Matthew Poole and continuators on Ezekiel 21

1 AND the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

A Command, or Direction to speak plainly, that none might quarrel with his obscurity.

2 Son of man, set thy face toward Jerusalem, and drop thy word toward the holy places, and prophesie against the land of Israel.

Put thy self in a posture may bespeak thy going to prophesie.

Or against Ierusalem, called chap. 20.46. Forest of South-field.

Of the phrase see chap. 20. ver. 46. let. p, as Rain from Heaven, so distil my word.

Either the Temple, and all the parts of it, which were three, the Porch, the Holy, and Holy of Holies, or their Synagogues, in which they met to Worship, and Read the Law, which were burnt up by this fire. Psal. 74.8.

Not only against Ierusalem, but the whole Land of Israel, from the South thereof to the North. As chap. 20. ver. 47.

3 And say to the land of Israel, thus saith the LORD; Behold I am against thee, and will draw forth my sword out of his sheath, and I will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked.

Publish it to all the people of the Land, if any will consider it.

'Tis not the severe and morose conjecture of a disturbed and injured man, let them know God the Lord speaks it.

Weigh this, I say 'tis of great Importance.

You think your selves more righteous than those that come against you, that they are Heathen, you my peculiar People, that my Temple is with you, and that I will be on your side; but be not deceived, for I am, and I will be against you.

As an Enemy resolved to slay.

The Chaldaean Army under Captains that are skilful to destroy.

I will bring them out of their Land, where they are now quiet, and at rest.

This Army shall not vanish, but effect what 'tis raised for, it shall make a general havock.

Or take away, out of the midst of thee, partly by the Sword, and partly by Captivity, or by Famine.

Some say here's meant such as seemed to be, but were not, just; but 'tis no unusual thing that in outward troubles, and publick calamities those who are indeed Righteous should be involved with others, nor do'es this contradict any places, which seem to promise a security to them; they may be chastified, but shall not be condemned.

Profane, ungodly, and vitious ones, who shall be cut off with double destruction.

4 Seeing then that I will cut off from thee the righteous, and the wicked, therefore shall my sword go forth out of his sheath against all flesh from the south to the north.

'Tis both my purpose and threat.

To do that by the Chaldaeans in such manner as it shall appear, I did it.

Signified by the green tree, chap. 20. ver. 47.

The dry tree, chap. 20. ver. 47.

Have a Commission, such as I gave Nebuchadnezzar, as large as is necessary for this work.

All the Iews, that dwell in the Land; it may somewhat reflect upon the Nations near about the Iews, as Moab and Ammon.

As it doth certainly denote the whole of the Land of Iudea, it may intimate the rise, and spring of this evil from the South, i. e. Babylon, and its progress Northward.

5 That all flesh may know, that I the LORD have drawn forth my sword out of his sheath: it shall not return any more.

They that smart and suffer may see, and own God in their just sufferings, they that see and hear it may confess God's doings herein.

In chap. 20.48. 'tis exprest thus, it shall not be quenched, for there 'twas a fire, here it shall not return into the scabbard till it hath done full execution.

6 Sigh therefore, thou son of man, with the breaking of thy loins; and with bitterness sigh before their eyes.

Thereby express to them deepest sorrows for what is present, and most piercing fears of what is to come.

Like a Woman in Travel, or as one whose griefs are ready to break his heart. Isa. 21. ver. 3.

With bitterness, with all sorts of the most bitter cries, and tears.

Who were now with him in Babylon, and who, as they easily could, so surely would send word to them in Ierusalem, and Iudea.

7 And it shall be, when they say unto thee, wherefore sighest thou? that thou shalt answer, For the tidings; because it cometh: and every heart shall melt, and all hands shall be feeble, and every spirit shall faint, and all knees shall be weak as water: behold it cometh, and shall be brought to pass, saith the Lord GOD.

This directs the Prophet what account to give them, when they shall, as they certainly will, enquire what he meaneth by such unusual sorrows.

Is it any private misery, that makes thee sigh thus, or do'es it bode evil to others, or to us?

The saddest News you ever heard is coming, 'twill most assuredly come.

