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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 21:8-17

Here is another prophecy of the sword, which is delivered in a very affecting manner; the expressions here used are somewhat intricate, and perplex interpreters. The sword was unsheathed in the Ezek. 21:1-7; here it is fitted up to do execution, which the prophet is commanded to lament. Observe, I. How the sword is here described. 1. It is sharpened, that it may cut and wound, and make a sore slaughter. The wrath of God will put an edge upon it; and, whatever instruments God shall please to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 21:12

Cry, howl, son of man ,.... Not only sigh, but cry; and not cry only, but howl; signifying hereby that this would be the case of the Jews when these calamities should come upon them; and, in order to affect them with them before hand, the prophet is ordered to act such a part, as well as to express his sympathy with them: for it shall be upon my people ; that is, the sword, or the calamity signified by it; this should be not upon other nations, but upon the Lord's own people; such who... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 21:13

Because it is a trial ,.... As all afflictions and calamities are, especially to the people of God they try their faith and patience, and every other grace; and also to wicked men, they try them, whether they will repent or not: and what if the sword contemn even the rod ? the sceptre: the king of Judah, and his family; not only come upon and cut off the people and the princes, but the royal family also; and even overturn the tribe of Judah, as the word also signifies; and subvert the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 21:12

Smite - upon thy thigh - See on Jeremiah 31:19 ; (note). So Homer, Il. 15 ver. 113: - Ὡς εφατ ' · αυταρ Αρης θαλερω πεπληγετο μηρω<-144 Χερσι καταπρηνεσσολοφυρομενος δε προσηυδαπ . "She spake; and, with expanded arms his thighs Smiting, thus sorrowful the god exclaimed." Cowper. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 21:13

Because it is a trial - This will be a trial of strength and skill between the Chaldeans and the Jews; and a trial of faith and patience to the righteous. And what if the sword, (Nebuchadnezzar), contemn even the rod? - Overthrow Zedekiah? It will do so; for the regal government of Judea shall be no more. Or, it is tried; that it the sword. Nebuchadnezzar has already shown himself strong and skillful. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 21:1-17

Irresistible slaughter. The subject matter of this prophecy is substantially the same as the foregoing. The parable is now put into plainest language. There is an advantage in using the parable method. It awakens attention. It leads men to examine and reflect. There is an excitement in discovering a riddle. Yet God will speak also to men in language plain enough tot the simplest understanding. No lost man is able to cast any blame on our God. We have "line upon line, precept upon precept."... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 21:8-17

The sword. Among the great powers that have affected human history must be reckoned the sword. As the emblem of physical force, of the superiority of the great of the world, it has special significance for the student of human affairs. The vision of the sword revealed to Ezekiel the impending doom of the land of Israel, and particularly of the inhabitants of Jerusalem. When he saw in imagination the glittering blade and the keen edge, his mind anticipated the awful fate which was about to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 21:8-17

The sacred song of the sword. "Again the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, prophesy, and say, Thus saith the Lord; Say, A sword, a sword is sharpened," etc. The passage before us is written in the form of Hebrew poetry. The poem does not present any new truths or ideas, but is chiefly an amplification of the preceding twelve verses. There are in this song some words and phrases of considerable difficulty, in the interpretation of which a wide diversity of opinion exists.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 21:12

Terrors by reason of the sword; better, as in the Revised Version and margin of the Authorized Version, They (the princes of Judah, corresponding to the "rod" of Ezekiel 21:10 ) are delivered over to the sword with my people . At this stage, in contemplating the destruction alike of princes and of people, the prophet is bidden to make his gestures of lamentation yet more expressive, "crying, howling, smiting on his thigh" ( Jeremiah 31:19 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 21:13

Because it is a trial, etc. The verse has received as many interpretations, and is just as obscure as Ezekiel 21:10 , with which it is obviously connected. I begin as before with that which seems most probable. read more

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