Ezekiel 17
DOYLYChap. XVIII. ver. 2.—concerning the land of Israel.] With respect to the desolations made in it by the sword, famine, and pestilence: chap. vi. 2, 3; and vii. 2. W. Lowth.
— The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge? The Chaldee paraphrase explains the proverb rightly: “The fathers have sinned, and the sons are smitten:” see the notes on Exod. xx. 5; Deut. v. 9: also on Jer. xxxi. 29, 30.
— neither hath lifted up his eyes] In prayer and adoration. Abp. Newcome.
Ezekiel 17:4
4.—all souls are mine;] All persons and their lives. I will deal with them without prejudice or partiality. Abp. Newcome, W. Lowth.
Ezekiel 17:6
6.—eaten upon the mountains &c.] Feasted on the bour’s wife, neither hath come near to a menstruous woman,
Ezekiel 17:7
7.—hath restored to the debtor his pledge.] God commanded the Jews not to detain any pledge they took from a poor man all night; which was in effect to enjoin them to lend to the poor without either pawn or usury. See Exod. xxii. 25, 26; Deut. xxiv. 12, 13. W. Lowth.
Ezekiel 17:8
8.—upon usury.] See Deut. xxiii. 19, 20, in which it appears, that usury was permitted towards strangers. We may therefore conclude, that taking increase or interest may be agreeable to justice, if duly circumstanced. Every kind and degree of usury was forbidden to the Israelites amongst each other, to promote a spirit of mutual kindness: but this law was peculiar to them. Abp. Newcome. Oppressive usury to the poor may be here meant, because it is joined with violence and want of charity. W. Lowth.
Ezekiel 17:9
9.—he shall surely live.] By life is meant, in the Old Testament, all that happiness which is contained in the literal sense of the promises belonging to that covenant; and under these were comprehended the promises of a better life, wherein God will bestow upon his servants the peculiar marks of his favour. W. Lowth.
c Lev. 18. 19. & 20. 18. d Exod. 22. 21. Lev. 19. 15. h 23. 14. e Deut. 24. 12. Exod. 22. 26. f Deut. 15. 7. Isa. 28. 7. Matt. 25. 35. g Exod. 22. 25. Lev. 25. 36. 37. Deut. 23. 19. Ps. 15. 5.
§ Or, breaker up of an house. § Or, that doeth to his brother besides any of these.
Ezekiel 17:13
- And hath taken of the king’s seed, &c.] Hath made Zedekiah swear an oath of fealty to him, 2 Chron. xxxvi. 13. W. Lowth.
— the mighty of the land.] As hostages, for performance of the covenant between him and Zedekiah. W. Lowth.
Ezekiel 17:15
- — that they might give him horses &c.] Cavalry for war. Egypt was a country which abounded in horses, of which there was a great scarcity in Judea. W. Lowth. See notes at Deut. xvii. 16.
Ezekiel 17:16
- — in the midst of Babylon he shall die.] See chap. xii. 13.
Ezekiel 17:17
- — by casting up mounts.] See Jer. xxxii. 24. It appears from Ezekiel, chap. xxx. 21, that there was a battle in which Pharaoh was beaten. Calmet.
Ezekiel 17:18
- — when, lo, he hath given his hand.] See the note on 2 Kings x. 15; 1 Chron. xxix. 24.
Ezekiel 17:21
- — scattered] Some in Egypt, some in Chaldea, and others in different countries where chance, or rather the avenging hand of God, conducted them. Calmet.
Ezekiel 17:22
-
— I will also take of the highest branch of the high cedar, &c.] I will at the last work out the delivery and redemption of my people; out of the seed of David, will I raise up the Messiah, and set Him on high in my holy Church. Bp. Hall.
-
In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it: Even in my glorious evangelical Church will I exalt his power; and He shall spread my Gospel, and enlarge his spiritual dominions all the world over; and all his elect shall shroud themselves under his grace and protection. Bp. Hall.
The holy mountain is often used by the Prophets to denote the Christian Church. W. Lowth.
Ezekiel 17:24
- And all the trees of the field shall know &c.] And all the people of the earth shall know, that I have brought down the proud and mighty tyrants of the world; and have exalted this meek and despised Seviour of mankind, above every name that is named in heaven and earth. Bp. Hall. —
Every man shall stand or fall
exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish: I the LORD have spoken and have done it.