Ezekiel 7

Chap. VII. Ver. 1—27. The desolation of the country and defilement of the sanctuary.—This chapter, which forms another distinct prophecy, foretells the final desolation of the land of Israel or Judah, (for after the captivity of the ten tribes these terms are often used for the Jews in general,) on account of the heinous sins of its inhabitants, and the great distress of the small remnant that should eventually escape. The temple itself, which they had polluted with idolatry, is devoted to destruction, and the Prophet is directed to make a chain, as a type of their being led, both king and people, in bonds of captivity to Babylon. The whole chapter abounds in bold and beautiful figures, flowing in an easy and forcible stream of poetical language.

The higher classes of the Jews, as appears by the prophetic writings, were generally the most criminal. Their gold and silver became their snare; partly by fostering their pride, and partly by supporting their idolatry. Thus riches become “the stumbling block of their iniquity.” Our punishment often arises out of our pride: and those things in which men place their confidence and their glory, are sometimes made to them objects of horror and detestation.

Notes on the verses

2.) and hence Boothroyd renders it “rebellious.” Compare (Ezekiel 7)ver. 7 and 11.—Neither have done.—If this reading be retained, it must mean (as Newcome observes) the same as the preceding verse; that they had not adhered to their religion like the heathen. It should not be concealed, however, that the last negative in this verse, “neither” (in Heb: lo) is omitted in 22 MSS. four Editions, and the Syriac. Abp. Newcome therefore reads, ‘but have done,” &c. as in (Ezekiel 11:12). So Boothroyd.

Ver. 10. The fathers shall eat the sons, &c.—See (Leviticus 26:33), (Deuteronomy 28:53). (2 Kings 6:28-29). (Jeremiah 19:9). (Lamentations 4:10),—Scatter.—* This is another judgment threatened against them by Moses, ((Deuteronomy 28:64).) and remarkably fulfilled in their last dispersion; when every known part of the world hath some share of them, and yet they live everywhere like strangers, only upon sufferance.’’—Lowth.

Ver. 11. I will diminish.—Six or seven MSS. read, “Cut off;” but the present text may be rendered “Cut short,” or close. It is applied to clipping the beard in token of mourning, (Isaiah 15:2); and to making small the drops of rain, (Job 36:27).

Ver. 12. I will draw, &c.—See ver. 2.—[This was particularly fulfilled in the destruction of those who retired to Egypt; and has been remarkably verified in the many persecutions and miseries which the Jews have suffered at different times, in the various countries into which they [escaped].]—Bagster.

Ver. 17. Evil beasts—That is, wild beasts.

Chap. VII. Ver. 2. An end, &c.—[Two or three MSS. read ketz ba, ba hakketz “the end cometh, come is the end;” which is supported by all the ancient versions.]—Bagster.

Ver. 4. An evil, an only evil.—Newcome reads “Evil after evil,” upon the enemy le MSS., and three Editions.—The difference is only part of a letter in the original.

Ver. 6. An end is come.—{This is similar to the second verse; but there is a paronomasia, or play upon the words, here, deserving of notice. Ketz ba, ba hakketz, haikeetz ailayich, “the end cometh, come is the end: it waketh for thee.” Ketz, is an end, haikeetz, is to wake or watch.}—Bagster.

Ver. 7. The day of trouble.—Newcome, “Tumult.” See Isaiah xxii. 5.

The sounding again of the mountains—That is, in joyful acclamations. Newcome and Michaelis, “Joyful shoutings.”

Ver. 10. The rod (i.e. of oppression) hath blossomed—Meaning a wanton display of arbitrary power. See the next verse.

Ver. 11. Nor of their multitude.—“Tumult, or tumultuous persons:” Boothroyd, following Jarchi, understands this of the rabble and their leaders.

Ver. 13. Shall not return—Namely, in the year of jubilee, (See (Leviticus 25:10).) although they were yet alive.—See margin.—The whole multitude—Or, perhaps, “all the turbulent shall not return.” Compare note on (Ezekiel 5:7).

Ver. 16. They that escape.—“The escapers of them;” i.e. according to Newcome, ‘They that are to escape, shall escape.”——On the mountains—That is, moaning among the cliffs.

Ver. 17. Be weak as water.—“Go into water.” Newcome, “Flow (with) water.” See (Joel 3:18).

Ver. 19. Their gold shall be removed.—See margin.—Shall be abhorred as an unclean thing; as being not only useless but detrimental, by bringing upon them the vengeance of their enemies.

Ver. 20. As for the beauty of his ornament.—Newcome, “Of their ornaments.”——He set it in pride.—Newcome, “They turned it to pride.”——Therein—rather, “thereof.” The sense appears to be, that their ornaments were abused to the ends of pride and ———: e.

Ver. 23. Make a chain—That is, to lead them into captivity.——Bloody crimes—“Judgments of bloods.”

Ver. 24. The worst of the heathen.—Newcome, “Cruel nations.” See (Ezekiel 30:24).—[That is, “the Chaldeans shall possess the houses of the Jews.” The antecedents of pronouns are thus frequently understood in Hebrew poetry.—Pomp.—That is, the magnificence of their greatest and haughtiest princes.]—Bagster.