Eze 29:1

Eze 29-32: Outline, re Egypt: (a) Prophecies (Eze 29); (b) Nebuchadnezzar (Eze 30:1-19); (c) Pharaoh’s broken arm (Eze 30:20-26); (d) Lesson for Pharaoh (Eze 31); and (e) Lamentation (Eze 32).

Eze 29:3

YOU GREAT MONSTER: Like the king of Tyre and his people, Pharaoh and Egypt had also been guilty of pride. He had become like a great river monster (Heb “tannim”, probably a crocodile of which there were many in the Nile) because he had taken credit for the Nile River, the lifeblood of the nation. Rather than giving God thanks for this resource, the king had proudly claimed responsibility for it. “This was [Pharaoh] Hophra’s [Gr ‘Apries’] arrogant self-image. Herodotus implied that Pharaoh Apries was so strong in his position that he felt no god could dislodge him. In his reign he sent an expedition against Cyprus, besieged and took Gaza (cf Jer 47:1) and the city of Sidon, was victorious against Tyre by sea, and considered himself master over Palestine and Phoenicia… This arrogance had also shown itself in an attempt to interrupt Babylonia’s siege of Jerusalem — an attempt thwarted by God” (EB).

See Lesson, Leviathan — “OT History”.

Eze 29:4

I WILL PUT HOOKS IN YOUR JAWS AND MAKE THE FISH OF YOUR STREAMS STICK TO YOUR SCALES. The LORD promised to remove Pharaoh and his lieutenants and subordinate princes (the lesser “fish” clinging to him) from their land, as a fisherman pulls a crocodile out of the water with hooks. Normally people caught crocodiles by placing hooks in their jaws and then dragging them onto land where they killed them. In the delta region of Egypt, the Egyptians worshipped the crocodile as a god, Sebek, which they believed protected their nation (cf Eze 32:2; Psa 74:13; Isa 27:1; 51:9). Thus God promised to destroy Pharaoh, Egypt, and the god supposedly responsible for their protection.

Eze 29:6

YOU HAVE BEEN A STAFF OF REED FOR THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL: “Friends are people who can be relied on whatever the circumstances. Friends are there to laugh with us, to cry with us, to share our company and to support us. A true friend is always there when we need him, and has our needs at heart as much as his own.

“When Israel rejected God, they considered Pharaoh, King of Egypt, to be their friend. While things were going good, he was probably a very good friend to have, but he turned out to be unreliable. He broke trust with Israel and Judah and let them down. He was described here as a staff of a reed to the house of Israel. The staff is what supports our steps when we are walking. We have to rely on it, that it will support our weight when we lean on it and put our faith in it. But the staff of Egypt was bent and splintered, letting Israel fall and causing injury.

“We all have friends that will support us in our times of need and we have friends who will break and let us down. But we must aim to be a true friend to our friends. We must be reliable and supportive just as the Lord Jesus Christ is a best friend to us” (RP).

Eze 29:11

Vv 11-13: Invasion by Nebuchadnezzar in 37th year of reign: Xd 37:5.

Eze 29:12

FORTY YEARS: That is, until the early years of Cyrus’ reign.

Eze 25:1

Eze 25–32: Seven nations mock at Israel, and the hidden Glory of God strikes them down: Ammon (Eze 25:1-7); Moab (Eze 25:8-11); Edom (Eze 25:12-14); Philistia (Eze 25:15-17); Tyre (Eze 26:1–28:19); Zidon (Eze 28:20-26); and Egypt (Eze 29–32). Other prophecies of Gentile nations are usually grouped together: ie Isa 13–27; Jer 46–51.

“There is a certain type of people whose greatest joy in life is to watch someone else fall. They are the kind of people who laugh at the misfortunes of others and who spread gossip and rumours about the mistakes other people make. They delight in watching anyone but themselves reap their ‘just deserts’, and believe that everyone else should see life the way they do. One of the things they live for is to take vengeance on anyone else who crosses their path and then to watch them fall. Maybe you know someone like that (if you do, they need you to pray for them). This type of person doesn’t do much to cause trouble — but when it comes they are first on the scene to cheer it on. Ammon, Moab, Edom, the Philistines and Tyre were like that. When the Assyrians and the Babylonians attacked Israel they all watched with glee on their faces, gloating over the agony of the nation. They came in behind and wreaked what havoc they could behind the destroyer.

“God’s anger against them was fierce because of their wicked attitude. He said then that He would do the same to them as they wished on Israel. The same judgement will fall on us if we have the same attitude. Instead let us look for good in others and delight in it” (RP).

Eze 25:4

THE PEOPLE OF THE EAST: Men of desert; nomads (Jer 6:3,33; 7:12; 8:10; 1Ki 4:30; Isa 11:14), who keep camels and flocks (v 5).

Eze 25:15

PHILISTINES: See Lesson, Philistia in prophecy.

