*THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET
EZEKIEL

Ezekiel 5

1Under the type of the prophet's hair, 5is shewed God's judgment upon Jerusalem, 12by pestilence, by famine, by the sword, and by dispersion.


1AND thou, son of man, take thee a sharp 1knife, take thee a 2barber’s 3razor, and 4cause it to pass upon thine head and upon thy beard: then take thee 5balances to weigh, and 6divide the hair.

1 The Hebrew word is taken for a knife in Joshua 5:2.

2 That is, which barbers use when they shave a man.

3 This signifies here the enemies of the Jews, by whom God justly made use of this means to punish His people. Compare Isa. 7:20.

4 That is, thou shalt cause the hair of thine head and thy beard to be shaven therewith. See the same phrase Num. 6:5; 8:7, and compare Judges 13:5. Understand here by the hair of the head and beard the citizens and inhabitants of Jerusalem, who were very many in number; and by the shaving off of the hair, the cutting off of those citizens.

5 As a sign of God’s justice.

6 Compare this verse with the 12th verse following.

2Thou shalt burn with 7fire 8a third part in the midst 9of the city, 10when the days of the siege are fulfilled: and thou shalt take a third part, and 11smite about 12it with a knife: and a third part thou shalt scatter 13in the wind; and I will draw out a 14sword after them.

7 Which signified all the punishments whereby a third part of the people, during the siege, would die in the city, as namely by hunger, sorrow, pestilence, artillery and the like plagues. See of the word fire taken for plagues and calamities Job 15 on verse 34. Also verse 4.

8 Namely, into three equal parts, signifying that the Jews would be destroyed and perish by different kinds of punishments. He, who escaped the one, would fall into the other. Compare Isa. 24:18; Jer. 15:2.

9 Namely, of the city Jerusalem, as he had portrayed it upon a tile, Ezek. 4:1. He was now to show upon the said tile this sad spectacle with its interpretation unto the people who dwelt in Chaldea, where the prophet was.

10 That is, thou shalt not burn the entire third part all at once, but now a little and then a little until the siege be ended. Other, when the days of the siege shall be fulfilled.

11 Hereby is signified that another third part of the Jews would be destroyed outside of the city by the enemy, namely, when they would break out upon him, or else, taking flight, would fall into his hands, 2 Kings 25:4.

12 Namely, the third part of the hair.

13 Understand by this third part the remaining third part of the Jews, who was partly scattered into the countries round about, partly carried away captive to Riblah and Babel, 2 Kings 25:11, 20, 21.

14 Namely, of the enemies, which would pursue, vex, and devour here and there the escaped and imprisoned Jews. Hebr. empty the sword after them. Also verse 12; Exod. 15:9; Lev. 26:33; Ezek. 12:14.

3Thou shalt also take 15thereof a few in number, and bind them in 16thy skirts.

15 Namely, of the last third part.

16 To signify that a very small number of the poorest and most common Jews would remain in the land, whom Nebuzaradan would leave there for vinedressers and husbandmen, 2 Kings 25:12; Jer. 52:16.

4Then take 17of them again, and 18cast them into the midst of the fire, and burn them in the fire; for thereof shall a 19fire come forth into 20all the house of Israel.

17 Namely, of those few who were left.

18 Which signified that yet many of them, who were left under the government of Gedaliah would miserably perish and be scattered abroad, 2 Kings 25:25, 26; Jer. 41:3.

19 Understand the fire of miseries and vexations. See on verse 2. Also in the other references of this verse.

20 Namely, a fire which shall utterly vex and destroy the entire remnant of Judah and Israel mingled among them, where ever they be. See Jer. 42:16; 44:27, 28.

5¶Thus saith the Lord GOD; 21This is Jerusalem: I have set 22it in the midst of the nations and 23countries that are round about her.

21 Namely, the city which the prophet had portrayed upon the tile, Ezek. 4:1. It was not the city itself which was in Judah, but thereof the sign and portrait. See of this phrase whereby the sign bears the name of the thing signified, Gen. 17 on verse 10.

