Ezekiel 21

God commandeth the prophet to preach very sharply against Jerusalem the temple and the whole land both high and low concerning the sword of the Lord for which the prophet must sigh and lament for a token unto the people verse1,2 he foretelleth that the king of Babel shall enter into consultation whether he shall first sit upon Jerusalem or upon the land of the Ammonites but yet that he shall first march to Jerusalem because of their perjury 24 A prophesie against the kingdom of Juda and of the coming of Christ 30 also against the Ammonites, 33.

1. And the word of the Lord came unto me saying :

2. Child of man set thy face against Jerusalem [see above chap 20 on verse 46] and drop [that is teach reprove ,exhort .See Deut 32.on verse 2] against the sanctuaries [meaning the temple of the Lord concerning which the Jews did so boast and brag as if it could not be destroyed Jerem. 7.4.The plural number is used ,because this temple had divers parts see Levit. 26 on verse 31 .] and prophesie against the land of Israel [meaning the land of Juda which was apart of the land of Canaan ,which the Lord had promised unto the Israelites for their inheritance .see above chap 6 on verse 2.]

3. And say to the land of Israel thus saith the Lord behold I will be upon thee ;[As if the Lord should say ,not only the Babylonians are set against thee ,but I myself am your advisery also ready for to destroy you see above chap 13 verse 8] and I will draw my sword out of his sheath [it is spoken of God after the manner of man as also Levit 26 .33 sword for the Judgment of war Levit 26.6 sometimes it seemeth to comprehend yet some other punishment as Job 19 verse 29 as war is a sea of all manner of plagues see also Psal 22 on verse 21 .][and I will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked.[meaning the righteous in shew but not in truth as above chap 3.20 see the annotate or the righteous in comparison of the wicked that is more unrighteous .He that is less wicked is justified by him that is more wicked ,that is ,he is counted more righteous in respect of him .see above chap .16.51,52 ..if the word righteous be taken for the truly godly man then he is punished with the wicked man because he continueth with him though the godly mandoth not perish as the wicked man doth compare Revel 18.4 .]

4. Because the I will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked therefore shall my sword go forth out of his sheath against all flesh from the south to the north see above chap 20 on verse 47 and 48?

5. And all flesh shall know that I the Lord have drawn my sword out of his sheath t shall not return any more [That is not to be put up in the sheath again that is not cease from destroying until it shall have executed my full vengeance]

6. But thou child of man sigh [to wit to represent the lamentation and howling that the Jews should make when they should hear the news of the Chaldeans coming] sigh before their eyes [to wit the eyes of the people among whom thou dwellest for the prophets actions was to be a sure token unto the congregation of the judgments that should come upon the Jews in Judea and Chaldea]with breaking the loins [that is with the heavy stretching up of his breath out of the depth of his body and with such as a carriage and wringing of his limb as if his loins were broken]and with bitterness [that is, with most inward smarting grief compare 2 kings 4 on verse 27 .]

7. And it shall come to pass when they shall say unto thee, wherefore sighest thou? That thou shalt say for the report for it cometh [that is , the certain news of the coming of the Chaldeans to destroy you]and every heart shall melt [to wit for fear see Deut 1 on verse 28 and Josh. 2 on verse 11.] and all hands shall be slack [though astonishment and diquietness see 2 Sam 4 on verse 1] and every spirit shall shrink up [that is, by the apprehension and feeling of its miseries be straightened, pressed and contracted .the contrary is , when the heart dilateth and spreadeth itself ,Psal 119.32 .] and all knees shall flow away [Heb. Go away that is losing their strength see above chap 7 on verse 17.] Like water behold it cometh and shall be done saith the Lord LORD.

8. Again the word of the Lord came unto me saying:

9. Child of man prophesie and say thus saith the LORD [slay the sword [understand by the sword the plagues of war see Levit. 26.6]the sword [the word is doubled to express the greatness and certainly of the thing that is related as likewise the grief and sorrow of him that maketh the relation and also to stir them up whom the relation concerneth to hearty sorrow and grief compare 2Kings 4.19 Isaiah 26:5 Jerem. 4.19 and below verse28 .is sharpened [to wit to punish and destroy you] and also wiped ,[that is made clean ,neat .]

