Bible Commentaries
Ezekiel 13

Verse 1

the LORD . Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

Verse 2

Son of man. See note on Ezekiel 2:1 .

against = concerning. Some codices, and the special reading called Sevir ( App-34 ), with Aramaean, Septuagint, and Syriac, read "against".

the prophets. See the Structure, "M", above. The reference is to the false prophets of Israel. Compare Jeremiah 5:30 , Jeremiah 5:31 ; Jeremiah 5:23 , Jer 5:9-32 ; Jeremiah 27:14 ; Jeremiah 29:8 , Jeremiah 29:9 , Jeremiah 29:22 , Jeremiah 29:23 .

Verse 3

the Lord GOD . Hebrew Adonai Jehovah. See note on Ezekiel 2:4 . foolish. Hebrew. nabel. See note on Proverbs 1:7 .

their own spirit . Not the Holy Spirit.

spirit. Hebrew. roach. App-9 .

Verse 4

foxes = jackals.

deserts = ruins.

Verse 5

gaps = breaches.

hedge = fence or wall of a vineyard (Numbers 22:24 .

Psa. Eze 80:12 .Isaiah 5:5; Isaiah 5:5 ).

saying, ' The LORD saint '

= saying [it] is Jehovah's oracle.

they would confirm the word = their word would be confirmed.

Verse 7

saith it; albeit, &c. A solemn warning as to some of the changes made in tbe Vulgate versions. Compare Ezekiel 2:5-7 . Jeremiah 23:21 .

Verse 8

saith the Lord GOD = [is] Adonai Jehovah's oracle.

Verse 9

assembly = secret council.

writing = register.

land = soil. Hebrew. 'admath. See note on Ezekiel 11:17 .

ye shall know, &c. This formula occurs only here, Ezekiel 23:49 ; and Ezekiel 24:24 (not the same as Ezekiel 13:14 ; Ezekiel 6:7 , &c.)

Verse 10

Because, even because . Figure of speech Epizeuxis. App-6 .

one built = be: i.e. one = a false prophet.

a wall = the outer wall of a house.

lo. Fig, Asteriemos. App-6 .

others : i.e. the false prophets. Compare Ezekiel 13:16 .

daubed = coated,

untempered mortar = whitewash. Compare Mat 28:29 . Acts 23:3 .

Verse 11

shower = rain. Compare Matthew 7:25 , Matthew 7:27 .

wind . Hebrew ruach. App-9 .

Verse 14

it. Feminine, referring to ruach (the wind in Ezekiel 13:11 ),

ye shall know ,&c. See note on Ezekiel 6:7 .

Verse 16

visions = a vision.

peace . Reference to meaning of the word Jerusalem.

Verse 17

set thy face against , &c. This required Divine courage on the part of Ezekiel. Compare Ezekiel 14:8 ; Ezekiel 20:46 ; Ezekiel 21:2 ; Ezekiel 29:2 ; Eze 29:38 , Ezekiel 29:2 .

their own heart . Compare verses: Ezekiel 13:2 , Ezekiel 13:3 and a similar transition from men to women in Isaiah 3:16 , Isaiah 3:17 .

Verse 18

sew pillows to all armholes = sew together coverings upon all the joints of My hands: i.e. hide from the People the hands of Jehovah lifted up and stretched forth in judgment (Isaiah 26:11 ; Isaiah 5:2 , Isaiah 5:10 ).

pillows coverings for purposes of concealment. Hebrew. Kesathoth (occurs only here and in Ezekiel 13:20 ), from kasah, to conceal, to hide. First occurrence (of kasah) Genesis 7:19 , Genesis 7:20 ; Genesis 9:23 ; Genesis 18:17 ; Genesis 24:65 ; Genesis 37:26 ; Genesis 38:14 , Genesis 38:15 , &c . The object is shown in Isaiah 26:11 .

armholes = My hands; referring to the judgments they were to execute (Ezekiel 14:9 , Ezekiel 14:13 ). Compare verses: Eze 9:21 , Eze 9:22 , Eze 9:23 . The Septuagint renders it proskephalaia = for the head.

make kerchiefs upon the head of every stature = make mantles to cover the heads (and therefore the eyes) of those on whom the judgments of God's hand were about to fall, lest they should see.

kerchiefs = wraps that cleave close round the head. Hebrew. mispahoth (occurs only here), from saphah, to join, or cleave closely. Saphah occurs 1 Samuel 2:36 (put = attach); Ezekiel 26:19 (abiding = cleaving). Job 30:7 (gathered together). Iea. Ezekiel 14:1 (cleave). H ab. Eze 2:15 (puttest = holdest). The object being to cover the head so that God's hand may not be seen (Isaiah 26:11 ).

stature = tall figure. Hebrew komah = height. First occurrence Genesis 6:15 . Compare 1 Samuel 16:7 (his stature); Eze 25:20 , &c. Put, here, for every man of high or lofty station: i, e. for the princes or rulers in Jerusalem, whose eyes were blinded by these false prophetesses.

hunt = harry, or ensnare.

souls. Hebrew. nephesh. App-1 B. Put hereby Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Part), App-6 , for the People.

Will ye . . . ? This is not a question, but a statement.

Verse 19

to slay , &c. to prophesy (falsely) that they should be slain. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject). App-6 .

to save, &c. = to promise life to those who should not live. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), App-6 .

your. Masculine suffix, indicating unwomanly character.

Verse 20

Behold . Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

fly = escape.

I will tear . So that these wraps could be torn away.

Verse 21

your . Feminine suffix.

Verse 22

the righteous = a righteous one.

the wicked = a lawless one. Hebrew. rasha. App-44 .

his wicked way = his wrong way. Heb raa . App-44 .

by . . . life . Here the Figures in Ezekiel 13:20 are translated.

life. Continuance in life: i.e. escape from the judgments announced by Jehovah.