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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 24:15-27

These verses conclude what we have been upon all along from the beginning of this book, to wit, Ezekiel's prophecies of the destruction of Jerusalem; for after this, though he prophesied much concerning other nations, he said no more concerning Jerusalem, till he heard of the destruction of it, almost three years after, Ezek. 33:21. He had assured them, in the former part of this chapter, that there was no hope at all of the preventing of the trouble; here he assures them that they should not... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 24:17

Forbear to cry ,.... Groan or howl, or make any doleful noise: or, "be silent" F24 דם "tace", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus. : which the Talmudists F25 T. Bab. Moed Katon, fol. 15. 1. interpret of not greeting any person: make no mourning for the dead ; use none of those rites and ceremonies commonly observed for deceased relations and friends, particularly and especially for a wife; who is one of the seven persons for whom mourning is to be made, according to the Jewish... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 24:18

So I spake unto the people in the morning ,.... Did the duty of his office as a prophet; exhorted and instructed the people, particularly informed them of what had been said to him by the Lord, the evening or night before, concerning the death of his wife, and how he was to behave under such a providence; which he told them of before hand, that, when it came to pass, they might have a further proof of his being a true prophet of the Lord: and at even my wife died ; suddenly, as it was... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 24:17

Make no mourning - As a priest, he could make no public mourning, Leviticus 21:1 , etc. Bind the tire of thine head - This seems to refer to the high priest's bonnet; or perhaps, one worn by the ordinary priests: it might have been a black veil to cover the head. Put on thy shoes upon thy feet - Walking barefoot was a sign of grief. Cover not thy lips - Mourners covered the under part of the face, from the nose to the bottom of the chin. Eat not the bread of men - אנשים... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 24:18

At even my wife died - The prophet's wife was a type of the city, which was to him exceedingly dear. The death of his wife represented the destruction of the city by the Chaldeans; see Ezekiel 24:21 , where the temple is represented to be the desire of his eyes, as his wife was, Ezekiel 24:16 . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 24:15-17

Behold, I take away from thee , etc. The next word of the Lord, coming after an interval, is of an altogether exceptional character, as giving one solitary glimpse into the personal home life of the prophet. The lesson which the history teaches is, in substance, the same as that of Jeremiah 16:5 . The calamity that falls on the nation will swallow up all personal sorrow, but it is brought home to Ezekiel, who may have read those words with wonder, by a new and terrible experience. We are... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 24:15-27

Speechless and tearless sorrow. If the event here described really happened, and if the death of the prophet's wife was a fact and not a mere vision or parable, at all events there is no reason to suppose that this death took place from other than natural causes. Foreseeing what would happen, the God of men and of nations used the affliction of his servant and turned it to account, making it the occasion and the means of spiritual instruction and impression for the benefit of the Hebrew... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 24:15-27

Graduated lessons. Most important truths can only be learnt by a series of comparisons. We best know the magnitude of the sun by comparison with the moon and stars. We prize the fragrance of the rose by comparison with the perfume of other flowers. We learn the dignity and strength that belong to a man by passing through the stages of childhood and youth. God teaches us and trains us, not only through the understanding, but also through the feelings, affections, griefs, inward experiences.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 24:18

So I spake unto the people in the morning , etc. In yet another way the calling of the prophet superseded the natural impulses of the man. He knew that his wife's hours were numbered, yet the day was spent, not in ministering at her deathbed, but in one last effort to impress the teachings of the time upon the seared consciences and hardened hearts of his countrymen and neighbors. I cannot help referring to the poem 'Ezekiel,' by B.M published in 1871, as expressing the meaning of the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ezekiel 24:16-27

The death of Ezekiel’s wife took place in the evening of the same day that he delivered the foregoing prophecy. This event was to signify to the people that the Lord would take from them all that was most dear to them; and - owing to the extraordinary nature of the times - quiet lamentation for the dead, according to the usual forms of mourning, would be impossible.Ezekiel 24:17The priest in general was to mourn for his dead (Leviticus 21:1 ff); but Ezekiel was to be an exception to the rule.... read more

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