Ezekiel 24:17

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 24:15-27

These verses conclude what we have been upon all along from the beginning of this book, to wit, Ezekiel's prophecies of the destruction of Jerusalem; for after this, though he prophesied much concerning other nations, he said no more concerning Jerusalem, till he heard of the destruction of it, almost three years after, Ezek. 33:21. He had assured them, in the former part of this chapter, that there was no hope at all of the preventing of the trouble; here he assures them that they should not... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 24:17

Forbear to cry ,.... Groan or howl, or make any doleful noise: or, "be silent" F24 דם "tace", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus. : which the Talmudists F25 T. Bab. Moed Katon, fol. 15. 1. interpret of not greeting any person: make no mourning for the dead ; use none of those rites and ceremonies commonly observed for deceased relations and friends, particularly and especially for a wife; who is one of the seven persons for whom mourning is to be made, according to the Jewish... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 24:17

Make no mourning - As a priest, he could make no public mourning, Leviticus 21:1 , etc. Bind the tire of thine head - This seems to refer to the high priest's bonnet; or perhaps, one worn by the ordinary priests: it might have been a black veil to cover the head. Put on thy shoes upon thy feet - Walking barefoot was a sign of grief. Cover not thy lips - Mourners covered the under part of the face, from the nose to the bottom of the chin. Eat not the bread of men - אנשים... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 24:15-17

Behold, I take away from thee , etc. The next word of the Lord, coming after an interval, is of an altogether exceptional character, as giving one solitary glimpse into the personal home life of the prophet. The lesson which the history teaches is, in substance, the same as that of Jeremiah 16:5 . The calamity that falls on the nation will swallow up all personal sorrow, but it is brought home to Ezekiel, who may have read those words with wonder, by a new and terrible experience. We are... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 24:15-27

Speechless and tearless sorrow. If the event here described really happened, and if the death of the prophet's wife was a fact and not a mere vision or parable, at all events there is no reason to suppose that this death took place from other than natural causes. Foreseeing what would happen, the God of men and of nations used the affliction of his servant and turned it to account, making it the occasion and the means of spiritual instruction and impression for the benefit of the Hebrew... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 24:15-27

Graduated lessons. Most important truths can only be learnt by a series of comparisons. We best know the magnitude of the sun by comparison with the moon and stars. We prize the fragrance of the rose by comparison with the perfume of other flowers. We learn the dignity and strength that belong to a man by passing through the stages of childhood and youth. God teaches us and trains us, not only through the understanding, but also through the feelings, affections, griefs, inward experiences.... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ezekiel 24:16-27

The death of Ezekiel’s wife took place in the evening of the same day that he delivered the foregoing prophecy. This event was to signify to the people that the Lord would take from them all that was most dear to them; and - owing to the extraordinary nature of the times - quiet lamentation for the dead, according to the usual forms of mourning, would be impossible.Ezekiel 24:17The priest in general was to mourn for his dead (Leviticus 21:1 ff); but Ezekiel was to be an exception to the rule.... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ezekiel 24:16-18

Ezekiel 24:16-18. Behold, I take away from thee the desire of thine eyes with a stroke Behold, I take away from thee thy wife, the object of thy love and thy affection, by a sudden stroke from my own immediate hand, that is, by a sudden death. Observe, reader, we know not how soon the desire of our eyes may be removed from us. Death is a stroke from which the most pious, the most useful, the most amiable, are not exempted. Yet neither shalt thou mourn nor weep Thou shall not show any... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 24:15-27

Death of Ezekiel’s wife (24:15-27)It came as a shock to Ezekiel to learn from God that his wife was about to die. He was told not to show any of the usual signs of mourning, but to go about his business as usual. Before his wife died, Ezekiel told the people what would happen (15-18).As expected, the people asked Ezekiel why he was not observing the usual mourning customs (19). Ezekiel explained that he was demonstrating how the exiles would react when they heard news of the destruction of... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ezekiel 24:17

bind, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 10:6 ; Leviticus 13:45 ; Leviticus 21:10 ). cover not thy lips. Compare Micah 3:7 . the bread of men : i.e. the bread or food brought to the house of mourners. Compare Jeremiah 16:5-7 . Hosea 9:4 , men. Hebrew, plural of 'enosh . App-14 . read more

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