Eze 25:17

Let us take the opportunity to observe and respect the power of God to save or to destroy. In God’s eyes men are either good (by His grace) or evil (by not seeking His grace). We live our lives assuming we are somewhere between these two, but there is no “in-between” place. It doesn’t exist. Every man or woman alive is in one or other camp in the eyes of the Lord. We live in Him, and this means we are under grace. Let us be sure to show God our appreciation for His great love to those on whom He does not seek vengeance, and to thank Him for calling us to the salvation of His gospel message.

Eze 26:1

Concerning Tyre: the fall of Tyre (Eze 26); a lamentation (Eze 27); dirge on prince of Tyre (Eze 28:1-19).

“The prophetic messages against Ammon, Moab, Edom and the Philistines were comparatively short. That against Tyre occupied three chapters. This nation occupied a position of greater privilege and therefore was given greater punishment. Tyre had acted inconsistently in its relationship with Israel, and now was to hear its doom from the prophet. It rejoiced in the adversity of Israel, believing that this would result in added profit. The reformation of Josiah had reached north (2Ki 23:19), destroying the gods of the Phoenicians, and drawing people to the worship of Yahweh in the temple. Jerusalem thus became the gate to the nations (Eze 26:2), but later, the Tyrians became proud (Eze 28:2; Isa 23:9), and developed a measure of anti-Semitism (Psa 83:6,7). Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon took Tyre after 13 years’ siege, according to Josephus, but prophecy was fulfilled by Alexander the Great 240 years later. For this difficult siege, Nebuchadnezzar received special wages (Eze 29:18-20). The prophecy reveals: [1] Divine judgment and its cause: vv 1-6. [2] First wave: destruction of Tyre: vv 7-11. [3] Another wave: Alexander’s attack: vv 12-14. [4] Tyre’s fall: an object lesson to others: vv 15-21” (GEM).

Eze 26:4

“If you wish to survey the ruins of ancient Tyre, however, you really should have a frogman’s suit. History tells how the ruins of the city really were cast into the sea, hundreds of years after Ezekiel had said they would be. In 332 BC Alexander the Great wanted to subdue an island fortress off the coast, near the ruins of the former city. He achieved his aim by building a causeway out to the island, and he used the remains of ancient Tyre for material.

“Every scrap of rubble from the ruins of Tyre was used by Alexander, so that the site really was, as Ezekiel put it, ‘made like the top of a rock’. Moreover, as the prophet foretold, the site of the old city was never built on again. The city of Tyre mentioned in the New Testament, and which still exists today, stands on an entirely different site” (GT ch 2).

Eze 26:6

HER SETTLEMENTS ON THE MAINLAND: Lit, as KJV, “her daughters which are in the fields”. But this refers not to actual people, but to the suburbs of Tyre: cp Eze 16:46,48.

Eze 26:13

AN END TO YOUR NOISY SONGS: As it was said of Babylon: “The music of harpists and musicians, flute players and trumpeters, will never be heard in you again” (Rev 18:22).

Eze 26:15

WILL NOT THE COASTLANDS TREMBLE…?: Because her commerce was so extensive.

Eze 26:17

CITY OF RENOWN: As is “Babylon”: Rev 17:18.

“Dim is her glory; gone her fame. Her boasted wealth has fled. On her proud rock, Alas! her shame, The fisher’s net is spread. The Tyrian harp has slumbered long; And Tyria’s mirth is low; The timbrel, dulcimer, and song Are hushed; or wake to woe” (LB 185).

Eze 27:1

Eze 27: “The record of Tyre has a peculiar relevance for our day, for those areas in which she excelled and was the envy of the entire ancient world are precisely the fields in which every modern nation seeks superiority. But Tyre has a message for our age, and it is that riches without God are unable to satisfy the heart of man and often keep many from dependence upon God. Has not this spirit invaded the church, and does it not pervade the lives of too many Christians?” (Const).

“Tyre had been a great support in the building of Solomon’s temple. Indeed Hiram was ‘ever a lover of David’ (1Ki 5:1). What had gone wrong? Tyre had become self-centred and concerned with her own wealth. In this position she forgot the ‘brotherly covenant (Amos 1:9) and turned against Israel” (PF).

Eze 27:3

Vv 3-9: Tyre compared to a ship.

Eze 27:5

SENIR: Same as Mount Hermon (Deu 3:9): “Hermon is called Sirion by the Sidonians; the Amorites call it Senir.”

Eze 27:7

ELISHAH: Greek isles and neighboring nations.

Eze 27:10

PERSIA, LYDIA AND PUT: Cities of Mesopotamia; notice the extent of Tyre’s trade and influence.

