EZEKIEL. In our humble Exposition of this sublime prophet, beside the general commentators referred to on preceding books, we have constantly consulted, and frequently referred to, Archbishop Newcome's scarce and valuable work on this propbet. That learned prelate fully justifies the character given of him by Bp. Lowth, and vindicates the sublimity of his style, in reply to some eminent foreign eritics. CHRONOLOGICAL ARRANGEMENT of Ezekiel's prophecies, according to Archbishop NEWCOME. CHAP. I. NOW 2 In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin's captivity, 3 The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him. 4 And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire. 5 Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living crea tures. And this was their appear ance; they had the likeness of a man. 6 And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings. 7 And their feet were straight feet; the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf's foot: and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass. NOTES. CHAP. I. Ver. 1. In the thirtieth year-that is, of the prophet's life, as it is generally understood; but Calmet thinks these years must rather be dated from the revival of religion, and the covenant made with God in the time of king Josiab.-The river of Chebar. The station here referred to, is supposed to have been about 200 miles north of Babylon. See ch. iii. 15. Ibid. Among the captives-Heb. "In the midst of the captivity." Ver. 2. The fifth year of Jehoiachin's captivity, was also the 5th of Zedekiah's reign, who immediately succeeded him, 2 Kings xxiv. 17. and as the city and temple were destroyed in the 11th year of Zedekiah, 2 Kings xxv. 2. the prophet, of course, had this vision six years before that event took place. Ver. 3. The hand of the Lord was there upon him-that is, he was under prophetic influence. See 1 Kings xviii. 46; 2 Kings iii. 15, &c. Ver. 4. A fire infolding-Heb. "Catching itself." prophet says he knew them to be the cherubim; but gives no farther information. The Editor is perfectly aware of the different systems of interpre tation advanced on this subject, and particularly that of the ingenious Mr. Hutchinson, who supposed them intended to represent the several offices and relations of the persons of the Trinity. But to this he has two most decided objections: 1. The Jews were utterly forbidden to make any representations of the Deity. See Exod. xx. 4; Deut. iv. 12, 16, &c. 2. These living creatures are represented as wor shipping the great Being he supposes them to represent. Isa. vi. 3; Rev. v. 8, 14. Ver. 6. Every one four wings. The seraphim in Isaiah had each six wings, and so the living cre tures in Rev. iv. 8. But in both places it may be recollected they are described as in the act of wor ship. Comp. Isa. vi. 2. Ver. 7. Straight feet-Heb, " A straight foot." This description supposes the body of each covered by its two lower wings, and terminating in one straight and round foot, like a call's. See Park Ezekiel's vision of] CHAP. I. 8 And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings. 9 Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward. 10 As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle. 11 Thus were their faces: and their wings were stretched upward; two wings of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies. [wheels and cherubim. creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps: it went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning. 14 And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning. (A) 15 ¶Now as I beheld the living crea tures, behold one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures, with his four faces. 16 The appearance of the wheels and their work was like unto the colour of a beryl: and they four had one likeness: and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel. 17 When they went, they went upon their four sides: and they turned not when they went. 18 As for their rings, they were so high that they were dreadful; and EXPOSITION. (A) Ver. 1-14. Ezekiel's prophetic call, and introductory vision.-It is difficult to conceive any thing more magnificent or sublime than the scene now before us. It has been considered as the chariot of the Deity; and the living creatures, or cherubic figures as the agents employed to convey it through the universe. Two objects here particularly demand our attention, the vehicle itself, and the animals attached to it. The former we consider as emblematic of the immense machine of Providence (so to speak ;) and the latter of the various agency by which that Providence is administered. The introduction to this scene may remind us of the first cherubic exhibition recorded in the Bible. When God drove Adam without the boundaries of Paradise, he placed there Cherubim and a flaming sword: that is, a terrific revolving flame, in which the Deity is supposed to have resided. (See Gen. iii. 24, with our exposition.) Here we have a whirlwind from the north, a great cloud, a fire infolding itself," surrounded with a glory, and out Ver. 11. Stretched upward—that is, the upper pair of wings belonging to each figure being spread open, were, as the margin expresses it, "divided," or