Matthew Poole and continuators on Ezekiel 26

1 AND it came to pass in the eleventh year , in the first day of the month , that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

Of Ieconiah's Captivity, the y[illegible: 2 letters]r, wherein Ierusalem was taken.

That Month, which followed the taking Ierusalem, i. e. the fifth month; for Ierusalem was taken on the fourth month, ninth day, and in twenty days after the news was brought to Tyrus, which behaved her self, as the Prophet will declare.

2 Son of man, Because that Tyrus hath said against Jerusalem, Aha , she is broken that was the gates of the people: she is turned unto me: I shall be replenished , now she is laid waste.

The City for the People, 'tis probable it was a universal joy, therefore ascribed to the whole City built on a Rock, and Island of the same name, not far distant from the Continent, a very great Traded Port, and City.

Either God revealed this to the Prophet so soon as these insulting Tyrians spoke it, or else Ezekiel speaks of it prophetically, and as if 'twere done.

Shew'd grea[illegible: 1 letter] joy at the fall of Ierusalem, and triumpht over her.

By Nebuchadnezzars Army.

Near to the Gates of the Cities were usually the great Merchants, and so here Ierusalem is called the great Mart of Nations and People from all parts resorting to her for Trade, or Religion.

Trad[illegible: 2 letters]g interest will turn to me, they, that did carry Merchandize to Ierusalem, will now bring it to me.

Have full Trade, my Haven full of Ships, Streets full of Buyers and Sellers, Shops full of Wares, Houses full of Lodgers, and Purses full of Money.

She reflected on wasted Ierusalem with Joy, which was impious, iniurious, and inhumane to rejoyce in the ruine of her Neigh[illegible: 1 letter]our.

Marginal references: Isa. 23. Jer. 25.22. and 47.4. Amo. 1.9. Zech. 9.2.; chap. 25.3.

3 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold I am against thee, O Tyrus, and will cause many nations to come up against thee, as the sea causeth his waves to come up.

And if God be against them, they'l soon have Enemies enough too against them, God purposeth, threatneth, and assureth them, he is, and will be against them.

For Number, and Mighty for Strength, Riches, Authority, and Fea[illegible: 1 letter]s of War already done.

With such Violence, Constancy, swelling in height, and making thee fear the issue, so shall the Babylonians come.

4 And they shall destroy the walls of Tyrus, and break down her Towers : I will also scrape her dust from her, and make her like the top of a rock.

Batter and demolish with their mighty Engines, which shall shake, disjoint, and beat down the strongest parts of their Walls.

Undermine, that they may tumble at once, or else employ hands to take them down, as men pull down Buildings.

Watch Towers, and those that were for defence, and safety of their City▪ which from their greatness have their name, Migdol.

I will leave thee nothing, thou shalt be scrapt, and brusht, and swept, that not so much as dust shall remain to thee.

As bare as was the Rock, on which thy City is built before Wealth, Beauty, Buildings, and strength was brought to it by mans industry.

5 It shall be a place for the spreading of nets in the midst of the sea: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD; and it shall become a spoil to the nations .

As barren sandy Islets in the midst of the Sea, good for nothing, but to dry Fishermens Nets, shalt thou be.

A prey, though the contexture of the words place this after its being made so bare, and poor, yet we are to observe, that these last words give us account how this poverty and barrenness shall come upon thy rich City; the Nations shall spoil her with thirteen years long siege, interruption of Trade, living on the quick stock, and finally taken on surrender.

Babylonians, and their Confederates, who made the Tyrians pay the reckoning.

6 And her daughters which are in the field shall be slain by the sword ; and they shall know that I am the LORD .

Either the lesser Cities, which were as Daughters to Tyre, a phrase most familiar to the Scriptures, or else their Virgins, and Daughters of the Family.

On the firm Land, if you mean Cities; or surprized in the fields, whether taking the Air, or seeking to scape, if you mean Daughters in the latter sense.

Barbarous Souldiers shall spare none.

Cap. 25. ver. 17.

7 For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will bring upon Tyrus Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon, a king of kings, from the north , with horses , and with chariots , and with horsemen , and companies , and much people .

Vid. chap. 23. ver. 46.

So he stiled himself according to the vaunting manner of those Countreys, and indeed, by the right of Conquest, he was King of Kings, having many Tributary Kings under him, and many Captive Kings with him in Babylon. 2 Kings. 18.28. Ier. 52.32.

So was Babylon accounted to lye, as observed, chap. 1. ver. 4. though it did not lie full North, but had some points of the North from Tyre.

Those Eastern Kings had store of horses, and used many in their Wars; see ver. 11.

See chap. 23. ver. 24. let. d.

See chap. 23. ver. 12.

An Assembly of all sorts, from all parts of the large Kingdom of Babylon.

A mighty Army for fighting, and mighty train of hangers on, who were ready enough to do mischief to the Country, though not very fit to assist the Army, if need required, these would sweep all before them where ere they came.

8 He shall slay with the sword thy daughters in the field : and he shall make a fort against thee, and cast a mount against thee, and lift up the buckler against thee.

