Translate it: take thee a sharp sword, for a barber’s razor thou shalt take it thee. Even if the action were literal, the use of an actual sword would best enforce the symbolic meaning. The “head” represents the chief city, the “hair” the inhabitants - its ornament and glory - the “hair cut from the... [ Continue Reading ]
“The third part burnt in the midst of the city” represents those who perished within the city during the siege; “the third part smitten about it” (the city) “with” the sword, those who were killed about the city during the same period: “the third part scattered to the wind” those who after the siege... [ Continue Reading ]
Of the third part a few are yet to be taken and kept in the fold of the garment (representing those still to remain in their native land), and yet even of those few some are to be cast into the fire. Such was the fate of those left behind after the destruction of Jerusalem Jeremiah 40; Jeremiah 41.... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE SET IT IN THE MIDST OF THE NATIONS - It was not unusual for nations to regard the sanctuary, which they most revered, as the center of the earth. In the case of the holy land this was both natural and appropriate. Egypt to the south, Syria to the north, Assyria to the east and the Isles of th... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY - The inhabitants of Jerusalem.... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE YE MULTIPLIED - Some prefer: Because ye have raged tumultuously.” NEITHER HAVE DONE ACCORDING TO THE JUDGMENTS - (or, ordinances) of the nations The reproach is that the Israelites have not even been as faithful to their one true God as the nations have been to their false gods (compare 2 K... [ Continue Reading ]
EXECUTE JUDGMENTS - As upon the false gods of Egypt Exodus 12:12; Numbers 33:4.... [ Continue Reading ]
Compare Matthew 24:21. The calamities of the Babylonian were surpassed by the Roman siege, and these again were but a foreshadowing of still more terrible destruction at the last day.... [ Continue Reading ]
The judgments Ezekiel 5:12 of “famine, pestilence,” and the “sword,” were precisely those which attended the coming siege of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 15:2 ff). The “drawing out the sword after them” indicates that the anger of God will follow them even to the land of their exile (compare Jeremiah 42:19;... [ Continue Reading ]
COMFORTED - In the sense of “consoling oneself” and “feeling satisfaction in punishing;” hence, to “avenge oneself.” The fury is to “rest” upon them, abide, so as not to pass away. The “accomplishment” of the divine anger is not the “completion” in the sense of bringing it to a close, but in the se... [ Continue Reading ]