opened" above;" and joined to, or touched those of the other figure. of the centre of all this splendour, comes forth the stupendous figures there exhibited. (Comp. also 1 Kings, xix. 12.) With respect to the living creatures, there can be no doubt that they were the seraphim which Isaiah saw when he received his prophetic mission. (Is. vi. 2, &c.) From the readiness also with which Ezekiel knew them to be the Cherubim, as well as the similitude of description, there is as little doubt that they strongly resembled the Mosaic emblems in the temple. Divines, however, are much divided as to the class of intelligences they are intended to represent. The strength and courage of the lion, the patient laboriousness of the ox, and the soaring eye of the eagle, are all proverbial, and "the human face divine seems the proper emblem of philanthropy. That these attributes are applicable to angels will hardly be denied, or that these angels are ministering spirits to the heirs of salvation. (See Heb. i. 14.) That they are also ministers of justice is no less evident from the sacred scriptures of both the Old and New Testaments: but our limits will not admit of amplification. NOTES. Ver. 15. With his four faces-that is, as Abp. N wcome explains it," One wheel intersected anot her at right angles, like the two colures; and the fo ur spherical portions thus formed, seem to he called the four faces, or sides ;" ver, 17. See ch, x, 13, Vision of wheels] EZEKIEL. their rings were full of eyes round about them four. 19 And when the living creatures went, the wheels went by them: and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up. 20 Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went, thither was their spirit to go; and the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels. 21 When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels. 22 And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature was as the colour of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above. 23 And under the firmament were their wings straight, the one toward the other every one had two, which covered on this side, and every one had two, which covered on that side, their bodies. 24 And when they went, I heard. [and cherubim. the noise of their wings, like the noise of great waters, as the voice of the Almighty, the voice of speech, as the noise of an host: when they stood, they let down their wings. 25 And there was a voice from the firmament that was over their heads, when they stood, and had let down their wings. 26 And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it. 27 And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about. 28 As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake. (B) EXPOSITION-Chap. I. Continued. (B) Ver. 15-28. The vision of the immense wheels and the celestial throne.-The whole vision being now before us, we shall offer a few remarks on its general import, considering it designed to represent, as already hinted, the doctrine of divine agency and a universal providence. 1. We are called upon to admire the immensity and magnificence of God's providence. These wheels (like Jacob's ladder) reached from earth to heaven, extending to all the works and ways of God. The magnitude and the splendour of their appearance, gave them also a high degree of sublimity they were dreadful to behold. -2. Here was a display of infinite wisdom and intelligence. Not only had one of these living creatures the eyes of an eagle, commanding the whole horizon, but the wheels themselves were full of eyes. All the plans of the Almighty are full of intelligence, and all his agents are under divine guidance.-3. We see the absolute irresistibility of God's providence. The wheels went straight forward, and no impediments could make them change their course.-4. We may remark the unity and harmony of divine providence. Not only was there a perfect consistency between all the parts of this machine, but they were animated with NOTES-Chap. I. Con. Ver. 16. Colour of a beryl-that is, pale sea-green. Ver. 18. Their rings-that is, the outer circles, Ver.22. Firmament upon-rather," expanse over," &c.-See Note on Gen. i. 8.As the terrible--or "sparkling" crystal; perhaps so called from its resemblance to icicles in the sun: for the word refers primarily to ice, and is here so rendered by New. come and others. Ver. 25. And had let down their wings.-These words are omitted by the LXX, Syriac, and Arabic, Ezekiel's commission] CHAP. II. CHAP. II. AND he said unto me, Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee. 2 And the spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard him that spake unto me. 3, And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day. 4 For they are impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD. 5 And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them. [and instruction. 6 And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house. 7 And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious. 8 But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee. 9 And when I looked, behold, an hand was sent unto me; and lo, a roll of a book was therein; 10 And he spread it before me: and it was written within and without: and there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe. (C) EXPOSITION. the same spirit.