Ezekiel 3
DOYLYEzekiel 3:2
2.—lay siege against it.] Make a portraiture of a siege, and of such warlike preparations as are necessary. W. Lowth.
—a mount] The mount or terrace of earth was constructed for protecting the operations of the besiegers, for filling up the ditches, or for enabling the assailants to reach the top of the wall. Calmet. See the note on Jer. xxvii. 24.
—battering rams] Engines for forcing breaches in the walls. This is said to be the first historical notice of this species of military engine: certain it is that they are not mentioned in Homer; although, according to
Ezekiel 3:12
- — a voice of a great rushing.] See chap. i. 24. — from his place.] By us his ministering spirits, who are now in the place where his glory dwelled. Abp. Newcome.
Ezekiel 3:13
- — over against them.] See the note on chap. i. 20.
Ezekiel 3:14
- — in bitterness.] The joy, that I first conceived in receiving the Divine message, was quickly turned into grief and anguish of mind. W. Lowth. Because of the calamities which I was to foretel. Abp. Newcome. — in the heat of my spirit.] In indignation against my rebellious countrymen. Abp. Newcome. — strong upon me.] Urging and empowering me to execute my commission. See Jer. xx. 9. W. Lowth, Abp. Newcome.
Ezekiel 3:15
- — Tel-abib.] This is generally supposed to be the name of the place which was the principal residence of the captive Israelites upon the banks of the Chebar. The meaning of the word in the original is, “a heap of corn;” and St. Jerome so translates it. The place might have been called so from its fertility. The Prophet might be said to “come to his people,” not that he had ever departed actually into another place, but that by his vision he had been abstracted from his commerce with men; and that upon the conclusion of the vision he returned to it. Perhaps this is a distinct colony of captives from those that are mentioned, chap. i. 3. See ver. 23 of this chapter. Certain it is that the king of Babylon carried away the Jews by several captivities; some in the first year of his reign, Dan. i. 1: some in the seventh, Jer. iii. 28. Then followed Jehoischin’s captivity in the eighth year of Nebuchadnezzar, 2 Kings xxiv. 12; when Ezekiel himself was carried captive. W. Lowth, Abp. Newcome. — astonished] Having my spirit wholly cast down, and amazed under the apprehension of these terrible judgments which were to come upon my nation, and of which I was to be the messenger. See Jer. xxiii. 9. Seven days was the space of time appointed for mourning, Gen. l. 10; 1 Sam. xxxi. 13; Job ii. 13. W. Lowth. This appearance of silent astonishment was well calculated to excite the attention of his countrymen, and to prepare them for some important communication.
Ezekiel 3:18
- When I say &c.] Chap. xxxiii. 8. Compare ver. 17-19; and chap. xxxiii. 7-9. Abp. Newcome. — die.] An immature death, if not a violent one. Michaelis understands the phrase of all the punishments of sin. Abp. Newcome.
Ezekiel 3:19
- — hast delivered thy soul.] Thou art clear from the guilt of his sin. Compare Acts xx. 26. W. Lowth. The opposite to this clause is, “His blood will I require at thine hand,” ver. 20. Abp. Newcome.
Ezekiel 3:20
- — and I lay a stumblingblock] And I cause his iniquity to become his ruin. W. Lowth.
Ezekiel 3:21
- — warn the righteous] Hence we may learn, that the office of pastors is twofold: to collect the sheep that are astray, and to restrain those within the bounds of innocence and safety who are collected. Calmet.
Ezekiel 3:25
25.—they shall put bands upon thee.] Thou shalt be confined to lie so many days upon thy right side, and so many upon thy left, as if thou wast bound and not able to stir. See chap. iv. 8. W. Lowth.
Ezekiel 3:26
26.—dumb.] Because they regarded not the word which God commanded him to speak to them, he was directed to instruct them only by signs, such as are those emblems of the siege contained in the next chapter. W. Lowth.
Ezekiel 3:27
27.—Thus saith the Lord] The Prophet was to declare his Divine commission in these words. See chap. ii. 4; iii. 11. It is more agreeable to these passages to suppose that the following words, “he that heareth—forbear,” are the words of God to Ezekiel, not part of the message which the Prophet was to deliver. Abp. Newcome. And so the passage may be paraphrased, “But when I renew my commission to thee, and bid thee speak, I will then give a freedom of speech unto thee, and thou shalt say, Thus saith the Lord, Whether they hear thee or hear thee not, it is all one to thee; do thou thy duty, and it suffleeth.” Bp. Holl.
Chap. IV. ver. 1.—take thee a tile.] The tiles or bricks used for building in the East were sometimes very large, with one of the surfaces well polished, and capable of receiving the representation here described. In the cabinets of the curious are still preserved fragments of such tiles, brought from what is by some persons supposed to be the site of ancient Babylon.
It has been a question among the learned whether the orders which God here gave were intended as real commands and figures also, or only as figures of things to come under the form of commands; signifying not what the Prophet was to perform, but what God in his wise counsels had determined to bring about. Lowth, Wells, Bochart, and the generality of commentators, combine with the authority of most of the Fathers in support of the literal interpretation. They plead in the first instance, that all which is here commanded was practicable, and that the several circumstances mentioned carry no direct repugnancy nor absurdity with them; and they farther infer, that if the Prophet did not really perform what is here related, he could not have been “a sign to the house of Israel.” See chap. iv. 3. But as several judicious interpreters, namely, St. Jerome, Maimonides, and amongst ourselves Smith, Stillingfleet, and Jenkins, conceive all that is here related to be a history only of the vision itself, or a prophetic scheme; and as some difficulties will occur by the adoption in all cases of the literal interpretation, it may be proper shortly to notice the reasons they assign