Bible Commentaries

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

Son of man. See note on Ezekiel 2:1.

against = concerning. Some codices, and the special reading called Sevir (App-34), with Aramaean, Septuagint, and Syriac, read "against".

the prophets. See the Structure, "M", above. The reference is to the false prophets of Israel. Compare Jeremiah 5:30, Jeremiah 5:31; Jeremiah 5:23, Jeremiah 5:9-32; Jeremiah 27:14; Jeremiah 29:8, Jeremiah 29:9, Jeremiah 29:22, Jeremiah 29:23.

the Lord GOD. Hebrew Adonai Jehovah. See note on Ezekiel 2:4. foolish. Hebrew. nabel. See note on Proverbs 1:7.

their own spirit. Not the Holy Spirit.

spirit. Hebrew. roach. App-9.

foxes = jackals.

deserts = ruins.

gaps = breaches.

hedge = fence or wall of a vineyard (Numbers 22:24.

Psa., Ezekiel 80:12. Isaiah 5:5).

saying, " The LORD saint "

= saying [it] is Jehovah's oracle.

they would confirm the word = their word would be confirmed.

saith it; albeit, &c. A solemn warning as to some of the changes made in tbe Vulgate versions. Compare Ezekiel 2:5-7. Jeremiah 23:21.

saith the Lord GOD = [is] Adonai Jehovah's oracle.

assembly = secret council.

writing = register.

land = soil. Hebrew. "admath. See note on Ezekiel 11:17.

ye shall know, &c. This formula occurs only here, Ezekiel 23:49; and Ezekiel 24:24 (not the same as Ezekiel 13:14; Ezekiel 6:7, &c.)

Because, even because. Figure of speech Epizeuxis. App-6.

one built = be: i.e. one = a false prophet.

a wall = the outer wall of a house.

lo. Fig, Asteriemos. App-6.

others: i.e. the false prophets. Compare Ezekiel 13:16.

daubed = coated,

untempered mortar = whitewash. Compare Matthew 28:29. Acts 23:3.

shower = rain. Compare Matthew 7:25, Matthew 7:27.

wind. Hebrew ruach. App-9.

it.Feminine, referring to ruach (the wind in Ezekiel 13:11),

ye shall know,&c. See note on Ezekiel 6:7.

visions = a vision.

peace. Reference to meaning of the word Jerusalem.

set thy face against, &c. This required Divine courage on the part of Ezekiel. Compare Ezekiel 14:8; Ezekiel 20:46; Ezekiel 21:2; Ezekiel 29:2; Ezekiel 29:38, Ezekiel 29:2.

their own heart. Compare verses: Ezekiel 13:2, Ezekiel 13:3 and a similar transition from men to women in Isaiah 3:16, Isaiah 3:17.

sew pillows to all armholes = sew together coverings upon all the joints of My hands: i.e. hide from the People the hands of Jehovah lifted up and stretched forth in judgment (Isaiah 26:11; Isaiah 5:2, Isaiah 5:10).

pillows coverings for purposes of concealment. Hebrew. Kesathoth (occurs only here and in Ezekiel 13:20), from kasah, to conceal, to hide. First occurrence (of kasah) Genesis 7:19, Genesis 7:20; Genesis 9:23; Genesis 18:17; Genesis 24:65; Genesis 37:26; Genesis 38:14, Genesis 38:15, &c . The object is shown in Isaiah 26:11.

armholes = My hands; referring to the judgments they were to execute (Ezekiel 14:9, Ezekiel 14:13). Compare verses: Ezekiel 9:21, Ezekiel 9:22, Ezekiel 9:23. The Septuagint renders it proskephalaia = for the head.

make kerchiefs upon the head of every stature = make mantles to cover the heads (and therefore the eyes) of those on whom the judgments of God's hand were about to fall, lest they should see.

kerchiefs = wraps that cleave close round the head. Hebrew. mispahoth (occurs only here), from saphah, to join, or cleave closely. Saphah occurs 1 Samuel 2:36 (put = attach); Ezekiel 26:19 (abiding = cleaving). Job 30:7 (gathered together). Iea. Ezekiel 14:1 (cleave). Hab. Ezekiel 2:15 (puttest = holdest). The object being to cover the head so that God's hand may not be seen (Isaiah 26:11).

stature = tall figure. Hebrew komah = height. First occurrence Genesis 6:15 . Compare 1 Samuel 16:7 (his stature); Ezekiel 25:20, &c. Put, here, for every man of high or lofty station: i, e. for the princes or rulers in Jerusalem, whose eyes were blinded by these false prophetesses.

hunt = harry, or ensnare.

souls. Hebrew. nephesh. App-1B. Put hereby Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Part), App-6, for the People.

Will ye . . . ? This is not a question, but a statement.

to slay, &c. to prophesy (falsely) that they should be slain. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject). App-6.

to save, &c. = to promise life to those who should not live. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), App-6.

your. Masculine suffix, indicating unwomanly character.

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6.

fly = escape.

I will tear. So that these wraps could be torn away.

your. Feminine suffix.

the righteous = a righteous one.

the wicked = a lawless one. Hebrew. rasha. App-44.

his wicked way = his wrong way. Heb raa. App-44.

by . . . life. Here the Figures in Ezekiel 13:20 are translated.

life. Continuance in life: i.e. escape from the judgments announced by Jehovah.