Eze 27:12

TARSHISH (Psa 48:7) was a son of Javan (Gen 10:4); it is a name which came to refer to the Phoenicians, a sea-faring and trading people (hence such refs as Jon 1:3; Eze 27:12; 1Ki 9:26; 10:22; 2Ch 9:21). Tarshish = a latter-day power: here; Eze 38:13 (where an ally of Sheba and Dedan). In Isa 23 — a prophecy concerning Tyre, there is plainly a strong link with “the daughter of Tarshish” and “the ships of Tarshish” (vv 1,6,10,14) — this leads to the reasonable conclusion that Tarshish is another name for Tyre. (The proposed identification of Tarshish with England merely on the basis that the latter is — or rather was — a significant sea power is extremely tenuous at best.) See Lesson, Tarshish.

Eze 27:13

Cit Rev 18:13, when speaking of Babylon, as indeed is Eze 27:30. The description of Babylon in Rev is made up of OT language from the fall of Tyre, the fall of Babylon and the overthrow of Jerusalem by the Babylonians.

Eze 27:25

SHIPS OF TARSHISH: “Trading ships” (NIV of Isa 60:9). The use of “Tarshish” prob expresses type of ship, not origin (NIV: Making… pp 97,98). Cp usage in Psa 48:7; Isa 23:1,14.

Eze 28:1

Eze 28: “In his inaccessible and impregnable island fortress, the prince of Tyre mocked at any threat to his security. He was proud in his achievements; insolent in his challenge to others; wise in his own conceits. The king aspired to equality with God (v 2). In that, he followed the pattern of Adam in sinning and being ejected from the Garden of Eden. He is warned that he is but Adam (v 2) and the fate of Adam was to be his. He felt that he was the personification of wisdom and beauty — so was Adam (vv 4-12)! He believe that he was divine and glorious (Eze 28:2), but Adam was really that. He believed that he possessed divine wisdom (v 3), but Adam was taught by the Cherub (v 14). And as Adam sinned and was ejected from the Garden, so would the king of Tyre from his position because of his great sin (Eze 26:2). This is a dirge of great irony, satirical in the extreme, in which the record of the one great sin of Adam is used as a similitude of the one great mistake of Ithobal. Figuratively, he had been in Eden because he reflected the sin of Adam; so has everybody who sins similarly (Eze 31:8).

“So the voice of the prophet sounded forth in judgement against the King of Tyre. (1) The pride of the king of Tyre: vv 1-10. (2) The dirge over the king of Tyre: vv 11-19. (3) The doom of Zidon: vv 20-23. (4) The removal of these ‘briers’ from Israel: vv 24-26. This chapter concludes the section on the dirge against Tyre” (GEM).

Eze 28:2

RULER: Heb title, “nagid”, otherwise used only of Jewish kings, and prophetically of Messiah (Dan 9:25) (Tes 46:175). The king of Tyre had stolen this title for himself. He was claiming to be the rival of the king of Judah (or perhaps now, his lawful replacement). Eden, or paradise, was now in Tyre.

“The diabolical prince of Tyre” (AG, Tes 46:175): A bull-cherub sphinx set in a sculptured mounted base. Prob repr the king of Tyre, an object of veneration. Phoenician cherub-sphinxes usually have jewels upon their chests (v 13). The Tyrian god, Melkart, sig “king of the city” (v 12). The worship of Melkart was the worship of Yahweh under another name, with the temple on the same plan, cherubim (v 14), etc. This worship — a reasonable imitation at the beginning (cp 1Ki 5:3,5,7) — became utterly corrupt and debased later (WBS 156-158).

I AM A GOD: Like Eve, and Adam, in the Garden of Eden, the king of Tyre was puffed up in pride, desiring to become like the Elohim (Gen 3:5; cp Phi 2:6). // 2Th 2:4: “He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.”

Eze 28:3

DANIEL: Throughout the book, Ezekiel spells this name as “Danel”. This is also the name of a mythological hero of Canaan, a man-god of great wisdom (Tes 46:177). Economic success implied mastery over this god Danel.

Eze 28:10

YOU WILL DIE: Can “Satan” die (vv 18,19)?

Eze 28:12

THE MODEL OF PERFECTION: Translated “the serpent of the pattern” by AG (Tes 46:177). The king of Tyre, in his blasphemy, was assuming the role of the serpent in the garden of Eden.

Eze 28:13

Addressed to king of Tyre: Eze 28:1,12. Generally, consider the parallels with Isa 14 (king of Babylon). Archaeological evidence of a cherub/sphinx at Tyre, with the head of the king, animal’s body, and sitting on a mountain. Embedded in the body are the 9 jewels. Inscriptions call the king of Tyre “Lord of the Heavens”, describe Tyre as “the garden of God”. Bas reliefs show “cherubim” guarding Tyre: cp Gen 3:24.

YOU WERE IN EDEN: The king of Tyre was as one of the trees in the garden of Eden (cp Eze 31:3,8,9). Eden covered an extensive area (Gen 2:8; Eze 27:23).

EDEN: A geographical region, not a time! See Lesson, Eden, Garden of.

EVERY PRECIOUS STONE: 9 of the 12 stones in High Priest’s breastplate. See Exo 28:17-30, // Exo 39:10-14. Cp Rev 21:19,20. The third row, omitted here, is supplied in the LXX (WS 172).

