"forth (t), both sons and daughters: be"hold, they shall come forth unto you, "and ye shall see their way, and their

doings: and ye shall be comforted (u) "concerning the evil that I have brought

upon Jerusalem, even concerning all that "I have brought upon it. 23. And they shall comfort you when ye see their ways and their doings: and ye shall know that I have not done without cause, all that "I have done in it, saith the Lord GOD."

CHAP. XVIII. (x)

HE word of the LORD came unto me (y) again, saying, 2. "What "mean ye, that ye use this proverb con"cerning the land of Israel, saying, The fa"thers(z) have eaten sour grapes, and the "children's teeth are set on edge? 3. As "I live, saith the Lord GOD, ye shall not have occafion any more to use this proverb in Israel. 4. Behold, all souls are mine, as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. 5. But if a man be just, and do that which is law"ful and right, 6. And hath not eaten upon the mountains (a), neither hath

"pestilence: but he that goeth out, and falleth unto the Chaldeans that besiege you, he shall live. Jer. xxi. 9."

(t) v. 22. " Brought forth," viz. "in cap"tivity to Babylon" and accordingly in about five years, in the 11th of Zedekiah's reign, Zedekiah and the rest of the people that were deft in Jerusalem, and the fugitives that fell way to the king of Babylon, excepting only some of the poor of the land, who were left to De husbandmen and vine-dressers, were carried o Babylon. 2 Kings xxv. 11. 12.-Jer. xxxix. 1. 10.-Jer. lii. 15. 16. and 2 Chron. xxxvi. 17

0 20.

(u) v.22. "Comforted," i.e. (perhaps)" by 'being convinced of its justice, from seeing the evil ways of those who were spared, and by 'considering it a proof of God's kind disposi tion towards the nation, that they also were 'not destroyed."

(x) An intimation that every man should ear the consequences of his own acts; that a on should not suffer for his father's sins, nor we protected by a father's righteousness; that a hange from sin to righteousness or from righte Dusness to sin should produce the consequences of that change. A justification of God's ways, and an exhortation to repentance and obedience.

"lifted up his eyes (b) to the idols of the "house of Israel, neither hath defiled his "neighbour's wife, neither hath come

near to a menstruous woman, 7. And "hath not oppressed any, but hath re"stored (c) to the debtor his pledge, hath "spoiled none by violence, hath given his "bread to the hungry, and hath covered "the naked with a garment, 8. He that "hath not given forth upon usury (d), "neither hath taken any increase, that "hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity; "hath executed true judgment between "man and man, 9. Hath walked in my "statutes, and hath kept my judgments "to deal truly; he is just, he shall surely "live, saith the Lord GOD. 10. If he "beget a son that is a robber, a shedder of "blood, and that doeth the like to any one "of these things, 11. And that doeth not

any of those duties, but even hath eaten "upon the mountains, and defiled his "neighbour's wife, 12. Hath oppressed "the poor and needy, hath spoiled by "violence, hath not restored the pledge, "and hath lifted up his eyes to the idols, "hath committed abomination, 13. Hath "given forth upon usury, and hath taken

The date is about 13 years after the commence ment of the Babylonish captivity; 593 years before Christ.

(y) v. 1. "Me," i. e. " Ezekiel," who was then captive in the land of Babylon.

(2) v. 2. "The fathers, &c." Implying that the sons were punished not for their own sins, but for their fathers. The same proverb is noticed, Jer. xxxi. 29. 30. " In those days "they shall say no more, the fathers have "eaten a sour grape, and the childrens' teeth "are set on edge: but every one shall die for "his own iniquity: every man that eateth the "sour grape," (i. e. that sinneth)" his teeth "shall be set on edge," i. e. shall bear the punishment. The passage in Jeremiah is ascribed to the first year of the Babylonish captivity, 12 years before Ezekiel's.

(a) v. 6. "Eaten upon the mountains," i. e. "in honour of any idol."

(b) v. 6. "Lift up his eyes," i. e. “ in "worship." (c) v. 7. Restored." According to the injunctions, Exod. xxii. 26. and Deut. xxiv. 10 to 13.

(d) v.8. "Upon usury." Contrary to Exod. xxii. 25. and Levit. xxv. 35 to 37.

