24 For there shall be no more any vain H7723 vision H2377 nor flattering H2509 divination H4738 within H8432 the house H1004 of Israel. H3478
Therefore ye shall see H2372 no more vanity, H7723 nor divine H7080 divinations: H7081 for I will deliver H5337 my people H5971 out of your hand: H3027 and ye shall know H3045 that I am the LORD. H3068
And it shall come to pass in that day, H3117 saith H5002 the LORD H3068 of hosts, H6635 that I will cut off H3772 the names H8034 of the idols H6091 out of the land, H776 and they shall no more be remembered: H2142 and also I will cause the prophets H5030 and the unclean H2932 spirit H7307 to pass H5674 out of the land. H776 And it shall come to pass, that when any H376 shall yet prophesy, H5012 then his father H1 and his mother H517 that begat H3205 him shall say H559 unto him, Thou shalt not live; H2421 for thou speakest H1696 lies H8267 in the name H8034 of the LORD: H3068 and his father H1 and his mother H517 that begat H3205 him shall thrust H1856 him through when he prophesieth. H5012 And it shall come to pass in that day, H3117 that the prophets H5030 shall be ashamed H954 every one H376 of his vision, H2384 when he hath prophesied; H5012 neither shall they wear H3847 a rough H8181 garment H155 to deceive: H3584
Then said H559 I, Ah, H162 Lord H136 GOD! H3069 behold, the prophets H5030 say H559 unto them, Ye shall not see H7200 the sword, H2719 neither shall ye have famine; H7458 but I will give H5414 you assured H571 peace H7965 in this place. H4725 Then the LORD H3068 said H559 unto me, The prophets H5030 prophesy H5012 lies H8267 in my name: H8034 I sent H7971 them not, neither have I commanded H6680 them, neither spake H1696 unto them: they prophesy H5012 unto you a false H8267 vision H2377 and divination, H7081 and a thing of nought, H457 H434 and the deceit H8649 of their heart. H3820 Therefore thus saith H559 the LORD H3068 concerning the prophets H5030 that prophesy H5012 in my name, H8034 and I sent H7971 them not, yet they say, H559 Sword H2719 and famine H7458 shall not be in this land; H776 By sword H2719 and famine H7458 shall those prophets H5030 be consumed. H8552 And the people H5971 to whom they prophesy H5012 shall be cast out H7993 in the streets H2351 of Jerusalem H3389 because H6440 of the famine H7458 and the sword; H2719 and they shall have none to bury H6912 them, H1992 them, their wives, H802 nor their sons, H1121 nor their daughters: H1323 for I will pour H8210 their wickedness H7451 upon them.
And Zedekiah H6667 the son H1121 of Chenaanah H3668 made H6213 him horns H7161 of iron: H1270 and he said, H559 Thus saith H559 the LORD, H3068 With these shalt thou push H5055 the Syrians, H758 until thou have consumed H3615 them. And all the prophets H5030 prophesied H5012 so, saying, H559 Go up H5927 to Ramothgilead, H7433 H1568 and prosper: H6743 for the LORD H3068 shall deliver H5414 it into the king's H4428 hand. H3027 And the messenger H4397 that was gone H1980 to call H7121 Micaiah H4321 spake H1696 unto him, saying, H559 Behold now, the words H1697 of the prophets H5030 declare good H2896 unto the king H4428 with one H259 mouth: H6310 let thy word, H1697 I pray thee, be like the word H1697 of one H259 of them, and speak H1696 that which is good. H2896
I have seen H7200 also in the prophets H5030 of Jerusalem H3389 an horrible thing: H8186 they commit adultery, H5003 and walk H1980 in lies: H8267 they strengthen H2388 also the hands H3027 of evildoers, H7489 that none H376 doth return H7725 from his wickedness: H7451 they are all of them unto me as Sodom, H5467 and the inhabitants H3427 thereof as Gomorrah. H6017 Therefore thus saith H559 the LORD H3068 of hosts H6635 concerning the prophets; H5030 Behold, I will feed H398 them with wormwood, H3939 and make them drink H8248 the water H4325 of gall: H7219 for from the prophets H5030 of Jerusalem H3389 is profaneness H2613 gone forth H3318 into all