Ezekiel 12:17-24

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 12:17-20

Here again the prophet is made a sign to them of the desolations that were coming on Judah and Jerusalem. 1. He must himself eat and drink in care and fear, especially when he was in company, Ezek. 12:17, 18. Though he was under no apprehension of danger to himself, but lived in safety and plenty, yet he must eat his bread with quaking (the bread of sorrows, Ps. 127:2) and drink his water with trembling and with carefulness, that he might express the calamitous condition of those that should... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 12:21-28

Various methods had been used to awaken this secure and careless people to an expectation of the judgments coming, that they might be stirred up, by repentance and reformation, to prevent them. The prophecies of their ruin were confirmed by visions, and illustrated by signs, and all with such evidence and power that one would think they must needs be wrought upon; but here we are told how they evaded the conviction, and guarded against it, namely, by telling themselves, and one another, that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 12:17

Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying. Here follows another sign of the desolation of the Jews, which the prophet was unto them; as the former signified their going into captivity, this their famine and distress at the siege of Jerusalem, and the dreadful calamities attending and following that. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 12:18

Son of man, eat thy bread with quaking ,.... As one in surprise or fear, or that has got an ague upon him: and drink thy water with trembling and with carefulness ; fearing want of it, or as apprehensive of danger of its being taken away; see Ezekiel 4:16 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 12:19

And say unto the people of the land ,.... Of Chaldea, where the prophet now was; not the natives of the land, but the Israelites, who were captives in it; who were ready to murmur and repine at their own case, as miserable; and at that of the Jews at Jerusalem, as happy; and therefore they are taught by this sign, as well as by the following prophecy, that they were mistaken: thus saith the Lord God of the inhabitants of Jerusalem ; or to them, or "concerning" them F25 ליושבי ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 12:20

And the cities that are inhabited shall be laid waste ,.... Not only the city of Jerusalem, but the other cities of Judea; as they were by the Chaldeans, which were then full of inhabitants: and the land shall be desolate ; the whole land of Judea be destitute of men and cattle, and lie uncultivated, and become barren and unfruitful: and ye shall know that I am the Lord ; who were then captives in Babylon, as well as those who should be dispersed among the nations would; see ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 12:21

And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying. After he had been a sign unto the people, in the two instances above mentioned; and they had hardened themselves against the belief of the things signified by them, because the time of their accomplishment was not yet. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 12:22

Son of man, what is that proverb that ye have in the land of Israel ,.... Which question is put, as ignorant of it, but as filled with indignation at the impiety and boldness of those that used it, and in order to expose the wickedness and folly of it: saying, the days are prolonged ; the days of affliction and distress; the time of Jerusalem's destruction, and of the Babylonish captivity, these were not to be of a long time; and therefore they were ready to flatter themselves they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 12:23

Tell them therefore ,.... Plainly and boldly, with the greatest assurance and confidence, as from God himself: thus saith the Lord God, I will make this proverb to cease ; by quickly accomplishing the things which they, by this proverb, represented as at a great distance, and what would never be brought about: and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel ; when the things predicted shall take place: but say unto them, the days are at hand, and the effect of every vision ;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 12:24

For there shall be no more any vain vision ,.... Or prophecy; such as the false prophets had given out, that the people should be in peace and safety, and not be delivered into the hands of the king of Babylon; which they gave heed to, and so encouraged the lying prophets to go on prophesying smooth things; when the prophecies of the true prophets were accomplished, then the false ones were rejected, and their prophecies no more regarded; nor could there be any more a place for them, or a... read more

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