John Gill Commentary Ezekiel 3:9

John Gill Commentary

Ezekiel 3:9

1697–1771
Reformed Baptist
John Gill
John Gill

John Gill Commentary

Ezekiel 3:9

1697–1771
Reformed Baptist
SCRIPTURE

"As an adamant harder than flint have I made thy forehead: fear them not, neither be dismayed at their looks, though they are a rebellious house." — Ezekiel 3:9 (ASV)

As an adamant harder than flint have I made your forehead
Or, "than a rock" F15; the "adamant" has its name in Greek, because it cannot be conquered or subdued, neither by the hammer, nor by fire; the one cannot break, nor this other consume it; and it is called "shamir" in Hebrew, from its preserving itself from both; it will cut iron in pieces, which is harder than stone, and therefore must be harder than that. Bochart takes it to be the same with "smiris", a hard stone, which jewellers use to polish their gems with; see (Jeremiah 17:1) (Zechariah 7:12).

The design of the simile is to set forth the courage and fortitude of mind the prophet was endowed with, in order to face an impudent and hardhearted people; fear them not, neither be dismayed at their looks, though they are a
rebellious house; (See Gill on Ezekiel 2:6).


FOOTNOTES:

  • F15: (rwum) "rupe", Junius & Tremellius, Polanus, Piscator; "prae rupe", Cocceius; "ex rupe", Starckius; "prae petra", Montanus.