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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 21:8-17

Here is another prophecy of the sword, which is delivered in a very affecting manner; the expressions here used are somewhat intricate, and perplex interpreters. The sword was unsheathed in the Ezek. 21:1-7; here it is fitted up to do execution, which the prophet is commanded to lament. Observe, I. How the sword is here described. 1. It is sharpened, that it may cut and wound, and make a sore slaughter. The wrath of God will put an edge upon it; and, whatever instruments God shall please to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 21:17

I will also smite my hands together ,.... As well as the prophet was bid to do, Ezekiel 21:14 , either expressing a concern for the calamity of the people, or indignation at their sins: or rather as encouraging their enemies to make use of the sword pointed at them, and, as it were, rejoicing at their destruction for the honour of his justice. The Targum is, "and even I will bring vengeance upon vengeance:' and I will cause my fury to rest ; when the sword has done its business, and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 21:1-17

Irresistible slaughter. The subject matter of this prophecy is substantially the same as the foregoing. The parable is now put into plainest language. There is an advantage in using the parable method. It awakens attention. It leads men to examine and reflect. There is an excitement in discovering a riddle. Yet God will speak also to men in language plain enough tot the simplest understanding. No lost man is able to cast any blame on our God. We have "line upon line, precept upon precept."... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 21:8-17

The sword. Among the great powers that have affected human history must be reckoned the sword. As the emblem of physical force, of the superiority of the great of the world, it has special significance for the student of human affairs. The vision of the sword revealed to Ezekiel the impending doom of the land of Israel, and particularly of the inhabitants of Jerusalem. When he saw in imagination the glittering blade and the keen edge, his mind anticipated the awful fate which was about to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 21:8-17

The sacred song of the sword. "Again the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, prophesy, and say, Thus saith the Lord; Say, A sword, a sword is sharpened," etc. The passage before us is written in the form of Hebrew poetry. The poem does not present any new truths or ideas, but is chiefly an amplification of the preceding twelve verses. There are in this song some words and phrases of considerable difficulty, in the interpretation of which a wide diversity of opinion exists.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 21:17

The satisfaction of God's fury. This is a most awful subject. Gladly would we leave it alone. Oh for a fresh sight of God's eternal love, instead of this horror of great darkness, this vision of wrath and judgment unrestrained and fully satisfied! Yet the fearful words are before us and they invite our earnest regard. I. GOD 'S FURY IS FEARFULLY PROVOKED BY SIN . It is only against sinners that these dreadful words are written. The righteous may share the temporal... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 21:17-19

The new section opens in a different strain. Ezekiel sees, as in vision, Nebuchadnezzar and his army on their march. He is told to appoint a place where the road bifurcated. Both come from one land, i . e . from Babylon; but from that point onwards one road led to Rabbath, the capital of the Ammonites ( Deuteronomy 3:11 ; 2 Samuel 11:1 ), the other to Jerusalem. Apparently, the exiles and the people of Judah flattered themselves that the former was the object of the expedition. The... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ezekiel 21:8-17

The second word of judgment: the glittering and destroying sword. The passage may be called the “Lay of the Sword;” it is written in the form of Hebrew poetry, with its characteristic parallelism.Ezekiel 21:10It contemneth the rod of my son, as every tree - The rod is the scepter of dominion, assigned to Judah Genesis 49:10. The destroying sword of Babylon despises the scepter of Judah; it despises every tree. Others render the verse, “Shall we make mirth” (saying), “the rod of my son,” (the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ezekiel 21:14-17

Ezekiel 21:14 ; Ezekiel 21:17. Prophesy, and smite thy hands together In token of amazement and sorrow. And let the sword be doubled the third time Bishop Newcome reads, Bring the sword twice; yea, bring it thrice; namely, that God’s judgments might be fully executed, and his justice satisfied. It is probable that the three great slaughters which should be made of the inhabitants of Judea and Jerusalem are here intended, namely, 1st, During the siege, in which, undoubtedly, great... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 21:1-17

Babylon’s terrifying attack (20:45-21:17)The usual way to travel from Babylon to Jerusalem was by a semi-circular route that avoided the Arabian desert by following the Euphrates River to the north-west then turning south towards Judah. (See map ‘Near East in the time of Jeremiah.) Ezekiel put himself in the position of the Babylonian army as it moved south into Judah, overrunning and destroying the country as an uncontrollable bushfire. None would escape its terror (45-48). But the people did... read more

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