16. in the place where the king dwelleth—righteous retribution. He brought on himself in the worst form the evil which, in a mild form, he had sought to deliver himself from by perjured treachery, namely, vassalage (Ezekiel 12:13; Jeremiah 32:5; Jeremiah 34:3; Jeremiah 52:11). read more
The historical interpretation of the riddle 17:11-18 read more
The explanation of the riddle 17:11-21Ezekiel first interpreted his fable historically, and then he interpreted the historical events theologically for his audience. read more
However, the vine rebelled against the eagle. Zedekiah rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar and sent to Egypt for arms and troops to resist the Babylonians. Pharaoh Hophra (Gr. Apries, 589-570 B.C.) is the second strong eagle in the riddle to which the vine sent out its roots and branches for sustenance, probably in 588 B.C. (Ezekiel 17:7). If this prophecy is in chronological order, as seems likely, Ezekiel gave it between 592 (Ezekiel 8:1) and 591 B.C. (Ezekiel 20:1). This means that he predicted... read more
Zedekiah’s Perfidy and its PunishmentZedekiah had been placed on the throne of Judah as a vassal of Babylon, but was led by his nobles to intrigue with Egypt and to throw off the Babylonian yoke. The revolt actually took place in 588 b.c., but it had been contemplated much earlier: see Jeremiah 27:1-11, where ’Zedekiah’ should be read for ’Jehoiakim’ in Jeremiah 27:1. Jeremiah 27:15 of this chapter refers to an embassy to Egypt, of which Ezekiel had heard in BabyIonia. The prophet exposes this... read more
(16) In the place . . . he shall die.—The distinct prophecy of the death of Zedekiah at Babylon is here given in a form to bring out in the strongest light the fitness and justice of his punishment. It was to be in the place of the king to whom he owed his crown, and to whom he had given his fealty, yet against whom he had rebelled. The tense here changes to the future, because the events of this and the following verse were yet to be fulfilled. read more
Ezekiel 17:24 Light is good, and a pleasant thing it is to behold the sun. Yet far dearer than outward peace, far sweeter than inward consolation, is that, the ever-during stay, the solace of the Christian's heart, the imperishable root of which all else that gladdens it is but the bloom and odour; the dry tree that shall flourish when every green tree of delight and of desire fails. It is to the Cross that the heart must turn for that which will reconcile it to all conflicts, all privations.... read more
THE END OF THE MONARCHYEzekiel 12:1-15; Ezekiel 17:1-24; Ezekiel 19:1-14IN spite of the interest excited by Ezekiel’s prophetic appearances, the exiles still received his prediction of the fall of Jerusalem with the most stolid incredulity. It proved to be an impossible task to disabuse their minds of the pre-possessions which made such an event absolutely incredible. True to their character as a disobedient house, they had "eyes to see, and saw not; and ears to hear, but heard not". {Ezekiel... read more
Ezekiel 17:1-24 . The great eagle mentioned first is Nebuchadnezzar. (See Jeremiah 48:40 ; Jeremiah 49:22 ). He came to Lebanon and took the highest branch of the cedar, the symbol of the house of David, which was conquered by this eagle. Nebuchadnezzar made the youngest son of Josiah king over Judah and called him Zedekiah. This action is described in verse 5. The other great eagle is Hophra, the king of Egypt. To him Zedekiah turned for help. The interpretation and application of this parable... read more
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E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ezekiel 17:16
saith the Lord GOD = [is] Adenai Jehovah's oracle. in the midst of Babylon , &c. Compare Ezekiel 12:13 . read more