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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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 21:18-27

The prophet, in the verses before, had shown them the sword coming; he here shows them that sword coming against them, that they might not flatter themselves that by some means or other it should be diverted a contrary way. I. He must see and show the Chaldean army coming against Jerusalem and determined by a supreme power so to do. The prophet must appoint him two ways, that is, he must upon a paper draw out two roads (Ezek. 21:19), as sometimes is done in maps; and he must bring the king of... 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 21:18

The word of the Lord came unto me again ,.... Immediately after the former; for this respects the same prophecy about the sword, and the way of its coming, and the cause of it: saying ; as follows: 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 21:18-27

The all-controlling providence of God. We have here a striking instance of the superintending agency of God. From his invisible throne he controls all the plans, divinations, arts, and labours of kings and generals. All persons and all events are directed into the channel of his purpose, and aid in the final consummation of his righteous end. I. GOD USES EVES WICKED MEN TO DO HIS WORK . If he employed only righteous men, he would have to reject the service of the... read more

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