ADORNED YOU: An allusion to the stones of the High Priest’s breastplate (Exo 39:10-14), called “stones of fire” (v 14) because of Shekinah Glory in their midst. Ref divine favor enjoyed by king of Tyre in helping Solomon build the temple (2Sa 5:11; 1Ki 5:1-18).

Eze 28:14

Vv 14-16: It is clear that there was a time when Tyre was faithful — extremely so, it would seem. As a result the turning away that has taken place is more serious in God’s eyes (cp Heb 6:4-6).

YOU WERE ANOINTED AS A GUARDIAN CHERUB: “With an anointed cherub I placed you” (RSV). Or “thou art the anointed cherub that covereth” (AV): meaning ‘you have cast your covering wings of protection over Israel’ (cp Mat 23:37; Psa 36:7; 91:4).

GUARDIAN CHERUB: Cp cherubim in Gen 3:24, guarding the way to the tree of life. Or “covering cherub”, that overshadowed the mercy seat (Exo 37:7-9; 25:19,20).

HOLY MOUNT OF GOD: Zion, where temple was built: Isa 2:2,3; 56:7; Eze 20:40.

FIERY STONES: The breastplate stones, reflecting the light of the burning Glory of God, in the Most Holy place.

Eze 28:15

Cp Adam and Eve in garden of Eden: sinless, sinning, driven out, cherubim…

BLAMELESS: Heb “tamim”. Sw used of men in Gen 6:9; 17:1; Job 1:1.

CREATED: Heb “bara” may sig “prepare, form”. Used of other peoples in Eze 21:30; Psa 102:18.

Eze 28:16

AND I EXPELLED YOU, O GUARDIAN CHERUB, FROM AMONG THE FIERY STONES: “And the covering cherub drove you out from the midst of the stones of fire” (RSV).

Eze 28:19

AND WILL BE NO MORE: “And shall be no more for ever” (RSV).

Eze 17:1

Eze 17: “The great parable of the two eagles and the vine describe the situation in Zedekiah’s last days. The great eagle is representative of Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylon; the other eagle speaks of the southern power of Egypt. Both were important in the final history of the kingdom of Judah. The vine represented Judah, the tender planting of Yahweh, which had become affected by the disease of humanity, and sought for support from its companion nations, ignoring the strength and power of Yahweh’s protection. The chapter presents ‘The Allegory of Zedekiah, the Covenant Breaker,’ and outlines: (1) Zedekiah’s power set up by the Babylonian Eagle: vv 1-6. (2) The king turns to Egypt for help: vv 7-10. (3) Zedekiah’s treachery proves fatal: vv 11-21. (4) The Zedekiah who keeps Covenants: vv 22-24.

“Thus the desolation brought about by Zedekiah (Yahweh is Righteous), will be restored by a king with the name ‘Yahweh our Righteousness,’ fulfilled in the Lord Jesus Christ. Thus the ‘one whose right it is’ will uphold the name of the last king of Judah, and restore the throne of David in accordance with the principles of true righteousness. Notice the constant ref to ‘covenant’ in this ch (6 times)” (GEM).

Eze 17:2

ALLEGORY: “Riddle” in KJV. The word “chiydah” is used of a secret — and usually a dark secret at that: sw Num 12:8 (“riddles”); 1Ki 10:1 and 2Ch 9:1 (“hard questions”). However, here and in several other places, the “riddles” are attributed to the wise, so clearly the idea is of things that are revealed only to those who seek them out (Psa 49:4; 78:2; Pro 1:6).

Eze 17:3

A GREAT EAGLE: The king of Babylon (v 12): Hab 1:8; Rev 12:14; Deu 28:49; Dan 7:4; Jer 4:13; 48:40; Lam 4:19. It seems strange that God should choose to use the picture of the eagle for this nation of evil, where it is elsewhere, apparently used mainly for powers of good. This may perhaps indicate that the real power behind Nebuchadnezzar, in this endeavor at least, is the Holy Spirit!

TAKING HOLD OF THE TOP OF A CEDAR: An allusion to Solomon’s “house of the forest of Lebanon” (1Ki 7:2), which became the armory of Jerusalem. Cp also Jer 22:6,7,23; Isa 2:13; 10:34.

Eze 17:4

ITS TOPMOST SHOOT: The leading men of the land (v 13).

CARRIED IT AWAY TO A LAND OF MERCHANTS: Jehoiachin and princes were taken to Babylon, along with Ezekiel (2Ki 24:10-16).

Eze 17:5

Vv 5,6: Zedekiah replaces Jehoiakim, becoming a subordinate king with leanings toward and dependence upon Babylon (2Ki 24:17).

Eze 17:6

BRANCHES… BOUGHS: Leaves, and promises, but no actual fruit.

Eze 17:7

ANOTHER GREAT EAGLE: Another nation of lesser strength and prestige: ie Egypt of v 15.

