John Calvin Commentary Ezekiel 19:8

"Then the nations set against him on every side from the provinces; and they spread their net over him; he was taken in their pit." — Ezekiel 19:8 (ASV)

Since the word נתן, nethen, is often understood to mean “to utter a voice,” some explain this passage as meaning that the nations came with a great clamor against King Jehoiakim, just as when an attack is made against a wild beast, the assailants mutually excite and encourage each other. They understand it to mean that such a clamor was raised on all sides that they rushed with one accord against King Jehoiakim.

But since the same word also means “to put,” it may, in my opinion, be properly applied to counsel, as they took counsel—that is, determined among themselves to take him captive. The passive sense does not suit this at all. Now, then, we understand the Prophet’s meaning when he says the Gentiles had resolved against him; that is, they had conspired to take him.

No doubt the Chaldeans were assisted by all their neighbors.

First, we know that the Jews were hated by other nations. Then, the audacity and rashness of this king provoked many to send for the Babylonians and eagerly to assist them. And because they scarcely dared to engage in the war by themselves, they conspired against King Jehoiakim under the protection of others.

Thus far concerning other nations, for this cannot be meant of the Chaldeans alone. Although they had other tribes under their sway, that monarchy had devoured the Assyrians, whose people formed a part of the Chaldean army.

Then the Prophet speaks of an encirclement, saying that King Jehoiakim was shut in on all sides. Hence, this must be ascribed to the neighboring nations, who not only favored the Babylonians but also assisted them with troops and wealth, as is sufficiently gathered from other passages.

Finally, he says, they expanded their net; by this metaphor, he means plans, desires, and efforts. For before the neighboring nations openly declared war against the Jews, there is no doubt that they took secret counsel as to the best way of attracting the Chaldeans to their side and of insinuating themselves by various arts, as if they were laying snares. However, by the word net, we may also understand whatever apparatus they used for destroying King Jehoiakim.

In short, he says that he was taken in the pit of the nations; that is, he was oppressed by snares as well as by open violence. He uses the word pitfall, in accordance with the comparison of the king to a lion, but there is nothing absurd in extending the phrase to any hostile violence by which Jehoiakim was oppressed.