The courage of the stoutest heart shall fail, which shall appear in the feebleness of their Hands, dejectedness of their Spirit, and their Knees not able to support the Body; such Terrors shall seize them as shall make them unable to shift from, or to make head against the evils, that come against them.

None can prevent it.

For the News that is told me from Heaven, for the certain Rumour of Nebuchadnezzars preparations, and march against you.

It shall have its full effect, nothing shall be wanting to your compleat undoing, and then, as I do for a sign to you, so you, and yours shall do under the sorrows signified, sigh, and weep, to their breaking your very heart.

Marginal references: Heb. go into water.

8 Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

This I suppose is a farther explication of what was said already of the Sword God draweth out against them; with a farther direction, or command how the Prophet should note out the nearness of the evil, is bade to speak plainly, and tell them they may see it.

9 Son of man, prophesie, and say, thus saith the LORD, Say, a sword is sharpned, and also furbished.

Prepared to wound, slay, and that with greater speed, and sureness.

To terrifie the weaker courage, to dazzle the Eyes of such as encounter it: In a word, the danger is as near, as if an army come up in array, and their swords in their hands ready to go on, and fight.

Marginal references: Deut. 32.41. ver. 15.18.; As if he pointed to it, crying out as one, that suddenly seeth some dreadful sight. A mighty Sword or many, so the ingemination may imply the Forces of Nebuchadnezzar and his Confederates.

10 It is sharpned to make a sore slaughter ; it is furbished, that it may glitter: should we then make e mirth? It contemneth the rod of my son as every tree.

To slay m[illegible: 1 letter]ny, and with as little regard, as men kill beasts or to offer whole herds of wicked men in sacrifice to the offended justice of God; much after this stile both David, Psal. 44.22. and Isaiah, chap. 34.6.

And strike a terrour into the Enemy.

Shall we allow our selves in jollity, in Feasts, or Dances, or Songs? This would be very uncomely.

This great, sharp, and glittering Sword appointed to cut off.

Marginal references: Or, It is the rod of my son, it despiseth every tree.

11 And he hath given it to be furbished, that it may be handled the sword is sharpened, and it is furbished, to give it into the hand of the slayer.

Slights and despiseth all the resistance that can be made against it, and reckons all former chastisements were, but as the Rod, wherewith a Son is corrected, but now the Sword of an Enemy is drawn out, and will cut off all: Or, Nebuchadnezzar despiseth your King the Royal Family, and Nobles which are compared to Gods. chap. 19, 10, 11. and would use them as he would every common tree of the Wood, as it appears he did, when he put out Zedekiah's Eyes, and bound him in chains as a Slave.

Either God, whose Sword it is, or Nebuchadnezzar, God's Servant herein. Some refer it to Christ who is Lord, and Soveraign of his Church, and Governour of the World.

Be the fitter for use in the hand of the Slayer, i. e. the Chaldaean.

12 Cry and howl, son of man: for it shall be upon my people, it shall be upon all the princes of Israel: terrours, by reason of the sword, shall be upon my people; smite therefore upon thy thigh.

As one in great distress, nay how unseemly soever it may appear, howl, that they may by this know what sorrows are coming on them, and how they, like wild Beasts taken in the Toiles, and Gins, shall howl.

The devouring Sword of Babylon shall certainly be upon all, high, and low.

Surrounding terrours, out of which no way to escape.

That Sword God will draw against them.

In token o[illegible: 1 letter] thy sense of what they must suffer, and to presignifie what their sorrows shall be, when they must express them by signs, because too great for words.

Marginal references: Or, [illegible: 1 letter]he thrust [illegible: 1 span] the sword my people.; Jer. 3[illegible: 1 letter].