Eze 17:8

BEAR FRUIT: “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples” (John 15:8).

Eze 17:12

THE KING OF BABYLON: The eagle of v 3.

Eze 17:13

THE LEADING MEN OF THE LAND: The top branches of v 4.

Eze 17:15

THE KING REBELLED: Zedekiah (2Ki 24:20; 2Ch 36:13).

BY SENDING HIS ENVOYS TO EGYPT TO GET HORSES AND A LARGE ARMY: The ineffectual support of Egypt at final siege: Jer 37:5-8; 39:1,2,7; 52:11.

Eze 17:22

A SHOOT FROM THE VERY TOP OF A CEDAR: Christ the branch (Eze 34:29; Isa 53:1,2; 2Sa 7:12-16), of the highest nobility of the Land.

Eze 17:23

BIRDS OF EVERY KIND WILL NEST IN IT; THEY WILL FIND SHELTER IN THE SHADE OF ITS BRANCHES: Spoken of Babylon and Nebuchadnezzar in Dan 4:12: “Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, and on it was food for all. Under it the beasts of the field found shelter, and the birds of the air lived in its branches; from it every creature was fed.”

Eze 17:24

Four phases: (1) bring down the tall tree: Jehoiachin’s captivity; (2) make the low tree grow tall: restoration of Zerubbabel; (3) dry up the green tree: fall of Jerusalem (Luk 23:31); and (4) make the dry tree flourish: the future greatness of the new branch, Christ.

Eze 18:1

Eze 18: The parable of the sour grapes addresses the question of individual responsibility. All apparent injustices will be righted when the tender branch comes (Eze 17:22). (The false prophets of the time were teaching that the nation was being punished for sins of the past.)

Eze 18:4

THE SOUL WHO SINS IS THE ONE WHO WILL DIE: But even the sinless “soul” (Christ) dies: Isa 53:12; 1Co 15:18.

Eze 18:19

Repetition of the basic principles of individual responsibility.

Eze 18:23

“This verse is frequently used to support the view that God wants to save all men and it is only their refusal to turn to Him which prevents this, for does not Peter say, ‘The Lord is… not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance’ (2Pe 3:9)?

“A moment’s reflection is enough to cast doubts on this conclusion. That God is merciful, gracious and a God of love, goes without saying; but to argue that He is so to all men, meaning every individual, contradicts the fundamental teaching of Scripture that God’s purpose is being worked out ‘according to ELECTION’ (Rom 9:11).

“The words of Jesus indicate a selection process: ‘No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me DRAW him’ (John 6:44). It is because of this that Paul writes to the Thessalonians: ‘We give thanks to God… knowing, brethren beloved, your ELECTION of God’ (1Th 1:2,4)….

“God is all-powerful and able to do as He wills in His universe. If He will indeed have all mankind to be saved, why is it that so many never get to hear the gospel message? The words of the apostle in 1Ti 2:4 — in which he says that ‘[God] will have all men to be saved’ — cannot mean that it is His desire to save every member of the human race. To interpret it thus would contradict the fundamental principle that God’s purpose is being worked out on the basis of election. In these words the apostle, who had been divinely appointed as a preacher to the Gentiles, is simply saying that it was no longer the case that ‘salvation is of the Jews’. God is now working with the Gentiles (all mankind) and it was His will that salvation be offered to ‘all men’ (ie, all nationalities) and not just to Jews.

“In 2Pe the apostle is writing to the brethren in the Ecclesias of Asia Minor. It is to these, troubled by the Judaizers and in danger of grave apostasy from the Truth, that he writes: ‘The Lord… is longsuffering to us-ward (RV, youward), not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance’ (2Pe 3:9). These to whom Peter writes had been called by the Father but were in danger of failing to ‘make [their] calling and election sure’ (2Pe 1:10). The same applies to these verses from Ezekiel. They are not addressed to the individuals of the pagan world but to the Covenant People.

“The vast majority of the Gentile world, then and now, comprise that great crowd of mankind that ‘is in honour, and understandeth not’ and who are, by God’s appointment, ‘like the beasts that perish’ (Psa 49:20). Being left by God to wander ‘out of the way of understanding’, they will by His divine decree ‘remain in the congregation of the dead’ (Pro 21:16). That this sad fact does not give God pleasure, we would agree. Let us not, however, go to the extreme of emphasizing this to the point where we deny that God’s purpose is ‘according to election’ ” (AEz 186,187).

Eze 18:31

The first application: the return after 70 years captivity of Zerubbabel, etc. Second application: the nation brought through fires and purged, by individual choice (Eze 20:38).

Eze 19:1

PRINCES: Ezekiel’s characteristic word for “king” (Eze 21:25; 34:24). By extension, perhaps, the whole royal house of Judah.

Eze 19:2

Lion ref tribe of Judah (Gen 49:9). Lions were a common sight in Judah in Ezekiel’s day. Lions were reckless, capricious, selfish.