"increase: shall he then live? he shall "not live: he hath done all these abomi"nations, he shall surely die; his blood "shall be upon him. 14. Now lo, if he "beget a son that seeth all his father's "sins which he hath done, and considereth "and doeth not such like, 15. That hath "not eaten upon the mountains, neither "hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the "house of Israel, hath not defiled his "neighbour's wife, 16. Neither hath op

pressed any, hath not withholden the "pledge, neither hath spoiled by violence,

but hath given his bread to the hungry, " and hath covered the naked with a gar"ment, 17. That hath taken off his hand "from the poor, that hath not received "usury nor increase, hath executed my "judgments, hath walked in my statutes; "he shall not die for the iniquity of his "father, he shall surely live. 18. As for "his father, because he cruelly oppressed, "spoiled his brother by violence, and did " that which is not good among his people, "lo, even he shall die in his iniquity.

19. Yet say ye, Why? doth not the "son bear the iniquity of the father? "when the son hath done that which is "lawful and right, and hath kept all my "statutes, and hath done them, he shall "surely live. 20. The soul that sinneth, "it shall die: the son shall not bear the " iniquity of the father, neither shall the "father bear the iniquity of the son; the " righteousness of the righteous shall be "upon him, and the wickedness of the "wicked shall be upon him. 21. But if "the wicked will turn from all his sins "that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is law"ful and right, he shall surely live, he "shall not die. 22. All his transgres

"when the righteous turneth awa "his righteousness, and committe "quity, and doeth according to "abominations that the wicked man "shall he live? all his righteousnes " he hath done shall not be mentione "his trespass that he hath trespa "and in his sin that he hath sinne "them shall he die. 25. Yet ye say, "way of the LORD is not equal."

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now, O house of Israel, Is not my "equal? are not your ways uneç "26. When a righteous man tura "away from his righteousness, and "mitteth iniquity, and dieth in them; "his iniquity that he hath done, shall "die. 27. Again; when the wicked "turneth away from his wickedness the "hath committed, and doeth that whe "lawful and right, he shall save his "alive. 28. Because he considereth, "turneth away from all his transgress "that he hath committed, he shall sur "live, he shall not die. 29. Yet sa "the house of Israel, "The way of the "LORD is not equal." O house of Israel "are not my ways equal? are not you "ways unequal? 30. Therefore I v

judge you, O house of Israel, even a "according to his ways, saith the "GOD. Repent and turn yourselves "all your transgressions, so iniquity: "not be your ruin. 31. Cast away "you all your transgressions, whereby "have transgressed, and make you a "heart, and a new spirit; for why w "die, O house of Israel? 32. For "no pleasure in the death of him "dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherei "turn yourselves, and live ye.”

(e) God refuses to be inquired of by the Jews, refers to many instances of their idolatries and his forbearance, threatens a strict visitation, and promises their ultimate acceptance.

(f) v. I. "Seventh year,” i. e. " of Zede

CHAP. XX. (e)

ND it came to pass in the ser year (f), in the fifth month, ther day of the month, that certain of the el of Israel, came to enquire of the LORD, sat before me (g). 2. Then came the wor of the LORD unto me, saying, 3 "of man, speak unto the elders of Israe

"Som

“kiah's reign,” about 14 years from the c mencement of the Babylonish captivity, 592 before Christ.

(g) v. I. “Me,” i. e. “Ezekiel," who wa then a captive in Babylon.

say unto them, "Thus saith the GOD, Are ye come to enquire of

as I live, saith the Lord GOD, I not be enquired of by you. 4. Wilt sa judge (b) them, son of man, wilt the judge them? cause them to know

be abominations of their fathers: heb And say unto them, Thus saith the 25. Ted GOD, In the day when I chose is steel, and lifted up mine hand (i) unto

-seed of the house of Jacob, and made ourself known unto them in the land of reos pt, when I lifted up mine hand unto eous m, saying, "I am the LORD your God;

In the day that I lifted up (i) mine hand hatho them to bring them forth of the head of Egypt, into a land that I had

S WILL

ied for them, flowing with milk and doeney, which is the glory of all lands:

Then said I unto them, Cast ye away shall: he cry man the abominations of his hises (k), and defile not yourselves with ed, e idols of Egypt: I am the LORD your

ie.

al?