See ver. 6. let. y.

See chap. 4. ver. 2. l[illegible: 1 letter]t. o. and chap. 17. ver. 17. let. s.

He shall draw a line round about thee, and build-Bastions, raise Sconces to defend the lines, to keep in the besieged, and secure the besiegers, or he shall pour out the shot, mighty stones, or the like out of the Engines framed, and placed on the Forts before mentioned, for so did they of old build mighty wooden Towers, there placed Engines, out of which they could fling mighty stones, or darts against the besieged, who were much annoyed from these high Towers, overlooking their Walls and Streets that none could stir out.

See chap. 23. ver. 24. let. g.

Marginal references: Or, pour out [illegible: 1 word] engine of shot

9 And he shall set engines of war against thy walls, and with his axes he shall break down thy towers.

These were mighty Engines, whatever form made of, and had their description here from the irresistable Force, wherewith they cast stones, and beat down all before them.

Whatever made of Iron, and framed to demolish Buildings; see chap. 16. ver. 39.

10 By reason of the abundance of his horses, their dust shall cover thee, thy walls shall shake at the noise of the horsemen, and of the wheels , and of the chariots, when he shall enter into thy gates, as men enter into a city, wherein is made a breach .

The dust they raise in their marching, or in their exercising, in their riding to and fro, but whether while on the Land, or when they entred the City may be doubted.

As a cloud it shall cover the City,

As Buildings do with great noise, motion, or beating on the ground.

Of their Engines, or Waggons, or Chariots,

Nebuchadnezzar.

Without fear shall enter and possess his Conquest, which Tyre at last yielded to him after thirteen years hard siege.

Whose Walls [illegible: 1 letter]attered and levelled, there is nothing left to defend the Citizen[illegible: 1 letter] who therefore yield, or offend the besieger, who therefore fearless entreth.

Marginal references: Heb. accor [illegible: 2 letters]ng to the en [illegible: 2 letters]ges of a city [illegible: 2 letters]ken up.

11 With the hoofs of his horses shall he tread down all thy streets, he shall slay thy people by the sword, and thy strong garrisons shall go down to the ground .

In proud, stately, and menacing posture shall the King of Babylon ride through all the streets of thy City, to the grief, and sorrow of the Tyrians, and as he, so shall his Troops do too.

In the Wars some of thy people shall fall by his sword, but that no wonder, I rather think that 'tis meant of giving judgment against some of the most valiant, constant, and active Citizens, which were the cause of the Cities holding so long out against Nebuchadnezzar, as he did with some of the Nobles of Ierusalem.

Bastions, or Forts about the City, or Triumphal Arches built by Tyrians, or Statues erected in honour to some eminent Citizens, or to the Kings of Egypt, their antient Allies; Enemies to the Chaldaeans, or the Statues of their Gods Hercules, and Apollo chain'd, that neither in ill nature, and angry, nor yet charmed with other mens songs, should depart, and leave their Pupils without a guard.

Shall be all cast down together.

12 And they shall make a spoil of thy riches, and make a prey of thy merchandise , and they shall break down thy walls , and destroy thy pleasant houses : and they shall lay thy stones, and thy timber, and thy dust in the midst of the water.

Chaldaean Souldiers.

Hinder thy Trade during the War and plunder thee in the end of the War.

Intercepting much, as 'tis coming to thee whilst besieged, and taking what they find, when they conquer.

See ver. 4.9. there he speaks of the Walls of the City, here of the Walls of private Houses▪ as appears by that which follows.

That the Tyrians dwelt in with delight, or diverted themselves in as Houses of Pleasure, Summer Houses.

It had been a quicker way, and easier to have burnt all, but 'tis like the greedy Souldier might dream of Treasure hid in Walls, or under the Timber, and therefore they take the pains to pul[illegible: 1 letter] all down, and throw it into the Sea; the very dust too, thus God fulfills his word, and scrap't Tyrus.

Marginal references: Heb. houses of [illegible: 1 word] desire.

13 And I will cause the noise of thy songs to cease; and the sound of thy harps shall be no more heard.

A Populous, Wealthy, Antient, and much frequented City in the midst of great security, no doubt, had all sorts of Musick, and loud Musick on the Water especially.

And Songs to their Musick, but God will dash it all.

This particular Musick mentioned as one of the noblest, and most in request, but no more shall be heard in Tyre after it is taken by Nebuchadnezzar.

Marginal references: Isa. 24.8. [illegible: 1 letter]er. 7.34. [illegible: 1 word] 16.9.

14 And I will make thee like the top of a rock : thou shalt be a place to spread nets upon ; thou shalt be built no more : for I the LORD have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD.

See ver. 4.

See ver. 5. let. [illegible: 1 letter].

Either not this long time, or else not built in greatness, and Glory, or not raised to be a Kingdom, or not by the Inhabitants of old Tyre, or not with the same Laws, Customs, and Usages; indeed, though there was a City of that name built, yet 'twas built on the Continent, and in propriety of speech, was another City, not Old Tyrus.