Vv 2-4: “This section… is a lamentation for two of the last princes of Israel, and for Israel itself. When Josiah was killed at the battle of Megiddo, he was still a young man — under forty years of age; his sons were therefore very young to succeed to the throne of a kingdom in such precarious times. It is perhaps for that reason that the two who are mentioned in the lamentation are spoken of as whelps. The ‘mother’ is the kingdom of Judah. On the death of Josiah it is said ‘the people of the land’ — that is the mother country — took Jehoahaz, and anointed him as king in place of his father… He was 23 years old, and only reigned three months, when the Pharaoh of Egypt, returning from Megiddo, deposed him and carried him to Egypt as a prisoner [2Ki 23:31,33,34; Jer 22:11,12,18], setting Jehoiakim on the throne of Judah to reign there as a vassal king [Eze 19:5]” (BEz 86).

Eze 19:4

A lion hunt, ending in the capture of the lion.

THEY LED HIM WITH HOOKS TO THE LAND OF EGYPT: Jehoahaz, appointed king by people of Judah (2Ki 23:30), but carried captive to Egypt (2Ki 23:33; Jer 22:10-12).

Eze 19:5

Jehoiakim, a vassal, rules for 11 years and then dies. Then the nation takes another king, Jehoiachin.

Eze 19:9

Jehoiachin’s reign ended just as ingloriously as had that of Jehoahaz, as he was carried to Babylon (2Ki 24:15; 2Ch 36:10).

Eze 19:10

Vv 10-14: A graphic picture of the spiritual decline of the nation of Israel, and how they have abused their inheritance.

A VINE IN YOUR VINEYARD: The nation of Israel likened to a vine (Isa 5:1-7; Psa 80:8,16). Judah, a vine and a scepter (Gen 49:10,11).

Eze 19:11

The Solomonic line of David’s family — from whence all of Judah’s kings came.

Eze 19:14

The fire of judgment came as a direct result of the deeds of the “branch”!

But “the scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs [or ‘until Shiloh comes’; or ‘until he comes to whom tribute belongs’] and the obedience of the nations is his” (Gen 49:10). However, Jesus is not literally (but only by “adoption” and “legally”) from the Solomonic line of Judah.

Eze 22:1

Vv 1-16: Jerusalem is a city of guilt, a city of bloods. It is said to them as it was said to Cain: “Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground” (Gen 4:10).

“Patriot as he was, Ezekiel was not, like some sincere patriots, blind to his country’s faults. His conscience and judgment were enlightened, and his emotional nature was rendered especially sensitive, so that a just and deep impression was made upon his mind by the contemplation of his countrymen’s errors and iniquities. Leaders of public opinion, teachers of the time, are ever in danger of flattering those among whom their lot is cast, with whom their interests are identified. Yet Ezekiel proves himself to have the true spirit of the prophet, who rises superior to this temptation, and whose motto is, ‘Be just, and fear not!’

“The catalogue of the people’s sins is both a long and an awful one. It suffices to mention these as boldly charged upon them by the faithful prophet of the Lord: (1) Idolatry; (2) Violence and murder; (3) Disregard for parents; (4) Oppression of strangers, of the widows and fatherless; (5) Profaning of the sabbath; (6) Lewdness and vile indulgence of lust; (7) Bribery; and (8) Extortion.

“Was ever such an indictment brought against a community? The marvel is, not that the threatened judgment came, but that it was so long delayed.

“It certainly seems strange, all but incredible, that the highly favored Jerusalem should be famed among the very heathen for degradation in iniquity and moral debasement. But the language of Ezekiel is explicit; and he would be more likely to soften than to exaggerate the charge. Jerusalem a reproach, a mocking, infamous, defiled, full of tumult! How are the mighty fallen! The city of the great King, the seat of the temple of Jehovah, the home of the consecrated priesthood — infamous among the surrounding idolaters for flagrant violation of those very moral laws which the city was consecrated to conserve!” (Pulpit).

Eze 22:3

Vv 3-5: “Bloody” by idol worship (ct Exo 20:3-5; Lev 19:4).

Eze 22:4

AN OBJECT OF SCORN TO THE NATIONS: “You will become a thing of horror and an object of scorn and ridicule to all the nations where the LORD will drive you” (Deu 28:37).

Eze 22:6

Vv 6-8: “Bloody” princes in oppression.

Eze 22:7

Ct Exo 20:12; Lev 19:3; 20:9. Ct Exo 22:21; Lev 19:33. Ct Exo 22:22; Deu 24:17.

THEY HAVE TREATED FATHER AND MOTHER WITH CONTEMPT: “Cursed is the man who dishonors his father or his mother” (Deu 27:16).

YOU HAVE OPPRESSED THE ALIEN: “Do not mistreat an alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in Egypt” (Exo 22:21).

AND MISTREATED THE FATHERLESS AND THE WIDOW: “Do not take advantage of a widow or an orphan” (Exo 22:22).