22 That is, I have shown her more favor than I have done to any other cities among the Gentiles, that she might be unto them an example of virtue and honesty. Compare Deut. 4:6, 7, 8; Psalm 48:1, 2, etc.; 87:1, 2, 3, etc.

23 That is, pagan lands and nations, whom she ought to have instructed in goodness. Or, and of the lands that are round about her.

6And she hath changed my judgments into wickedness 24more than the nations, and my statutes more than the countries that are round about her: for they have refused my judgments and my statutes, they have 25not walked in them.

24 See 2 Kings 21 on verse 9. Compare 2 Chron. 33:9; Jer. 2:10. See also in the end of the next verse.

25 What it is to walk in the law or statutes of the Lord, see 2 Chron. 6 on verse 16.

7Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Becausea ye multiplied 26more than the nations that are round about you, and have not walked in my statutes, neither have kept my judgments, neither have done according to the 27judgments of the nations that are round about you;

a Lev. 18:24, 28.

26 Namely, by sinning and transgressing. Hebr. for your multiplying, that is, because ye multiply, namely in sins, or are multiplied in sins. Others understand this multiplication of their great store and abundant riches, wherein they surpassed the heathen round about, and yet notwithstanding were unthankful towards God. Compare Deut. 32:15.

27 Who did not permit that anyone would rashly change their gods and their religion, Jer. 2:10, 11. This may also be understood of the natural and civil laws (which are written by God in the hearts of all men, Rom. 1:32; 2:15), which many heathen have observed better than the Jews. Also among these laws there is one which a man ought to keep his word and promise (namely, one that may be kept), which the Jews did not, 2 Kings 24:1 and 20.

8Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, 28I, 29even I, am against 30thee, and will execute 31judgments in the midst of thee in the sight of 32the nations.

28 Namely, to destroy thee. Other, I come against thee; as Rev. 2:5, 16; 3:3.

29 This repetition tends to the assurance and aggravation of the punishment which is foretold.

30 Namely, O thou city of Jerusalem.

31 That is, execute punishments among thee, also Psalm 119:84; Ezek. 11:9; 25:11. Compare 2 Chron. 20:12, and the annotation.

32 Namely, whom thou exceedeth in wickedness, to whom thou has given offence with thy doings, and who, being thine enemies, will rejoice at thy destruction.

9And I will 33do in thee that which I have not done, and whereunto I will not do any more the like, because of all thine 34abominations.

33 That is, send such punishments as I never sent heretofore.

34 Namely, idolatry, and other sins against the first and second table, as also against the ceremonial and judicial laws.

10Therefore the fathers shall eat the 35sonsb in the midst of thee, and the sons shall eat their fathers; and I will execute judgments in thee, and the whole 36remnant of thee will I scatter into 37allc the winds.

35 Namely, because of their great hunger and want of victuals. See the threats of God concerning this Lev. 26:29; Deut. 28:53, and the accomplishment, Lam. 2:20; 4:10.

b Lev. 26:29; Deut. 28:53; 2 Kings 6:29; Lam. 4:10.

36 See on verse 2.

37 That is, into all the parts of the world. Also Jer. 49:32, 36; Ezek. 12:14; 17:21; 37:9; Zech. 2:6.

c Jer. 49:32, 36.

11Wherefore, as I 38live, saith the Lord GOD; Surely, because thou hast defiled my 39sanctuary with all thy 40detestable things, and with all thine abominations, therefore will I also diminish 41thee; neither shall mined42eye 43spare, neither will I have any pity.

38 Compare Num. 14:28; Ruth 3:13; 1 Sam. 14:39, 45; 19:6; 2 Sam. 22:47; Jer. 46:18.

39 That is, the temple, wherein the service of God was performed.

40 Namely, of the grossest idolatries in the service of God, and of the grossest evils in life and conduct.

41 This word is here inserted from Ezek. 7:4.

d Ezek. 7:4.

