V. This chapter is closely connected with the preceding, forming part of the same denunciation of judgment upon the Jews, although this is here set forth in Ezekiel 5:1 by a fresh symbolism, and in the rest of the chapter by plain declarations.... [ Continue Reading ]
TAKE THEE A SHARP KNIFE, TAKE THEE A BARBER’S RAZOR. — Rather, _take thee a sharp sword, as a barber’s razor shalt thou take it to thee._ The word _knife_ is the same as that used twice in Ezekiel 5:2, and translated once by _knife_ and once by _sword._ It is occasionally used for any sharp-cutting... [ Continue Reading ]
BURN WITH FIRE A THIRD ART IN THE MIDST OF THE CITY. — It is better to suppose this done only in description than to imagine that the prophet carried it out in act upon the tile on which the city (Jerusalem) was portrayed. The meaning of this verse is explained in Ezekiel 5:12, and is made plainer b... [ Continue Reading ]
A FEW IN NUMBER, AND BIND THEM IN THY SKIRTS. — A small remnant of the people was still left in the land after the great captivity (2 Kings 25:22); but even of these some were to perish by violence (“cast them into the midst of the fire”) in the disorders which arose, and from this “shall a fire com... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE SET it IN THE MIDST OF THE NATIONS. — This was eminently true of Jerusalem, and of Israel as represented by Jerusalem, in all the ages of its history. It constituted one of the great opportunities of Israel had they been faithful to their calling, while it became a chief source of their disas... [ Continue Reading ]
CHANGED MY JUDGMENTS INTO WICKEDNESS. — Better, _hath wickedly resisted my judgments,_ the sense adopted by most modern expositors. MORE THAN THE NATIONS. — Not, of course, absolutely, but in proportion to the knowledge and the privileges given them. It would be an exaggeration to say that the Isra... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE YE MULTIPLIED. — Rather, _Because ye have raged,_ as the same word is translated in Psalms 2:1, and as its meaning is given in the lexicons. The meaning is, because they had shown more self-will and opposition to God. NEITHER HAVE DONE ACCORDING TO THE JUDGMENTS OF THE NATIONS. — These words... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE SIGHT OF THE NATIONS. — The conspicuousness of Israel’s position (see under Ezekiel 5:5) made it necessary that the punishment for their failure to keep God’s law should be as public as their sin. All had seen their unfaithfulness; all must see the consequent judgment.... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT WHICH I HAVE NOT DONE, AND WHERE-UNTO I WILL NOT DO ANY MORE THE LIKE. — Our Lord uses similar language (Matthew 24:21) in foretelling the final destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans. But all question whether Ezekiel here looks forward to that calamity, and all comparison between that and the... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE THOU... THEREFORE WILL I. — The parallel between Israel’s conduct and God’s judgments is here, as everywhere, brought into strong light. God would inflict no evil upon them which they had not themselves called down by their obdurate and infatuated persistence in rebellion against Him. ALSO... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL BE COMFORTED. — The word employed here is used in two different senses: either that of feeling compassion, and so of repenting of one’s anger, as in Isaiah 12:1; Isaiah 49:13; Isaiah 51:3; Isaiah 51:12; Isaiah 52:9, &c.; or of consoling oneself by taking vengeance, as in Genesis 27:42; Isaiah... [ Continue Reading ]