Eze 22:8

Ct Lev 22:2. Ct Lev 19:30; Exo 31:13,14.

YOU HAVE DESPISED MY HOLY THINGS AND DESECRATED MY SABBATHS: “Observe my Sabbaths and have reverence for my sanctuary” (Lev 19:30).

Eze 22:9

Exo 22:9.

Vv 9-11: “Bloody” men: sexual sins and slander.

Ct Deu 18:9; Deu 12:30; Lev 18:28,29.

Eze 22:10

YOU ARE THOSE WHO DISHONOR THEIR FATHERS’ BED: “Do not dishonor your father by having sexual relations with your mother. She is your mother; do not have relations with her” (Lev 18:7).

YOU ARE THOSE WHO VIOLATE WOMEN DURING THEIR PERIOD, WHEN THEY ARE CEREMONIALLY UNCLEAN: “Do not approach a woman to have sexual relations during the uncleanness of her monthly period” (Lev 18:19).

Eze 22:11

Ct Lev 18:20; 20:20. Ct Lev 20:12. Ct Lev 18:9; 20:17.

ONE MAN COMMITS A DETESTABLE OFFENSE WITH HIS NEIGHBOR’S WIFE: “Do not have sexual relations with your neighbor’s wife and defile yourself with her” (Lev 18:20).

ANOTHER SHAMEFULLY DEFILES HIS DAUGHTER-IN-LAW, AND ANOTHER VIOLATES HIS SISTER, HIS OWN FATHER’S DAUGHTER: “Do not have sexual relations with both a woman and her daughter. Do not have sexual relations with either her son’s daughter or her daughter’s daughter; they are her close relatives. That is wickedness. Do not take your wife’s sister as a rival wife and have sexual relations with her while your wife is living” (Lev 18:17,18).

Eze 22:12

Vv 12,13: “Bloody” men — greed and oppression.

Ct Exo 23:8; Deu 16:19. Ct Exo 22:25; Lev 25:36. Ct Exo 22:21.

MEN ACCEPT BRIBES TO SHED BLOOD: “Cursed is the man who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person” (Deu 27:25).

YOU TAKE USURY AND EXCESSIVE INTEREST AND MAKE UNJUST GAIN: “If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not be like a moneylender; charge him no interest” (Exo 22:25).

AND YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN ME: “You deserted the Rock, who fathered you; you forgot the God who gave you birth” (Deu 32:18).

Eze 22:15

I WILL DISPERSE YOU AMONG THE NATIONS AND SCATTER YOU THROUGH THE COUNTRIES: “The LORD will cause you to be defeated before your enemies. You will come at them from one direction but flee from them in seven” (Deu 28:25).

Eze 22:17

Vv 17-22: Israel in furnace.

Eze 22:18

Cp Isa 1:21,22; Psa 119:119. Here, the true silver has already been tapped off, and is awaiting final purification in Babylon.

Eze 22:23

Vv 23-31: No rain on the Land. Ct lack with the promise of Eze 34:26. The covenant-blessing of rain: Lev 26:4; Deu 11:13,14.

Eze 22:25

Vv 25-29: All classes of society.

LIKE A ROARING LION TEARING ITS PREY: “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1Pe 5:8).

THEY DEVOUR PEOPLE, TAKE TREASURES AND PRECIOUS THINGS AND MAKE MANY WIDOWS WITHIN HER: ” Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses” (Mat 23:14, AV).

Eze 22:29

THEY… MISTREAT THE ALIEN: “Do not mistreat an alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in Egypt” (Exo 22:21).

Eze 22:30

No man was found to build the wall and stand in the breach — like Moses had done: “So he said he would destroy them — had not Moses, his chosen one, stood in the breach before him to keep his wrath from destroying them” (Psa 106:23)… (Jeremiah had been told no longer to pray for them: Jer 11:14.)

Eze 23:1

Eze 23: This chapter possesses some similarity with Eze 16. Whereas the main emphasis in Eze 16 is the actual idolatry of God’s people, however, the main emphasis in Eze 23 is their military and political alliances.

In this chapter the wicked alliances of Israel and Judah are represented under the metaphor of two harlots, disgusting in their lewdness. The “idolatries” of Israel, or the ten tribes — under the name of Oholah — were committed with the Assyrians (vv 5-8), and their punishment for them is declared (vv 9,10). Then the idolatries of Judah, or the two tribes — under the name of Oholibah — are represented as greater than those of the ten tribes (v 11); these idolatries were committed with the Assyrians (v 12) and the Babylonians (vv 13-18).

Eze 23:2

Like Jacob, God had two “wives” who were sisters. Ct Lev 18:18.

Eze 23:4

OHOLAH IS SAMARIA, AND OHOLIBAH IS JERUSALEM: Sig, respectively, “his tent” and “my tent”. There were tents, or tabernacles, of worship in both places, but Jerusalem was “God’s tabernacle”. God has chosen Zion: Psa 132:13,14. Perhaps an allusion also to tents set up for prostitution.