42 Since the eyes are witnesses of the heart, therefore that which is ascribed unto them belongs properly to the heart. Thus the eye is here said not to pity, that is, to have no compassion, nor to be gracious or merciful. See also Deut. 7:16; 13:8; 1 Sam. 24:11; Ezek. 7:4; 16:5.

43 See Num. 14 on verse 23; Deut. 1 on verse 35.

1244Ae third part of thee shall die with the pestilence, and with famine shall they be consumed 45in the midst of thee: and a third part shall fall 46by the sword round about thee; and I will scatter a third part 47into all the winds, and I will 48draw out 49a sword after them.

44 See a further exposition of this verse on verse 2.

e Jer. 15:2.

45 That is, in your besieged city of Jerusalem.

46 Namely, of the Chaldeans, who shall be outside the city and besiege it. See of this phrase Lev. 26 on verse 7.

47 Compare verse 10 and the annotation.

48 Hebr. empty, as verse 2.

49 See on verse 2.

13Thus 50shall mine anger be accomplished, and I will cause my fury to rest 51upon them, and I will be 52comforted: and they shall 53know that I the LORD have spoken it in my 54zeal, when I have accomplished my fury in them.

50 That is, My threats, which I in My just wrath had announced by My prophets, shall thus be accomplished. Compare the phrase with Isa. 10:25; Lam. 4:11; Ezek. 7:8; also at the end of this verse.

51 That is, vent My rage on them, and in this manner satiate and satisfy My wrath on them, that, seeing them in a pitiful position by means of My punishment, I shall be reposed, and that I shall not need to renew it, Nahum 1:9. This is spoken of God after the manner of men; thus Ezek. 16:42; 21:17; 24:13.

52 That is, avenge Myself in venting My rage and enjoying Myself in the explanation of My righteousness. It is spoken of God after the manner of men, also Isa. 1:24.

53 That is, experience indeed, and perceive to their own shame and loss. See Job 5 on verse 24. Likewise Ezek. 6:7, 10, etc.

54 Understand fierce and jealous wrath, as of a man that is wronged by his wife. Also Psalm 79:5; Prov. 6:34; Isa. 59:17; Ezek. 16:42; 38:19.

14Moreover 55I will make thee waste, and a 56reproach among the nations that are round about thee, in the sight of all that pass by.

55 See God’s threat of this judgment Lev. 26:31 and the accomplishment thereof, Lam. 2:2, etc.

56 Namely, whereby thou shalt be despised, reviled and abhorred by the nations round about, when they shall say that thou wast worthy to be dealt with as such, because of thy great sins and abominations.

15So it shall be a reproachf and a taunt, an 57instruction and an astonishment unto the nations that are round about thee, when I shall execute 58judgments in thee in anger and in fury and 59in furious rebukes. I the LORD have spoken it.

f Deut. 28:37.

57 Namely, whereby the heathen may be taught what a great evil sin is, and how fearful a thing it is by reason thereof to fall into the hands of God.

58 That is, execute just punishments. Also Ezek. 25:11.

59 Hebr. in rebukes of fury.

16When I shall send upon them the 60evil arrows of famine, which shall be for their destruction, and which I will send to destroy you: and I will increase the famineg upon you, and 61willh break your staff of bread:

60 Understand all plagues, scourges, whereby dearth and famine is occasioned. They are called evil, because they would be deadly, and bring destruction along with them; as the following words declare. See Deut. 32 on verse 23.

g 2 Kings 6:25; Isa. 3:1; Ezek. 4:16; 14:13.

61 See Lev. 26 on verse 26; Ezek. 4:16.

h Lev. 26:26; Ezek. 4:16; 14:13.

17So will I send upon you famine and 62evili beasts, and they shall bereave thee; and pestilence and 63blood shall pass through thee; and I will bring the sword upon thee. I the LORD have spoken it.

62 See Lev. 26:22.

i Lev. 26:22.

63 That is, manslaughters and murders. See Gen. 37 on verse 26.