Ezekiel 39
DOYLYVer. 1.—in the beginning of the year, in the tenth day of the month.] That is, the first month, called here the beginning of the year, which in the ecclesiastical computation was the month Nisan. W. Lowth. See the notes on Exod. xii. 2; xiii. 4.
—the fourteenth year] See chap. i. 1, 2; the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in which Jerusalem was taken, was also the eleventh year of Jehoischin’s captivity, from
and a measuring reed; and he stood in the gate.
Ezekiel 39:3
- And I will smite thy bow out of thy left hand, &c.]
Ezekiel 39:18
18.—of rams, of lambs, and of goats.] Kings, princes, and tyrants, are expressed by rams, goats, and bullocks. Abp. Newcome. —[fatlings of Bashan.] See Deut. xxxii. 14. The country of Bashan beyond Jordan was celebrated for fat cattle. Calmet.
Ezekiel 39:20
20.—at my table] The table of God is the field covered with dead bodies, the place of the slaughter of Magog, to which the birds and beasts of prey are invited, ver. 17. Michaelis.
Ezekiel 39:22
- So the house of Israel shall know &c.] By acts of mercy towards them, and of judgment towards their enemies. W. Lowth.
Ezekiel 39:23
23, 24.—went into captivity for their iniquity: &c.] Not because I wanted power to rescue them, or will to do them kindness. Calmet.
Ezekiel 39:25
25.—Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob,] See chap. xxxiv. 13; xxxvi. 24; xxxvii. 21.
Ezekiel 39:26
26.—their shame.] The shame and reproach due to their sins. W. Lowth.
Ezekiel 39:29
29.—for I have poured out my spirit &c.] I have plentifully stored my Church with graces of sanctification. Bp. Hall. See Isa. lix. 20, 21; a place applied by St. Paul to this very purpose, Rom. xi. 26, 27. W. Lowth. Chap. XL. The following obscure vision of Ezekiel is generally supposed to contain the description of a temple, corresponding in its structure and dimensions with that of Solomon. The Prophet, by presenting to the captives this delineation of what had been “the desire of their eyes,” reminded them of the loss which they had suffered from their unrighteousness, and furnished them with a model, upon which the temple might rise again from its ruins; as it did, with less magnificence indeed, in the time of Zerubbabel. Under the particulars detailed by Ezekiel, however, we often discover the economy of a spiritual temple, which should again be filled with “the glory of the Lord coming from the east;” see chap. xlii. 2. 4. Dr. Gray. This concluding vision of a new city and temple was shewn to Ezekiel at the close of his ministry, for the consolation of his brethren, who were then commemorating by the waters of Babylon with sighs and tears the fate of their former city and temple with all its glory, which had that day been extinguished just fourteen years. The restoration of the temple and its service, here circumstantially insisted on, was well calculated to raise their drooping spirits, and renew their trust