10. It is sharpened that it may slay a slaughter [understand here by the slaying and murdering of the of the Jews by the sword and weapons of the Chaldeans The Hebrew word is likewise so taken Psal 37.14 Isa34.6 Jerem 25.34 otherwise it signifieth the slaughter of beasts for mans food and nourishment Genes 43.16 Proverbs 9:2 see the annotate]it is wiped that it may glitter [that is that it may be apart for to terrify and slay compare Deuteronomy 32:41 Job 20:25 and the annotate]or shall we then rejoice ? some take these to be the words of the prophet unto the Jews wherein he gives a reason why he ought to sigh as he was joined above verse 6 namely because there was no cause of gladness but sufficient cause of mourning and sighing Heb.or we shall rejoice ]it [to wit the fore mentioned sword]is the rod [that is the scourge and punishment see Job 9 on verse 34]of my son [that is wherewith I chastise my son to wit my people Israel which are so called in respect of the covenant of grace see Exodus 4:22 and the annotate or understand the natural and eternal son of God by whom the father executed his judgment Psal 2.7,8,9,12. These are Gods words unto the prophet] that [to wit the rod]contemneth all wood [that is so strong and tough that is can not be broken by beating against any wood be it never so hard others the tribe of my son contemneth all wood that is my people carth not for any fatherly correction therefore I will punish them with the sword others all trees that is all men which were left in Juda both high and low the princes and the common sort of people see below verse 12 .]

11. And he [namely God] hath given it [to wit the sword] to be wiped that they may handle it with the hand that sword is sharpened and it is wiped to give it unto the hand of the slayer [that is of the king of Babel and his army.]

12. Cry and howl O child of man and the same [to wit that sharpened and wiped sword]shall be against my people [to wit to destroy and cut them off] it shall be against all the princes of Israel terrors by reason of the sword shall be among my people [others they to wit the fore mentioned princes shall be thrust down into the sword with my people [that is shall fall into the sword and perish by war] therefore smite upon thy hip .[to wit in token of great grief see Jerem 31.19.]

13. When there was trial [to wit whereby I formally tried my people by the Chaldeans and other enemies that grievously plagued them 2Kings 23.33 and 24.1 c. 2Chron36.3c.] what was it then? [What did it avail to wit for the amendment of my people? As if he should say nothing at all] should there then also [to wit in regard the people grow daily worse and worse] be no condemn rod? [whereby they may be punished according to their deserts see of the contemning rod above verse 10 others should they then to wit my people also not be without the contemning rod ? others if it were a trial what would it be? should he nevertheless not be a contemning tribe ?] Saith the Lord LORD.

14. Therefore thou child of man prophesie and smite hand against hand :[that is smite thine hand together to wit for a token of grief and sorrow for the willful perverseness of the Jews and of their terrible ruine and destruction so above chap 6.11 see the annotate .it may also be that this clapping of the hands is enjoined to he prophet to signify how that Chaldeans should incite one another on to fall upon the Jews compare the 17 verse following and below chap 22.13 .] for the sword shall be doubled the third time [that is be often used for to destroy the Jews or understand this of three great slaughters which the Chaldeans made among the Jews see of the 2 Kings 25:5,6,7 Jer52.8,9,10,11 of the second 2Kings 25.8,9,10 c.Jerem.52.12,13,14,. And the third which after the death of Gedalia was also made by the Chaldeans among the Jews that were fled into Egypt see Jerem a chapter 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46.] it is the sword of them that shall be slain [that is which shall slay and destroy many men]it is the sword of the great man that shall be slain [that is wherewith not only mean and ordinary men but even Lords and Princes shall be slain see of the word great men so called 2 Kings 5:1 and 10.6 and the annotate]which shall rush in unto them into their innermost chambers [that is it shall rush in unto those that shall hide in the most secret and private places that be to escape the sword compare 1 Kings 20:30 and 22.25 Heb. Which shall inchamber or inchambering unto them in the innermost places?

15. l have set the point [Or edge, brightness. Others render the word terrour slaughter or cry .It is only found here] the point of the sword against then cities ,strong hold ,which in time past mainly consisteth in their gates see Genes 22 on verse 17.] That their heart may melt [that is may perish for anguish and fear and may lose all its strength so Jos2.9, 24 Job 30:22.]and the stumbling-block be multiplied :[that is the occasion of falling whereinto they shall cast and destroy themselves seeking indeed to escape dangers and save their lives but should fall out of one not another compare above chap 7.19]oh it[to wit the sword]it is fitted that it may glitter [the Heb. For glittering that is that it may be fit to terrify and destroy the obstinate Jews compare above verse 10 and below verse28]it is wrapt up for a slay [that its laid by to have it ready for the slaughter others sharpened they are the words of the prophet lamenting the misery of the people.]

