Ezekiel 31 - Introduction
_A RELATION UNTO PHARAOH OF THE GLORY OF ASSYRIA, AND THE FALL THEREOF FOR PRIDE. THE LIKE DESTRUCTION OF EGYPT._ _Before Christ 588._... [ Continue Reading ]
_A RELATION UNTO PHARAOH OF THE GLORY OF ASSYRIA, AND THE FALL THEREOF FOR PRIDE. THE LIKE DESTRUCTION OF EGYPT._ _Before Christ 588._... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, THE ASSYRIAN, &C.— This parable, says Bishop Lowth, owes much to Meibomius, who translates אשׁור _Ashur, tall, straight,_ an epithet of the cedar; and not _Assyrian,_ which can have no meaning at all in this passage. The word אשׁור _Ashur,_ is here joined with _cedar,_ as a definitive attrib... [ Continue Reading ]
LITTLE RIVERS— An allusion to the small artificial channels through which water was usually distributed in eastern gardens. See Bishop Lowth on Isaiah 1:30.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CEDARS IN THE GARDEN OF GOD— Some render this, _The cedars in the garden of God were not higher than he._ The expression seems only to mean _the highest trees._ Instead of, _I have made him fair,_ Ezekiel 31:9 we may read, _I had,_ &c.... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE, &C.— _Because he had been proud on account of his greatness._ Houbigant.... [ Continue Reading ]
INTO THE HAND OF THE MIGHTY ONE— That is, into the hands of the Chaldeans.... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVE CUT HIM OFF— _Cut him down._ Virgil has a like comparison with respect to the fall of Troy: _Ac veluti summis antiquam in montibus ornum Quum ferro accisam crebrisque bipennibus instant Eruere agricolae certatim; illa usque minatur, Et tremefacta comam concusso vertice nutat: Vulneribus donec... [ Continue Reading ]
UPON HIS RUIN, &C.— "As birds sit upon the boughs of a tree cut down, and the beasts brouze upon his branches; so shall the dominions of Pharaoh be a prey to the conquerors." It is a common image among the poetical writers, in representing a great national calamity or destruction, to mention animals... [ Continue Reading ]
TO THE END THAT NONE OF ALL THE TREES— "Thy destruction shall be a warning to other kings and potentates, to deter them from insolence in the time of their prosperity." Instead of, _Neither their trees stand up,_ &c. Houbigant reads, _Neither any of those which drink the waters apply themselves to i... [ Continue Reading ]
I CAUSED A MOURNING— _I caused the deep to mourn for him; I restrained his rivers; and the many waters were withheld._ Houbigant. Hereby is meant figuratively the confederates and allies of Pharaoh.... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH THEM THAT DESCEND, &C.— _To those who have descended,_ &c. _At the same time all the trees,_ &c. Houbigant. That is to say, all the deceased princes, confederates with Pharaoh.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY ALSO WENT DOWN INTO HELL, &C.— _For these also descended with him into hell, to those who had perished by the sword; and whoever among the heathen dwelt under his shadow have perished._ Houbigant.... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS IS PHARAOH, &C.— This clause evidently proves the truth of the observation made on the third verse, that this allegory of the cedar refers not to the Assyrian, but to the destruction of Pharaoh king of Egypt, his princes, confederates, and people. REFLECTIONS.—1st, This prophesy bears date abo... [ Continue Reading ]