_Take thee a sharp knife, take thee a barber's razor_ The latter
expression explains the former; _and cause it to pass upon thy head_,
&c. Hair being then accounted an ornament, and baldness a token of
sorrow, therefore shaving denoted calamity or desolation. “Among the
Arabs,” says Harmer, chap. 6.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou shall burn a third part in the midst of the city_ In the midst
of that portraiture of the city, which the prophet was commanded to
make, chap. Ezekiel 4:1. This signified the destruction of the
inhabitants within the city by famine and pestilence; for both famine
and pestilence may be said to... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thus saith the Lord, This is Jerusalem_ Here the explication of the
foregoing type is given, namely, that the hair to be shaved off
signified Jerusalem, which was to be destroyed. _I have set it in the
midst of the nations_ I set Jerusalem in the midst of the heathen
nations, that it might be a pat... [ Continue Reading ]
_Therefore, because ye multiplied more than the nations_ Their
multiplying, in the common sense of the word, was a blessing promised
to them, and could not be alleged against them as a crime; therefore a
word ought to be supplied here, as is done in many versions, namely,
_because ye multiplied your... [ Continue Reading ]
_The fathers shall eat the sons_, &c. Fathers eating their children,
and children their fathers, expresses the height of misery, and the
most grievous famine. We have sufficient proof that such instances
happened in the Jewish nation amidst their more than common
calamities. Josephus relates some in... [ Continue Reading ]
_A third part of thee_, &c. In this verse is given an explication of
what the burning of the hair, the smiting of it with a knife, &c.,
signified: see on Ezekiel 5:2. _And I will draw out a sword after
them_ My anger shall still pursue them, even into the countries
whither they shall be banished and... [ Continue Reading ]
_So it shall be an instruction to the nations_ They shall learn from
such an example of vengeance to fear me, and be afraid of my
judgments. _When I shall send upon them the evil arrows of famine_
Hail, tempest, drought, mildew, locusts, all which contribute to make
a famine. _So will I send upon yo... [ Continue Reading ]