|
| |
[Index]
[Previous] [Next]
|
1 Moreover, the
Spirit
lifted me up and
brought me to the
east
gate of the
LORD'S
house which
faced
eastward. And
behold, there were
twenty-five
*
men at the
entrance of the
gate, and
among them I
saw
Jaazaniah
son of
Azzur and
Pelatiah
son of
Benaiah,
leaders of the
people.
|
Young's
Literal: And lift me
up doth a spirit, and it bringeth me in unto the east gate of the house of
Jehovah, that is facing the east, and lo, at the opening of the gate twenty
and five men, and I see in their midst Jaazaniah son of Azzur, and Pelatiah
son of Benaiah, heads of the people.
Amplified:
MOREOVER, THE Spirit lifted me up and brought me to the East Gate of the
Lord's house, which faces east. And behold, at the door of the gateway there
were twenty-five men; and I saw in the midst of them Jaazaniah the son of
Azzur and Pelatiah the son of Benaiah, princes of the people. |
|
MOREOVER, THE SPIRIT LIFTED ME UP AND BROUGHT ME TO THE EAST GATE OF THE
LORD'S HOUSE WHICH FACED EASTWARD:
(24;
3:12,14;
8:3;
37:1;
40:1,2;
41:1;
1 Kings 18:12;
2 Ki2:16;
Ac 8:39;
2 Co12:1-4;
Rev1:10)
(10:19;
43:4)
"Spirit
lifted me"
is same phrase used 6 times in this book (click
here).
"East
gate"
is the gate facing eastward toward the Kidron Valley and the Mount of Olives
(directly east of the Temple Mount area). At the beginning of Ezekiel’s
vision (Ezek8),
he moved gradually into the temple area, starting at the north gate and
moving towards the inner court. Now, as the vision draws to a close,
Ezekiel's movement is outward in synch with his divine Guide.
AND BEHOLD, THERE WERE TWENTY-FIVE MEN AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE GATE, AND
AMONG THEM I SAW JAAZANIAH SON OF AZZUR AND PELATIAH SON OF BENAIAH, LEADERS
OF THE PEOPLE. (2 Ki25:23)
(13;
22:27;
Is1:10,23;
Ho5:10)
"Twenty
five men"
which initially makes you think they are the same 25 who were worshiping
the sun in (8:16).
Most (but not all) commentaries state that they are not the same because in
chapter 8 they were most likely Levites (or priests) and more importantly
their location was between the porch and the altar whereas the 25 in this
vision are designated as the "leaders
of the people"
and their location is "at
the entrance of the gate"
and the charge against them is not corrupt worship but corrupt leadership.
This
Jaazaniah
(his father was Azzur) was not identical with the "Jaazaniah"
in (8:11)
for his father's name was Shaphan. |
|
2 He
said to me,
"Son of
man,
these are the
men who
devise
iniquity and
give
evil
advice in
this
city,
|
Young's
Literal: And He saith
unto me, `Son of man, these are the men who are devising iniquity, and who
are giving evil counsel in this city;
Amplified:
then [the Spirit] said to me, Son of man, these are the men who devise
iniquity and give wicked counsel in this city, |
|
HE
SAID TO ME SON OF MAN THESE ARE THE MEN WHO DEVISE INIQUITY AND GIVE
EVIL ADVICE IN THIS CITY: (Est8:3; Ps2:1,2; 36:4;
52:2;
Is30:1;
59:4;
Jer5:5;
18:18;
Mic2:1,2)
"Devise
iniquity"
The DRA translation is pithy describing these men as those "that study
iniquity" or as the BBE phrases it are "designing evil".
The Hebrew verb chashab has the basic idea of employing the
mind in a thinking activity. The idea is not so much to "understand" but to
create new ideas. Chashab was used as an accounting term
(Abraham believed God's promises and it was reckoned or accounted -
chashab - to his spiritual account as righteousness). The Septuagint
translates chashab with the Greek verb logizomai
which means to think about something in a detailed and logical manner.
Logizomai is in the present tense indicating that these leaders
were continually thinking about how they would propagate evil! |
|
3 who
say, 'Is not the time
near to
build
houses?
This city is the
pot and we are the
flesh.'
|
Young's
Literal: who are
saying, It is not near--to build houses, it is the pot, and we the flesh.
