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Ezequiel 37:16
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from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
take thee: Numbers 17:2, Numbers 17:3
For Judah: 2 Chronicles 10:17, 2 Chronicles 11:11-17, 2 Chronicles 15:9, 2 Chronicles 30:11-18
For Joseph: 1 Kings 12:16-20, 2 Chronicles 10:19
Reciprocal: Genesis 30:24 - And she 1 Kings 18:31 - twelve stones Isaiah 7:2 - is confederate with Isaiah 11:13 - the envy Jeremiah 3:18 - In Jeremiah 31:1 - of Jeremiah 50:4 - the children of Israel Ezekiel 37:4 - Prophesy Ezekiel 37:11 - whole house Ezekiel 37:19 - Behold Hosea 1:11 - the children of Judah Amos 3:1 - against Obadiah 1:18 - the house of Joseph Zechariah 8:13 - O house Zechariah 10:6 - I will strengthen Zechariah 11:7 - one Zechariah 11:14 - I cut John 17:21 - they all
Gill's Notes on the Bible
Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick,.... Or "wood" a; a stick of wood; or table, as the Targum; a board or plank. The Septuagint version renders it a "rod"; and so the Arabic; an emblem of a kingdom or government, as this was:
and write upon it; the following words:
for Judah, and the children of Israel his companions; for the tribe of Judah, and the tribe of Benjamin, which adhered together, and as many of the other tribes which joined them; the godly and religious of the rest of the tribes, who could not give into the idolatry of Jeroboam:
then take another stick; like the former:
and write upon it; these words:
for Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions; for the tribe of Ephraim, and the other nine tribes, which together made up one kingdom. It should be observed, that in the times of Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, there was a division in the kingdom of Israel; ten tribes revolted from him, and only the two whole tribes of Judah and Benjamin continued with him; and from that time to the captivity, and even during that, as it seems, there were continual animosities and bickerings between the two kingdoms, on account both of their political and religious affairs, especially the latter; and an union between them this emblem is designed to signify, as will hereafter appear. Jeroboam, the first king of the ten tribes, was of the tribe of Ephraim; and Samaria, the metropolis of the kingdom, was in that tribe; hence Ephraim often stands for all the ten tribes, for the kingdom of Israel, as distinct from that of Judah. Writing words on sticks or rods seems to be in allusion to what was done Numbers 17:2.
a עץ אחד "lignum unuin", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus, &c.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
A prophecy of the reunion of Israel and Judah, the incorporation of Israel under one Ruler, the kingdom of Messiah upon earth and in heaven.
Ezekiel 37:16
One stick - So in the marginal reference the names of the tribes had been written on rods or sticks.
For Judah ... - To the house of David had remained faithful, not only Judah, but also Benjamin, Levi, and part of Simeon, and individual members of various tribes 2 Chronicles 11:12-16. Compare the marginal references.
Joseph ... Ephraim - Compare Psalms 78:67; Hosea 5:5 ff “Joseph” is the general name here for the ten tribes, including “Ephraim,” the chief tribe, and his companions. Omit “for” before “all.” “All the house of Israel” is here the ten tribes.
Ezekiel 37:19
In the hand of Ephraim - Because Ephraim was the ruling tribe; the words are contrasted with “in mine hand.”
Ezekiel 37:20
This sign was literally enacted in the presence of the people, not, like some signs, merely in vision (see the Ezekiel 3:1 note).
Ezekiel 37:21
The gathering together of the children of Israel was to take effect in the first place in the return from Babylon, when the distinction of Israel and Judah should cease. The full completion concerns times still future, when all Israel shall come in to acknowledge the rule of Christ.
Ezekiel 37:22
One king - The restoration of Israel to their native soil will lead the way to the coming of the promised King, the Son of David, who will gather into His kingdom the true Israel, all who shall by faith be acknowledged as the Israel of God. The reign of the One King David is the reign of Christ in His kingdom, the Church.
Ezekiel 37:25, Ezekiel 37:26
An enlargement of the promises. The kingdom is to be “forever,” the covenant “everlasting.” This looks forward to the consummation of all God’s promises 1 Corinthians 15:24, 1 Corinthians 15:28.
Ezekiel 37:27
This gives a final blessing reserved for God’s accepted servants. The tabernacle and temple were outward symbols of His presence. The re-erection of the temple by Zerubbabel was the first step to a restoration of the presence of God. The second step was the presence of Christ, first in the flesh, then in His Church, and finally the eternal presence of God and of the Lamb in the New Jerusalem Revelation 21:0.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse Ezekiel 37:16. Son of man, take thee one stick — The two sticks mentioned in this symbolical transaction represented, as the text declares, the two kingdoms of Israel and Judah, which vere formed in the days of Rehoboam, and continued distinct till the time of the captivity. The kingdom of Judah was composed of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, with the Levites; all the rest went off in the schism with Jeroboam, and formed the kingdom of Israel. Though some out of those tribes did rejoin themselves to Judah, yet no whole tribe ever returned to that kingdom. Common sufferings in their captivity became the means of reviving a kinder feeling; and to encourage this, God promises that he will reunite them, and restore them to their own land; and that there shall no more be any divisions or feuds among them. To represent this in such a way as would make it a subject of thought, reflection, and inquiry, the prophet is ordered to take the two sticks mentioned above, to write on them the distinguishing names of the divided kingdoms, and then by a notch, dovetail, glue, or some such method, to unite them both before the people. He did so, and on their inquiry, showed them the full meaning of this symbolical action.