Ezekiel 21

Ezekiel 21:2

SEt thy face] seeing it is so, prophecye the same things in plaine and proper termes, the holy places] namely, against the Temple, and the buildings adjoyning to it, which were not to be spared in this generall desolation. See Jeremiah 7:14. Ezekiel 9:6.

Ezekiel 21:3

The righteous.] See Ezekiel 20:47.

Ezekiel 21:5

It shall not] untill it have performed all its execution.

Ezekiel 21:6

With the breaking] doing like 〈◊〉 woman that travelleth, bowing and wringing her selfe. See Isa. 16. 11. and 21. 3. Jer. 4 19.

Ezekiel 21:7

For the tydings] namely, the Babylonians tumult, whom I see approaching to Jerusalem, It commeth] namely, the ruine of it, which I had foretold.

Ezekiel 21:9

A sword] my judgement is ready to be put in execution.

Ezekiel 21:10

Gitter] that is to say, that it may terrifie and affright with the brightnesse of it Should we] can one doe any thing but lament as I doe, it contemneth, &c.] the Italian, O thou I rie of my sonne which contemnest all other wood] O thou Nation hardened against all fatherly punishments, as an evill childe is against a rod, thou shalt now be punished by the sword. In the Hebrew Text there is an allusion between rod, or staffe, and Tribe; the meaning whereof is, whiles thine affections are moderate, as from rod to rod, thou doest contemne them; but this shall be as from rod or sword, which thou shalt not be able to endure nor withstand.

Ezekiel 21:11

Of the slayer] namely, of the King of Babylon, who is the executioner of Gods judgements.

Ezekiel 21:12

Smite therefore] use all the actions of a grieved and moaning person. See Jer. 31 19.

Ezekiel 21:13

A triall] I am almost forced to come to the extremity of punishment, for all punishments, as trials to bring them to repentance would be vaine, Isaiah 1:5.

Ezekiel 21:14

Smite thine hands] in token of extreme sorrow, Ezech. 6. 11 The third time] for Nebuchadnezzar came three times against Jerusalem, 2 Chronicles 36:6; 2 Chronicles 36:10; 2 Chronicles 36:17. The sword] by which there shall be a great slaughter in Jerusalem, not only of meane people, but also of Princes and great ones; and the King himselfe being overcome by the sword shall dye in captivity.

Ezekiel 21:15

I have set] I have caused their cities to be furiously besieged and set upon.

Ezekiel 21:16

Goe thou] the Italian addeth, O sword goe, &c.] an expression of the permission which God gave the Chaldeans to root out at their pleasure.

Ezekiel 21:17

I will also] as I have commanded thee Ezekiel to smite thine hands for sorrow, v. 19. so will I contrariwise smite mine in signe of joy, that I have vented my wrath, and satisfied my justice. See Deuteronomy 28:63 Isaiah 1:24. Ezek. 5. 13. and 16. 42.

Ezekiel 21:19

Appoint thee] the Italian, make thee] draw out, in Propheticke action, upon a boord, or upon the ground, two wayes comming both from one plaine place, to represent Nebuchàdnezzars deliberation, when he had gathered together his army, whether he should goe against Jerusalem, or against the land of the Ammonites, which were the two wayes to set upon Aegypt, which was the Chaldeans chiefest intent Chuse thou a lace] the Italian, levell a place] to make a mustering place to muster the army in The head] namely, at the crossing of a road way, such as those high wayes were which led to great cities.

Ezekiel 21:20

Rabbah] The chiefe City of the Ammonites, 2 Samuel 11:1. Jeremiah 49 2.

Ezekiel 21:21

To vie divination] according to the custome of the Heathens, in deliberations of any importance, made his arrowes, &c] the Italian, he hath scattered his arrowes] This was a kind of casting lots with a bundle of loose arrowes cast up into the aire: And according as most of the arrowheads fell one way, which was either marked out according to fancy, or according to the naturall situation of the places (as it was in this passe) they did resolve upon most important affaires, as by divine augury Looked in] This was also another kinde of divination, by the shape, colour, posture, &c. of the entrailes of sacrificed beasts, and especially of the liver.

Ezekiel 21:22

To open the mouth] to take it by assault, with shouts and cries used in such actions; and with a generall slaughter.

Ezekiel 21:23

A false divination] The Jewes who had oftentimes before broken, and renewed their covenants with the Chaldeans without falling into finall ruine, shall thinke that the businesse will passe so for this time also; and that Nebuchadnezzars enterprize will come to nothing, but he] namely, Nebuchadnezzar will at this time pay them for their former treacheries.

Ezekiel 21:24

To be remembred] that is to say, through your wickednesse and impiety which you openly make profession of, you give cause first to me, whose name hath been used in your oathes, and next to the King of Babylon, to punish you at once for your perjuries and reiterated rebellions.

Ezekiel 21:25

Wicked] namely, Zedekiah, whose day] namely, of thy just punishment.

Ezekiel 21:26

This shall not] The Kingdome of Judah shall no more be that triumphant Kingdome which it was at other times that is low] namely, Jehoiakim, now a prisoner, and afterwards set at liberty, and exalted, 2 King. 24. 12. and 25. 27, 28 that is high] namely, Zedekiah.

Ezekiel 21:27

Untill he] the Kingdome shall never be restored to its former lustre, untill the Messias comes, to whom by right it belongeth, as Davids succession according to the flesh; and established by God to be King over his Church, who shall alter it into a spirituall and everlasting kingdome. See Genesis 49:10.

Ezekiel 21:28

Thus saith] by this prophecye is declared, that though the Ammonites were at that time spared, yet at the last they should be destroyed by the Chaldeans Their reproach] namely, the wrongs and outrages offered to my people, and their insulting over them, Ezekiel 25:3; Ezekiel 25:6.

Ezekiel 21:29

Whilest they] whilest thy diviners and Soothsayers doe foretell thee all manner of happinesse and securenesse; perswading thee that thou shalt trample upon the Jewes necks, who are flaine for their sinnes, and that no harme shall come to thee.

Ezekiel 21:30

In the place] O you Ammonites, I will not scatter you into strange lands, as I have done my people, but will destroy you in your owne land.

Ezekiel 21:31

Will blow] I will light and kindle it.

Ezekiel 21:32

Thy bloud] all thy countrey shall be overflowne with bloud.