Ezekiel 11

1 five and twenty men. Different from the persons mentioned in viii. 16; those being priests, these princes.

3 [It is] not near; let us build houses. This may be rendered as the saying of the exiles, “The time is not near for us to build houses” in Chaldea, as the prophet directs: see R.V., and Jer. xxix. 5-28. Moffatt, on the other hand, translates it, “Houses have been recently rebuilding; all is well!” Similarly Skinner, following the Septuagint.

this [city] is the caldron, and we be the flesh. “We are safe inside the cauldron.” There is perhaps a derisive allusion to the image of Jeremiah (i. 13).

10 in the border of Israel. Literally fulfilled at the frontier-town of Riblah in Hamath (Jer. ii. 9, 10). See chap. vi. 14.

11 neither shall ye be the flesh in the midst thereof. Your purpose of remaining in this city shall not be realised.

16 a little sanctuary. Perhaps, “a sanctuary for a little while,” as R.V. The Temple might be destroyed, and its worship interrupted; but to His sincere and humble worshippers, even in a heathen land, God would be as a temple: ep. Isa. lxvi. 1, 2.

23 from the midst of the city. Deserting it in displeasure. This withdrawn of the Divine presence was gradual, as if it were reluctant, First, the Divine glory comes forth from the interior of the holy place to its external threshold (x. 4); then it removes to “the door of the east gate” (x. 19); and now it leaves the city altogether.