Ezekiel 20:40

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 20:33-44

The design which was now on foot among the elders of Israel was that the people of Israel, being scattered among the nations, should lay aside all their peculiarities and conform to those among whom they lived; but God had told them that the design should not take effect, Ezek. 20:32. Now, in these verses, he shows particularly how it should be frustrated. They aimed at the mingling of the families of Israel with the families of the countries; but it will prove in the issue that the wicked... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 20:40

For in mine holy mountain, in the mountain of the height of Israel, saith the Lord God ,.... Alluding to Mount Zion, or Moriah, on which the temple was built, on the highest part of the land of Israel, as Kimchi and Ben Melech observe; here the Gospel church is meant, comparable to a "mountain" for its firmness and durableness; said to be a "holy" one, because consisting of holy persons, performing holy worship to a holy God; and represented as "high", being established, as it will be in the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 20:40

For in mine holy mountain - The days shall come in which all true Israelites shall receive Him whom I have sent to be the true sacrifice for the life of the world; and shall bring to Jerusalem - the pure Christian Church, their offerings, which I will there accept, for they will give me thanks for my unspeakable gift. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 20:40

Verse 40 God now directs his address to the elect, or the remnant in whom he wished his Church to survive. Thus far he has spoken of the whole body of the people: he says, although he should free them from the hand of the Gentiles, yet that redemption would be but partial, because they should perish in the desert, and never enjoy the promised land. On the whole, he shows that those to whom a free return to their own country was given were no less strangers than if they had been exiles at the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 20:33-44

Judicial discrimination. As among men, when matters of serious importance have to be determined, there is the employment of a religious oath, in other words, a solemn appeal that God should witness the truthfulness of the parties; so, when God discloses his intentions respecting the destiny of men, he speaks with a view to produce the deepest impression. He stakes his own existence upon the certainty of the event. I. GOD 'S RULE IS DIRECTED SOLELY FOR MAN 'S PURITY .... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 20:39-44

The gracious restoration of the people. "As for you, O house of Israel, thus saith the Lord God; Go ye, serve ye every one his idols," etc. It is here distinctly recognized that not at once would this reformation and restoration be accomplished. The house of Israel is told to "go, serve ye every one his idols." These words are spoken of as an "ironical conversion" (cf. 1 Kings 22:15 ; Amos 4:4 ; Matthew 23:32 ). They are also described as" the holy irony of him who knows that mercy... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 20:40

From the earlier stage of the restoration the prophet passes on to its completion. The people have come to the mountain of the height of Israel ( Micah 4:1 , Micah 4:2 ; Isaiah 2:2 , Isaiah 2:3 ). Ezekiel sees an Israel that shall at last be worthy of its name, the worship of false gods rooted out forever. The all of them points to the breaking down of the old division between Israel and Judah ( Isaiah 11:13 ). Jehovah would accept the "heave offering" (same word as in Exodus... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 20:40

God's holy mountain. I. THE SITE . God's holy mountain is the site of the temple at Jerusalem. God promises his people that the exile will cease, that they shall return and worship him once more at the old sacred spot. Note the characteristics of it. 1 . It is exalted . A mountain. Jerusalem is two thousand feet above the level of the Mediterranean Sea. The rock where the altar of burnt offering stood—now covered by what is called the "Mosque of Omar"—is the highest part of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 20:40-44

The glorious restoration. It is difficult to believe that this language can refer to a local and temporal restoration and union. In this, as in other passages of his prophecy, Ezekiel seems to point on to the new, the Christian dispensation, into whose spiritual glory he seems to gain some glimpses neither dim nor uncertain. I. THE SCENE OF THE RESTORATION . God's holy mountain, the mountain of the height of Israel, is the symbol of the Church of the Son of God. II. THE ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ezekiel 20:32-44

God’s future dealings with His people:(1) in judgment Ezekiel 20:32-38;(2) in mercy Ezekiel 20:39-44.Ezekiel 20:32The inquirers had thought that if Jerusalem were taken, and the whole people became sojourners in a foreign land, they would cease to be a separate nation. In their love for idolatry some may have even desired this. But more probably they thought that this very consequence precluded the possibility of such a catastrophe. God answers that He will not allow them to become as the... read more

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