Matthew Poole and continuators on Ezekiel 17

2 Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable to the house of Israel.

A dark saying, which calls for thorough consideration to understand, and apply it, because the meaning is different to the sound of the words.

The same thing redoubled in different words. And 'tis likely the Prophet is commanded to use a parable, because those Eastern People were much used to, and taken with this kind of discourse.

i. e. The remainders of the house of Israel, whether of the ten Tribes, or of the Two Tribes.

These two verses are preface to what follows in the Chapter.

3 And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; A great eagle with great wings, long winged, full of feathers, which had divers colours, came unto Lebanon, and took the highest branch of the Cedar:

Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon, as ver. 12. compared to a great Eagle, King of Birds, swift, strong, rapacious, and of a lofty flight.

Mighty Provinces on each side of his Kingdom.

His Kingdom was vastly extended, as Dan. 3.3. and 4.1. the greatest King then living.

His Kingdom was very full of People.

Were of divers Nations, Languages and Manners, so that this Eagle may be well thought to be that sort, which is greatest in the kind, and best resembleth him, who was the greatest Monarch in the World at that time.

Invaded with a mighty army; he came not as a Traveller to please his curiosity, but as an invader to enlarge his dominion.

Either the Temple built with Cedars of Lebanon, or Ierusalem the chief City of the Countrey where this great, fruitful and pleasant Hill was, or the whole Countrey set forth by its chiefest Hill, which runs about 125 miles in length, and encloseth the Land of Iudea on the North side.

Took captive and carried away with him.

The King of Iudah, Iehojachin.

Either the royal Family, or rather, the whole nation of the Jews.

Marginal references: Heb. rendering.

4 He cropt off the top of his young twigs, and carried it into a land of traffick; he set it in a city of merchants.

Nebuchadnezzar surnamed the great.

As a Gardiner that crops off the goodliest cions, and carrieth them away to graft on some other stock.

Both the King of Iudah, now 18 years old, and the Nobles and Chief of the Land.

Into Babylon which was a City of mighty Trade, explained farther by being a City of Merchants, and peculiarly of Merchants that traded in sweet Spices and odoriferous gums.

5 He took also of the seed of the land, and planted it in a fruitful field; he placed it by great waters, and set it as a willow tree.

Nebuchadnezzar.

Chose out one to be King instead of Iehojachin.

A Native, and which is more, one of the Royal Family Mattaniah, whom he called Zedekiah.

Setled him on the Throne of Iudah.

A field fit for such a design, in the Land of Iudea.

The Prophet goeth on in his allusion, and explains what he meant, compares this new made King to a willow, which grows no where so well as in a wet soil, and on banks of great waters.

Marginal references: Heb. [illegible: 1 word] a field [illegible: 1 span].

6 And it grew, and became a spreading vine of low stature, whose branches turned toward him, and the roots thereof were under him: so it became a vine, and brought forth branches, and shot forth sprigs.

Both the King and Kingdom.

Took root, grew up to a tolerable condition of riches, plenty and prosperity.

But never reacht the height of the Cedar, Nebuchadnezzar, though he made Zedekiah King, yet kept him subject and dependent.

They grew and flourisht, while they owned their state tributary to Babylon.

All the firmness, fruitfulness, and life of this state, was in a subjection to the King of Babylon.

Thus, in this order and manner of dependence, both the Jews and their King had life, growth, and verdure.

Younger and tenderer springles, as Children the hope of future times.

Nebuchadnezzar as their protector, benefactor, and sovereign Lord.

Greater, and stronger boughs for present strength, beauty, and fruit.

7 There was also another great eagle with great wings and many feathers: and behold, this vine did bend her roots towards him, and shot forth her branches towards him, that he might water it by the furrows of her plantation.

This is the second part of the Parable.

i. e. The King of Egypt whether A[illegible: 1 letter]ies, or H[illegible: 3 letters]ra, or what other was his name we need not curiously enquire, 'twas King of Egypt, ver. 15.

Vid. ver. 3.

Z[illegible: 1 letter]dekiah, his Nobles and People.

Sought the friendship and help of the King of Egypt.

