49 Namely, of the Jews and other Israelites who were mingled one among another in Jerusalem, and outside the city.

50 Namely, that they may declare them not only in words, but also actually declare that they were the cause of their scattering into all the countries round about, whereby they shall be brought as upon the stage for a public show of God’s vengeance against sin.

51 Against the first and the second table. See thereof 2 Kings 16:3, 4, etc.; 21:2, 3, etc.; 2 Chron. 33:2, 3, etc.; 36:14, 16.

52 Namely, not only the Jews shall know it, finding in fact that I am true, just, and an Enemy unto sin, but also the Gentiles shall know it, being informed by the Jews and beholding the just plagues, wherewith God punished their sins.

53 Namely, to signify the distress, fear and dismay, in which the Jews would be brought in Jerusalem, and everywhere throughout the land. Compare Ezek. 4:16.

54 Namely, of Chaldea. He signifies the Jews and the Israelites who dwelt there as captives. Unto these it was very profitable to hear what would yet become of Jerusalem. For, it was their grievance, being seduced by the false prophets, that by Jeremiah’s counsel they had left their own land, and had yielded themselves to their enemies.

55 That is, being exceedingly troubled, perplexed and astonished at the unexpected and fearful miseries which would fall upon them all at once.

g Ezek. 4:16.

56 That is, in order that they might understand from this, that not only the city would be besieged, but also the entire land would be destroyed.

57 Understand the land of Jerusalem, namely, wherein this city was situated, and over which she bare rule.

58 That is, from that of which it is full, also Psalm 24:1. Understand all manner of abundance and riches, which would be taken away by the enemy.

59 The Hebrew word signifies here a common saying, signifying much in few words, and so well known to the greatest part of men, that it is immediately said by them at the first opportunity. See 1 Sam. 10:12; 24:14; Ezek. 18:2.

60 Namely, who among you mock at My threats.

61 The sense of this proverb is, that they had nothing to do with the predictions of the prophets, touching their ruin, because God, according to His patience and longsuffering, would prolong the time of the coming of their destruction, which the prophets made to be short, or because their prophets would never be found true.

62 That is, the time of their ruin.

63 That is, the prophecy of their destruction by the Chaldeans.

64 That is, the contents, the execution of each prophecy, touching your predicted destruction.

65 That is, false and lying prediction. Also Lam. 2:14; Ezek. 13:6, 7; Zech. 10:2. Vanity for falsehood. See Job 31 on verse 5.

66 Hebr. smooth, or, of him that is smooth, namely, of mouth, by flattering and fair speaking. Compare Prov. 5:3; 26:28, and the annotations. He speaks of the false prophets who contradicted the true prophets, and who soothed the people with sweet and pleasing predictions in their unbelief, idolatry and wicked life. Other, slippery, that is, doubtful.

67 For, the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar followed shortly after.

68 Hebr. properly: be adjourned.

69 That is, in your lifetime.

70 That is, for a long time, before it shall be accomplished, so that the punishment shall not come in our days. They do not deny the truth of the prophecy publicly, but, to rock themselves to sleep, they put it off a long period.

71 They indicate the prophet Ezekiel.