VII. The prophecy of this chapter is occupied with the nearness and the completeness of the judgment already foretold. It takes the form, to some extent, of a song of lamentation; and is more thoroughly poetic in its structure than anything which has gone before.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FOUR CORNERS. — A frequent Scriptural phrase for every part. (Comp. Isaiah 11:12; Revelation 7:1.) The origin of the expression is to be sought, not in any supposed popular belief that the earth was square, but in the fact that so many common things had just four sides or four corners (see Exodu... [ Continue Reading ]
AN ONLY EVIL. — That is, an evil so all-embracing as to be complete in itself, and need no repetition. Compare the same thought in Nahum 1:9, “affliction shall not rise up the second time.” Some MSS., and the Chaldee, by the alteration of one letter, read “evil after evil,” as in Ezekiel 7:26.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MORNING IS COME UNTO THEE. — The word here used is not the usual one for _morning._ This word occurs elsewhere only in Ezekiel 7:10 and Isaiah 28:5, where it is translated _crown._ There is much difference of opinion both as to its derivation and its meaning. The most probable sense is _circuit_... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD THAT SMITETH. — In Ezekiel 7:4 it is only said, “Ye shall know that I am the LORD,” without saying in what respect; here this is specified — they shall know that God is a God of judgment, and that these calamities are from Him.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MORNING IS GONE FORTH. — The same word as in Ezekiel 7:7, and in the same sense — the circle is complete, the end is reached, sin hath brought forth death. “The rod” is commonly understood of the Chaldæan conqueror; but as the word is the same for _rod_ and for _tribe,_ and is very often used in... [ Continue Reading ]
NEITHER SHALL THERE BE WAILING FOR THEM. — The word for _wailing_ is another of those words occurring only in this passage which have been variously understood. It is now generally taken for that which is glorious or beautiful. Israel has run its circle; prosperity has developed pride, and pride has... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SELLER SHALL NOT RETURN. — The previous verse described the general cessation of all the business of life in the utter desolation of the land. Among the Israelites the most important buying and selling was that of land, and it was provided in the law (Leviticus 25:14) that this should in no case... [ Continue Reading ]
NONE GOETH TO THE BATTLE. — The last thought is followed up here. The people are so enfeebled by their sins as to have no power against the enemy. Consequently (Ezekiel 7:15) they shall all perish, directly or indirectly, at the hands of their foes.... [ Continue Reading ]
LIKE DOVES OF THE VALLEYS. — To this general destruction there will be exceptions, as generally in war there are fugitives and captives; but these, like doves whose home is in the valleys driven by fear to the mountains, shall mourn in their exile. In the mourning “every one for his iniquity,” iniqu... [ Continue Reading ]
CAST THEIR SILVER IN THE STREETS. — As in the rout of an army the soldier throws away everything, even his most valuable things, as impediments to his flight and temptations to the pursuing enemy, so the Israelites in their terror should abandon everything. Their riches will be utterly unavailing. T... [ Continue Reading ]
IN MAJESTY. — Rather, _for pride._ That which had been given them “for the beauty of ornament,” viz., their silver and gold (Ezekiel 7:19), they had perverted to purposes of pride. Nay, further, they had even made their idols of it; therefore God “set it far from them.” The same strong word is used... [ Continue Reading ]
MY SECRET PLACE. — The holy of holies, sacredly guarded from all intrusion, and representing the very culmination both of the religion and of the national life of Israel, shall be polluted. If the pronoun “they” represents any one in particular, it must be the Chaldæans; but it is better to take the... [ Continue Reading ]
MAKE A CHAIN. — In the midst of this plain prophecy the strong tendency of the prophet’s mind still runs to the symbolic act; but this can be thought of here only as done in word. The chain is to bind captive the guilty people.... [ Continue Reading ]
WORST OF THE HEATHEN. — _Worst_ refers to the power and thoroughness of their work against the Israelites. (Comp. Deuteronomy 28:49; also Leviticus 26:19, where the word here rendered “pomp of the strong” is translated “pride of power.”) Both passages are the warnings, long ages ago, of the judgment... [ Continue Reading ]
DESTRUCTION COMETH. — This is another of the peculiar words occurring only in this chapter. It is generally explained of the dismay and horror accompanying great judgments, and vividly described by our Lord as “men’s hearts failing them for fear” (Luke 21:26).... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN SHALL THEY SEEK A VISION. — Comp. Ezekiel 20:1. The three chief sources of counsel, the prophets, the priests, and the elders, are all represented as applied to in vain. God had forsaken the people who had rejected Him. (Comp. Proverbs 1:28, and the story of Saul’s despair at his abandonment by... [ Continue Reading ]