Sent Embassadours, made a Covenant, and trusted to the power of Egypt to defend her branches.

That they might adde to their greatness, and prosperous condition, as Trees grow by due and seasonable watering them.

Alluding to the manner of irrigation used in Egypt, by furrows or trenches to convey the water unto their Plantations from the River Nilus.

8 It was planted in a good soil by great waters, that it might bring forth branches, and that it might bear fruit, that it might be a goodly vine.

By Nebuchadnezzar in a very, hopeful condition, where it might have thrived, been fruitful, and flourished. But they, both King and People were unthankful, and discontented and by sinful courses seek to better themselves; they had no great or just cause to complain of Nebuchadnezzars usage towards them, but out of pride, ambition and ingratitude joined with perjury, they revolt, and provoke Gods wrath, and Nebuchadnezzars rage against them.

Marginal references: Heb. field.

9 Say thou, Thus saith the Lord GOD; shall it prosper? shall he not pull up the roots thereof, and cut off the fruit thereof, that it wither? It shall wither in all the leaves of her spring, even without great power, or many people to pluck it up by the roots thereof.

Tell them what will be the issue of all this, and tell it to them in my name.

This Vine, shall Zedekiah and his People thrive by this? 'tis a question that must be resolved negatively and with vehemency.

Nebuchad[illegible: 2 letters]zzar.

Utterly overthrow this Kingdom which he had set up, destroy the King thereof.

Put to the Sword and slay the Children of Zedekiah and of the Nobles.

Never be in possibility of springing, so much is threatned by the withering of the branches.

All the promising hope they had shall vanish as the hope of a Tree vanisheth, when all its buds and leaves wither in its spring.

The King of Babylon shall do this easily, and never need to imploy all his Power, and People to do this, utterly to root up this Vine.

10 Yea, behold, being planted, shall it prosper? shall it not utterly wither, when the east wind toucheth it? it shall wither in the furrows where it grew.

Nay suppose this contrivance were successful, suppose this Vine were planted by the help of Egypt.

Could it possibly prosper, no, no.

When the King of Babylon, which like the blasting Wind comes from the North East, shall but touch it, twill utterly wither.

Even amidst its greatest and best helps to make it flourish. This discontent, ingratitude, and treachery, will occasion the utter ruine of this People.

12 Say now to the rebellious house, know ye not what these things mean? tell them, Behold, the king of Babylon is come to Jerusalem, and hath taken the king thereof, and the princes thereof, and led them with him to Babylon.

This is the order God gives to his Prophet to explain the Riddle.

To the house of Iudah, which have been, and still are rebellious against me, and are now entring into rebellion against Nebuchadnezzar.

Are ye so blockish, that you do not know what is meant, or are you so secure, that you will not consider it, but run on your own ruine.

The King of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar is that first great Eagle with part of his Power.

Ierusalem is the Lebanon, which he is come to.

The King of Israel, and his seed, and Nobles are the branches and twigs cropt off, these are taken, conquered, made captives.

Judging them unfit to be trusted any more, he will, though in chains, carry them to Babylon.

13 And hath taken of the kings seed, and made a covenant with him, and hath taken an oath of him: he hath also taken the mighty of the land:

First taken Iehojachin, and his Princes Captives, and next, taken out from amidst the Royal seed Mattaniah, and advanced him to the throne in Ierusalem.

By solemn agreement, and on terms approved and accepted by Mattaniah, for performance of which terms he hath obliged himself by publick Promise.

Because Nebuchadnezzar would be secure he made Mattaniah enter into an oath, changed his name into Zedekiah, as a fit memorial, who should avenge the crime, if this captive restored should perjure himself.

The rich, honourable, valiant, wise and who might (if rebellion ever arose among the Jews) be able to make head, and do mischief against the Babylonian King.

Of Iudea.

Marginal references: 2 Chron. [illegible: 1 letter]6.13.; Heb. brought [illegible: 1 letter]im to an oath.

14 That the kingdom might be base, that it might not lift it self up, but that by keeping of his covenant it might stand.

So plainly and openly did N[illegible: 1 letter]buchad[illegible: 1 letter]ezzar deal with the Jews.

