Ezekiel 8

Ezekiel 8:1

THe sixth] namely of Iehoiakims captivity, Ezekiel 1:2.

Ezekiel 8:3

Puts forth] All this was done in a mentall vision, and not really, nor corporally Inner-gate] namely, of Solomons temple, and this seemes to be the gate that led into the inner court, or Priests court: and right over against that another gate, by which they went into the outward court, or the peoples court Of jealousie] it is very uncertaine what idoll this was, but it is plaine that it was a very abominable one, to which the people bare great devotion, as Baal was, it is called the idoll of jealousie, because it was the principall object of the peoples spirituall adultery. See Ier. 7. 30. and 23. 11. and 32. 34:

Ezekiel 8:5

Of the Altar] namely, of burnt offerings, which being in the middle of the inner court, the three doores of this court were by direct line opposite to the said Altar in equall distance. And therefore it is not knowne why the Northerne gate should be so called peculiarly, unlesse this name was given it: when Achaz removed the Altar out of its place, and did set it neare to this gate, 2 Kin.6. 14.

Ezekiel 8:7

The Court] namely, the Priests court, a hole] to signifie, as it seemeth, the Jewes carelesnesse, in preserving and repayring Gods temple In the wall] He seemes to meane the wall that was on the one side of this Portico, where the doorkeepers chambers were, Ezekiel 40:10.

Ezekiel 8:8

A doore] It should seeme that this chambers ordinary doore was shut, and that this doore was on some other part of the chamber, by which the idolaters came secretly into this chappell of idols.

Ezekiel 8:10

Creeping things] A kind of idolatry taken from the Egyptians.

Ezekiel 8:11

Ancients] Chief men or Magistrates: some held that they were all Priests, out of which they tooke Judges Iaazzaniah] this name is not mentioned any where else, and it is likely that it was some Priest, or chiefe Ruler.

Ezekiel 8:12

Seeth us not] He takes no more care of us, he hath forsaken both us and the land: wherefore we fly to the gods of other nations, which doe relieve them; and since he hath renounced us, we will also renounce him. See 2 Chronicles 28:23. Ier. 44. 17.

Ezekiel 8:14

The doore] namely, the doore of this Northerne Portico, which was against the Priests court Thammuz] This hath been thought by the Ancients to be the Egyptians Osris, which according to some Authors, was the same as Adonis, lamented every yeare at certaine times by the women with very unseemely ceremonies.

Ezekiel 8:16

Inner Court] Into which it was lawfull for none but Priests to goe, whereby may be gathered, that these were such idolaters as worshipped the Sunne, which is confirmed by Ezck. 9. 6. Porch] Which was in the frontispiece of the basilicke of the temple, 1 King 63. Their backs] for a signe that they had utterly renounced God and his service.

Ezekiel 8:17

Is it] Was it not evill enough to have violated the first Table, and my service, but they must also transgresse against the second Table, doing all manner of wickednesse towards men?But the branch] The Italian, Thrust a bough against, &c.] A terme taken from Travellers, who sometimes passing through thicke woods or hedgerowes, have oftentimes boughes that hit them in the face; The meaning is, seeking to despight me, all the harme redoundeth to themselves, Ier. 7. 19. Others, they bring the stinke to their owneoses; that is to say, they offend themselves by committiag such abominations.