13 Because it is a trial, and what if the sword contemn even the rod? it shall be no more, saith the Lord GOD.

It is a sore Tryal, therefore shew all the signs of grief, and sorrow, or it may refer to what follows in the verse thus, since this is the exploration, or Tryal, which I will make in so severe manner to bring them to Repentance, mourn for them, lest they should harden themselves,

The addition of Sword, which is not in the Original, hath perplexed the words in my thoughts. I would read them thus: And what if the Rod contemn? It shall be no more, That the sense run thus; But if the King and Kingdom of Iudah despise this Tryal, and harden themselves against this Sword, both shall be destroyed and be no more, for nothing, but a right use of this last Tryal could help them. Or else, if we must adhere to our version, what if it amount to this. All this is for probation, and tryal, not for utter extirpating Israel, saith God to his Prophet, who might propose this, what if the Sword contemn those bounds, and despise the King and Kingdom, and resolve to destroy them from being a Nation, as Isa. 10.6, 7. to this God gives answer thus; This he shall never effect, and in due time this Sword shall be no more; Babylon shall be destroyed; in so perplext a place I rather conjecture, than affirm.

Marginal references: Or, [illegible: 1 word] tryal [illegible: 1 word] what [illegible: 1 word] they [illegible: 1 span] long to [illegible: 1 span] ▪

14 Thou therefore, son of man, prophesie, and smite thine hands together; and let the sword be doubled the third time, the sword of the slain : it is the sword of the great men that are slain, which entreth into their privy chambers.

Either in token of amazement, and sorrow, or else to signify what pleasure it should be to see justice executed on obstinate Rebels, or rather as ver. 17. clap thy hands to awaken and hearten the Babylonians on to the slaughter.

Wherewith many shall be slain.

Which were Princes, and Captains, and Rulers.

Searcheth the most secret rooms, where they slew such as they found hidden in hope to escape.

Perhaps 'tis too curious to search out, what particular Calamities are pointed out by this trebled Sword; whether 1. Zedekiah's Captivity with many of the Princes. And 2. Taking of the City, 3. killing of Gedaliah and those with him: To be sure it speaks both the certainty of the thing, and the greatness of the Affliction.

Marginal references: Heb. [illegible: 1 word] hand.

15 I have set the point of the sword against all their gates, that their heart may faint, and their ruines be multiplied: Ah, it is made bright it is wrapt up for the slaughter.

The Lord hath gathered them together round about Ierusalem, with their Swords sharpned and drawn at every gate to slay who so attempt to come out, or to slay all they meet with when they take the City.

Both of meaner Cities, of their Palaces, and private Houses.

As what heart can be thought able to retain its courage, when beset with Death by an Enemies sword, which killeth all that come out, and entreth to kill all that stay within.

For Number made many, for Nature made very great.

Prepared, brightned, and sharpned.

And hath been carefully kept in the Scabbard, that it might keep its edge, and not be blunted.

Marginal references: Or, [illegible: 1 word] or, [illegible: 1 word].; Or, [illegible: 1 word]

16 Go thee one way, or other, either on the right hand, or on the left, whithersoever thy face is set.

O Sword, take thy own course, O ye Slaughter men, ye Babylonian S[illegible: 1 letter]uldiers, all is open before you, go which way you will, I have brought you to waste the Land from South to North, begin where you will, and proceed as you will, none shall be able to resist you.

Marginal references: Heb. [illegible: 1 word] self, take [illegible: 1 word] hand.

17 I will also smite my hands together, and I will cause my fury to rest. I the LORD have said it.

In token of my approbation, and well-pleasedness in those executions, which the Chaldeans shall finish against you, those hands, that were used to restrain and check, shall excite, and encourage your Enemies.

See chap. 5.13. let. c. d.

19 Also thou son of man, appoint thee two ways, that the sword of the king of Babylon may come: both twain shall come forth out of one land, and choose thou a place, choose it at the head of the way to the city.

Paint, mark out, or describe on Tile or Tablet as chap. 4. 1. two roads and set it before they Countrey-men in Babylon, and let them know that the Arms, and Sword of Nebuchadnezzar are designed for exploits, where those ways lead them, thus Typically Ezekiel foretells the Invasion, the King of Babylon would make.

The ways, though two in the course, they lead as streams that divide, and multiply, yet

must take their rise from one and the same Land, that is Babylon; there the Prophet must begin to mark out the way, which is to be drawn out, till it divide into two.

Pitch on some convenient place, where thou mayst place Nebuchadnezzars Army, he, and his council of War consulting where this one way divides into two, which was on the edge of the Desert of Arabia as Nebuchadnezzar pursued his march from Babylon.

