XXXIX. This chapter is a continuation of the preceding, and contains the two latter parts of the prophecy (Ezekiel 39:1). It opens with a brief summary of the earlier part of Ezekiel 38. EXCURSUS G: ON CHAPTER S 38 AND 39. Various indications of the nature and intent of this prophecy have been alr... [ Continue Reading ]
LEAVE BUT THE SIXTH PART OF THEE. — This word occurs only here, and the translation is based on the supposition that it is derived from the word meaning _six;_ but even on this supposition the renderings in the margin are as likely to be right as that of the text. This derivation, however, is probab... [ Continue Reading ]
UNTO THE RAVENOUS BIRDS. — Compare the account of the destruction of Pharaoh in Ezekiel 29:4.... [ Continue Reading ]
A FIRE ON MAGOG. — Magog is the country of Gog (Ezekiel 38:1), and the Divine judgment is to fall therefore not only upon the army in the land of Israel, but also upon the far-distant country of Gog. In Revelation 20:9 this fire is represented as coming “down from God out of heaven.” IN THE ISLES.... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL BURN THEM WITH FIRE SEVEN YEARS. — The representation of this and the following verse, that the weapons of the army of Gog shall furnish the whole nation of Israel with fuel for seven years, cannot, of course, be understood literally, and seems to have been inserted by the prophet to show that... [ Continue Reading ]
THE VALLEY OF THE PASSENGERS. — The name cannot be derived from the Scythians, as if they were spoken of “as a cloud passing over and gone,” because the same word is used again in this verse, and also in Ezekiel 39:14, evidently in a different sense. It simply denotes some (probably imaginary) thoro... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL THE PEOPLE OF THE LAND. — “It would be but a very moderate allowance, on the literal supposition, to say that a million of men would be thus engaged, and that on an average each would consign to the tomb two corpses in one day; which, for the 180 working days of the seven months, would make an a... [ Continue Reading ]
MEN OF CONTINUAL EMPLOYMENT. — The word for “continual” is the same as that translated _always_ in Ezekiel 38:8, where see Note. It implies that this occupation is to be one of long continuance, and the fact that they are to search the land through for the remains shows that the army of Gog is not c... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL BE HAMONAH. — As a further monument of this great overthrow some city (not more definitely described, but probably yet to be built) shall be called “Multitude.” THUS SHALL THEY CLEANSE THE LAND. — The extremest defilement, according to the Mosaic law, was caused by a dead body or by human bon... [ Continue Reading ]
EVERY FEATHERED FOWL. — Compare Ezekiel 39:4, also Ezekiel 17:23; Ezekiel 29:5. The birds and beasts of all kinds represent all nations. A GREAT SACRIFICE. — The representation of a destructive judgment upon the Lord’s enemies as a sacrifice is found also in Isaiah 34:6; Jeremiah 46:10. The figure... [ Continue Reading ]
DRINK THE BLOOD OF THE PRINCES. — In these verses there is a curious mingling of the figurative and the literal; thus the “princes” are immediately explained by the mention of the various sacrificial animals; and in Ezekiel 39:20 these are again interpreted of “horses and chariots, with mighty men,... [ Continue Reading ]
MY GLORY AMONG THE HEATHEN. — In this and the following verse the ultimate effect of the Divine judgments in the world is spoken of, and then, in Ezekiel 39:23, this is applied to the present captivity of Israel. But the effect is too far-reaching to be limited to the latter, and the kingdom of God... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL SHALL KNOW. — The knowledge here spoken of is evidently practical, and is expressly declared to remain for ever. It can only be considered as realised, and that still but in germ, in the Christian Church.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THEIR INIQUITY. — In the times foretold God’s dealings shall no longer be misunderstood, nor the sufferings of Israel considered as the result of His want of power to protect them. All the world shall so far understand His righteousness, that they shall see the reasonableness and necessity of Hi... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW WILL I BRING again the captivity. — It was needed for the exiles in their distress that the prophet at the close of this far-reaching prophecy should bring out the first step in the long course of events leading to its fulfilment, because that step was one of especial interest and comfort to the... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE POURED OUT. — Comp. Joel 2:28; Acts 2:17. See _Excursus_ G at the end of this book.... [ Continue Reading ]