Ezekiel 20:23-49
swore <05375> [lifted.]
scatter <06327> [that I.]
The predictions of the dispersion of Israel, delivered by Moses just before his death, are evidently here referred to: they received a partial accomplishment at the Babylonian captivity, but are more exactly fulfilling at this day.
observe <06213> [they had.]
eyes <05869> [their eyes.]
gave <05414> [I gave.]
The simple meaning of this place is, that when the Israelites had rebelled against God, despised his statutes, and polluted his sabbaths, in effect cast him off, and given themselves up wholly to their idols, then He, in a just judgment for their disobedience, abandoned them, "gave them up to a reprobate mind," (Ro 1:28,) and suffered them to walk after the idolatrous, cruel, and impious customs and ordinances of the heathen; by which they were ripened for the destruction which he intended to bring upon them, that they might learn to know God by his judgments, seeing they had despised his mercies. In the same sense God is said judicially to "send a strong delusion, that they should believe a lie," to those who "received not the love of the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."
defiled <02930> [polluted.]
pass through <05674> [in that.]
first born <06363> [all that.]
know <03045> [to the end.]
speak <01696> [speak.]
fathers <01> [Yet.]
unfaithful <04603> [committed. Heb. trespassed.]
brought <0935> [when I.]
swore <05375> [the which.]
saw <07200> [they saw.]
aroma <05207> [their sweet.]
said <0559> [I said, etc. or, I told them what the high place was, or,]
Bamah. And the.
defile <02930> [Are ye.]
present <05375> [ye offer.]
seek ...................... seek <01875> [and shall.]
plan <05927> [that which.]
happen ...... be <01961> [We will.]
serve <08334> [to serve.]
powerful ..... outstretched <02389> [surely.]
bring <0935> [I will.]
judgment <08199> [and there.]
pass <05674> [pass.]
pass ......... bring <05674 0935> [I will.]
bond <04562> [the bond. or, a delivering.]
eliminate <01305> [I will purge.]
come <0935> [they shall.]
know <03045> [and ye.]
profaned <02490> [but.]
holy ............................................. holy things <06944> [in mine.]
These predictions received a partial accomplishment by the restoration of the Jews from the Babylonian captivity; but they seem chiefly to relate to the establishment of the Christian church, and more especially to the future conversion of the Jews, and their restoration to their own land.
house <01004> [there shall.]
choice <07225> [first-fruits. or, chief.]
aroma <05207> [with your.]
soothing aroma <07381 05207> [sweet savour. Heb. savour of rest. I bring.]
holiness among <06942> [and I will.]
know <03045> [ye shall.]
bring <0935> [when I.]
swore <05375> [for the which.]
remember <02142> [shall ye.]
despise <06962> [and ye shall.]
know <03045> [And ye shall.]
deal <06213> [when I.]
word <01697> [Moreover.]
This is the beginning of another prophecy, and properly belongs to the following chapter.
turn <07760> [set.]
south ....... south <01870 01864> [toward.]
Towards Judea, which lay south of Mesopotamia, where the prophet now dwelt.
speak out <05197> [and drop.]
open scrub <03293> [the forest.]
The city of Jerusalem, as full of inhabitants as the forest is of trees.
start a fire <03341> [I will kindle.]
I will send war; and it shall destroy all ranks and characters of the people.
green <03892> [green.]
flaming <03852> [the flaming.]
Negev ....................................................... Negev <05045> [from the south.]
speak <04911> [Doth.]
Is it not his usual custom to deal in enigmas? His figures are not to be understood; we should not trouble ourselves with them. God therefore commands the prophet to declare, in the next chapter, the same things in the plainest terms, so that they should not complain of his parables.
