Ezekiel 20:34-21:32

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 20:33-44

The design which was now on foot among the elders of Israel was that the people of Israel, being scattered among the nations, should lay aside all their peculiarities and conform to those among whom they lived; but God had told them that the design should not take effect, Ezek. 20:32. Now, in these verses, he shows particularly how it should be frustrated. They aimed at the mingling of the families of Israel with the families of the countries; but it will prove in the issue that the wicked... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 20:34

I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered ,.... The Egyptians, Ammonites, and others; where they went for safety and protection, and among whom they intended to settle, and had formed a scheme to cast off the yoke of God and his worship, and be no more a nation or people under his government; but mix themselves with these nations, and become a part of them, and join with them in all matters, civil, commercial, and religious; but... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 20:34

Verse 34 He confirms the same sentiment, and at the same time marks out the manner of his dominion. For when the Jews were dispersed in captivity, they were like strangers to God’s jurisdiction: they were mingled with the Gentiles, and their condition seemed very like an exemption from God’s power. Now God signifies when he wishes to recover his right, that he had a place at hand, since he will bring them out from the Gentiles, and gather them from the lands through which they were dispersed.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 20:32-38

The purpose of Israel's election. The prophecy at this point turns from the story of the past to the prediction and prospect of the future. I. GOD 'S PURPOSES CANNOT BE FULFILLED BY THE ABSORPTION OF ISRAEL AMONG THE HEATHEN . Exile and dispersion were appointed as chastisement and discipline. And there were those among the Hebrews who thought that, as a nation, they might amalgamate with the heathen, and might "serve wood and stone." To human apprehension,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 20:33-38

The sovereignty of God in the punishment of sin. "As I live, saith the Lord God, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm," etc. The connection of this paragraph with what has gone before, and especially with Ezekiel 20:32 , is of the closest character; it is, in fact, essential. Three leading points require attention. I. THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD OVER MEN , NOTWITHSTANDING THEIR SINS , ASSERTED . ( Ezekiel 20:33 .) The Israelites had resolved to be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 20:33-44

Judicial discrimination. As among men, when matters of serious importance have to be determined, there is the employment of a religious oath, in other words, a solemn appeal that God should witness the truthfulness of the parties; so, when God discloses his intentions respecting the destiny of men, he speaks with a view to produce the deepest impression. He stakes his own existence upon the certainty of the event. I. GOD 'S RULE IS DIRECTED SOLELY FOR MAN 'S PURITY .... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 20:34-35

The prophet's words seem to look beyond the horizon of any fulfilment as yet seen in history, of which the return of the exiles under Zerubbabel was but the pledge and earnest. He contemplates not a return straight from Babylon to Jerusalem, but a gathering from all the countries in which they had been scattered ( Isaiah 11:11 ). When gathered, the whole nation is to be brought into the wilderness of the peoples, bordered by many nations. This may probably point to the great Syro-Arabian... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ezekiel 20:32-44

God’s future dealings with His people:(1) in judgment Ezekiel 20:32-38;(2) in mercy Ezekiel 20:39-44.Ezekiel 20:32The inquirers had thought that if Jerusalem were taken, and the whole people became sojourners in a foreign land, they would cease to be a separate nation. In their love for idolatry some may have even desired this. But more probably they thought that this very consequence precluded the possibility of such a catastrophe. God answers that He will not allow them to become as the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ezekiel 20:33-36

Ezekiel 20:33-36. Surely with a mighty hand, &c. I will no longer try to reclaim you by the gentle methods of patience and forbearance, but will govern you, as masters do bad servants, by stripes and corrections; and by this means cure you of your inclinations to the heathen customs and idolatries. And I will bring you out from the people With whom you now live mixed, and whose manners and customs you follow. The Moabites, Ammonites, and other neighbouring nations, seem to be... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 20:27-44

Past mistakes must not be repeated (20:27-44)Having clearly illustrated that Israel had always shown a tendency to idolatry, Ezekiel now began to apply the lessons of history to his fellow exiles in Babylon. He reminded them that as soon as the people of Israel settled in Canaan they copied the religious practices of the Canaanites (27-29). Those of Ezekiel’s day were just as idolatrous in heart and were thinking of copying the idolatrous ways of Babylon. God warns that he will not allow this... read more

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