the land. H776 Thus saith H559 the LORD H3068 of hosts, H6635 Hearken H8085 not unto the words H1697 of the prophets H5030 that prophesy H5012 unto you: they make you vain: H1891 they speak H1696 a vision H2377 of their own heart, H3820 and not out of the mouth H6310 of the LORD. H3068 They say H559 still H559 unto them that despise H5006 me, The LORD H3068 hath said, H1696 Ye shall have peace; H7965 and they say H559 unto every one that walketh H1980 after the imagination H8307 of his own heart, H3820 No evil H7451 shall come H935 upon you. For who hath stood H5975 in the counsel H5475 of the LORD, H3068 and hath perceived H7200 and heard H8085 his word? H1697 who hath marked H7181 his word, H1697 and heard H8085 it? Behold, a whirlwind H5591 of the LORD H3068 is gone forth H3318 in fury, H2534 even a grievous H2342 whirlwind: H5591 it shall fall grievously H2342 upon the head H7218 of the wicked. H7563 The anger H639 of the LORD H3068 shall not return, H7725 until he have executed, H6213 and till he have performed H6965 the thoughts H4209 of his heart: H3820 in the latter H319 days H3117 ye shall consider H995 it perfectly. H998 I have not sent H7971 these prophets, H5030 yet they ran: H7323 I have not spoken H1696 to them, yet they prophesied. H5012 But if they had stood H5975 in my counsel, H5475 and had caused my people H5971 to hear H8085 my words, H1697 then they should have turned H7725 them from their evil H7451 way, H1870 and from the evil H7455 of their doings. H4611 Am I a God H430 at hand, H7138 saith H5002 the LORD, H3068 and not a God H430 afar off? H7350 Can any H376 hide H5641 himself in secret places H4565 that I shall not see H7200 him? saith H5002 the LORD. H3068 Do not I fill H4392 heaven H8064 and earth? H776 saith H5002 the LORD. H3068 I have heard H8085 what the prophets H5030 said, H559 that prophesy H5012 lies H8267 in my name, H8034 saying, H559 I have dreamed, H2492 I have dreamed. H2492 How long shall this be H3426 in the heart H3820 of the prophets H5030 that prophesy H5012 lies? H8267 yea, they are prophets H5030 of the deceit H8649 of their own heart; H3820 Which think H2803 to cause my people H5971 to forget H7911 my name H8034 by their dreams H2472 which they tell H5608 every man H376 to his neighbour, H7453 as their fathers H1 have forgotten H7911 my name H8034 for Baal. H1168 The prophet H5030 that hath a dream, H2472 let him tell H5608 a dream; H2472 and he that hath my word, H1697 let him speak H1696 my word H1697 faithfully. H571 What is the chaff H8401 to the wheat? H1250 saith H5002 the LORD. H3068 Is not my word H1697 like H3541 as a fire? H784 saith H5002 the LORD; H3068 and like a hammer H6360 that breaketh H6327 the rock H5553 in pieces? H6327
For G1063 they that are such G5108 serve G1398 not G3756 our G2257 Lord G2962 Jesus G2424 Christ, G5547 but G235 their own G1438 belly; G2836 and G2532 by G1223 good words G5542 and G2532 fair speeches G2129 deceive G1818 the hearts G2588 of the simple. G172
For G1063 neither G3777 at any time G4218 used we G1096 flattering G2850 words, G1722 G3056 as G2531 ye know, G1492 nor G3777 a cloke G1722 G4392 of covetousness; G4124 God G2316 is witness: G3144
And G2532 many G4183 shall follow G1811 their G846 pernicious ways; G684 by reason of G1223 whom G3739 the way G3598 of truth G225 shall be evil spoken of. G987 And G2532 through G1722 covetousness G4124 shall they with feigned G4112 words G3056 make merchandise G1710 of you: G5209 whose G3739 judgment G2917 now of a long time G1597 lingereth G691 not, G3756 and G2532 their G846 damnation G684 slumbereth G3573 not. G3756
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Ezekiel 12
Commentary on Ezekiel 12 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 12
Eze 12:1-28. Ezekiel's Typical Moving to Exile: Prophecy of Zedekiah's Captivity and Privation of Sight: the Jews' Unbelieving Surmise as to the Distance of the Event Reproved.
