_Therefore, thou son of man, prophesy_ Continue to prophesy; _against Gog_ That all these things concerning him may be remembered. _The chief prince of Meshech_, &c. See note on Ezekiel 38:2. _And I will turn thee back_ See ibid. Ezekiel 39:4. I will lead thee and turn thee wheresoever I please: tho... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will smite thy bow out of thy left hand_ There shall be no might in thy hand, as Moses threatens the Israelites, Deuteronomy 28:32; thou shalt not be able to use thy weapons to any purpose. _I will give thee unto the ravenous birds_, &c. See Ezekiel 39:17; and Ezekiel 33:27. _And I will send a fi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Behold, it is come, it is done, saith the Lord_ The time appointed for this great destruction is come, and it is the last and finishing stroke of God's justice upon the enemies of his church and truth. The prophet here speaks in the rapture of prophecy of this event, determined and fixed in the cou... [ Continue Reading ]
Ezekiel 39:11. _I will give unto Gog a place there of graves_ Houbigant translates this passage, _An illustrious place for sepulture, the valley of passengers opposite to the sea; through which the travellers shall pass, stopping their noses_ According to the Chaldee, the scene here spoken of was th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou son of man, speak unto every feathered fowl_, &c. It was the custom of persons that offered sacrifice, to invite their friends to the feast that was made of the remainder: see Genesis 31:54; 1 Samuel 9:13. So here the prophet, by God's command, invites the beasts and fowls to partake of the sa... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the heathen shall know_, &c. The heathen nations shall be made sensible that my people were not carried away by their enemies because I wanted power to save them, but as a just punishment of their sins. _Because they trespassed against me_ Committed sin with a high hand. _Therefore hid I my fac... [ Continue Reading ]
_Therefore now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob_ See note on Ezekiel 34:13; Ezekiel 36:24. _And have mercy upon the whole house of Israel_ On the ten tribes with the two. This bringing back the captive Jews and Israelites, and gathering them from their dispersions, will be an act of mere me... [ Continue Reading ]
_When I have brought them again from the people _ According to my promises; _and gathered them out of their enemies' lands _ Wherever they were scattered; _and am sanctified in them_ By their patiently accepting punishment, repenting of sin, loathing their former ways, and themselves on account of t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Neither will I hide my face any more from them_ I will never again withdraw my favour or protection from them, or turn from them in displeasure. _For I have poured out_ In abundant mercy; _my Spirit upon the house of Israel_ Which, as a Spirit of _truth_, shall enlighten their minds, and make them... [ Continue Reading ]