15 Thus saith the Lord GOD to Tyrus, Shall not the isles shake at the sound of thy fall, when the wounded cry, when the slaughter is made in the midst of thee?

Isles, which are places freest from the danger of Invas[illegible: 1 letter]ons, and in those dayes thought themselves safe▪ will think themselves in danger, and shake with fear, when they hear, that Tyre is fallen, 'twill amaze, and fright them all, when they hear thy men were wounded, and slain in the midst of thee who dwellest in the Sea.

16 Then all the princes of the sea shall come down from their thrones, and lay away their robes, and put off their broidered garments: they shall clothe themselves with trembling , they shall sit upon the ground, and shall tremble every moment, and be astonished at thee.

Who were Lords of the Islands in that Sea, and who Traded with Tyrus, and there were many such, or Sea Commanders, who, in their wooden world▪ are so many pe[illegible: 1 letter]ty Princes, but rather the former, the crowned heads whose Kingdoms were so many Islands.

In token of sadness, and condolence.

As farther sign of grief.

This is added also to shew, how greatly they were affected with sorrow at this sad fall of their Allie, and Friend.

This laying aside of their gallantry shall not be in complement, as now in such cases of condolence, but they shall be heartily afraid of their own concerns, and astonisht in the midst of their fears.

Marginal references: chap. 32.10.; Heb. tremblings.

17 And they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and say to thee, how art thou destroyed, that wast inhabited of sea faring men, the renowned city, which wast strong in the sea, she and her inhabitants, which cause their terrour to be on all that haunt it?

Princes of the Sea, ver. 16.

Solemnly, heartily, and for many dayes bewail thee.

By a Pro[illegible: 1 letter]opopaeia, or Fiction of persons, personate a dismal, sorrowful congress with fallen Tyre.

Alas, is it so? Can it be true? How is it that thou art destroyed? Who hadst so many Friends, so much riches, &c.

For thy Strength, Wealth, and Wisdom.

Strong indeed▪ and thought impregnable.

Who durst set on thee, who overawdst all the bold adventurers at Sea?

Marginal references: Revel. 18.9.

18 Now shall the isles tremble in the day of thy fall ; yea, the isles that are in the sea shall be troubled at thy departure .

Or Ships, so it might be rendred, whether one or other, 'tis the thing for the men, as Isles for Islanders, or Ships for Mariners.

Apprehending that nothing can stand, if Tyre fall, and that they are in danger too.

At great distance, and farther from Land.

Grieved and perplext.

Leaving thy antient dwelling, which from eldest Ages thy people had enjoyed with liberty to go into Captivity.

19 For thus saith the Lord GOD; When I shall make thee a desolate city, like the cities that are not inhabited; when I shall bring up the deep upon thee, and great waters shall cover thee.

Have made thee what now I threaten I will make thee.

In the same state with Cities, that have not any to dwell in them, whose Walls are broken down, and into whose Streets all solitary wild Beasts may come at pleasure.

Figuratively, Nebuchadnezzars Army, Literally, when thy Walls, and Ramparts are so broken down by the Chaldaeans, that the Sea, at high Tides, and in stormy swelling Seas overflows part of thine Antient Seat.

Either Literally, as the deep coming up, or Metaphorically great Afflictions shall flow over thee.

20 When I shall bring thee down with them that descend into the pit , with the people of old time, and shall set thee in the low parts of the earth, in places desolate of old, with them that go down to the pit, that thou be not inhabited; and I shall set glory in the land of the living .

Destroy thee, s[illegible: 1 letter]ay thee, and

Bury thee, throw thee into the Grave.

Who are long since dead, and gone to Eternity, the people of Eternity.

Another Description of the grave, from the scituation, and from the solitudes, or desolation of it. In brief when Tyre, as a dead man, shall be buried, forgotten, and perish utterly, and my hand hath done it, then it shall be known my hand hath avenged, and punisht all her Insolence, inhumanity, and covetousness, that she discovered, when she rejoiced at Ierusalems [illegible: 1 letter]all.

Restore the Beauty, Strength, Wealth of Israel, bring them back to Ierusalem, to worship in a rebuilt Temple, where they shall enjoy me.

Land of Iudaea, called Land of the Living, because a Land, where God will bless, and give Life by his Word, Ordinances, and Spirit: Thus different shall Tyre's Captivity, and Ierusalem's be.

21 I will make thee a terrour , and thou shalt be no more : though thou be sought for, yet shalt thou never be found again, saith the Lord GOD.

Or Consumption, I will utterly consume thee, with more, than one kind of destruction will I destroy thee, and make thee thereby a terrour to all, that hear the bruit of thee.

See ver. 14. let. o.

If any will be so curious, as to enquire, if come to seek out the Footsteps of this Antient Tyre, they shall lose their labour, no signs of it on the Rock, where once it stood.

Rich, Populous, Potent, Wise, renowned Tyre, as once thou wast, shalt never more be found, and alas that, which is now on the Continent, is not fit to bear its name, much less to be counted the same City.

Marginal references: chap. 27.36.28.19.; Heb. terrors.