Bible Commentaries
Ezekiel

EZEKIEL AND THE BOOK OF HIS PROPHECY:

An Exposition.

BY

PATRICK FAIRBAIRN, D.D.,

PRINCIPAL OF THE FREE CHURCH COLLEGE, GLASGOW, AUTHOR OF ‘TYPOLOGY OF SCRIPTURE,’ ETC..

FOURTH EDITION EDINBURGH:

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PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION.

IT is some time since the first impression of the following Exposition was exhausted; and the opportunity, which the call for a New Edition has presented, of introducing a few alterations and improvements has not been neglected. The changes, however, are not material as regards the substance of the work, or even the interpretation of particular parts. On a very few passages only, and these not of primary moment, has a different view been presented from the one formerly given. But the Exposition has been rendered more uniform by a translation of the whole Book, while in the First Edition this was limited to the more difficult parts; and that has necessarily led to a number of minor changes and re-adjustments. It has also rendered necessary the printing of the translation in a smaller type, as otherwise the size, and consequently the expense of the volume must have been increased beyond what was deemed advisable. An Introduction, besides, has been prefixed, in which certain topics of a preliminary kind, that were not altogether omitted in the former edition, but rather too briefly noticed, have been more fully discussed. These, which constitute the chief alterations in matter and form, it is hoped will be found to have added somewhat to the usefulness of the volume.

The reception it has met with in its first shape has been, for the most part, so favourable and encouraging, that anything beyond the grateful acknowledgments of the author would be here out of place. He did not expect that all would agree with him in the views embodied in his interpretations, or would entirely approve of the form which he has given to his Exposition. Some, he has observed, have sought to account for the latter by supposing it to have been, in the first instance, preached to a congregation. In this, he takes leave to state, they are mistaken; and it is on principle, and from a regard merely to what he thinks should be found in an Exposition of the Word of God, and in particular of the writings of Ezekiel, that he has introduced so much of the spiritual and practical element. But, as this point has been noticed in the Introduction, it is needless to say more on it at present. If the volume shall be made, by the Divine blessing, instrumental in promoting a more exact acquaintance with this portion of Prophecy, or advancing the study of the prophetic Word in general, the great desire of the Author will be fulfilled.

ABERDEEN, May 1855.

PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION.

THIS New Edition of the Commentary on Ezekiel scarcely calls for any prefatory notice, as it differs in no material respect from the immediately preceding one. Alterations of some moment were introduced into the Second Edition; but the general revision which the work then underwent has rendered unnecessary any marked changes in the edition now issued. The few which have been introduced are chiefly confined to verbal alterations, and some occasional enlargements of the Explanatory Notes. Since the publication of the last edition, no work of any importance, so far as known to me, has appeared on the writings of our Prophet, either in this country or on the Continent; and in regard to productions bearing on particular passages, one or two fresh references comprise all that I have thought requisite. The views previously given on all the more characteristic passages and features of the book remain undisturbed; and I have only to wish for this, as I did for the last edition, that it may, with the Divine blessing, be made instrumental in promoting a more intelligent acquaintance with the prophetic Word in general, and in particular with this somewhat peculiar, but most interesting and instructive portion of it.

GLASGOW, November 1862.