1, 2. eyes to see, and see not, … ears to hear, and hear not—fulfilling the prophecy of De 29:4, here quoted by Ezekiel (compare Isa 6:9; Jer 5:21). Ezekiel needed often to be reminded of the people's perversity, lest he should be discouraged by the little effect produced by his prophecies. Their "not seeing" is the result of perversity, not incapacity. They are wilfully blind. The persons most interested in this prophecy were those dwelling at Jerusalem; and it is among them that Ezekiel was transported in spirit, and performed in vision, not outwardly, the typical acts. At the same time, the symbolical prophecy was designed to warn the exiles at Chebar against cherishing hopes, as many did in opposition to God's revealed word, of returning to Jerusalem, as if that city was to stand; externally living afar off, their hearts dwelt in that corrupt and doomed capital.
3. stuff for removing—rather, "an exile's outfit," the articles proper to a person going as an exile, a staff and knapsack, with a supply of food and clothing; so "instruments of captivity," Jer 46:19, Margin, that is, the needful equipments for it. His simple announcements having failed, he is symbolically to give them an ocular demonstration conveyed by a word-painting of actions performed in vision.
consider—(De 32:29).
4. by day—in broad daylight, when all can see thee.
at even—not contradicting the words "by day." The baggage was to be sent before by day, and Ezekiel was to follow at nightfall [Grotius]; or, the preparations were to be made by day, the actual departure was to be effected at night [Henderson].
as they that go forth into captivity—literally, "as the goings forth of the captivity," that is, of the captive band of exiles, namely, amid the silent darkness: typifying Zedekiah's flight by night on the taking of the city (Jer 39:4; 52:7).
5. Dig—as Zedekiah was to escape like one digging through a wall, furtively to effect an escape (Eze 12:12).
carry out—namely, "thy stuff" (Eze 12:4).
thereby—by the opening in the wall. Zedekiah escaped "by the gate betwixt the two walls" (Jer 39:4).
6. in … twilight—rather, "in the dark." So in Ge 15:17, "it" refers to "thy stuff."
cover thy face—as one who muffles his face, afraid of being recognized by anyone meeting him. So the Jews and Zedekiah should make their exit stealthily and afraid to look around, so hurried should be their fight [Calvin].
sign—rather, "a portent," namely, for evil.
9. What doest thou?—They ask not in a docile spirit, but making a jest of his proceedings.
10. burden—that is, weighty oracle.
the prince—The very man Zedekiah, in whom they trust for safety, is to be the chief sufferer. Josephus [Antiquities, 10.7] reports that Ezekiel sent a copy of this prophecy to Zedekiah. As Jeremiah had sent a letter to the captives at the Chebar, which was the means of calling forth at first the agency of Ezekiel, so it was natural for Ezekiel to send a message to Jerusalem confirming the warnings of Jeremiah. The prince, however, fancying a contradiction between Eze 12:13; "he shall not see Babylon," and Jer 24:8, 9, declaring he should be carried to Babylon, believed neither. Seeming discrepancies in Scripture on deeper search prove to be hidden harmonies.
11. sign—portent of evil to come (Eze 24:27; Zec 3:8, Margin). Fulfilled (2Ki 25:1-7; Jer 52:1-11).
12. prince … among them—literally, "that is in the midst of them," that is, on whom the eyes of all are cast, and "under whose shadow" they hope to live (La 4:20).
shall bear—namely, his "stuff for removing"; his equipments for his journey.
cover his face, that he see not the ground—See on Eze 12:6; the symbol in Eze 12:6 is explained in this verse. He shall muffle his face so as not to be recognized: a humiliation for a king!