Amplified:
Who say, [The time] is not near to build houses; this city is the boiling
pot and we are the flesh. |
|
WHO
SAY, 'IS NOT THE TIME NEAR TO BUILD HOUSES?:
(7:7;
12:22,27;
Is5:19;
Jer1:11,12;
Am6:5)
"Is
not the time near to build houses"
could be translated one of two ways...
Option 1:
"They
say things like, 'Let's build more houses. This city is like a cooking pot
over a fire, and we are the meat, but at least the pot keeps us from being
burned in the fire." (CEV) "They say, 'We will soon be building
houses again. The city is like a cooking pot, and we are like the meat in
it, but at least it protects us from the fire." (TEV) "They say,
'It's almost time to rebuild homes. This city is a cooking pot, and we're
the meat.'" (GWT), "who say, It is not near, let us build houses; she
is the pot, and we are the flesh" (LITV) "Who say, It is not near;
let us build houses: this city is the caldron, and we are the flesh"
(Webster) "Which say, It is not near; let us build houses: this city is
the caldron, and we be the flesh." (KJV) "Shall we not,” they say,
“be building houses soon? The city is the kettle, and we are the meat"
(NAB) "They say, ‘Will it not soon be time to build houses? This city is
a cooking pot, and we are the meat " (NIV) "They say to the people,
‘Is it not a good time to build houses? Our city is like an iron pot. Inside
it we will be like meat—safe from all harm" (NLT) "They say, ‘We can
make anything happen here. We’re the best. We’re the choice pieces of meat
in the soup pot" (MESSAGE)
Option 2: "The time is not near to build houses: this city is the
caldron, and we are the flesh" (ASV) "Who say, This is not the time
for building houses: this town is the cooking-pot and we are the flesh"
(BBE) "who say, It is not the time to build houses: this is the cauldron,
and we are the flesh" (Darby) "Who say, 'The time is not near to
build houses. This city is the cauldron, and we are the meat.'" (ESV) "They
say, "There will be no house-building yet awhile. The city is the cooking
pot and we are the meat." (NJB) "they say, 'The time is not near to
build houses; this city is the pot, and we are the meat.'" (NRSV) "They
say, ‘The time is not near to build houses; the city is a cooking pot and we
are the meat in it" (NET) "Who say, [The time] is not near to build
houses; this city is the boiling pot and we are the flesh. " (AMP)
As you can see, the translators are "split" on whether this is a statement
affirming building houses or advice against building houses. If read as a
question as here in the NASB, one gets a hint of their "evil advice".
Charles Ryrie (NASB Ryrie Study Bible) says "These leaders counseled the
people to build houses in Jerusalem, which, like a pot, would supposedly
protect the inhabitants from Nebuchadnezzar. As prophesied by Ezekiel
(v11), quite the opposite would be true."
These leaders remind us of those in our day even as Peter warned saying that
"in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after
their own lusts and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? (His
coming brings judgment on those who habitually follow their lusts just as
would occur in Jerusalem) For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all
continues just as it was from the beginning of creation." (2Pe3:4)
God had given orders through Jeremiah (Jer 29:4–11) that the captives would
build houses in Babylon because Jerusalem would fall. These leaders were
giving lying advice about building homes, in so doing deceiving those left
in Jerusalem.
THIS CITY IS THE POT AND WE ARE THE FLESH:
(7-11;
24:3-14;
Jer1:13)
The meaning of this phrase is difficult to state with certainty but could
mean something like the meat or flesh was safe in the pot as it was shielded
from the fire. It is as if the leaders were declaring that Jerusalem's
inhabitants were secure inside Jerusalem's walls by promulgating a proverb
"This city is a cooking pot and we are the meat" (safe inside the "pot")
The leaders in Jerusalem after the destruction of 597 BC (2 Ki 24:8-17)
decided they were God's choice, preserved meat protected by the pot ("the
city") implying it would never fall to Babylon.
MacDonald sees a parallel between the attitude of the leaders and nominal
Christians today, writing that "In the same way, many nominal Christians
feel safe from God’s judgment despite the sin in their lives, but the Lord
will tell them, “I never knew you.” The fire may be delayed but the fire
of judgment is coming. |
|
4 "Therefore,
prophesy
against them,
son of
man,
prophesy!"
|
Young's
Literal: Therefore
prophesy concerning them, prophesy, son of man.'