The tributary Kingdom whereof Zedekiah is Ro[illegible: 1 letter]telet.

Low in Power.

Rise up into rebellion, or be so considerable, as to encourage any neighbour King to assist and confederate with them against Babylon.

Continuing faithful, and performing the conditions.

Either Nebuchadnezzar's, by imposing, or Zedekiahs by submitting to it, and obliging himself by it.

The Kingdom of the Jews.

Continue and [illegible: 1 letter]lourish.

Marginal references: Heb. to keep his covenant to stand to it ▪

15 But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses, and much people: shall he prosper? shall he escape that doth such things? or shall he break the covenant, and be delivered?

Zedekiah.

Endeavoured to cast off the dominion of the conqueror.

Nebuchadnezzar who had advanced him, and obliged him.

This is that called bending his roots toward the second Eagle.

An old bitter Enemy, and an impotent and false friend.

Beside the perjury, here was a cursed trusting to an arm of flesh, of which Isa. 31.1.

Zedekiah had not men to set upon his hired horses; Egypt must help here too, how sottishly doth this unhappy Zedekiah act to run himself on the charge and hazard of a new War, in which who ever is the gainer, he and his are sure to be the losers.

See ver. 9, 10.

Can it be likely vengeance should not overtake such ingratitude.

Can perjury be the way for any mans deliverance? Can [illegible: 1 letter]uch notorious sinning end in any thing, but misery?

Marginal references: 2 King 24.20; Isa. 31.1, 3.

16 As, I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely in the place where the king dwelleth that made him king, whose oath he despised, and whose covenant he brake, even with him in the midst of Babylon he shall die.

As sure as I am God, and live, I will punish this perjury.

A particular account of the Punishment.

Babylon.

Nebuchadnezzar.

Zedekiah.

The oath Nebuchadnezzar imposed.

Contemptuously, without any just cause given, and therefore this perfidious Prince could never expect more favour, but must in reason fear the greatest severities, under this fear Zedekiah shall spend the rest of his dayes.

He shall rather be alwayes dying, for though he lived a natural life, yet 'twas in such sadness, it is more properly stiled a dying, in blindness under the memorial of the most afflictive sight. The murther of his Children, which was the last thing his eye ever beheld.

Marginal references: Jer 32.5. and 34.3. ch. 12.13.

17 Neither shall Pharaoh with his mighty army and great company make for him in the war, by casting up mounts, and building forts, to cut off many persons.

Let his army be made up of ever so many well disciplined Souldiers, if as many as the Egyptian can vainly promise, or the Jews more vainly hope.

Possibly it may refer to the multitudes, which usually attended the march of armies, or else tis a doubling the thing in doubled words.

If▪ Zedekiah be the person, as our version carrieth it, it foretells the unprofitableness of the Egyptian army, that shall not do him any kindness, if Nebuchadnezzar be intended, as the version which renders the Hebr. particle (against) then it foretells the little hurt that the Egyptians shall do to Nebuchadnezzar.

When Nebuchadnezzar shall with so much speed, and skill cast up Forts and build Mounts, wooden Castles to annoy Ierusalem, secure his own Forces, and terrifie the Egyptian King from the difficulty of raising the siege, which could not be done without expence of much blood.

Of the besieged in Ierusalem, and of the Egyptians, if they attempt to raise the siege, this sense it bears in the French Version.

Marginal references: Jer. 52.4. chap. 4.2.

18 Seeing he despised the oath by breaking the covenant, when lo, he had given his hand, and hath done all these things, he shall not escape.

This verse gives us the reason of this unhappy enterprise, which is summed up in wilful, presumptuous, and most unparallel'd perjury.

Zedekiah.

A solemn confirming the oath, or covenant, and imployes the voluntary act of Zedekiah in swearing, which makes the perjury so much the fouler.

Too bad to be named, and most unbecoming any one that was a beneficiary, and had so much from the bounty of one, that was not obliged to do any thing for him.

19 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, As I live, surely mine oath which he hath despised, and my covenant that he hath broken, even it will I recompense upon his own head.

Vid. 16.48.

Made in my name, and of which I am both witness and avenger.

Zedekiah.