Either, where the way begins at Babylon. Or rather at the head where each distinct way runs out, toward either Rabbath of the Ammonites, or Ierusalem; for there Nebuchadnezzar will cast lots,

20 Appoint a way, that the sword may come to Rabbath of the Ammonites , and to Judah in Jerusalem the defenced.

This Royal City of the Ammonites, it seems, the King of Babylon had a quarrel with, as well, as with Ierusalem, and he was resolved, when he came out of Babylon, to set upon one of them. There were two or three Cities of this name Rabba, or Rabbath, one in the Tribe of Iudah, one in Issachar, one in Moab, but this in the Text is distinguisht by Rabbath of the Ammonites.

They were the Children of Lots daughter by incestuous mixture.

i. e. The Jews, the Land for the people of the Land.

Particularly against Ierusalem.

Whose Fortifications do now as little discourage, as they shall ere long hinder Nebuchadnezzar from taking the City and destroying it.

21 For the king of Babylon r stood at the parting of the way , at the head of the two wayes, to use divination: he made his arrows bright, he consulted with images, he looked in the liver.

On the borders of Arabia the Desert, to which one Road brings Travellers from Babylon, but henceforward it divides, and becomes two, one leading to Ierusalem, the other to Rabbath.

To consult with his Gods, and to cast lots and here the Prophet foretels what divination he useth.

This, the first kind of divination he used by Arrows, ([non-Latin text not transcribed]) either writing on them the names of the Cities, and Countreys, then putting them into a quiver, and there mixing them, and thence drawing them out, and concluding according, as the names were, which were on the Arrows, or perhaps by shooting the arrows and judging by the flight, or casting them up in the air, and divining by their fall, as beggars are said to go, as their staffe falls. So then if Ierusalem were on the first arrow drawn out of the quiver, or if the arrows best flew, or most fell that way, toward Ierusalem, Nebuchadnezzar will take that way.

The next way of divining was by asking counsel of his idol, or image, which being made artificially by the skill of their jugling Priests, and Conjurers with little help they could give answers, and the image spake aloud what the Sorcerer spake more softly, somewhat like the artificial whispering places which convey the voice from unseen persons, or by a divine permission, the Devil gave them answers from those Images.

The third divination is by Sacrifice, and judging of future prosperous or unprosperous events by the Entrails, and more especially by the Liver its position and colour. All these he used, that with greater confidence of success he might proceed.

The Prophet by reason of the certainty of the thing speaketh of what shall be as if 'twere already, he stood i. e. he will make a halt, pitch his camp, and consult.

Marginal references: Heb. mother [illegible: 1 word] the way.; Or, knives.; Heb. Teraphim.

22 At his right hand was the divination for Jerusalem to appoint captains , to open the mouth in the slaughter, to lift up the voice with shouting , to appoint battering rams against the gates , to cast a mount and to build a fort .

Either the divination, which concerned Ierusalem was managed on his right hand, that way the arrows thrown, the images stood, and sacrifices were offered, or else the lot drawn with the right hand of the Priest came forth for Ierusalem. The promising lot, encouraging tokens were those which directed this superstitious Idolatrous King to attacque Ierusalem first, and this by the overruling providence of God, who determined by infinite wisdom what seemed to blind men to be the event designed by their divinations.

Now Nebuchadnezzar sets all in order pursuant to his observance of the Diviners.

The commanders of his Forces, and their particular charges in the march, and siege he did, 'tis probable, assign them by lot, [illegible: 1 letter]s is ordinary where greatest dangers attend the charges.

To assault the City where breaches were made, and storm the battered Walls to slay the defenders, and to run the hazzard of being slain by them.

So all the barbarous fierce nations did with shouts, and hideous noises assault, and fight their Enemies, and with this they hoped to terrifie, and amaze them, and so more easily master them, and so these Babylonians did, as may be collected from Psal. 137.7. and Ier. 51.14. where Babylon shall be repayed her shouts.

Engines made to beat down walls, and they had this name from the Iron or Brass-head, which usually was at the end of it like unto the head of a Ram.

Which might more easily be broken, and beat down.

In a siege of some length Mounts must be raised to offend the besieged by shooting from the tops of them into the City, and to defend the Besiegers, and the toil, and danger hereof seems here to be cast on both overseers, and labourers too by lot.