Th

od. 8. But they rebelled against me, Td would not hearken unto me: they Odnot every man cast away the abomiations (k) of their eyes, neither did they sake the idols of Egypt: then I said, will pour out my fury upon them, to complish my anger against them in the idst of the land of Egypt. 9. But I rought for my name's sake, that it Should not be polluted (1) before the .C eathen, among whom they were, in hose sight I made myself known unto em, in bringing them forth out of the nd of Egypt. 10. Wherefore I caused hem to go forth out of the land of

plead for." Dr.

re b) v. 4. 66 Judge," or "6 mm. note on Rom. iii. 4.—or read “judge hem, son of man, judge them." The same ression occurs, Ezek. xxii. 2. and xxiii. 36. v. 5. 6. 15. &c. " Lifted up my hand," "sware." See Gen. xiv. 22.-Exod. vi. 8. Deut. xxxii. 40.-Rev. x. 5. 6. It was part the Jewish form of swearing to lift up the d to heaven.

(k) v. 7. 8." The abominations of his eyes," " images," visible objects of worship.

1) v. 9." Polluted," i. e. " lightly spoken ย. of." The argument Moses used with God, mb. xiv. 15. 16. was this, "If thou shalt kill all this people as one man, then the nations which have heard the fame of thee

"Egypt, and brought them into the wil"derness. 11. And I gave them my sta"tutes, and shewed them my judgments, "which if a man do, he shall even live in "them (m). 12. Moreover also, I gave "them my sabbaths, to be a sign between "me and them, that they might know that "I am the LORD that sanctify them. 13. But the house of Israel rebelled "against me in the wilderness: they walked "not in my statutes, and they despised my

judgments, which if a man do, he shall " even live in them (m); and my sabbaths "they greatly polluted: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them in the wil"derness, to consume them. 14. But I "wrought for my name's sake, that it "should not be polluted before the heathen, "in whose sight I brought them out.

15. Yet also I lifted up (i) my hand unto "them in the wilderness, that I would not "bring them (n) into the land which I "had given them, flowing with milk and "honey, which is the glory of all lands:

16. Because they despised my judg"ments, and walked not in my statutes, "but polluted my sabbaths: for their "heart went after their idols. 17. Never"theless, mine eye spared them from de"stroying them, neither did I make an end "of them in the wilderness. 18. But I "said unto their children in the wilder"" ness, Walk ye not in the statutes of "your fathers, neither observe their judg"ments, nor defile yourselves with their "idols; 19. I am the LORD your God; "walk in my statutes, and keep my judg"ments and do them: 20. And hallow

"my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign "between me and you, that ye may know "that I am the LORD your God. 21. Not"withstanding the children rebelled against 66 me: they walked not in my statutes, "neither kept my judgments to do them, "which if a man do, he shall even live in "them; they polluted my sabbaths: then "I said, I would pour out my fury upon "them to accomplish my anger against "them in the wilderness. 22. Never"theless, I withdrew mine hand, and "wrought for my name's sake, that it "should not be polluted in the sight of the

heathen, in whose sight I brought them "forth. 23. I lifted up mine hand unto "them also in the wilderness, that I would "scatter them (o) among the heathen, and disperse them through the countries; 24. Because they had not executed my "judgments, but had despised my statutes, "and had polluted my sabbaths, and their .66 eyes were after their fathers idols.

am the LORD. 27. Therefor man, speak unto the house of b 66 say unto them, Thus saith t "GOD, Yet (s) in this your fa "blasphemed me, in that they b "mitted a trespass against me. "when I had brought them into "for the which I lifted up mine "give it to them, then they sawe "hill, and all the thick trees, z "offered there their sacrifices, a "they presented the provocation "offering: there also they mi "sweet savour, and poured out the

"drink offerings. 29. Then I "them, What is the high place "unto ye go? and (2) the name "called Bamah unto this day. 30: "fore say unto the house of Ista "saith the Lord Gop, Are ye "after the manner of your "commit (x) ye whoredom aftes "minations? 31. For when ye

fathes

gifts, when ye make your son "through the fire, ye pollut "with all your idols even un: " and shall I be enquired of b "house of Israel? As I live, saith "GOD, I will not be enquired d (6 32. And that which cometh "mind, shall not be at all (y), that y

(q) v. 25. "Statutes that were not good, "&c." i. e. probably, "the rites and pollutions "of the heathen." The meaning probably is, when they despised my statutes, &c. I left them to follow their own imaginations, and they chose for themselves the worship and religious institutions of the heathen, statutes which were not good, and judgments which never could give life. See 3 Shuckf. Connect. 159. The Hebrew seems to be," I permitted to "them (or left them to) impressions which

were not good, and discernments, &c."