16. Keep close together O sword to the right hand oder thy self turn to the left hand [Heb keep close together go the right hand order thyself go to the left hand see of this phrase Psal 45.5 the Lord here speaketh unto the sword as if it were the soldier himself that was to use it see Job 14:7 he giveth it a charge to join and unite itself together with the other swords of soldiers of its hand that thy may all at once with the courage and strength fall upon the enemy whether on the right or on the left] with so ever thy face is set [that is to what part or place of Juda so ever that commanded to go for to kill and slay spare not nor pity no man.]

17. And I my self will also smite mine hand against min had [to wit to encourage and to instigate the Chaldeans and to stir them up and to destroy and cut off the Jewish nation see above the annotate on verse 14 understand that this should so appear by the event of the business that the action of the Chaldeans agreed with the righteous will of God]and will cause my fury to rest [that is I will wreck my spleen upon you and satisfy my wrath upon you compare above chap 5 on verse13 .] I the Lord have spoken it .

18. Again the word of the Lord came unto me saying:

19. Child of man set before the two ways[to wit portraying and expressing them upon a painted table as above chap 4 on verse 1, 2 both ways coming forth out of the land of Babylon as followeth whereof the one was on the right hand to come into Judea he other on the left to come into the land of Ammonites now Nebuchadnezzar took counsel which land he should first set upon in this expedition which here signified by these two ways] whereby the sword of the king of Babel may come they shall both come forth out of one land [to wit Babylon or out of one mans land that is out of the king of Babel land and choose one side [Heb hand see Prov 8.3and the annotate understand from whence the king of Babel should fall into the land of Juda] choose it at the head of the way of the city [that is at the beginning of the cross-ways to wit at the way that turneth to the city of Jerusalem it is a prophesy that Nebuchadnezzar should first seek to bring the land of Juda under his subjection that he might afterwards subdue the Ammonites also]

20. Thou shalt appoint a way whereby thee sword shall enter in against Rabba of the children of Ammon see 2 Samuel 11:1] or against Juda to defenced city of Jerusalem.

21. For the king of Babel shall stand [to wit when he shall march up with an army out of his own land toward the south to do some warlike exploit in the Hebrew the time past is used stood to shew the certainty of his relation as if he had been already done]at the parting of the ways [to wit as one that is in doubt which way he should go whether that way which leadeth to right hand or that which leadeth to the left Heb at the mother of the way meaning a place were two ways meet to cross which is divided into two ways the parting of the way is called a mother way because out of it other ways do come forth as from a mother children do come forth]at the head [that is at the beginning the entry see above chap 16.25 the annotate]of the two ways to use divination [Heb to divine divination that is to use divination or to deal in divination see of the word divination in Prov 16 on verse 10 the meaning is that he would use the art of his idolatrous divination to see which way he should go]he shall grind his arrows[to wit the end that when he should made use of them according to his superstitious custom they might all have him which way he should choose others render the word arrows knives which wee wiped and made clean when they had done many offerings herewith from which the heathen made their divinations]he shall enquire of [that is ask counsel of]the Teraphim [see Genes 31 on vese19] he shall look in the liver [to wit in their slain beasts now from the disposition and the quality of the liver they judged according to their idolatrous superstition what they were to do or omit.]

22. The divination shall be at right hand upon Jerusalem [that is the divination shall shew that Nebuchadnezzar was to chose the right hand to besiege Jerusalem first as followeth]to appoint captain [that is to attempt and ordain the siege against Jerusalem The Hebrew word rendered here captains is so used 2Kings 11.4 but in the following words of this verse it signifieth battering rams as also above chap 4.2]to open the mouth in killing [that is to drive on the soldiers with a great noise and cry to the murdering and destroying of the Jews or for the opening of some gaps or hole in the wall whereby they might break into the city the following word shouting may also be rendered a brokn sound to lift up the voice with shouting [that is with a fearful alarm to frighten the enemies and to fill all upon the city] to appoint battering rams [see above chap4 on verse 2]against the gates to cast up strong holds and to build bulwarks [compare above chap 4.2 and 17.17.]

23. Thus [that is this their propheie]shall be unto them [to wit unto theJews] as a vain divination [Heb divination of vanity or o a lie compare below verse29]in their yes [that is in thir judgment see Job18.3] because thy are sworn with oaths among them [namely the Jews iththe Egyptian or all other nations roun about that had promised the Jews with an oath that they rotect themagainst the Chaldean some understand it of th oath wherby they were engaged to the king of Babel from that which followeth]but he [namely the king of Babel illremember the iniquity [meaning the disloyalty and perjury which king Zedekia had shewed in breaking his covenant made with Nebuchadnezzar]they [namely the Jews that dwelt in Jerusalem andin the places thereto belonging] maybe taken [or apprehended taken in custody that is be conqured and subdued by weapons of war and carried away captive.]

