Ezekiel 5
DOYLYChap. VI. ver. 2. — of Israel.] Israel being carried away captive, Judah is called Israel; and perhaps possessed a great part of the country. Abp. Secker.
Ezekiel 5:3
- — to the mountains, and to the hills.] See Deut. xii. 2; Jer. ii. 20; iii. 6. The altars built for idol worship were commonly placed upon mountains and hills. Abp. Newcome.
Ezekiel 5:4
- — images] The word used here is generally supposed to signify such images as were erected to the honour of the sun, and is therefore translated sun images in the margin of our Bible. See Isaiah xvii. 8. W. Lowth.
Ezekiel 5:5
- — before their idols;] This passage seems to imply, that God would permit the Chaldeans to slay the Jews at the feet of their idols, where they should fly for refuge. Calmet.
Ezekiel 5:8
- — a remnant.] A gracious exception that often occurs in the Prophets, when they denounce general judgments against the Jews; implying, that God will still preserve a remnant of that people, to whom He will fulfil the promises made to their fathers. See chap. xiv. 22; Jer. xiv. 14. W. Lowth.
Ezekiel 5:9
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— the like.] The destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar was a terrible example of Divine vengeance; and the calamities which the city and nation suffered from Titus and Adrian were still more signal. Calmet, Abp. Newcome. Taking the words in their full extent, and comprehending all the marks of indignation which have already lain upon that people for so many centuries, (and how much longer they may continue we know not,) it may truly be said that none of God’s judgments are like it. W. Lowth.
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— shall remember me] They shall repent; the evils which they suffer shall make them reflect upon their wickedness, and turn unto their God. Calmet.
— I am broken with their whorish heart.] I have been over-provoked by their wicked idolatries. See the note at Exod. xxxiv. 16. Bp. Hall.
Ezekiel 5:10
- — the fathers shall eat the sons &c.] A terrible judgment threatened by Moses, Lev. xxvi. 29. We are not certain from history that this extremity of horrour actually took place in Jerusalem, during the approaching siege by Nebuchadnezzar; all we know is, that the famine was extreme; but if (as there is strong reason to believe) the Lamentations of Jeremiah relate to the circumstances of this siege, we may observe the actual accomplishment of the prophecy contained in this verse, Lam. ii. 20; iv. 10. Calmet.
Ezekiel 5:11
- — Smite with thine hand, &c.] Be vehement and passionate in expressing thy sorrow and indignation for the sins and judgments of thy people. Bp. Hall.
Ezekiel 5:12
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A third part of thee &c.] See ver. 2; and chap. vi. 12; Jer. xvi. 2; xxi. 9. — and I will draw out a sword after them.] This imports that God’s anger should still pursue them, even unto the countries whither they were banished, and carried captive. This was particularly fulfilled in those that went to Egypt; see Jer. xliii. 7; and it was remarkably verified in the several persecutions and massacres they have undergone at different times, in most of the countries of Europe, in later ages. W. Lowth.
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He that is far off] Out of the reach of the enemy. W. Lowth.
Ezekiel 5:13
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— and I will be comforted:] I will satisfy my anger. This and the former expression are borrowed from human passions. As men find some ease and rest in bringing offenders to condign punishment, so God is here described as feeling ease and satisfaction in executing his justice upon incorrigible sinners. Calmet, W. Lowth. See Isaiah i. 24; Ezek. xvi. 42.
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— and under every green tree, and under every thick oak.] The offering of sacrifices in groves and shady places was another ancient rite of idolatry; see Isa. i. 29: upon which account groves and images are often joined together by the sacred writers. W. Lowth.
Ezekiel 5:16
- — evil arrows of famine.] A grievous famine, which like unto deadly arrows shall pierce through their souls. Bp. Hall.
Ezekiel 5:17
- — evil beasts.] St. Jerome says, that it is by no means rare to see destructive beasts multiply in an abandoned country, and become dangerous to travellers: but the Chaldeans also may be here understood, who spread themselves over the country of Judea, like wild beasts, and committed the ravages here predicted. Nebuchadnezzar is described by the Prophets under the figure of a lion, and of an eagle. See Dan. vii. 4; Ezek. xvii. 3; Jer. xlviii. 40. Calmet. — pestilence and blood: “Blood” may here be equivalent to the sword, which is joined with the pestilence, ver. 17: see chap. xxxviii. 22. W. Lowth. The Prophet tells the people in this chapter, that, because they had rejected God’s ordinances, and profaned his sanctuary, and especially because they had imitated, and even exceeded the neighbouring nations in their idolatry, for this reason God would punish them in the sight of those nations: and that, as they had surpassed the other nations in wickedness. He would do to them such things as he had never done before, and would execute his judgments upon them with wrath and fury. The judgment of Israel for idolatry. A remnant shall be saved. bring the sword upon thee. I the LORD have spoken it. # CHAP. VI.