Ezekiel 20:1

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 20:1-4

Here is, 1. The occasion of the message which we have in this chapter. That sermon which we had Ezek. 18:1-32 was occasioned by their presumptuous reflections upon God; this was occasioned by their hypocritical enquiries after him. Each shall have his own. This prophecy is exactly dated, in the seventh year of the captivity, about two years after Ezekiel began to prophesy. God would have them to keep account how long their captivity lasted, that they might see how the years went on towards... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 20:1

And it came to pass in the seventh year ,.... Of Zedekiah's reign, and of the captivity of Jeconiah; from whence the dates of Ezekiel's visions and prophecies are taken, Ezekiel 1:2 ; two years, one month, and five days, after Ezekiel began to prophesy, and eleven months and five days after the preceding prophecy: in the fifth month , the tenth day of the month ; the month Ab, which answers to our July and August; on this day afterwards Jerusalem was twice destroyed, first by the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 20:1

In the seventh year - Of the captivity of Jeconiah, (see Ezekiel 8:1 ;), and the seventh of the reign of Zedekiah. The fifth month, the tenth day - That is, according to Abp. Usher, Monday, August 27, A.M. 3411. Certain of the elders of Israel - What these came to inquire about is not known. They were doubtless hypocrites and deceivers, from the manner in which God commands the prophet to treat them. It seems to have been such a deputation of elders as those mentioned Ezekiel 8:1 ... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 20:1

Verse 1 Here he does not narrate a vision but an event which really happened. It is a simple historical narrative, that some of the elders of Israel were chosen to interrogate him. We know this to be customary, and when God separates His people from the profane nations, he opposes his prophets to the soothsayers and magi, augurs and astrologers. For he says that the Gentiles inquire what concerns them in various ways, and so interrogate their deities; but that he prescribes to the chosen people... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 20:1

A new date is given, and includes what follows to Ezekiel 23:49 . The last note of time was in Ezekiel 8:1 , and eleven months and five days had passed, during which the prophecies of the intervening chapters had been written or spoken. We may note further that it was two years one month and five days after the prophet's call to his work ( Ezekiel 1:1-28 .), and two years and five months before the Chaldeans besieged Jerusalem ( Ezekiel 24:1 ). The immediate occasion here, as in ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 20:1-3

The silent oracle. An embassy of elders is sent to Ezekiel to make an inquiry of the Lord through the prophet as to what is to be expected at a new juncture of national affairs, and Ezekiel is instructed to tell them that God will vouchsafe no answer. I. THOSE WHO REFUSE TO HEAR WHAT GOD DESIRES TO TEACH THEM ARE ANXIOUS FOR LIGHT ON LESS IMPORTANT QUESTIONS . This was the peculiar, the anomaluus, position of Israel. God had not been keeping silence.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 20:1-4

A rejected application. It is evident that Ezekiel held a position of honour and of some kind of moral authority among his fellow captives. Although he was not given to prophesying smooth things, his countrymen still resorted to him, evincing a certain confidence in his mission. On the occasion here described, an application made to the prophet was upon Divine authority rejected—with reason given. So unusual an incident leads to further consideration. I. MAN 'S NEED OF A DIVINE ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 20:1-4

On inquiring of the Lord. "And it came to pass in the seventh year, in the fifth month, the tenth day of the month, that certain of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the Lord," etc. We here enter upon a new division of this book, which extends to the close of Ezekiel 23:1-49 . The prophecies of this section were occasioned by a visit of the elders of Israel to the prophet, to inquire of the Lord through him. The paragraph now before us, which may be compared with Ezekiel 14:1-5 ,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 20:1-32

Unacceptable prayer. The exact date is given as a voucher for truthfulness. The prophet committed to writing at once what had occurred. The people are yet divided by distance—part dwell in Judaea and tart in Chaldea. In a spirit of vain curiosity the eiders of the exiled part approach the prophet to inquire after the destined fortunes and fate of their nation. Had they sought for guidance or help to amend their lives, their prayer had been successful. God does not pander to a spirit of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ezekiel 20:1

The elders of Israel - These were as in Ezekiel 14:1, some of Ezekiel’s fellow-exiles, designated in general terms by the name of Israel, though more properly belonging to the kingdom of Judah. read more

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