XXII. This chapter also consists of three short prophecies, less intimately connected with one another than those of Ezekiel 21. In the first (Ezekiel 22:2) the sins of Jerusalem are recounted, with evident reference to Ezekiel 18; in the second (Ezekiel 22:17) the punishment and purification of Is... [ Continue Reading ]
WILT THOU JUDGE. — The same expression as in Ezekiel 20:4. (See Note there.) The sense of the margin, “plead for,” is not appropriate here. BLOODY CITY. — In Ezekiel 22:2 crimes of bloodshed and idolatry are dwelt upon, between which there seems always to have been a close connection. The same word... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT HER TIME MAY COME. — Her time of punishment. That which will be the inevitable consequence of her acts is represented by a very common figure, as if it were her purpose in doing them. She has been so fully warned of the result that continuance in her course seems to involve the design of bringi... [ Continue Reading ]
THY DAYS... THY YEARS. — Viz., of judgment and visitation. The Rabbinical commentators interpret the _days_ of the destruction of Jerusalem, and the _years_ of the captivity in Babylon. A MOCKING TO ALL COUNTRIES. — This is frequently spoken of in Ezekiel, and is the necessary result in all ages of... [ Continue Reading ]
INFAMOUS AND MUCH VEXED. — It is better to omit the words in italics, _which art._ The literal meaning of “infamous” is given in the margin; but the “much vexed” refers to the internal confusion, commotions, and social disorders which characterised the decaying state of the kingdom.... [ Continue Reading ]
WERE IN THEE TO THEIR POWER. — The tense is the same with that of the verbs in Ezekiel 22:7, and both should be translated alike; the order of the words should also be changed: “The princes of Israel, every one according to his power, have been in thee to shed blood.” The rulers, who should have pre... [ Continue Reading ]
BY FATHER AND MOTHER. — Filial respect was one of the most frequently enjoined precepts of the law (see Leviticus 19:32; Leviticus 20:9, &c.). So the other sins mentioned in this and the following verses are transgressions of special Divine commands. “Dealt by oppression” is “dealt oppressively” (se... [ Continue Reading ]
SMITTEN MINE HAND. — See Note on Eze. Vi. 11, and comp. Ezekiel 22:17 and Ezekiel 22:13.... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALT TAKE THINE INHERITANCE. — Rather, _thou shalt be profaned by thyself._ The same word occurs in Ezekiel 7:24, and is there rendered “shall be defiled;” it admits of either sense, according to its derivation. The meaning is that through their own misconduct they forfeit the privileges of a holy... [ Continue Reading ]
BECOME DROSS. — The second prophecy (Ezekiel 22:17) is occupied with a figure taken from the refining of silver, which is a favourite one with the prophets (see Isaiah 1:25; Jeremiah 6:29; Zechariah 13:9; Malachi 3:3). The peculiar appropriateness of this figure has been often noted in the fact that... [ Continue Reading ]
INTO THE MIDST OF JERUSALEM. — Jerusalem is represented as the refining pot into which the people were to be cast, because this was at once their national centre, and also the centre of the war by which they were carried into captivity.... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL LEAVE YOU THERE. — Better, _I will cast you in. _... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT IS NOT CLEANSED. — The third and last Divine communication of this chapter begins with Ezekiel 22:23, and contains a further enumeration of the sins of Israel, showing that they have been committed by all classes alike, and ending, like the others, with the prophecy of the outpouring of God’s w... [ Continue Reading ]
A CONSPIRACY OF HER PROPHETS. — The opposition of false prophets to the Divine measures for the reformation of the people is continually spoken of (comp. Ezekiel 13; Zephaniah 3:4, and many passages in Jeremiah) as among the most serious obstacles to the work of the true prophets: there is also freq... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVE VIOLATED MY LAW. — The next class to be spoken of, as the next in influence, were the priests. It was their especial office to observe and to teach the distinction between the holy and the unholy (Leviticus 10:10), and to care for the Sabbath. In all they had been unfaithful. (Comp. Micah 3:11;... [ Continue Reading ]
HER PRINCES. — These are not only the kings, but also the nobles and those in authority at court — in other words, the ruling class. Their injustice and violence is a constant theme for prophetic rebuke.... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH UNTEMPERED MORTER. — See Note on Ezekiel 13:10. The prophets are here again spoken of in reference to their powerful influence upon the princes in leading them astray by falsehoods. “Seeing vanity” is an expression for pretended and false visions. (Comp. Ezekiel 13:7; Ezekiel 13:9.)... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PEOPLE OF THE LAND, — _i.e._, the common people, not belonging to any of the above classes. In regard to their general corruption see Ezekiel 18... [ Continue Reading ]
MAKE UP THE HEDGE, is only another form of “stand in the gap,” added for the sake of emphasis. Both refer to intercession for the people (see Psalms 106:23). It is not meant that there was not a single godly man, but not one of such a pure, strong, and commanding character that his intercessions mig... [ Continue Reading ]