Ezekiel 17 - Introduction
_UNDER THE PARABLE, OF TWO EAGLES AND A VINE, IS SHEWED GOD'S JUDGMENT UPON JERUSALEM FOR REVOLTING FROM BABYLON TO EGYPT. GOD PROMISETH TO PLANT THE CEDAR OF THE GOSPEL._ _Before Christ 593._... [ Continue Reading ]
_UNDER THE PARABLE, OF TWO EAGLES AND A VINE, IS SHEWED GOD'S JUDGMENT UPON JERUSALEM FOR REVOLTING FROM BABYLON TO EGYPT. GOD PROMISETH TO PLANT THE CEDAR OF THE GOSPEL._ _Before Christ 593._... [ Continue Reading ]
PUT FORTH A RIDDLE— That is to say, a continued metaphor, or figurative speech; an allegory. The prophets frequently offer their instruction under this kind of enigmatical parables. Our Saviour complied with this taste of the easterns in his Gospel. See Calmet.... [ Continue Reading ]
A GREAT EAGLE, &C.— This great eagle represents Nebuchadrezzar, according to all the interpreters; his greatness, long wings, beautiful, abundant, and well-coloured plumage, denote the force and greatness of his empire, the rapidity of his conquests, and the number of his subjects. The Scripture has... [ Continue Reading ]
CARRIED IT INTO A LAND OF TRAFFICK— Babylon and the country round it, being the seat of universal monarchy, must of consequence have been a place of great trade. Strabo tells us, that the merchants who travelled by land to Babylon, went through the country of the Arabians called Scenitae; and their... [ Continue Reading ]
HE TOOK ALSO OF THE SEED, &C.— He _took also_ [_a cion_] _of the product of the land, and set it in the planting ground. He placed it,_ &c. Hereby is meant Zedekiah, who was of the seed royal, whom Nebuchadrezzar established king in Judea.... [ Continue Reading ]
A SPREADING VINE OF LOW STATURE— This implies, that though Zedekiah was opulent and at ease, yet he was without force, without authority, and wholly dependent on the king of Chaldea.... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE WAS ALSO ANOTHER GREAT EAGLE— That is, Pharaoh Apries, king of Egypt, a great and powerful prince, though less so than the king of Babylon. Zedekiah made an alliance with him, whereupon an army of Egyptians came to his assistance, and. raised the siege of Jerusalem. See Jeremiah 37:5; Jeremiah... [ Continue Reading ]
IT WAS PLANTED— _It had been planted._... [ Continue Reading ]
IT SHALL WITHER, &C.— _It shall altogether wither; nor shall the mighty arm or great company cause it not to be plucked up by the roots._ It is very plain from the 17th verse, that by the _mighty arm,_ &c. is meant the king of Egypt, whose assistance the Lord foretels should be useless to protect Ze... [ Continue Reading ]
IS COME TO JERUSALEM— _Came to Jerusalem, and took the king,_ &c. Ezekiel 17:13. _And he took of the king's seed, and struck up a covenant with him, and laid him under an oath; he took also the mighty of the land._ Ezekiel 17:14. _That the kingdom might be in a low condition,_ or, _in subjection, an... [ Continue Reading ]
MAKE FOR HIM, &C.— _Support him in the war, when they,_ that is to say, the Chaldeans, _cast up mounts, and build forts,_ &c. Houbigant.... [ Continue Reading ]
MINE OATH— That is, given and received in my name. For kings in their covenants swore each by the name of his God, as Jacob and Laban did formerly in mount Gilead.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WILL PLEAD WITH HIM THERE— _And will judge him there, will be avenged upon,_ or _will reckon with him._ Zedekiah was brought to Nebachadrezzar at Riblah, where he was condemned to lose his eyes. The prophet insinuates here, that Nebuchadrezzar would judge him afresh at Babylon. It is certain tha... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL ALSO TAKE, &C.— _I will also take of a branch of the high cedar, and I will give out from the top of his young suckers a tender twig: I will crop it off, and will plant it,_ &c. Ezekiel 17:23. _In the mountain,_ &c. _And it shall send forth shoots, and give blossoms, and grow up to a good ced... [ Continue Reading ]
I THE LORD HAVE BROUGHT DOWN— _I the Lord bring down the high tree, and exalt the low; have dried up the green tree, but will make the dry tree flourish; I the Lord have spoken, and will do it._ Many commentators suppose, that this alludes to the debasement of Zedekiah, and the elevation of Jechonia... [ Continue Reading ]