Albert Barnes Commentary Ezekiel 6
Albert Barnes Commentary
Ezekiel 6
Albert Barnes Commentary
Ezekiel 6
"And the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying," — Ezekiel 6:1 (ASV)
The former prophecies concerned the city of Jerusalem and the inhabitants of Judea. The present is addressed to the whole land and people of Israel, who are to be included in a like judgment.
The ground of the judgment is “idolatry,” and the whole rests on (Deuteronomy 12:0). The prophecy is against the “mountains” of Israel because the mountains and valleys were the seats of idol-worship.
It is also the proclamation of the final judgment of Israel. It is the picture of the future judgment of the world.
"and say, Ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord Jehovah: Thus saith the Lord Jehovah to the mountains and to the hills, to the watercourses and to the valleys: Behold, I, even I, will bring a sword upon you, and I will destroy your high places." — Ezekiel 6:3 (ASV)
Rivers - Or, “ravines,” which were, like the mountains, favorite seats of idol-rites (2 Kings 23:10).
"And your altars shall become desolate, and your sun-images shall be broken; and I will cast down your slain men before your idols." — Ezekiel 6:4 (ASV)
Images - See the margin and margin reference, and the (Ezekiel 8:16) note.
Idols - The Phoenicians were in the habit of setting up “heaps” or “pillars” of stone in honor of their gods, which renders the use of the word more appropriate.
"And the slain shall fall in the midst of you, and ye shall know that I am Jehovah." — Ezekiel 6:7 (ASV)
The force of the words is, When the slain shall fall in the midst of you, then at last ye shall know that I am the Lord. So in Ezekiel 6:10 where the knowledge implies a recognition of the merciful intent of Yahweh’s dispensations, and therefore, a hope of restoration.
"And those of you that escape shall remember me among the nations whither they shall be carried captive, how that I have been broken with their lewd heart, which hath departed from me, and with they eyes, which play the harlot after their idols: and they shall loathe themselves in their own sight for the evils which they have committed in all their abominations." — Ezekiel 6:9 (ASV)
I am broken ... - Translate: “because” I have broken their whorish heart, which hath departed from me, and their eyes etc. Since Ezekiel is addressing the Church of God through Israel, we are to note here that the general principle of the divine administration is laid down. Sin leads to judgment, judgment to repentance, repentance to forgiveness, forgiveness to reconciliation, reconciliation to a knowledge of communion with God.
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