(r) v. 26. Polluted them in their own "gifts," i. e. (probably) "left them to make "offerings which disgraced and reduced them."

(s) v. 27. "Yet, &c." or "unto this day "have your fathers blasphemed me, in the

places where they worshipped." (1) v. 29. "What is the high place i. e. probably, "pointing it out as a "nation, taking pains to explain the (u) v. 29. "And," or " and yet,” "withstanding my remonstrances, ists, and is still called "Bamah," respect, unto this day."

(x) v. 30. Commit, &c." "by i

"ship."

(y) v. 32.

"Shall not be at all, &

"of being mixed with them and sharing your expectation, of being as the b "fate shall be disappointed, for God, "chosen you to be his people, and taug "better, shall search you out from a them, and shall visit you with his indig "if you fall into their ways."

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We will be as the heathen, as the families of the countries, to serve wood and stone. 33. As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely with a mighty hand and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out, will I rule (z) over you. 34. And I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out. 35. And I will bring you into the wilderness of the 'people, and there will I plead with you face to face. 36. Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with 6 you, saith the Lord GOD. 37. And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant; 38. And I will purge out from among you the rebels (a) and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel, and ye shall know that I am the LORD. 39. As for you, O house of Israel, thus saith the "Lord GOD, Go ye (b), serve ye every "one his idols, and hereafter (c) also if ye will not hearken unto me: but pollute ye my holy name no more with your gifts, and with your idols. 40. For in "mine holy mountain, in the mountain of "the height of Israel (d), saith the Lord.

(z) v.33: “Rule,” ""continue my domi"nion," "I will not suffer you to put your"selves under any other ruler." (a) v. 38. "The rebels,' "those who wish to cast me off, and to be as the heathen, according to verse 32."

(b) v. 39. "Go ye, &c." sarcastically, "persist in your abominations, carry them to "the utmost: only disavow me altogether, a offer me no worship: worship them alone." (c) v. 39. "Hereafter also," or "them only."

(d) v. 40. "All the house of Israel," i. e. probably, "all whom I shall suffer to remain : for whoever shall dare to persist in idolatry, ** shall previously be cut off."

(e) v. 41. Sanctified," i. e. "honoured." (f) v. 46. "The south," and "the forest "of the south field," i. e. "Judea and the people of Jerusalem," which lay south of Chaldea, where Ezekiel was.

"GOD, there shall all the house of Israel, "all of them in the land, serve me: there "will I accept them, and there will I re"quire your offerings, and the first fruits "of your oblations, with all your holy "things. 41. I will accept you with your "sweet savour, when I bring you out "from the people, and gather you out of "the countries wherein ye have been "scattered; and I will be sanctified (e) in

you before the heathen. 42. And ye "shall know that I am the LORD, when I "shall bring you into the land of Israel, "into the country for the which I lifted up mine hand to give it to your fathers. 43. And there shall ye remember your ways, and all your doings, wherein ye "have been defiled, and ye shall loath "yourselves in your own sight, for all your evils that ye have committed. 44. And ye shall know that I am the "LORD, when I have wrought with you for my name's sake, not according to your "wicked ways, nor according to your

corrupt doings, O ye house of Israel, "saith the Lord God." 45. Moreover, the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 46. "Son of man, set thy face to"ward the south (f), and drop thy word "toward the south, and prophesy against "the forest of the south field(f); 47. And

say to the forest of the south, Hear the "word of the LORD, thus saith the Lord "God, Behold, I will kindle a fire (g) in thee,

(g) v. 47. "A fire, &c." In little more than two years after this time Nebuchadnezzar and all his host besieged Jerusalem, the siege continued about a year and a half, and at the end of that time there was such a famine in Jerusalem, that all the men of war fled from it by night the king was taken, his eyes put out, and his sons slain: the house of the Lord, and the king's house, and all the houses of Jerusalem, and every great man's house was burnt with fire; the wall of Jerusalem was broken down; the young men were slain with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and no compassion was shewn to young man or maiden, or to him that stooped for age. 2 Kings XXV. I to 4. 8. 9.-2 Chron. xxxvi. 17. 19.— Jer. xxxix. 1 to 4. 8.-Jer. lii. 4 to 6. 12. 13. For other distinct predictions of this judgment, see Jer. xxi. 3 to 14-Jer. xxiv. 8 to 10.Jer. xxv. 9.-Jer. xxix. 16 to 19. and see ante 656, Ezek. xiv. 21. and Ezek. xxi.