Wooden Towers, now all these w[illegible: 1 letter]rks being thus by lot disposed, the wary Tyrant prevents the murmurs of his Commanders, and Souldiers, and insinuates a courage into them by the pretences of assured success, and his Idols approving them.

Marginal references: chap. 4.2.; Or, battering [illegible: 1 word].; Heb. rams.

23 And it shall be unto them as a false divination in their sight to them that have sworn oaths: but he will call to remembrance the iniquity , that they may be taken.

The Jews who shall, either not believe, that Nebuchadnezzar did so consult, or else that 'tis a vain, false and lying divination, which will delude him, that believes it, but never hurt them who deride it.

Zedekiah his Princes, and Nobles who swore Allegiance to the King of Babylon first, and afterward conspired with Egypt, and by new, and contrary oathes perjured themselves, provokt, as well as dishonoured God, and enraged Nebuchadnezzar to revenge their perfidiousness, these perjured persons will contemn all predictions of the Prophet, and all the preparations of the King of Babylon.

Nebuchadnezzar.

Will think on, and throughly weigh, and impart it also to his Council, as the ground of his War.

The great wickedness of their perjury, and rebellion.

Both Zedekiah, and the Jews with him may be subdued, taken Captives, and the Kingdom overthrown, the City burnt, and they sent into Babylon.

Marginal references: Or, for the oaths made unto them.

24 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have made your iniquity to be remembred, in that your transgressions are discovered , so that in all your doings your sins do appear, because , I say, that ye are come to remembrance, ye shall be taken with the hand .

Either referring to God, who saw still their wicked perjuries, and other sins, which they persisted in, or rather referring to Nebuchadnezzar, and his Ministers of state, and war, to whose memory all the falsehood of the Jews was still kept up fresh by repeated disloyalty with reproach to God, whose oath the King, and inhabitants of Ierusalem had violated.

Against God, and against the King of Babylon, whose yoke you submitted to with promised obedience.

Visibly to all in Court, City, and Countrey.

Publick manage of matters of the Kingdom, and private too, you add sin to sin, and that without blushing for them, or hiding them.

The whole summ'd up for confirming the threats.

As Birds, or Beasts taken in the net encompassed therein, that they cannot get away, are taken with the hand, so shall you, and be carried into Babylon.

25 ¶ And thou , profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end.

Zedekiah.

Tainted with secret deep irreligious opinions, whence he despised God, and his oath, and prophaned the name of God.

So much was his royal dignity lessened, that indeed he was rather a Prince subject, and dependent, then a King.

Day of sorrows, and sufferings, and punishment is at hand.

The irreligion, which is spread by thee among thy Courtiers shall cease to spread it self, because of thy low estate. Or, when iniquity shall bring the fatal ruine of King, and Kingdom, and both shall be destroyed, and with the overthrow of your state the opportunities, and means of sinning shall end too.

Marginal references: verse 2[illegible: 1 letter].

26 Thus saith the Lord GOD, Remove the diadem and take off the crown : this shall not be the same , exalt him that is low , and abase him that is high .

Either God speaks to the Prophet to declare the thing, or to Nebuchadnezzar to do the thing, to take away the Diadem, the Royal tire of the head, which the King did ordinarily, and dayly wear.

Which was a Royal ornament used on solemnities, and more then ordinary occasions, Or, it may be one thing in doubled expressions of the deposing of Zedekiah.

The Kingdom, and Crown shall never be what it hath been, as we say of one greatly altered, he is not himself. So here. This shall not be the same, 'twas great, glorious and flourishing but hereafter small, dependent, ignoble, and withering.

Ieconiah, 'tis probable the Prophet foretels the advance of this Captive King, which came to pass in the 37th. year of Ieconiahs Captivity in the first year of Merodach, 2 Kin. 25.27, 28.29. and Ier. 52.31. who exalted his seat above all the Captive Kings in Babylon.

Now in captivity in Babylon.

Zedekiah.

Not now on the Throne of Iudah strengthned with the Confederacy of Egypt, on which he relieth, and exalteth himself, and bears himself high against the Prophet, the King of Babylon, and which is most insolent against the God of Heaven.

