Ezekiel 4:7 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 4:7

Therefore thou shalt set thy face toward the siege at Jerusalem ,.... All the while he was lying either on the left side or the right, his face was to be directed to the siege of Jerusalem, portrayed upon the tile, and to all the preparations made for that purpose, to show that all had reference to that and that it wound certainly be; for, as the prophet represented the Chaldean army the directing and setting his face to the siege shows their resolution and inflexibleness, that they were... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 4:7

Verse 7 It is added, and towards the siege of Jerusalem thou shalt set or establish thy face Either meaning may be received; either directing and ordering, or establishing and strengthening; although the word directing or ordering pleases me better in this place. He had said, indeed, before, thou shalt direct thy face until Jerusalem shall be besieged; but in my opinion God simply here orders his Prophet to be intent on the overthrow of the city. And thine arm shall be made bare; that is, for... 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 4:7

Thine arm shall be uncovered. This, as in Isaiah 52:10 , was the symbol of energetic action. The prophet was to be, as it were, no apathetic spectator of the siege which he was thus dramatizing, but is as the representative of the Divine commission to control and guide it. The picture of the prophet's attitude, not merely resting on his side and folding his hands, as a man at ease might do, but looking intently, with bare outstretched arm, at the scene portrayed by him, must, we may well... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ezekiel 4:7

Therefore thou shalt set thy face - Or, “And etc.” i. e., direct thy mind to that subject.Thine arm shall be uncovered - A sign of the execution of vengeance Isaiah 52:10. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ezekiel 4:7-8

Ezekiel 4:7-8. Thou shalt set thy face toward the siege of Jerusalem Thou shalt look toward Jerusalem, or toward the portraiture of it upon the tile, with a threatening countenance, as men do toward the city which they are besieging. And thine arm shall be uncovered Or, stretched out, as the Vulgate reads it. Their habits were anciently so contrived, that their right arms were disengaged from their upper garments, that they might be the more ready for action. So ancient statues and... 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 4:7

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 4:7

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 4:7

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ezekiel 4:7

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ezekiel 4:7-8

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 4:1-17

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