Ezekiel 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 4:6

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 4:6

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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 4:4-6

Sin bearing. Ezekiel is to bear the sin of his people, doing it indeed symbolically every night, by lying first on one side, with the idea that the sin of Israel is upon him so that he cannot move; and then for a shorter period on the other side, with the idea of the sin of Judah resting on him and holding him down. This shows that a prophet is more than a messenger from God to men. He is one of the people, and his function involves his bearing somewhat of their sin. This must be the case... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 4:6

Each day for a year. The Hebrew formula is that of iteration—"a day for a year, a day for a year." It originates, as has been said, in Numbers 14:34 . What has been known as the year-day theory of prophetic interpretation flows naturally from it, and has been applied read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ezekiel 4:4-6

Ezekiel 4:4-6. Lie thou also, &c. “In his own house, Ezekiel 3:24. This was to be his posture, not without intermission, but in the exercise of his prophetical office, during that part of each day, when the people were likely to observe his conduct.” Bishop Newcome. Upon thy left side The left side, as being the least respectable, signified Israel, or the ten tribes: the right side, as being most honoured, the tribes of Judah and Benjamin; or, as it is generally expressed, the kingdom... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 4:1-17

4:1-7:27 JUDGMENT AGAINST JERUSALEMSiege and exile (4:1-17)Prophets often acted their messages instead of, or in addition to, speaking them. Ezekiel drew a rough picture of Jerusalem on a brick, placed the brick on the ground, then with sticks, stones, clay and markings in the sand, he modelled a siege of the city. The message to the exiles was that they had no chance of an early return to Jerusalem. On the contrary, Jerusalem could expect further attack. God would not defend the city; rather... read more

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

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

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

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 4:1-8

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 4:1-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 4:1-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 4:4-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 4:6

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ezekiel 4:4-6

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 4:1-17

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