XIII. A prophecy very similar to this was uttered by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 23), only a few years before, against the false prophets in and around Jerusalem. It is not unlikely that Ezekiel may have read it; as Jeremiah (Jeremiah 29:1) certainly sent some of his prophecies to those in the captivity, and... [ Continue Reading ]
FOOLISH PROPHETS. — They were certainly foolish who undertook to forge the name of the Omniscient, as it were, to utterances of their own devising. Folly according to the use of the word in the Old Testament, was not merely an intellectual failing, but was always associated with moral obliquity. (Se... [ Continue Reading ]
LIKE THE FOXES IN THE DESERTS. — The comparison is sufficiently close if it is considered as extending only to these mischievous men living unconcerned among the ruins of their state and country, as the foxes find their home in desolated cities (Lamentations 5:18); but many extend the simile to the... [ Continue Reading ]
YE HAVE NOT GONE UP INTO THE GAPS. — The change of person is frequent enough in prophecy, and especially common in Ezekiel. It is changed back in Ezekiel 13:6, and changed again in Ezekiel 13:7. The _gaps_ refer to the breaches in the wall made by the enemy, which became the rallying point of every... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY HAVE MADE OTHERS TO HOPE. — Omit the word “others,” which is not in the original, and translate, “The Lord hath not sent them that they should hope” — _i.e._, they have no ground to expect that their prophecies will prove true, because they have no warrant for uttering them. EXCURSUS D: ON CHA... [ Continue Reading ]
THE ASSEMBLY OF MY PEOPLE. — The original word bears also the meanings placed in the margin, but the sense here is correctly given in the text. The several clauses are intended to emphasise the utter exclusion of the false prophets from the people of God: they shall not be in the congregation; their... [ Continue Reading ]
ONE BUILT UP A WALL. — The original word is used for a partition wall — of course a comparatively slight wall — as noted in the margin; in Ezekiel 13:12, however, the ordinary word for an outer, or a city wall, is used. One of the false prophets would build a wall, set up of his own device — some vi... [ Continue Reading ]
GREAT HAILSTONES. — Hail is unusual in Palestine, but its destructive effects were well known. The figure of this prophecy may be compared with the parable of Matthew 7:27.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHERE IS THE DAUBING? — The basis of all their false prophesying being destroyed by the coming judgments, the folly and falsehood of their words would be exposed to the eyes of all. As it is said in Ezekiel 13:14, the wall itself being thrown down to its very foundation, they who have tried to make... [ Continue Reading ]
(17-23) LIKEWISE, THOU SON OF MAN, SET THY FACE... — This passage deals with a class of people the false prophetesses, who are not mentioned elsewhere in the Old Testament. True prophetesses, as in the case of Miriam (Exodus 15:20), Deborah (Judges 4:4), and, at this very time, Huldah (2 Kings 22:14... [ Continue Reading ]
SOULS. — This word is used in the Old Testament in a variety of significations. Here and in the following verses it is nearly equivalent to _persons. _... [ Continue Reading ]
HANDFULS OF BARLEY. — It was an ancient custom to bring presents to a prophet on consulting him (1 Samuel 9:7; 1 Kings 14:3); but as barley was a cheap grain, and handfuls a very small quantity, these words show the exceedingly small gains for which these false prophetesses were willing to pervert t... [ Continue Reading ]
YE SHALL SEE NO MORE VANITY. — As so often the judgment is expressed in the same form with the Sin. These false prophetesses had sinned by their lying visions, and they should see them no more, because the event should soon expose their utter falsity to the eyes of all. The result would be the deliv... [ Continue Reading ]