Ezekiel 38
DOYLYEzekiel 38:15
- — out of the north parts.] See ver. 6, and note.
Ezekiel 38:17
- — Art thou he] Art thou not he? A sense which the particle of interrogation often imports. See the note on chap. xx. 4. W. Lowth. — of whom I have spoken in old time by my servants &c.] The enemy, here said to be foretold of old by the Prophets, is probably described under the names of such nations as were the chief enemies to the Jews in the particular times of each Prophet. To particular prophecies of this nature we may add those prophecies which speak of some great and general destruction of God’s enemies before the day of judgment, or consummation of all things: such are Ps. ex. 5, 6; Isa. xxvi. 20, 21; xxxiv. 1; Jer. xxx. 7. 10; Joel iii. 9. 14; Obad. ver. 15. W. Lowth.
Ezekiel 38:18
- — my fury shall come up in my face.] An expression taken from human passions, which cause the blood to fly up into the face. So Isaiah (chap. xxx. 27.) describes Almighty God as “burning with anger,” his lips being “full of indignation, and his tongue as a devouring fire.” W. Lowth.
Ezekiel 38:19
- — a great shaking] All the circumstances of an earthquake are described in this and the following verse: compare Zech. xiv. 3—5. Howbigant. VOL. II.
Ezekiel 38:21
- And I will call for a sword against him] I will appoint a sword to destroy him. So God is said to call for a dearth upon the land of Canaan, Ps. cv. 16. W. Lowth.
Ezekiel 38:22
- And I will plead against him] Or, I will plead with him: see chap. xx. 35. God pleads with men by his judgments, which are a manifest token of the vengeance due to their sins: see Isa. lxvi. 16; Jer. xxv. 31. Pestilence is joined with blood here, as it is chap. v. 17; xiv. 19; xxviii. 23. W. Lowth. — and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, &c.] Compare Rev. xx. 8, 9. It is plain that the extraordinary circumstances mentioned ver. 19—22, remain to be accomplished on the future enemies of the Jews, when God’s people are reinstated in his favour. Abp. Newcome. Chap. XXXIX. ver. 2. — and will cause thee to come up from the north parts.] The words may be better translated, “after I have caused thee to come up, &c.” See a like construction, chap. xxxviii. 4. W. Lowth.