Matthew Poole and continuators on Ezekiel 21:13

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.

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