Ezekiel 21

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 21

In this chapter we have, I. An explication of the prophecy in the close of the foregoing chapter concerning the fire in the forest, which the people complained they could not understand (Ezek. 21:1-5), with directions to the prophet to show himself deeply affected with it, Ezek. 21:6, 7. II. A further prediction of the sword that was coming upon the land, by which all should be laid waste; and this expressed very emphatically, Ezek. 21:8-17. III. A prospect given of the king of Babylon's... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 21:1-7

The prophet had faithfully delivered the message he was entrusted with, in the close of the foregoing chapter, in the terms wherein he received it, not daring to add his own comment upon it; but, when he complained that the people found fault with him for speaking parables, the word of the Lord came to him again, and gave him a key to that figurative discourse, that with it he might let the people into the meaning of it and so silence that objection. For all men shall be rendered inexcusable... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 21:8-17

Here is another prophecy of the sword, which is delivered in a very affecting manner; the expressions here used are somewhat intricate, and perplex interpreters. The sword was unsheathed in the Ezek. 21:1-7; here it is fitted up to do execution, which the prophet is commanded to lament. Observe, I. How the sword is here described. 1. It is sharpened, that it may cut and wound, and make a sore slaughter. The wrath of God will put an edge upon it; and, whatever instruments God shall please to... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 21:18-27

The prophet, in the verses before, had shown them the sword coming; he here shows them that sword coming against them, that they might not flatter themselves that by some means or other it should be diverted a contrary way. I. He must see and show the Chaldean army coming against Jerusalem and determined by a supreme power so to do. The prophet must appoint him two ways, that is, he must upon a paper draw out two roads (Ezek. 21:19), as sometimes is done in maps; and he must bring the king of... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 21:28-32

The prediction of the destruction of the Ammonites, which was effected by Nebuchadnezzar about five years after the destruction of Jerusalem, seems to come in here upon occasion of the king of Babylon's diverting his design against Rabbath, when he turned it upon Jerusalem. Upon this the Ammonites grew very insolent, and triumphed over Jerusalem; but the prophet must let them know that forbearance is no acquittance; the reprieve is not a pardon; their day also is at hand; their turn comes... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 21

INTRODUCTION TO EZEKIEL 21 This chapter contains an explanation of a prophecy in the latter part of the preceding chapter; and a new one, concerning the sword of the Chaldeans, and the destruction of the Jews and Ammonites by it. The prophecy of the fire in the forest is explained, Ezekiel 21:1 , upon which the prophet is directed to show his concern at it by sighing, in order to awaken the attention of the people to it, Ezekiel 21:6 , then follows a prophecy of a very sharp and bright... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 21:1

And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying. Upon the above excuse or complaint about speaking in parables; wherefore the prophet is ordered to speak in plainer language to the people. It is very probable that the prophet delivered the prophecy recorded in the latter part of the preceding chapter in the figurative terms in which he received it; and he here is bid to explain it to the people, or to repeat it to them in clearer expressions. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 21:2

Son of man, set thy face toward Jerusalem ,.... Which shows that this city was meant by "the south", Ezekiel 20:46 , and drop thy word toward the holy places ; which also are meant by the south in the passage referred to, even the holy land, holy city, and holy temple; or the temple itself is only meant, with the courts adjoining to it; or as consisting of three parts, as Kimchi, the porch, the temple, and the oracle; or the outward court, the holy place, and the holy of holies; and it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 21:3

And say to the land of Israel ,.... The inhabitants of it, signified by the "forest of the south field", Ezekiel 20:47 , thus saith the Lord, behold, I am against thee ; and sad it is to have the Lord against a people, a nation, a city, or a family, or a particular person; for there is no contending with him, or standing before him; there is always a reason for it, it is for sin when God is against a people, even his own professing people: and will draw forth my sword out of his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 21:4

Seeing then that I will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked ,.... Some by the sword, some by famine, some by pestilence, and others by captivity; and, upon the whole, none spared, but the land left desolate: therefore shall my sword go forth out of his sheath against all flesh, from the south to the north ; the Chaldean army shall go out of their own land against all the inhabitants of Judea, from Beersheba to Dan; this explains what is meant by all faces being burnt from the... read more

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