Ezekiel 4:4-6 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 4:1-8

The prophet is here ordered to represent to himself and others by signs which would be proper and powerful to strike the fancy and to affect the mind, the siege of Jerusalem; and this amounted to a prediction. I. He was ordered to engrave a draught of Jerusalem upon a tile, Ezek. 4:1. It was Jerusalem's honour that while she kept her integrity God had graven her upon the palms of his hands (Isa. 49:16), and the names of the tribes were engraven in precious stones on the breast-plate of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 4:4

Lie thou also upon thy left side ,.... Some think this was not in reality, but in vision, as Kimchi observes; and so Maimonides F3 Moreh Nevochim, par. 2. c. 46. ; and in like manner they understand his eating and drinking by measures and preparing food, as he is directed in a following part of this chapter: but others are of opinion that all this was really done. The reasons given on both sides are not despicable. It is urged against the reality of the fact, that the prophet, without... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 4:5

For I have laid upon thee the years of their iniquity ,.... Or the iniquity which for so many years they have been guilty of; that is, the punishment of it: according to the number of the days ; a day for a year; three hundred and ninety days ; which signify three hundred and ninety years; and so many years there were from the revolt of the ten tribes from Rehoboam, and the setting up the calves at Dan and Bethel, to the destruction of Jerusalem; which may be reckoned thus: the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 4:6

And when thou hast accomplished them ,.... The three hundred and ninety days, by lying so long on the left side, bearing the sins of the house of Israel in this way; or, as Cocceius renders the words, "and thou shall accomplish them, and thou shalt lie", &c.; F7 וכלית את אלה ושכבת "et absolves hos, et decumbes", Cocceius, Starckius; "et consummabis haec, et jacebis", Montanus. , that is, thou shalt so accomplish these days, that thou mayest lie through forty days on the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 4:4

Lie thou also upon thy left side - It appears that all that is mentioned here and in the following verses was done, not in idea, but in fact. The prophet lay down on his left side upon a couch to which he was chained, Ezekiel 4:6 , for three hundred and ninety days; and afterwards he lay in the same manner, upon his right side, for forty days. And thus was signified the state of the Jews, and the punishment that was coming upon them. The prophet himself represents the Jews. His lying,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 4:6

Forty days - Reckon, says Archbishop Newcome, near fifteen years and six months in the reign of Manasseh, two years in that of Amon, three months in that of Jehoahaz, eleven years in that of Jehoiakim, three months and ten days in that of Jehoiachin, and eleven years in that of Zedekiah; and there arises a period of forty years, during which gross idolatry was practiced in the kingdom of Judah. Forty days may have been employed in spoiling and desolating the city and the temple. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 4:4

Verse 4 We must first consider the scope of this prophecy, and we shall then discuss more conveniently its separate parts. It is not doubtful that God wished to oppose the pride of the people, for they thought themselves punished more severely than they deserved. And this is customary with hypocrites, because while they dare not acquit themselves altogether, they yet murmur as if God afflicted them too severely, then they willingly offer something in compensation that they may free themselves... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 4:1-8

Vicarious suffering. Every true prophet is a forerunner of Jesus Christ. We do not detract from the work of the Saviour—we magnify it—when we discern that the same kind of work (though not equal in measure or effectiveness) had been done by the prophets. Ezekiel was called of God, not only to teach heavenly doctrine, but also to suffer for the people. "Thou shalt bear their iniquities." No one can be a faithful servant of God who does not suffer for the cause he serves. Suffering is the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 4:1-17

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 4:1-17

The siege of Jerusalem and the sufferings of the people symbolized. "Thou also, son of man, take thee a tile, and lay it before thee, and portray upon it the city, even Jerusalem," etc. This chapter presents difficulties to the student. There is the question whether it is to be understood literally or metaphorically; or, more correctly, whether the things here set forth were really done or were only visional. The commands given in Ezekiel 4:1-3 might have been literally executed; but the... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 4:1-8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 4:4

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 4:5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 4:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 4:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 4:6

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 4:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 4:1-8

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 4:1-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 4:1-17

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