Ezekiel 29

Ezekiel 29:1

THe tenth] namely, of the captivity of Jehoiakin, Ezekiel 1:2.

Ezekiel 29:2

Pharaoh] likely this was Pharaoh Hophrah, Jer. 44 30.

Ezekiel 29:3

Dragon] the Hebrew word signifieth, any great creature that liveth in the sea. Here is meant the Crocodile, the figure of Pharaoh, the river] I possesse a most fruitfull kingdome, and so strongly situated, by reason of the river Nilus, that it cannot be taken away from me by any humane strength I have made it] I doe not depend upon any one; as I have gotten and increased my kingdome of my selfe, so am I sufficient to maintaine it against all men.

Ezekiel 29:4

Hooks] I will draw thee out of thy country which is so strong, together with all thy subjects which will follow thee to goe and meet Nebuchadnezzar, to the end that you being all slaine by him, your bodies may lye for food for the fowles of the aire, and the wilde beasts of the field, Psal. 74. 14.

Ezekiel 29:5

Gathered] to be buried.

Ezekiel 29:6

They have been] they have solicited my people to rebell against the Caldeans, promising them assistance, and have violated their faith; and so have not only been unprofitable, but also very hurtfull to them.

Ezekiel 29:7

Madest all their loines] thou hast left them to defend themselves with their owne strength, and alone to beare the burden of the warre which they had undertaken for your advantage.

Ezekiel 29:9

And I have] he speaks in the person of this King: or in generall, of all the Kings of Aegypt his predecessors, who with great charges and labour had brought Nilus with channels over all the land of Aegypt.

Ezekiel 29:10

From the tower] from one of the ends of Aegypt to the other Of Seventh] it hath been commonly thought by reason of the likenesse of the name, that it was the city of Siene, standing upon the confines of Aegypt and Aethyopia, where there might be some tower, to marke the defect of shadowes in the very day of the Summer Solstice, as there was a Well also to that purpose. But because here are set downe two bounds from the North to the South, and that Siene was the Southerne bound: we must with more likelihood take it to be the branch of Nilus called Sebenniticus: upon which there was in former times Pharus, called by the Greeks the tower of Persons, which was the Southerne bound or confine.

Ezekiel 29:14

A base] namely, subject and tributary to the Persians, who shall people it againe. See Ezekiel 17:6; Ezekiel 17:14.

Ezekiel 29:16

Which bringeth] that by reason of these unlawfull practises; through which my people trusting upon Aegypt, have forsaken their beliefe they had in me, and have broken their faith to the Chaldeans, I may not againe call them to account for all the sinnes which they have committed, imitating the Aegyptian idolatries, Ezek. 8. 10, 14. and 23. 19, 20, 21.

Ezekiel 29:17

Seven and twentieth] It is not likely that this yeare must be counted after the taking of Jehoiachin, as the rest of the yeares are in this booke. See Ezek. 29. 1. and 30. 20. but after the Jubile. Unlesse this prophecye be inserted out of the order of times, and was directed to the Prophet after the taking of Tyre, the enterprise of Aegypt being already begun.

Ezekiel 29:18

Caused his army] namely, to execute my judgements upon Tyre, and therefore I will requite him. And if that ancient Histories be true, that siege lasted thirteen yeares Every head]that is to say, they have suffered long and hard labours, and toiles, and have worne out themselves about it.

Ezekiel 29:20

For me] to execute my judgements, though they did not know my will, nor had no intent for to obey it.

Ezekiel 29:21

In that day] when I shall beat downe the Aegyptians, then will I begin to raise up again my people in Babylon, by the exaltation of Jechoniah, Jer. 52 31. which questionlesse caused a great deale of ease and liberty to the Jewish prisoners To bud] See Psal. 132. 17 will give thee] I will make it so, that thou Ezekiel, and all the rest of the beleevers may freely, and with open mouthes, praise the Lord in your Assemblies.