Matthew Poole Commentary - Ezekiel 5:2 - 5:2

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Matthew Poole Commentary - Ezekiel 5:2 - 5:2


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This verse tells you into how many parts the hair was to be divided, and how to be disposed of, and so plain it needs little explication.



With fire; so either pestilence, or famine, with the displeasure of God, and the burning of the city and of the citizens, is noted.



The city, described on the tile, Eze_4:1, a type of what should be done in Jerusalem.



When the days of the siege are fulfilled; when the three hundred and ninety days of thy lying against the portrayed city shall be ended; for when Jerusalem shall be taken at the end of the siege, the city shall be burnt; and who can say that none of the inhabitants were burnt, as the two false prophets Ahab and Zedekiah? Jer_29:22. To be sure many that hid themselves under ground, in vaults and cellars, were burnt with the burning of the city.



A third part; it is not necessary this part should be equal to the former, if it be proportional it is enough; perhaps it might be somewhat less then the first third.



Smite about it with a knife; for these were such as fell, in either defending the walls, or sallying out during the siege, or were found in arms when the city was taken, or were overtaken in their flight with their most unhappy king or by law martial were adjudged to die by the conqueror. These many, yet weak ones, women and children, which died in the siege by famine and pestilence, might be a greater third.



A third part; those that fell to the Chaldeans, or fled to Egypt, or other countries, though they escape somewhat longer, yet carrying like sins are at last overtaken with like evils.



Thou shalt scatter; though these disposed of themselves, yet there was God’s hand also in it; he scattered those that of their own accord did flee.



In the wind; violent, uncertain, and troublesome should their enemies prove to them.



I will draw out; God will pursue them.



A sword; figuratively it is wasting punishment, literally it was fulfilled, Jer_42:16,17,22 43:10,11 44:27. Thereof, i.e. of the last third which were to be dispersed. A few, or small quantity. In number; or, by number, as it may be read; tell out a small parcel of the hair. Bind them in thy skirts; as men tie up in a handkerchief, or in the skirt of their garment, what they would not lose. So some few shall be kept, God will not cut off the whole house of Israel, but reserves a remnant.