17. beasts—perhaps meaning destructive conquerors (Daniel 7:4). Rather, literal "beasts," which infest desolated regions such as Judea was to become (compare Ezekiel 34:28; Exodus 23:29; Deuteronomy 32:24; 2 Kings 17:25). The same threat is repeated in manifold forms to awaken the careless. sword—civil war. read more
The interpretation of these Acts 5:5-17Evidently Ezekiel’s verbal explanation of this drama came at the very end of the drama, at the time of the real destruction of Jerusalem. Ezekiel was no longer silent then. read more
The Lord would send famine-like arrows against His people to destroy them. Also wild beasts, plague, hemorrhage (associated with disease) or possibly cannibalism, [Note: Ibid., p. 215.] and war would be His instruments to judge them (cf. Leviticus 26:21-26). These are standard curses for covenant unfaithfulness referred to frequently in the Mosaic Law (e.g., Leviticus 26:22; Leviticus 26:26; Leviticus 26:29; Deuteronomy 28:21; Deuteronomy 28:53-56; Deuteronomy 32:23-25; Deuteronomy 32:42; cf.... read more
Symbolic Actions Representing Jerusalem's Siege and CaptivityEzekiel is commanded to perform four remarkable actions setting forth the coming siege withits hardships, and the approaching captivity with its evils. It is uncertain whether these actions were literally performed or not. Symbolic methods of this-kind were certainly used by various prophets, but some of those in Ezekiel 4:0 are so extraordinary that many suppose that they were not actually carried out, but only imagined and... read more
THE END FORETOLDEzekiel 4:1-17 - Ezekiel 7:1-27WITH the fourth chapter we enter on the exposition of the first great division of Ezekiel’s prophecies. The chaps, 4-24, cover a period of about four and a half years, extending from the time of the prophet’s call to the commencement of the siege of Jerusalem. During this time Ezekiel’s thoughts revolved round one great theme-the approaching judgment on the city and the nation. Through contemplation of this fact there was disclosed to him the... read more
Ezekiel 5:1-4 . The sharp knife is the symbol of the king of Babylon. (See Isaiah 7:20 .) He was God’s instrument in the execution of His wrath; the people are represented by the hair. The third part of the hair burned with fire pictures the fate of a part of the people during the siege. The pestilence and the famine were also to consume them. Only a few in number, a small remnant, were to be preserved, as indicated when Ezekiel took a few hairs and bound them in his skirt. Ezekiel 5:5-17 .... read more
SECOND VISION OF GLORY Remember that in the first part of this book, chapters 1-24, we are dealing with prophecies before the siege of Jerusalem and foretelling its overthrow. The present lesson begins at Ezekiel 3:22 . (Compare v. 23 with Ezekiel 1:1 ; Ezekiel 1:24 with Ezekiel 2:2 ; and Acts 2:4 ; Acts 4:31 .) Verse 25 is to be taken figuratively. (Compare 2 Corinthians 6:11-12 .) The same is true of verse 26, which means that as Israel had rejected the words of the prophets hitherto, the... read more
The Ministry of Symbolism Ezekiel 4:0 , Ezekiel 5:0 In the fourth chapter there begins a series of symbols utterly impossible of modern interpretation. The prophet is commanded to take a tile, and portray upon it the city of Jerusalem, and to conduct certain military operations against that city; then he is commanded to take an iron pan, and set it for a wall of iron between himself and the city; having done so he is to lay siege against Jerusalem. Afterwards he is commanded to lie upon his... read more
How often the Lord complains of his people in the Old Testament, that in their sins, they were more stupid and senseless than the idolatrous nations around them. Never was it known, that heathens changed their dung-hill gods for others: but the Lord's people changed their glory for that which could not profit them. Jeremiah 2:10-11 . I appeal to the Reader, if so be he hath been taught of the Lord, and knows anything of the plague of his own heart, whether the same is not but too applicable to... read more
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Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Ezekiel 5:17
Ezekiel 5:17. Famine and evil beasts— That is, by a figure called by the Greeks εν δια δυοιν, the hungry and the evil beast. Instead of blood, Houbigant reads death or mortality. REFLECTIONS.—1st, Jerusalem's ruin is here represented by another sign. 1. The prophet must shave his head and beard, and carefully weigh and divide the hair into three parcels; one third must be burnt, another be cut in pieces, and the other scattered in the wind, a few hairs excepted, which he must bind in his... read more