Amplified:
Therefore prophesy against them; prophesy, O son of man! |
|
THEREFORE, PROPHESY AGAINST THEM SON OF MAN, PROPHESY!::
(3:2-15,17-21;
20:46,47;
21:2;
25:2;
Is58:1;
Ho6:5;
8:1) " So,
Ezekiel, condemn them!" (CEV), "Now then, denounce them, mortal man"
(TEV)
"Prophesy
against them" Ezekiel was
instructed to reinterpret their "meat in the pot" symbolism
quite differently! In the following verses, Ezekiel explains that the city
of Jerusalem was the pot and the slain people were the meat! The leaders
themselves would be taken out of the city and judged at the border of Israel
(2Ki 25:18–21; Jer 5:24–27). |
|
5 Then the
Spirit of the
LORD
fell upon me, and He
said to me
"Say,
'Thus
says the
LORD,
"So you
think,
house of
Israel, for I
know your
thoughts. |
Young's
Literal: And fall upon
me doth the Spirit of Jehovah, and He saith unto me, `Say: Thus said
Jehovah: Rightly ye have said, O house of Israel, And the steps of your
spirit I have known.
Amplified:
And the Spirit of
the Lord fell upon me, and He said to me, Speak. Say, Thus says the Lord:
This is what you thought, O house of Israel, for I know the things that come
into your mind. |
|
THEN THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD FELL UPON ME AND HE SAID TO ME:
(2:2;
3:24,27;
8:1;
Nu11:25,26;
1 Sa10:6,10;
Ac10:44;
11:15) "The
LORD's Spirit took control of me and told me to tell these leaders"
(CEV)
"Spirit...fell
upon me" is only used here
in Ezekiel. The prophet was enabled to prophesy.
SAY, 'THUS SAYS THE LORD SO YOU THINK, HOUSE OF ISRAEL, FOR I KNOW YOUR
THOUGHTS:
(2:4,5,7;
3:11;
Is58:1)
(28:2;
29:3;
38:11;
Ps50:21;
Is28:15;
Mal3:13,14;
Mk 3:22-30;
Js3:6)
(38:10;
1Ch28:9;
Ps7:9;
139:2,3;
Je6:17;
17:10;
Mk 2:8;
Jn 2:24;
Jn 2:25;
21:17;
He4:13;
Rev2:23) "I
know the devices of your spirit" (Brenton - Eng of Lxx) "This is what
you have said, O children of Israel; what comes into your mind is clear to
me" (BBE) "Thus have you spoken, O house of Israel, for I know the
thoughts of your heart" (DRB)
"People of Israel, I know what you are saying and what you are planning"
(TEV) "You are saying these things, nation of Israel. But I know what's
going through your mind" (GWT) "So you have said, house of Israel,
for I Myself know the elevations of your spirit" (LITV)
Ezekiel is to remind the leaders that not were their actions not hidden from
God's omniscience, neither were their very thoughts. God knew what they were
thinking, saying, and doing. |
|
6 "You have
multiplied your
slain in
this
city,
filling its
streets with
them." |
Young's
Literal: Ye multiplied
your wounded in this city, And filled its out-places with the wounded.
Amplified:
You have multiplied your slain in this city and you have filled its streets
with the slain. |
|
YOU HAVE MULTIPLIED YOUR SLAIN IN THIS CITY, FILLING ITS STREETS WITH THEM:
(7:23;
9:9;
22:2-6,9,12,27;
24:6-9;
2Ki21:16;
Is1:15;
Je2:30,34;
Je7:6,9;
La4:13;
Ho4:2,3;
Mic3:2,3,10;
7:2;
Zeph3:3;
Mt23:35) |
|
7 'Therefore,
thus
says the
Lord
GOD, "Your
slain
whom you have
laid in the
midst of the city are
the
flesh and
this city is the
pot; but I will
bring you out
of it. |
Young's
Literal: Therefore,
thus said the Lord Jehovah: Your wounded whom ye placed in its midst, They
are the flesh, and it is the pot, And you he hath brought out from its
midst.
Amplified:
Therefore thus says the Lord God: Your slain whom you have laid in your
midst; they are the flesh and this city is the boiling pot, but you shall be
brought forth out of the midst of it. |
|
THEREFORE, THUS SAYS THE LORD GOD "YOUR SLAIN WHOM YOU HAVE LAID IN THE
MIDST OF THE CITY ARE THE FLESH AND THIS CITY IS THE POT BUT I WILL BRING
YOU OUT OF IT:
(24:3-13;
Mic3:2,3)
(3:9-11;
2 Ki25:18-22;
Je52:24-27)
Ezekiel changes the meaning of flesh from "leaders" (they declared "we
are the flesh" in v3) to those they killed.
|
|
8 "You have
feared a
sword; so I will
bring a
sword upon you," the
Lord
GOD
declares.
|
Young's
Literal: A sword ye
have feared, And a sword I bring in against you, An affirmation of the Lord
Jehovah.
