Ezekiel 6

Chap. VI. Ver. 1—14. The destruction of the nation with the exception of a remnant.—In this chapter, which forms a distinct section, the Prophet denounces the judgments of God against the Jews for their idolatry. It is promised, however, that a remnant should be preserved and brought to a proper sense of their transgressions by their severe afflictions. It is with great propriety and elegance that the Prophet, in the beginning of this chapter, directs his speech to the mountains of Judea, in order to upbraid the stupidity of his countrymen, from whom he seems to expect less attention than even from the inanimate creation. Stupid, however, as they were, he assures them that God would awfully make himself known to them by his judgments.

A severe denunciation, often repeated by the Prophet, as an epiphonema, or conclusion to his threatenings. We may here also remark, the earnestness with which the prophet is commanded (ver. 11) to smite with his hand and stamp with his foot in warning them of their danger: for though sin may seem but a trifle to men who are indulging in its forbidden pleasures; those who are awakened to a just sense of its nature and consequences know, that it is “an evil thing and bitter to forsake the Lord,” or turn our back upon his precepts. 7

Notes on the verses

Chap. VI. Ver. 1. Word of the Lord.—{This is a new prophecy, and was probably given after the 430 days of his lying on his left and right side were accomplished. By Israel here Judea is simply meant; not the ten tribes, who had long before been carried captive.}—Bagster. Ver. 4. Images.—“Sun-images.” So ver. 6. Cyrus, just before his death, offered sacrifices to Jupiter, the sun, &c.: Ver. 8. That ye may have, &c.—“In that there shall be unto you escapers from the sword.”: Ver. 9. Whorish heart.—This term evidently means idolatrous, as appears by the next clause.—Shall loathe, &c.—[They shall humble themselves on account of their abominations, forsake their idolatry, and worship Me alone: and this they have done from the Babylonish captivity to the present day.]—B. Ver. 13. Sweet savour.—“A savour of rest.”——Diblath.—[Diblath was a city of Moab, and appears from the parallel passages to have been situated between Dibon and Ala or Nebo. Jerome says that Jahaz was shown in his time between Medeba and Diblath. Some MSS., however, instead of Diblatha have Riblatha, which some think is the correct reading, and that it is the same as Riblah, where Nebuchadnezzar slew the princes of Israel, and put out Zedekiah’s eyes.]—Bagster. N. B. Abp. Newcome renders these first six chapters in prose. So Boothroyd. The next chapter is in measured lines: then all is prose again to (Ezekiel 16)