Ezekiel 17

Ezekiel 17:2

Riddle. Thus the prophets and Christ often delivered their doctrine. (Calmet)

Ezekiel 17:3

A large eagle. Nabuchodonosor, king of Babylon. (Challoner) — The multitude of his subjects, and his rapid and cruel conquests, are designated. (Calmet) — He spoils the vineyard of Jerusalem, notwithstanding the Jews had applied to another eagle, the king of Egypt, ver. 12. (Worthington) — Libanus. That is, Jerusalem; (Challoner) or invaded the country, (Calmet) entering by Libanus. (Haydock) — Cedar. King Jechonias (Challoner) and his nobles, (4 Kings xxiv. 11.) with the most precious effects.

Ezekiel 17:4

Twigs. The young king and his officers, who had scarcely got established. (Calmet) — Chanaan. This name, which signifies traffic, is not taken here for Palestine, but for Chaldea; and the city of merchants here mentioned is Babylon. (Challoner) — It was so corrupt as to deserve this appellation, as Rome was afterwards styled Babylon. Its situation was very favourable to traffic, and its dominions were very extensive. (Calmet)

Ezekiel 17:5

Land. Sedecias, whom he made king. (Challoner) — He was brother of the dethroned king, and have every prospect of reigning long, if he had proved faithful. (Calmet)

Ezekiel 17:6

Towards him. Nabuchodonosor, to whom Sedecias swore allegiance. (Challoner) — Literally, “to it,” eam, the eagle. (Haydock) — The dominions of Sedecias were extensive, but weak, and dependant on a foreign king.

Ezekiel 17:7

Eagle. The king of Egypt, (Challoner) Vaphres, who came at the request of Sedecias, to oppose the Chaldeans, but was routed; and they returned to the siege of Jerusalem, Jeremias xxxvii. 4. — Plantation, as the waters of the Nile were conducted to different parts by ditches, Deuteronomy xi. 10.

Ezekiel 17:9

Prosper. Will God countenance perfidy? (Calmet) — “Faith must be kept even with enemies.” (St. Jerome) — Arm. The conquest did not cost the Chaldeans much. Sedecias fled by night, but was soon taken, 4 Kings xxv. 6. (Calmet)

Ezekiel 17:12

Shall, or, “hath taken,” &c., (Challoner) as also (ver. 13.) Sedecias was seized five years after, chap. viii. 1. Jechonias, the princes, mighty warriors, (ver. 13.) and expert artists, had been taken away six years before, with the prophet. Protestants, “is come,…and hath taken,” &c. (Haydock)

Ezekiel 17:16

Die. He had sworn fidelity, and was justly punished, dying blind, and in prison, chap. xii. (Worthington)

Ezekiel 17:17

Souls. Some refer this to Pharao; others to the enemy. The former did not attempt to surround the besiegers, but after losing a battle retired, chap. xxx. 21. (Calmet)

Ezekiel 17:18

Hand. Swearing perhaps to both (Haydock) the Egyptian and to the Chaldean monarch.

Ezekiel 17:20

Net. Chap. xii. 13. (Calmet) — Judge, punish. (Haydock) — His sentence was pronounced at Reblatha, 4 Kings xxv. 7. (Calmet)

Ezekiel 17:22

Cedar. Of the Royal stock of David. — Twig. Jesus Christ, whom God hath planted in Mount Sion, that is, the high mountain of his Church, to which all nations flow. (Challoner) — The Jews in vain apply this to Zorobabel or to the Machabees. Their power was never great enough to verify these expressions. (Calmet) — But Christ has united in his Church all the birds, or those who have strength enough to raise themselves above earthly things. (St. Jerome) (Theodoret, &c.) — The kingdom of Sedecias and that of Nabuchodonosor prospered not, or was soon at an end: Christ remains for ever. (Worthington)

Ezekiel 17:24

High and green denote Sedecias; low and dry Jechonias, who was exalted at Babylon, while his rival was hurled down from his present high estate. The prophets speak of that as past, which God has decreed. See Jeremias xxii. 30. (Calmet)

Ezekiel 17:61

CHAPTER XVII.