Matthew Poole and continuators on Ezekiel 20:1

1 AND it came to pass in the seventh year, in the fifth month, the tenth day of the month, that certain of the elders of Israel came to enquire of the LORD, and sate before me.

Of Ieconiahs Captivity and Zedekiahs Reign, two years and five months before Nebuchadnezzar did besiege Ierusalem.

August.

Which answers to our 27th.

Men Heb. Some of note among the Elders, and Rulers of Israel. Either some of the Captives in Babylon, as most likely they were who chap. 8.1. came to him, or some of those, who were sent from Zedekiah to complement, or carry tribute to Nebuchadnezzar, as most like they were chap. 14.1.

Not of the Priests, or Levites, but of the Laity, civil Magistrates and Officers, who might be sent to view the state of Babylon, and to observe what posture things were in, the better to resolve on that Zedekiah, and his Councils were forming, whether 'twill be advisable to shake off the yoke of the King of Babylon by a Rebellion, or patiently bear it: And I conjecture this might be the main enquiry they made now, which was two years, and five months before the siege began, during which two years, and five months I suppose the design was resolved on, framed, provision made of all sorts, and at last a rebellion raised.

Prophets neither did pretend to, nor could they resolve such enquiries, but the Lord whom the Prophets did consult.

Whether it speak the quality of the persons that did not stand as mean persons, or their resolution to wait for answer, or be a phrase proper with the Jews to express the common deportment of the Countrey, I leave you to guesse.