Ezekiel 20:3 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 20:1-4

Here is, 1. The occasion of the message which we have in this chapter. That sermon which we had Ezek. 18:1-32 was occasioned by their presumptuous reflections upon God; this was occasioned by their hypocritical enquiries after him. Each shall have his own. This prophecy is exactly dated, in the seventh year of the captivity, about two years after Ezekiel began to prophesy. God would have them to keep account how long their captivity lasted, that they might see how the years went on towards... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 20:3

Son of man, speak unto the elders of Israel, and say unto them ,.... Give them this for an answer from me: thus saith the Lord God, are ye come to inquire of me ? no; not seriously, heartily, and in good earnest, determining to abide by the advice and counsel that might be given; or how can you have the face to inquire of me, when guilty of such abominations? as I live, saith the Lord God, I will not be inquired of by you ; knowing their wickedness and hypocrisy, which were... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 20:3

I will not be inquired of by you - I will not hear you. I will have nothing to do with you. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 20:3

Verse 3 Here the Prophet is ordered to blame those elders, although they pretended to rare piety in inquiring of him: God says that they did not come with a right disposition. Many translate otherwise — if I shall be found, or be en-treated by you, or if I shall answer: thus they take the word, דרש, deresh, in a double sense: in the first clause, for to seek or interrogate; but when it is added, as I live, etc., they do not take the word by “to be sought” or “interrogated,” but by “to answer”... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 20:1-3

The silent oracle. An embassy of elders is sent to Ezekiel to make an inquiry of the Lord through the prophet as to what is to be expected at a new juncture of national affairs, and Ezekiel is instructed to tell them that God will vouchsafe no answer. I. THOSE WHO REFUSE TO HEAR WHAT GOD DESIRES TO TEACH THEM ARE ANXIOUS FOR LIGHT ON LESS IMPORTANT QUESTIONS . This was the peculiar, the anomaluus, position of Israel. God had not been keeping silence.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 20:1-4

A rejected application. It is evident that Ezekiel held a position of honour and of some kind of moral authority among his fellow captives. Although he was not given to prophesying smooth things, his countrymen still resorted to him, evincing a certain confidence in his mission. On the occasion here described, an application made to the prophet was upon Divine authority rejected—with reason given. So unusual an incident leads to further consideration. I. MAN 'S NEED OF A DIVINE ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 20:1-4

On inquiring of the Lord. "And it came to pass in the seventh year, in the fifth month, the tenth day of the month, that certain of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the Lord," etc. We here enter upon a new division of this book, which extends to the close of Ezekiel 23:1-49 . The prophecies of this section were occasioned by a visit of the elders of Israel to the prophet, to inquire of the Lord through him. The paragraph now before us, which may be compared with Ezekiel 14:1-5 ,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 20:1-32

Unacceptable prayer. The exact date is given as a voucher for truthfulness. The prophet committed to writing at once what had occurred. The people are yet divided by distance—part dwell in Judaea and tart in Chaldea. In a spirit of vain curiosity the eiders of the exiled part approach the prophet to inquire after the destined fortunes and fate of their nation. Had they sought for guidance or help to amend their lives, their prayer had been successful. God does not pander to a spirit of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 20:3

As I live, saith the Lord God, etc. The inquirers are answered, but not as they expected. Instead of hearing of the "times and seasons" of the events that were in the near future, the prophet at once enters on his stern work as a preacher. The general principle that determines the refusal to answer has been given in Ezekiel 14:3 . read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ezekiel 20:3

Enquire - As to the hope of deliverance from the Babylonians. read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 20:1-4

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 20:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 20:3

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 20:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 20:1-3

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 20:1-4

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 20:1-4

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 20:1-32

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 20:3

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ezekiel 20:3

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