XXXII. This chapter, which consists of two distinct prophecies (Ezekiel 32:1), with the interval of only a fortnight between them, closes the series at once against Egypt and against foreign nations. The former of these prophecies is a further declaration of the approaching conquest of Egypt by “th... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE TWELFTH YEAR. — This was one year and between six and seven months after the destruction of Jerusalem, and when, therefore, one great hindrance to Nebuchadnezzar’s march upon Egypt had been removed. It is also nearly two months (Ezekiel 33:21) since Ezekiel had heard of this calamity through... [ Continue Reading ]
AS A WHALE. — Rather, _a crocodile._ (See Note on Ezekiel 29:3, where the same word is used.) A striking contrast is brought out in this verse which is lost in our translation. “Thou wast compared to a young lion of the nations,” _i.e.,_ their leader and glory; “but thou wast (really) like a crocodi... [ Continue Reading ]
SPREAD OUT MY NET OVER THEE. — The figure (Ezekiel 32:4) of drawing the crocodile to land and casting him upon the desert for food to the birds and beasts of prey is the same as in Ezekiel 29:4. (Comp. also Ezekiel 31:12.) In Ezekiel 32:6, “the land wherein thou swimmest” is, literally, _the land of... [ Continue Reading ]
MAKE THE STARS THEREOF DARK. — This verse follows very closely Isaiah 13:10, spoken of Babylon. In this and the following verse the judgments of God are described in the common prophetic figure of changes in the heavenly bodies. (See Note on Ezekiel 30:18, and references there.)... [ Continue Reading ]
VEX THE HEARTS. — The margin, _provoke to grief,_ is better, as being less ambiguous. “Thy destruction_”_ means, _the news of thy destruction._ As is more fully expressed in the following verse, the fall of Egypt should be such a striking instance of Divine judgment as to awaken fear in every nation... [ Continue Reading ]
WILL DESTROY ALSO ALL THE BEASTS THEREOF FROM BESIDE THE GREAT WATERS. — The figurative description of this and the following verses is taken from the vast herds of cattle in Egypt going to the river to drink, and trampling the banks and disturbing the water with their feet (comp. Ezekiel 32:2). The... [ Continue Reading ]
DEEP should rather be rendered _quiet._ When the restless ambition of Egypt should be curbed, there would come about peace and quiet prosperity. This is thought by many to be a glance forward at the Messianic blessing of the future; but it does not necessarily look so far.... [ Continue Reading ]
DAUGHTERS OF THE NATIONS is a common enough expression for the nations themselves, but is peculiarly appropriate in connection with a lamentation, since the formal mourning of the East was always performed by women.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FIFTEENTH DAY OF THE MONTH. — The month itself is not mentioned, but since the previous prophecy was in the twelfth, or last month of the year, this must be in the same. There was thus an interval of just fourteen days between them. This dirge, which occupies the rest of the chapter, is to be co... [ Continue Reading ]
CAST THEM DOWN. — The prophet is here, as often elsewhere, told to do that which he prophesies shall be done. This is a forcible way of stating the certain fulfilment of that which is declared by Divine command.... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH THE UNCIRCUMCISED. — See Note on Ezekiel 28:10. All question as to the use of circumcision among the Egyptians is out of place; the word is simply used as the ordinary phrase for the heathen.... [ Continue Reading ]
DRAW HER. — Viz., down to her judgment.... [ Continue Reading ]
SPEAK TO HIM. — The pronoun oscillates between the masculine and the feminine, because the thought is partly of the king and partly of the kingdom. The pronoun is determined by whichever is for the moment uppermost in the prophet’s mind. On _Hell,_ see Note on Ezekiel 31:16. It occurs also at Ezekie... [ Continue Reading ]
ASSHUR IS THERE. — In the previous verses we have had a general picture of the fallen nations awaiting to receive Egypt as their companion; in Ezekiel 32:22 there follows an enumeration of the most prominent of them, with a few words about each. Some of them were not yet fallen; but in this propheti... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE IS ELAM. — Jeremiah had already prophesied against Elam twelve years before (Jeremiah 49:34). Elam is substantially equivalent to Persia, and had been repeatedly conquered by Assyria and Chaldæa. It was a fierce and warlike nation, and its soldiers had long served in Nebuchadnezzar’s army. It... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE IS MESHECH, TUBAL. — See Note on Ezekiel 27:13. It is difficult to obtain historical data for the exact time of the fall of these more obscure kingdoms; but at this period of the world these smaller states were being rapidly swallowed up and absorbed by the greater Powers who were contending f... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY SHALL NOT LIE. — If this be the correct translation, then a distinction is implied between these nations and the others. The others have been honourably buried “with their weapons of war,” while these come to a more disgraceful end. It is better, however, to take it as a question (which the... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE IS EDOM. — Edom had been long since conquered and almost destroyed by Israel, but had again revived to mock at her calamity (Ezekiel 25:12). It was soon, like its neighbours, to be swept away by the armies of Nebuchadnezzar.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PRINCES OF THE NORTH. — The word is not the same as that used for the princes of Edom in Ezekiel 32:29. That refers to the heads of the Edomite tribes, but this is thought to imply enfeoffed or vassal princes. However this may be, from the connection with the Zidonians it is clear that not the f... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL BE COMFORTED. — Comp. Ezekiel 31:16. Here closes the series of prophecies against foreign nations. It is true that there are other prophecies against them in Ezekiel 35, 38, 39; but these, as already said, have much more of the character of promises to Israel than of simple denunciation of the... [ Continue Reading ]