13. My net—the Chaldean army. He shall be inextricably entangled in it, as in the meshes of a net. It is God's net (Job 19:6). Babylon was God's instrument (Isa 10:5). Called "a net" (Hab 1:14-16).
bring him to Babylon … ; yet shall he not see it—because he should be deprived of sight before he arrived there (Jer 52:11).
14. all … about him—his satellites: his bodyguard.
bands—literally, "the wings" of an army (Isa 8:8).
draw out … sword after them—(See on Eze 5:2; Eze 5:12).
16. I will leave a few … that they may declare … abominations—God's purpose in scattering a remnant of Jews among the Gentiles; namely, not only that they themselves should be weaned from idolatry (see Eze 12:15), but that by their own word, as also by their whole state as exiles, they should make God's righteousness manifest among the Gentiles, as vindicated in their punishment for their sins (compare Isa 43:10; Zec 8:13).
18. Symbolical representation of the famine and fear with which they should eat their scanty morsel, in their exile, and especially at the siege.
19. people of the land—the Jews "in the land" of Chaldea who thought themselves miserable as being exiles and envied the Jews left in Jerusalem as fortunate.
land of Israel—contrasted with "the people in the land" of Chaldea. So far from being fortunate as the exiles in Chaldea regarded them, the Jews in Jerusalem are truly miserable, for the worst is before them, whereas the exiles have escaped the miseries of the coming siege.
land … desolate from all that is therein—literally, "that the land (namely, Judea) may be despoiled of the fulness thereof"; emptied of the inhabitants and abundance of flocks and corn with which it was filled.
because of … violence—(Ps 107:34).
20. the cities—left in Judea after the destruction of Jerusalem.
22. proverb—The infidel scoff, that the threatened judgment was so long in coming, it would not come at all, had by frequent repetition come to be a "proverb" with them. This skeptical habit contemporary prophets testify to (Jer 17:15; 20:7; Zep 1:12). Ezekiel, at the Chebar, thus sympathizes with Jeremiah and strengthens his testimony at Jerusalem. The tendency to the same scoff showed itself in earlier times, but had not then developed into a settled "proverb" (Isa 5:19; Am 5:18). It shall again be the characteristic of the last times, when "faith" shall be regarded as an antiquated thing (Lu 18:8), seeing that it remains stationary, whereas worldly arts and sciences progress, and when the "continuance of all things from creation" will be the argument against the possibility of their being suddenly brought to a standstill by the coming of the Lord (Isa 66:5; 2Pe 3:3, 4). The very long-suffering of God, which ought to lead men to repentance, is made an argument against His word (Ec 8:11; Am 6:3).
days … prolonged … vision faileth—their twofold argument: (1) The predictions shall not come to pass till long after our time. (2) They shall fail and prove vain shadows. God answers both in Eze 12:23, 25.
23. effect—literally, "the word," namely, fulfilled; that is, the effective fulfilment of whatever the prophets have spoken is at hand.
24. no more … vain vision … flattering divination—All those false prophets (La 2:14), who "flattered" the people with promises of peace and safety, shall be detected and confounded by the event itself.
25. word … shall come to pass—in opposition to their scoff "the vision faileth" (Eze 12:22). The repetition, "I will speak … speak," &c. (or as Fairbairn, "For I, Jehovah, will speak whatever word I shall speak, and it shall be done") implies that whenever God speaks, the effect must follow; for God, who speaks, is not divided in Himself (Eze 12:28; Isa 55:11; Da 9:12; Lu 21:33).
no more prolonged—in opposition to the scoff (Eze 12:22), "The days are prolonged."
in your days—while you are living (compare Mt 24:34).
27. Not a mere repetition of the scoff (Eze 12:22); there the scoffers asserted that the evil was so often threatened and postponed, it must have no reality; here formalists do not go so far as to deny that a day of evil is coming, but assert it is still far off (Am 6:3). The transition is easy from this carnal security to the gross infidelity of the former class.