Verse 1
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.
Verse 2
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.
Verse 3
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.
Verse 4
foxes = jackals.
deserts = ruins.
Verse 5
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.
Verse 7
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.
Verse 8
saith the Lord GOD = [is] Adonai Jehovah"s oracle.
Verse 9
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.)
Verse 10
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.
Verse 11
shower = rain. Compare Matthew 7:25, Matthew 7:27.
wind. Hebrew ruach. App-9.
Verse 14
it.Feminine, referring to ruach (the wind in Ezekiel 13:11),
ye shall know,&c. See note on Ezekiel 6:7.
Verse 16
visions = a vision.
peace. Reference to meaning of the word Jerusalem.
Verse 17
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.
Verse 18
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.
Verse 19
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.
Verse 20
Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6.
fly = escape.
I will tear. So that these wraps could be torn away.
Verse 21
your. Feminine suffix.
Verse 22
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.