More specifically… ” ‘Aholah’ = ‘She has her own tent (or tabernacle)’, whereas ‘Aholibah’ = ‘My tent (or tabernacle) is in her’ — making the distinct difference between Samaria and Jerusalem: both had turned to idolatry, yet the promises still applied to Jerusalem. Even in this ch of doom there is evidence in these names that God still intended to make His tabernacle with men by the results of the work and life of Jesus, who would establish God’s tabernacle with man eternally” (PC).

Eze 23:5

Vv 5-10: Whoredoms of Oholah.

ASSYRIANS — WARRIORS: Or “neighbors” (as AV). The territory of Assyria bordered Israel at this time. “For they have gone up to Assyria like a wild donkey wandering alone. Ephraim has sold herself to lovers” (Hos 8:9; 5:3; 7:11; 12:1). Menahem formed alliance with Pul (2Ki 15:19). Hoshea bought off Shalmaneser (2Ki 17:3).

Eze 23:7

IDOLS: Religious alliances often preceded political ones (cp v 30).

Eze 23:9

Hoshea was dethroned and 10 tribes carried captive into Assyria: 2Ki 17:4-6.

Eze 23:10

SHE BECAME A BYWORD AMONG WOMEN: “You will become a thing of horror and an object of scorn and ridicule to all the nations where the LORD will drive you” (Deu 28:37).

Eze 23:11

Vv 11-35: Whoredoms of Oholibah. “I gave faithless Israel her certificate of divorce and sent her away because of all her adulteries. Yet I saw that her unfaithful sister Judah had no fear; she also went out and committed adultery” (Jer 3:8).

Eze 23:12

When, for example, Ahaz (Judah) was threatened by a combination of Syria and Israel, he sought the help of Tiglathpileser III, refusing to put his trust in God (2Ki 20:12-19) — 2Ki 16:7-10; cp Isa 7:3-17; 2Ch 28:19.

Eze 23:17

Ahaz’s son Hezekiah at one time received ambassadors from Merodach-Baladan of Chaldea — both being opposed to Assyria at the time (2Ki 20:12-19).

Eze 23:19

Judah’s frequent overtures to Egypt: Isa 30:1,2; 31:1; Jer 2:18; Lam 4:17.

Eze 23:20

This verse is about as graphic and revolting as anything to be found in the Bible. The purpose is not to titillate or to stimulate pleasurably, but to shock. Whether it be in portraying violence or sex, the prophets who wrote the Bible were not interested in staying out of trouble with the “censors” or in retaining a “G” rating. Nevertheless, when sin is portrayed, there is — unlike with Hollywood — no uncertainty as to its sinfulness, nor any ambiguity as to the ultimate fate of those who practice such things and remain unrepentant.

Eze 23:22

Vv 22-27: The Babylonians to come against her. Her “lovers” were to be her “judges”.

THOSE YOU TURNED AWAY FROM IN DISGUST: First alienation was shown by Jehoiakim in rebellion of 2Ki 24:1. Zedekiah later rebels also (2Ki 24:20).

Eze 23:23

PEKOD: Typical name, sig “visitation” or “judgment”. Used of Babylon in Jer 50:21.

SHOA: Sig “rich”.

KOA: Sig “noble” or “powerful”. “Armenian tribes from east of Tigris River” (BS 5:90).

Eze 23:25

THEY WILL CUT OFF YOUR NOSES AND YOUR EARS: Horribly disfigured by sword or fire — common occurrences.

Eze 23:26

The removal of precious things from temple: 2Ki 25:13-17.

Eze 23:28

Vv 28-31: The reasons why her lovers came against her.

Eze 23:34

A person devoid of sense and reason. Drinking of cup from God sym utter prostration, helpless impotence: Jer 51:7; Nah 3:11; Hab 2:15,16. Cp foolhardy act of killing the potentially good leader of the remnant, Gedaliah: Jer 41:2.

Eze 23:36

Vv 36-49: Judgments upon both Oholah and Oholibah.

Eze 23:37

Idolatry of the grossest kind: involving the sacrifice of children.

Eze 23:40

PAINTED YOUR EYES: A sign of a harlot: Jer 4:30.

Eze 23:41

A TABLE SPREAD BEFORE IT: Cp the adulterous wife in Pro 7:13-18. A despicable mixture of harlotry and worship of God!

Eze 23:45

Under LM, adulteresses were stoned: Lev 20:10.

Eze 23:46

GIVE THEM OVER TO TERROR AND PLUNDER: “Give them to be removed and spoiled” (AV). “The LORD will cause you to be defeated before your enemies. You will come at them from one direction but flee from them in seven, and you will become a thing of horror to all the kingdoms on earth” (Deu 28:25).

Eze 23:48

“You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God” (Jam 4:4).

Eze 23:49

THEN YOU WILL KNOW THAT I AM THE SOVEREIGN LORD: At the very last, something remedial arising out of all God’s judgments!