Bible Commentaries

Verse 2

thy mother. Probably Hamutal, one of the wives of Josiah, the mother of Shallum (or Jehoahaz) and Zedekiah (2 Kings 23:31 and Ezekiel 24:18 ). The other son of Josiah (Jehoiakim) had a different mother (Zebudah). See 2 Kings 23:36 .

Verse 3

one of her whelps. Probably Jehoahaz (i.e. Shah lam), the youngest son of Josiah, is intended (1 Chronicles 3:15 ).

catch = rend,

men. Hebrew ' adam . App-14 ,

Verse 4

taken in their pit. As a lion is taken (Psalms 35:7 ; Psalms 94:13 ).

they : i.e. Pharaoh = necho (2 Kings 23:30-34 . 2 Chronicles 36:1-4 ). Jeremiah laments his fate. See Jeremiah 22:10-12 .

Verse 5

another of her whelps. Probably Jehoiakim, an other son of Josiah (2 Kings 23:36 . 2 Chronicles 36:1-4 ). Hardly Jehoiachin, who reigned only three months (2 Kings 24:8 ). But Jehoiakim reigned eleven years, and his character corresponds with Ezekiel 19:7-8 , here. See 2Ki 23:36 ; 2 Kings 24:1-6 , Jeremiah 22:11-19 .

Verse 7

knew their desolate palaces. Aramaean and Septuagint read "injured or defiled his widows".

knew = knew carnally. See 2 Chronicles 36:8 .

Verse 9

in ward in chains = in a cage with hooks (or hoops), as lions are represented on the monuments. See 2 Chronicles 36:5-7 , and Jeremiah 22:13-19 .

king. Some codices read "land".

Verse 10

Thy mother. Another Simile . See the Structure (W, p. 1130).

in thy blood: or, in thy vineyard (according to Dr. C. D. Ginsburg).

waters. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 8:7 ). App-92 .

Verse 12

wind. Hebrew. ruach . App-9 .

Verse 13

now , &c. Referring to Jeconiah and Ezekiel's own days (1, 3; and 2 Kings 24:12-16 ).

Verse 14

of a rod : or, of the rod: i.e. Zedekiah, who byhis perjury brought about the destruction of Jerusalem by fire,