Ezekiel 17

Ezekiel 17:2

A Parable] or a figurative Speech representing one thing by another, with a convenient correspondencie.

Ezekiel 17:3

Eagle] namely, Nebuchadnezzar, Ier. 48. 40. and 49. 22 Divers colours] hereby is meant Nebuchadnezzars Empire over many nations, of divers customes and languages; or his army composed of severall sorts of people, unto Lebanon] to Iudea, which is oftentimes likened to a wood of excellent trees, The highest] namely, Ieboiachim led into captivity, 2 Kings 24:12.

Ezekiel 17:4

Cropt off] Hereby is signified the captivitie of the chiefe of the Kingdome, led away with Iehoiachim, of merchants] the Italian of traffique] he meanes some Province or Citie ofBabylon, assigned to the Iewes, which was commodious for traffique; to keepe them from all thoughts of war and State policie.

Ezekiel 17:5

Of the Seed] namely, Zedekiab, who was of the blood Royall, A fruitfull] namely, in the Kingdome of Iudea, not yet made desolate, where Zedekiah might have maintained himselfe, and growne up prosperously.

Ezekiel 17:6

It grew] namely, Zedekiah prophesied whilst hee was faithfull to the Chaldeans, Of love] signifying thereby, that hee was but a vallall, not Soveraigne nor absolute, Branches turned]being a dependent and subject to Nebuchadnezzar, The roots] that is to say, he staid in his owne countrey, and was not transported into any other place, and the State remained in its antient forme, and state, onely the Kings power was diminished, Brought forth] that is to say, Zedekiah begat and brought up children, Jeremiah 52:10.

Ezekiel 17:7

Another] namely, the King of Egypt, who was also a mighty King, with whom Zedekiah joyned himselfe against Nebuchadnezzar, 2 Kings 24:20. Water it] should uphold him, and relieve him with his forces against the Chaldeans: See Ier. 37. 7. The Furrowes] he alludes to the channells and pipes wherewith the Egyptians conveyed the waters of Nilus to their land, See Deuteronomy 11:10.

Ezekiel 17:8

It was] It was very likely that Zedekiah having made this league with Egypt might very well have maintained and bettered himselfe.

Ezekiel 17:9

Shall hee not] the Italian, shall not that Eagle] namely, Nebuchadnezzar.

Ezekiel 17:10

The East wind] By this tempestuous and scorching wind Jonah 4:8. is meant Gods judgement executed by the meanes of the Chaldeans, Ezekiel 19:12 in the furrowes] that is to say, notwithstanding Egypts assistance and reliefe.

Ezekiel 17:12

The King] namely, Jehoiachim, v. 2. 3.

Ezekiel 17:13

Of the] namely, Zedekiah, v. 5 and hath taken] that is to say, hee hath carried them away with him, to weaken the Kingdome so much the more, and for to have hostages by him.

Ezekiel 17:17

Made for him] Hee shall doe Zedekiah no good, who was straitly besieged by Nebuchadnezzar, Jer. 37. 57.

Ezekiel 17:18

His hand] namely, his faith and promise.

Ezekiel 17:19

Mine oath] namely, the punishment for breaking the oath hee had made in my name.

Ezekiel 17:22

Take off] This begun to be put in execution, in Zerubbabel, who was of the blood Royall, and brought the people out of Babylon, but the perfect accomplishment is in Christ, the everlasting King and sonne of David, Isaiah 11:1 a tender] hereby are meant Christs weake beginnings in his humane nature, who was descended from the ancient stocke of the Kings of Juda.

Ezekiel 17:23

The mountaine] namely, in my Church, which spiritually is higher then any worldly height, Isa. 2. 2. 3. Ezekiel 20:40. Micah 4:1 under it] all nations shall come under the Messias to shelter themselves from all evills.

Ezekiel 17:24

The trees] namely, the great ones, and Princes of the world.