_And it came to pass in the sixth year_ Namely, of Jehoiachin's captivity. _In the sixth month_ The LXX. read, _in the fifth month. As I sat in my house, and the elders of Judah_ Men of note for their age or authority, or the chief of those who had been made captives with Jehoiachin, _sat before me_... [ Continue Reading ]
_I beheld, and lo a likeness_ Namely, of a man; the man whom he had seen upon the throne; _as the appearance of fire_ This seems to have been the same appearance as that mentioned before, Ezekiel 1:27, signifying that God was about to inflict heavy judgments on the Jewish nation, but so as not entir... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he put forth the form of a hand_ He appeared so to do. This, and all that follows, to the end of Ezekiel 8:16, was done in vision only, as appears from the expression here used: _and brought me in the visions of God_, &c. In a similar manner, it was represented to the Prophet Elisha's mind, (2... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he brought me to the door of the court_ This, Dr. Lightfoot understands of the east gate of the inner court, called the _gate of Nicanor_, over which was the council chamber, where the sanhedrim used to meet, and in some of the rooms near it they secretly practised idolatry, as God discovered t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hast thou seen what the ancients do in the dark_ Do secretly; _every man in the chambers of his imagery_ Chambers so very private, that the prophet is described as obliged to dig a hole through the wall before he could discover their idolatrous practices. _For they say, The Lord seeth us not_ They... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then he brought me to the door which was toward the north_ Dr. Lightfoot distinguishes this door from that mentioned Ezekiel 8:5; this, he says, was the upper north gate, and that the lower; this being just over against the temple itself; whereas that was opposite the altar. _Behold, there sat wome... [ Continue Reading ]
_Turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations_ These latter wickednesses may be accounted greater, because they were acted in a more sacred place. _And he brought me into the inner court_ The court next the temple, namely, that of the priests. _And, behold, at the door of the temple_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then he said_ After the prophet had seen all, and had had time to consider all he saw, God appeals to him concerning the heinousness of their crimes. _Is it a light thing to the house of Israel_ Who know and profess better things, and are dignified with so many privileges above other nations? Is it... [ Continue Reading ]