Vid. chap. 16.59. and 17.18.

I will punish, as it deserveth, and it shall appear by the punishment, that my hand doth execute it.

'Tis probable some Courtiers might advise to it, but this will not excuse Zedekiah, his perjury was his own act, and on his own head, as I charge, so I will punish it.

20 And I will spread my net upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare, and I will bring him to Babylon, and will plead with him there for his trespass that he hath trespassed against me.

Vide chap. 12. ver. 13. where the former part of this verse is word for word.

Or be judged with him, i. e. The Heathen shall both see what I do against this man, they shall consider why I do so, and be judge whether I do more than this perjur'd King deserves, or else, I will punish him with continued punishments from my own hand, or by the hand of Neb[illegible: 1 letter]chadnezzar, suitable to the greatness of his trespass against me.

Falsehoods to men in breaking Oaths and Covenants, are in a high degree trespasses against God.

Marginal references: Chap. 32.3.

21 And all his fugitives with all his bands shall fall by the sword, and they that remain shall be scattered towards all winds, and ye shall know that I the LORD have spoken it.

Not strictly, but in large sense: All, i. e. the greatest part, as Ier. 13.19. and 44.22. Mat. 2.3. and 3.5.

Who, at the taking of Ierusalem, attempt to fly with their King.

His Guards probably of stoutest men reserved to convey him in safety from the pursuing Enemy.

The Enemy shall overtake, and cut in pieces.

The few that do escape shall be scattered abroad among Strangers, who will shew them very little kindness.

The miseries these people shall fall under, shall be of such weight and continuance, that all shall know 'tis the execution of an extraordinary wrath from Heaven against them.

Marginal references: Chap. 12.14.

22 Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also take of the highest branch of the high cedar, and will set it; I will crop off from the top of his young twig, a tender one, and will plant it upon an high mountain and eminent.

Whereas the Judgments threatned might seem to threaten the utter extirpation of the seed of David; now the Lord is pleased to assure its continuance, and the raising of the Messiah from that house according to promise.

Nebuchadnezzar took and planted, and I will also take and plant saith the Lord.

Of the royal seed of the House of David; of the highest branch that is Heir to the Throne, in the Type Zoro[illegible: 1 letter]abel, in the Antitype, Messiah.

Both set or plant, and give increase to his Kingdom, that from a tender one, he should grow up to great strength, victory, and glory.

Upon Mount Sion, Psal. 2.6. or as Isa. 2.2, 3.

Not for outward splendor, but for spiritual advantages above other Nations in the Church, eminent.

23 In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it; and it shall bring forth boughs and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing, in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell.

Either the Church, or Ierusalem, whence the Law of Christ was to be published, and where the preachers of the Gospel wer[illegible: 1 letter] to continue till furnisht with abilities for that work.

Like a Tree that taketh root, and spreadeth forth into branches, so the Kingdom of Christ should grow.

Be fruitful in good works, not flourishing in boughs and leaves only, but much more in excellent fruits of Holyness, Justice, and Temperance, and in Joy, Peace, and Love.

The goodliest that ever grew, most excellent, and most durable.

All Nations, the Gentiles as well as the Jews, shall build, breed, and multiply under the Kingdom of Christ, it shall be no more confined to the Jews, but extend to the Gentiles also.

There they shall find peace and safety, and this repeated confirms the certainty of the promise.

And all the trees of the field shall know that I the LORD have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree; have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry to flourish: I the LORD have spoken, and have done it.

The great ones on Earth, all considering persons.

See and confess.

Zedekiah that would neither hearken to me, my Prophets, or to Nebuchadnezzar, or the Kingdom of Babylon, which was brought low indeed, when overthrown by Darius and Cyrus.

Either Iehoiachin's lineage, or the Church which, of low, was exalted by the Lord, bending Cyrus to that work of restoring the Captivity from Babylon, and building the City and house of God; its meaning is the advancing the Kingdom of Christ, and suppressing the Enemies thereof.

The same thing exprest in somewhat different words.

The Power, Goodness, and Faithfulness of God, who can do what he pleaseth, and will do what he promiseth, is the assurance of the future accomplishment of his word.