Ezekiel 11:3

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 11:1-13

We have here, I. The great security of the prince's of Jerusalem, notwithstanding the judgments of God that were upon them, The prophet was brought, in vision, to the gate of the temple where these princes sat in council upon the present arduous affairs of the city: The Spirit lifted me up, and brought me to the east gate of the Lord's house, and behold twenty-five men were there. See how obsequious the prophet was to the Spirit's orders and how observant of all the discoveries that were made... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 11:3

Which say it is not near, let us build houses ,.... Meaning that the destruction of the city was not near, as the prophet had foretold, Ezekiel 7:3 ; and therefore encourage the people to build houses, and rest themselves secure, as being safe from all danger, and having nothing to fear from the Chaldean army; and so putting away the evil day far from them, which was just at hand: though the words may be rendered, "it is not proper to build houses near" F5 לא בקרוב בנות בתים... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 11:3

It is not near - That is, the threatened invasion. This city is the caldron, and we be the flesh - See the vision of the seething pot, Jeremiah 1:13 . These infidels seem to say: "We will run all risks, we will abide in the city. Though it be the caldron, and we the flesh, yet we will share its fate: if it perish, we will perish with it." Or they may allude to the above prediction of Jeremiah, in order to ridicule it: "We were to have been boiled long ago: but the fulfillment of that... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 11:3

Verse 3 Here the Prophet explains what might be obscure through their perverseness. He brings forward, therefore, what the impious thought could be covered by many fallacies. For we know that hypocrites endeavor to fix their eyes on God, and when they scatter their own clouds before themselves, they think that he is blinded. For this reason Isaiah says, that God also is wise, (Isaiah 31:2,) and derides their cunning, since they think that they blind God’s eyes whilst they conceal their sins... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 11:1-13

The summary punishment of official guilt. As a rule, God is extremely patient towards human rebellion. He reproves and remonstrates and warns long before the executioner appears. Yet sometimes he departs from this course, by a summary act of vengeance. The penalty that follows some crimes is swift and sudden. The Chaldean nobles who laid an impious snare for Daniel were soon overtaken with judgment. When Herod accepted the profane flattery of his courtiers, he was soon consumed with inward... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 11:1-13

The presumptuous security of sinners exhibited and condemned. "Moreover the Spirit lifted me up, and brought me unto the east gate of the Lord's house," etc. I. THE PRESUMPTUOUS AND FALSE SECURITY OF SINNERS EXHIBITED . ( Ezekiel 11:1-3 .) The twenty-live men here mentioned are not the same as those mentioned in Ezekiel 8:16 ; for already they have been slain in vision. In both places the number is a round one. And in this place it is clear that they were leaders of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 11:3

It is not near, etc. The words take their place among the popular, half-proverbial sayings of which we have other examples in Ezekiel 8:12 ; Ezekiel 9:9 ; and Ezekiel 18:2 . As in most proverbs of this kind, the thought is condensed to the very verge of obscurity, and the words have received very different interpretations. I find what suggests this view read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 11:3

The false confidence of unbelief. Jeremiah told the captives to settle in the land of exile and build houses there, because the Captivity was to last for generations ( Jeremiah 29:5 ). But the frivolous people have rejected that wise counsel, and they declare that such provision for exile is not necessary. "It is not time to build these houses the prophet spoke of," they say; "we will stay in the city, like the flesh in the cauldron." I. IMPENITENCE CREATES FALSE CONFIDENCE .... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 11:3

Judgment deferred. The evil counsellors of Jerusalem did their worst to counteract the effect of the message which the Lord's prophets were commissioned to communicate. Thus it came to pass that the inhabitants of the city were encouraged to neglect the obvious duties of repentance and supplication; and, when the time of judgment came, were found unprepared. The means by which the devisers of mischief brought about this result are described in this passage. They induced the citizens to... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ezekiel 11:3

It is not near - In contradiction to Ezekiel 7:2.Let us build houses - “To build houses” implies a sense of security. Jeremiah bade the exiles “build houses” in a foreign land because they would not soon quit it Jeremiah 29:5; Jeremiah 35:7. These false counselors promised to their countrymen a sure and permanent abode in the city which God had doomed to destruction. No need, they said, to go far for safety; you are perfectly safe at home. The Hebrew, however, is, difficult: literally it means,... read more

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