20. my net— (Ezekiel 12:13; Ezekiel 32:3). God entraps him as he had tried to entrap others (Ezekiel 32:3- :). This was spoken at least upwards of three years before the fall of Jerusalem (compare Ezekiel 8:1; Ezekiel 20:1). plead with him—by judgments on him (Ezekiel 20:36). read more
21. all his fugitives—the soldiers that accompany him in his flight. 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
The Lord also promised that because Zedekiah had broken Israel’s covenant with Yahweh he would pay the penalty. The Lord would capture him like an animal in a net, bring him to Babylon, and judge him there for his covenant unfaithfulness to Yahweh. His best soldiers would die, and the survivors of the siege would scatter. When this happened everyone would know that Yahweh had ordained Jerusalem’s destruction. 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
(19) Mine oath . . . my covenant.—Zedekiah’s oath and covenant to Nebuchadnezzar are called the Lord’s, because made in the Lord’s name, and also because He had commanded them. Rebellion against Nebuchadnezzar was, therefore, under the circumstances, apostasy from the Lord Himself.With Ezekiel 17:21 the explanation of the parable ends. What follows is a distinct Messianic prophecy, which, although couched in the same figurative language, has nothing corresponding to it either in the parable or... 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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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ezekiel 17:19
19. mine oath—The "covenant" being sworn in God's name was really His covenant; a new instance in relation to man of the treacherous spirit which had been so often betrayed in relation to God. God Himself must therefore avenge the violation of His covenant "on the head" of the perjurer (compare Psalms 7:16). read more