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Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ezekiel 21:3-5

Ezekiel was to announce that Yahweh stood opposed to His people (cf. Luke 9:5; Luke 9:41; Luke 19:41; Luke 21:20-24). Instead of being their divine defender (cf. Deuteronomy 32:41; Joshua 5:13-15; Isaiah 31:8; Isaiah 34:5-8; Isaiah 66:16; Jeremiah 25:31; Jeremiah 50:35-37; Zephaniah 2:12), He was going to turn against them. He would put them to death with a sword (cf. fire, Ezekiel 20:47-48), both the righteous (the green tree) and the wicked (the dry tree) throughout the whole land. The Book... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 21:1-32

3, 4. The righteous and the wicked] corresponding to the green tree and the dry in the parable (Ezekiel 20:47). In spite of his strict theory of retribution in Ezekiel 18, Ezekiel recognised the fact that good men as well as bad would perish in the siege of Jerusalem.10. It contemneth, etc.] RV ’The rod of my son, it contemneth every tree’ These words are almost hopelessly obscure, and the text is probably corrupt. As it stands, the meaning may be (a) that the rod (the sword) with which God... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ezekiel 21:5

(5) It shall not return any more—i.e., until it has fully accomplished its purpose. Other judgments upon Israel had been arrested in mercy—the sword had been returned to the scabbard while its work was still incomplete. This will go on to the end. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Ezekiel 21:1-32

Ezekiel 21:9-10 The roaring of lions, the howling of wolves, the raging of the stormy sea, and the destructive sword, are portions of eternity too great for the eye of reason. Blake. Reference. XXI. 9, 10. R. A. Suckling, Sermons Plain and Practical, p. 215. Ezekiel 21:26-27 After quoting these words, John Owen adds: 'One dissolution shall come upon the neck of another, until it all issue in Jesus Christ. "I will overturn it," saith God. "But men will set it up again." "I will overturn it... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 21:1-32

THE SWORD UNSHEATHEDEzekiel 21:1-32THE date at the beginning of chapter 20 introduces the fourth and last section of the prophecies delivered before the destruction of Jerusalem. It also divides the first period of Ezekiel’s ministry into two equal parts. The time is the month of August, 590 B.C., two years after his prophetic inauguration and two years before the investment of Jerusalem. It follows that if the Book of Ezekiel presents anything like a faithful picture of his actual work, by far... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Ezekiel 21:1-32

Ezekiel 21:1-32 . A solemn message is given to the prophet: “Behold I am against thee, and will draw forth my sword out of its sheath, and will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked.” It was to be a widespread judgment, against all flesh. Ezekiel was commanded to sigh with bitterness before their eyes and was to tell them the cause of his grief (Ezekiel 21:1-7 ). The sharpening of the sword of judgment is given in Ezekiel 21:8-17 . It was hanging over their heads, ready to strike at... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 21:1-32

CLOSE OF PART ONE Lack of space makes it necessary to crowd the remainder of Part 1 into a single lesson, but nothing vital to its general understanding will be lost, as the chapters are, to a certain extent, repetitions of the foregoing. LAMENTATIONS FOR THE PRINCES (Ezekiel 19:0 ) The theme of this chapter is found in the first and last verses. The “princes” are the kings of Judah Jehoahaz, Jehoiachin and Zedekiah, whose histories were made familiar in the closing chapters of 2 Kings ,... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Ezekiel 21:1-7

It should seem that this was but a continuation of the preceding chapter, where the Lord had commanded the Prophet to set his face toward the south, and prophecy. For, as the Prophet complained that the people would only deride him, and say it was but a parable, the Lord bids him to show that it would be a dreadful reality, in which the very loins of the hearer would tremble and be loosened, like a woman in travail. So awful would be the visitation, that the sword of the Lord would slay both... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 21:5

Back, (ver. 30.) without doing execution, Jeremias l. 9. (Calmet) read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 21:1-17

1-17 Here is an explanation of the parable in the last chapter. It is declared that the Lord was about to cut off Jerusalem and the whole land, that all might know it was his decree against a wicked and rebellious people. It behoves those who denounce the awful wrath of God against sinners, to show that they do not desire the woful day. The example of Christ teaches us to lament over those whose ruin we declare. Whatever instruments God uses in executing his judgments, he will strengthen them... read more

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