Ezekiel 39

Ezekiel 39:1

GOg] In this Chapter, the prophecie against Gog is continued, the promise of the Jews deliverance from the Babylonish captivitie is adjoyned: the latter part beginneth verse the 25.

Ezekiel 39:2

turn thee back] See Chap. 38. 4. An Hebrew phrase and expounded by others, I will make thee stand: that is, of six parts I will leave but one.

leave but the sixth part of thee] Or, strike thee with six plagues; or, draw thee back with an hook of six teeth, as Chap. 38. 4.

the north parts] Heb. the sides of the north.

Ezekiel 39:4

fall upon the mountains] Meaning, that by the vertue of Gods word the enemy shall be destroyed wheresoever he assaileth his Church.

sort] Heb. wing.

to be devoured] Heb. to devoure.

Ezekiel 39:5

the open field] Heb. the face of the field.

Ezekiel 39:6

fire on Magog] That is, an extreame desolation and ruine, as Chap. 38. 22. will God send upon the inhabitants of the land of Magog.

carelessely] Or, confidently.

the isles] Isaiah 41:1. 5. As the Tyrians and Sidonians: conferre with this Chap. 38. 13. and in all places where the enemies of my people dwell, seeme they never so farre separate or secure.

Ezekiel 39:7

pollute my holy name] By the blasphemies, and insultations of my enemies.

Ezekiel 39:8

it is come] That is, this plague is fully determined in my counsell, and cannot be changed.

Ezekiel 39:9

go forth] Hyperbolicall termes to expresse an exceeding great discomfiture, after which the Church shall have great peace and tranquillitie, and burn all the weapons of the slain Macedonians, see vers. 10. because they shall no more fear the enemy: and this is chiefly effected at the accomplishment of Christs kingdome, when by their head Christ all enemies shall be overcome.

hand-staves] Or, javelins.

burn them] Or, make a fire of them.

seven yeares] How often in Scripture is a finite number put for an indefinite? meaning by seven yeares a long time: see vers. 12. and 14.

Ezekiel 39:11

a place] Not a possession of the land which he did earnestly covet, but contrarily, I will slay them, so that in that land, part of the enemies shall be buried, unto verse the 17. part unburied shall be torn of beasts, thence to the 21. verse: which declareth that the enemies shall have an horrible fall.

the valley] There is no mention elsewhere of this valley; it is likely, it was a valley much frequented by strangers that came to Judea: the end is to shew the immense slaughter by the place destined for buriall, which was a great valley, which should be sild up and obstructed to all passengers by bodies and bones.

east of the sea] It seemes he understands the dead sea, or the lake of Sodom: other say, the sea of Tiberias, or the lake of Genesareth.

stop the noses] Or, mouthes. By reason of the stink.

Hamon-gog] That is, the multitude of Gog.

Ezekiel 39:12

cleanse the land] Because according to the law, a dead body unburied defiled the land: Deuteronomy 21:23.

it shall be to them] This great mountain of bodies and bones shall be to them in stead of a glorious trophee and monument.

shall be gloified] Chap. 28. 22. To wit, over those enemies of my people, by cutting them off.

Ezekiel 39:14

sever out] Because those people were uncleane according to the Law, Numbers 19:11.

men of continuall] Heb. men of continuance.

the land to bury] Partly that the holy Land should not be polluted, and partly for the compassion that the children of God have even on their enemies.

with the passengers] Taking the helpe of strangers whom they shall meet with in the way, because a Jew should be defiled by such an act.

Ezekiel 39:15

he set up a signe] Heb. build. To shew afarre off to the buriers, that yonder be bones of dead bodies to burie, and so to cleanse the countrey.

Ezekiel 39:16

the name of the citie] There shall remaine a perpetuall memory of this discomfiture, so that the next city on the top of this valley, shall beare the name Hamonah, that is, multitude.

Ezekiel 39:17

unto every feathered fowl] Heb. to the fowl of every ing.

Assemble your selves] Isaiah 18:6. & Isaiah 34:6. Jeremiah 12:9. Revelation 19:17.

gather your selves on every side] Whereby is signified the horrible destruction that should come on the enemies of his Church.

to my sacrifice] Or, slaughter. That is, to the supper prepared by me, consisting of slaine men, and fatlings.

Ezekiel 39:18

the mighty] Persons not vile or base, and the flesh, not of uncleane or starveling beasts; but renowned and delicate flesh, fatted in Bashan, which was a Mount excellent for feeding cattell; as you may see, Numbers 32:4. Deuteronomy 32:14.

goats] Heb. great goats.

Ezekiel 39:21

And I will set my glory] That is, make it clearely appeare.

Ezekiel 39:23

for their iniquitie] The heathen shall know that they overcame not my people by their strength, neither yet by the weakenesse of mine arme; but that this was for my people sinnes.

hid I my face from them] I laid aside the care of them, I withdrew my help from them, Psalms 27:9.

so fell they all by the sword] The whole state or body of the people: or indifferently of every condition or qualitie.

Ezekiel 39:27

am sanctified] Chap. 36. 23.

Ezekiel 39:28

which caused them to be led into captivitie] Heb. by my causing of them, &c.

Ezekiel 39:29

poured out my spirit] Joel 2. 28. Acts 2:17. Whereupon they being sanctified by me, I will take pleasure in them for ever: as on the contrary, sinne is that which turnes Gods face from his Church.