24. thereforethus saith the Lord LORD because you make your iniquity to be remembered in thatyour transgressions are discovered so that your sins are seen in all your dealings [that is because ye make me the king of Babel to remember it by to willful and openly in your perjury and strengthening yourselves therein new covenant which ye have made with other nations against the king of Babel]because remembrance is had of you ye shall be taken with the hand [to wit of Nebuchadnezzar that is by his mighty army.]

25. And thou O profane wicked princes of Israel [he nameth Zedekia king of Juda ho was profane and wicked to wit by reason of his idolatry against God perjury against king Nebuchadnezzar cruelty against his own subject whose day shall come [to wit the day of thy punishment and ruine see Job8.20 and the annotate Psal37.13 likewise here below verse 29]at the time of the uttermost iniquity [that is whenuniquityshall become to the highst and shall be full Genes 15.16 Heb at the time of the iniquity of the end of the uttermost that is to the utmost or final iniquity or we may understand with some by iniuity as elsewhere the punishment of iniquity and of the end thatis which shall make an nd of them or which shall put an end to them so below verse 29 chap 35.5]

26. Thus saith the Lord LORD remove that hat [to wit, from thine head see of this hat Exodus 28:4]and lift off that crown this shall not be the same [that is be no more thy crown that is thou shalt be no more king]I will exalt him that is low [meaning king Jojachin that was in Babylonian captivity of whose exaltation see 2 Kings 25:27,c.] and abase him that is high [that is Zedekia who in deed was king at the pesent but should be soon taken prisoner be made blind and carried away to Babel see 2 Kings 25:6,7]

27. I will overturn, overturn, overturn, overturn that crown [to wit that crown whereof mention is made in the former verse that is I will utterly abolish overthrow and destroy it the same word is is thrice repeated to shewthe certainty of prediction and the zeal of the prophet and also to move him efficaciously whom it did concern compare Isaiah 7:4 and 22.9 the Hebrew word is so taken Isaiah 24:1.] yea it shall not be [that is there shall be no king the tribe of Juda] until he come that hath right to it [to wit to have the crown tis is our Lord Jesus Christ who is the true son and successor of David] and to whom I will give him that [to wit right]

28. And thou child of man prophesy and say thus saith the Lord LORD concerning the children of Ammos and concerning the reproach[to wit which they have done unto my people whereof see below chap 25.6 and Zephan 2.8]say them the swrd the sword [of the like doubling of this word see above verse 9] is drawn forth [Heb opened see Psal 37.14] it is wiped for the slaughter [to wit of you O Ammonites which have likewise revolted from King Nebuchadnezzar and thereor ye shall not escape destruction though it be Jerusalem turn first to consume [others opprehend to take hold] to glitter [others because of the glittering that is because it is so fitted and prepared even unto glittering that with the slaughter it shall also cause great fear and terror compare above on verse 10.]

29. While they [meaning the false prophets of the Ammonites]see vanity [that is prophesie of the false hood to wit concerning peaces for whiles they thus flutter you the Chaldeans shall fall upon you]unto thee[he speaketh unto the people of Ammonites] whiles they foretell a lie unto thee to set thee upon thennecks of them that are slain by the wicked [that is to cause you to rejoice at the Jews that are oppressed by the Chaldeans as if you were not to expect the same oppression your selves Hed upon the neck of the slain of the wicked meaning the Jews that were murdered by the chaldeans] whose day [to wit the day of those that are slain see of this day above on verse 25.] was come at the time of the uttermost iniquity.

30. Cause by sword to return into his sheath [that is resist not the Chaldeans for it will not avail you others should I cause the swordto return into his sheath? Imitating no but I will c.] I will judge thee [that is punish thee with sword ofter Chaldeans see Genes 15.14] in the place were thou wast created [that is in the country were thou wast born] in the land of the habitations [others of thy dealings]

31. And will pour mine indignation upon thee I will blow against thee by the fire of my wrath [compare above chap 20.47 and the annotate] and I will and I will deliver thee into the hand of the burning men [to wit burning with anger and enmity others and irrational man] forgers of destruction that is that are skilful and cunning to work destruction]

32. Thou shalt be for meat to the fire [Heb thou shalt be for the ear c.that is for the fire to eat thee as the fire devoureth wood so shall the enemies devour thee] thy blood shall be in the midst of the land [to wit every where cruelly shed by the by the enemies] thou shalt not be remembered any more [to wit by men so extremely shall thou be destroyed compare below chap 25.10.] for I the Lord have spoken it.