27 I will overturn , overturn, overturn it, and it shall be no more, until he come, whose right it is, and I will give it him.

As this triplication of the threat speaks the certainty of the event, so the gradual, successive troubles, and overthrows, that this Kingdom should ever after be afflicted with.

Never recover its former glory, and strength, but consume, till the Scepter be quite taken away from Iudah, and way be made for the Messiah, who is he that is to come, whose is the Dominion and to whom the Father will give it, so the final desolation of the temporal Kingdom of the seed of David, which was most heavy tidings to the carnal Jew is threatned, and the eternal Kingdom of the Messiah, most joyful tidings to the believing Jews, is promised.

Marginal references: Heb. perve[illegible: 1 letter]ted▪ perverted, perverted will I make it.

28 ¶ And thou, son of man, prophesie, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning the Ammonites, and concerning their reproach ; even say thou, the sword, The sword is drawn , for the slaughter it is furbished, to consume because of the glittering .

In ver. 19. and 20. you had the mention of Rabbath chief City of the Ammonites in equal danger with Ierusalem, but while Ierusalem is threatned, Rabbath is no farther minded, till now God directs the Prophet to declare the ruine thereof.

A stout, but proud, injurious, and insulting people.

Wherewith they reproacht Israel in the day of Israels afflictions as Ier. 49.1. and chap. 25.3, 5, 6. and blasphemed the God of Israel.

All warlike preparations are made against you.

The War is declared, and your enemy hath drawn the Sword, vid. 9, 10, 11.

To make waste, by avenging former quarrels, and affronts the Babylonish King comes out with bloody mind against you O Ammonites! you countenanced Ismael, who slew Gedaliah Viceroy by Nebuchadnezzars appointment, and you would have set Ismael on the Throne, this affront you shall satisfie for with your blood.

Verse 9, 10.

Marginal references: Zeph. 2.9.

29 Whiles they see vanity unto thee, whiles they divine a lie unto thee, to bring thee upon the necks of them that are slain, of the wicked whose day is come, when their iniquity shall have an end .

War, and desolation indeed hasten on thee, though in mean while thy Astrologers, and Soothsayers promise peace, and prosperity, and deceive thee with fair, but false divinations, of which Ieremiah warns them, Ier. 27.9.

To bring thee under the Sword of the Chaldeans, and to destroy thee as the Jews are, who already are fallen under the destroying Sword, to make thee stumble and fall on their necks, as men, that fall among a multitude of slain.

i. e. both Jews, and their King, as ver, 25. let. b.

See ver. 25. l. c.

Marginal references: chap. 22.28.

30 Shall I cause it to return into his sheath? I will judge thee in the place where thou wast created , in the land of thy Nativity.

Some read it without interrogation, as an advice to the Ammonites to put up the Sword they had drawn for their defence, as being to no purpose to resist, if it be an interrogation, 'tis such as more vehemently denieth. God will by no means suffer the Sword to be sheathed, in this sense it refers to the Sword of the Chaldeans.

Plead, condemn, and execute too.

Explained by that which follows, though they might boast of their antient original, and their safe and impregnable strengths, yet God will bring a Sword into those very places, and there they should perish.

Marginal references: Or, cause it to return.; Jer. 47.6, 7.

31 And I will pour out mine indignation upon thee, I will blow against thee in the fire of my wrath, and deliver thee into the hand of brutish men, and skilful to destroy.

As a flood sweeps all away, so God will let out his indignation to overwhelm the Ammonites.

As those who melt down mettals blow upon the Mettal in the Fire, that the Fire might burn the fiercer, and consume the dross.

Or, as there is no hope to one delivered up to barbarous, merciless ruffians, whose Trade is to destroy, so will God deal with these Ammonites.

Marginal references: Or, burning.

32 Thou shalt be for fewel to the fire, thy blood shall be in the midst of the land, thou shalt be no more remembred : for I the LORD have spoken it.

Rabbath, and thy people.

Which is soon, and unavoidably consumed in such a furnace.

Thy name shall perish.

Thou shalt no where be safe, or thy bloud shall not be covered, nor thou buried.