Amplified:
You have feared the sword, and I will bring a sword upon you, says the Lord
God. |
|
YOU
HAVE FEARED A SWORD; SO I WILL BRING A SWORD UPON YOU," THE LORD GOD
DECLARES.:
(Job
3:25; 20:24;
Pr10:24;
Is24:17,18;
30:16,17;
66:4;
Je38:19-23;
42:14-16;
44:12,13; Am9:1-4; Jn11:48;
1Th2:15,16) |
|
10 "You will
fall by the
sword. I will
judge you to the
border of
Israel; so you shall
know that I am the
LORD.
|
Young's
Literal: By the sword
ye do fall, On the border of Israel I do judge you, And ye have known that I
am Jehovah.
Amplified:
You shall fall by the sword; I will judge and punish you [before your
neighbors] at the border or outside the land of Israel, and you shall know
(understand and realize) that I am the Lord. |
|
YOU WILL FALL BY THE SWORD. I WILL JUDGE YOU TO THE BORDER OF ISRAEL; SO
YOU SHALL KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD. :
(2 Ki25:19-21;
Je39:6;
52:9,10,24-27)
(Nu34:8,9; Josh13:5; 1 Ki
8:65; 2Ki14:25)
(6:7;
13:9,14,21,23;
Ps9:16;
Je9:24)
I will judge you in the border of
Israel, far from the so-called protecting city. The terrible judgment on
King Zedekiah and the leaders took place at Riblah (Jer 39:5-7;
52:24-27;2Ki25:18-21) |
|
11 "This
city will not be a
pot for you,
nor will you be
flesh in the
midst of it, but I
will
judge you to the
border of
Israel.
|
Young's
Literal: It is not to
you for a pot, Nor are ye in its midst for flesh, At the border of Israel I
do judge you.
Amplified:
This city shall not be your boiling pot, neither shall you be the flesh in
the midst of it; I will judge you at the border or outside of Israel; |
|
THIS CITY WILL NOT BE A POT FOR YOU, NOR WILL YOU BE FLESH IN THE MIDST OF
IT, BUT I WILL JUDGE YOU TO THE BORDER OF ISRAEL:
(3,7-10)
Ezekiel reverses the meaning of the proverb, stating that the city will not
be a pot conveying protection but a pot burning with the fires of judgment,
and the flesh to those slain in the streets (cf. 7:23; 22:25)
Those in Jerusalem were to share the fate of the exiles. For the antithesis,
see 35:6. |
|
12 "Thus you will
know that I am the
LORD; for you have
not
walked in My
statutes
nor have you
executed My
ordinances, but have
acted according to
the
ordinances of the
nations
around you." |
Young's
Literal: And ye have
known that I am Jehovah, For in My statutes ye have not walked, And My
Judgments ye have not done, And according to the judgments of the nations
Who are round about you--ye have done!'
Amplified:
And you shall know (understand and realize) that I am the Lord; for you have
not walked in My statutes nor executed My ordinances, but have acted
according to the ordinances of the nations around you. |
|
THUS YOU WILL KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD; FOR YOU HAVE NOT WALKED IN MY
STATUTES NOR HAVE YOU EXECUTED MY ORDINANCES:(21;
20:16,21,24;
Lv26:40;
1Ki11:33;
2Ki21:22;
Ezr9:7;
Neh9:34;
Ps78:10;
Je6:16;
Da9:10)
"You
will know that I am the LORD"
is noted twice (v10 and here) in a short space. God makes it quite clear
that these leaders will know that He is Jehovah, when His has prophesy comes
to pass.
BUT HAVE ACTED ACCORDING TO THE ORDINANCES OF THE NATIONS AROUND YOU:
(8:10,14,16;
16:44-47;
Lv18:3,24-28;
Dt12:30,31;
2Ki16:3,10,11;
2Ki17:11-23;
18:12;
21:2;
2Ch13:9;
28:3;
33:2-9;
36:14;
Ps106:35-39;
Je10:2) |
[Index]
[Previous] [Next]
|