-The spirit which directed these mysterious animals was also in the wheels. 5. We should notice the intricate complication of this machinery, which was, as it were, "a wheel within a wheel:" that is, as Archbishop Newcome and others explain it, consisting of rings crossing within each other, as in an armillary sphere, whereby they could move with equal ease and celerity in any direction.-6. The divine operation which guided them-they had "the hands of a man under their wings on the four sides The Prophet, having been overwhelmed with the glorious vision in the preceding chapter, is here strengthened and comforted and then commissioned to his office, and encouraged to be resolute and faithful in the discharge of it, although he must expect to be ill received and uncour teously treated. He is addressed by the title "Son of Man," a title applied only to himself and to Daniel, among the prophets, for which, we can assign no reason, unless it were to remind them, that notwithstanding the extraordinary prophetic visions with which they were favoured, they were still but mortal. In the close of this chapter, a hand appears to the prophet, as it should seem in a vision, holding the roll of a book written on both sides; and when spread out, behold it is covered with "lamentations and mourning and woe," alluding doubtless to the nature of these prophecies. This book he is commanded to eat, a figurative action, meaning, according to Archbishop Secker, "to take in, retain, and digest:" from which we may draw this practical reflection, that it is the duty of ministers themselves, to study and digest whatever they deliver to their people. (Comp. ch. iii. 10.) NOTES. CHAP. JI. Ver. 2. The spirit entered into me.By this it should seem, that the prophet had been overpowered with the vision, and had fainted. Ver. 4. Impudent children-Heb. "Children hard of face." Ver. 8. Eat that I give thee-that is, the book, ver. 9, 10. Compare Rev. x. 9. Ver. 10. It was written within and without-that is, on both sides, which was not usual, except from the abundance of matter. Ezekiel's roll] : EZEKIEL. CHAP. III. [OREOVER he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel. 2 So I opened my mouth, and he caused me to eat that roll. 3 And he said unto me, Son of man, cause thy belly to eat, and fill thy bowels with this roll that I give thee. Then did I eat it; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness. 4 And he said unto me, Son of man, go, get thee unto the house of Israel, and speak with my words unto them. 5 For thou art not sent to a people of a strange speech and of an hard language, but to the house of Israel; 6 Not to many people of a strange speech and of an hard language, whose words thou canst not understand. Surely, had I sent thee to them, they would have hearkened unto thee. 7 But the house of Israel will not hearken unto thee; for they will not hearken unto me: for all the house of Israel are impudent and hard hearted. 8 Behold, I have made thy face strong against their faces, and thy forehead strong against their foreheads. 9 As an adamant harder than flint have I made thy forehead: fear them not, neither be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house. 10 Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, all my words that I shall speak unto thee receive in thine heart, and hear with thine ears. 11 And go, get thee to them of the captivity, unto the children of thy people, and speak unto them, and tell them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear. [of prophecy. 12 Then the spirit took me up, and I heard behind me a voice of a great rushing, saying, Blessed be the glory of the LORD from his place. 13 I heard also the noise of the wings of the living creatures that touched one another, and the noise of the wheels over against them, and a noise of a great rushing. 14 So the spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the LORD was strong upon me. 15 Then I came to them of the cap tivity at Tel-abib, that dwelt by the river of Chebar, and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days. 16 And it came to pass at the end of seven days, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 17 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. 18 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. 19 Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. 20 Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. NOTES. CHAP. III. Ver. 5. Unto a people of a strange speech-Heb. " deep of lip and heavy of tongue;" so also ver. 6. Ver. 6. Not to many people Heb. Peoples deep," &c. Surely had I sent, &c.-Marg. "If I 'had sent thee, &c. would they not have hearkened unto thee? -Impudent and hardhearted-Heb. "Stiff of forehead and hard of heart." Ver. & Thy face strong-Newcome," Firm." So in next clause. Ver. 12. A voice of a great rushing-Heb. "A voice (or sound) of a great rustling. So ver. 13. Compare Isa. vi. 2, 3. Ver. 13. That touched-Heb. "Kissed." Ver. 14. In the heat of my spirit-Heb. "Is bot anger."The hand of the Lord.-See chap. i.& Ver. 15. At 7el-abib-evidently at some distant from his first station, for he was carried thither,Seven days. See Job ii. 13. |