Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 2. Set thy face toward the mountains of Israel] This is a new prophecy, and was most probably given after the four hundred and thirty days of his lying on his left and right side were accomplished. By Israel here, Judea is simply meant; not the ten tribes, who had long before been carried into captivity. Ezekiel uses this term in reference to the Jews only.
The mountains may be addressed here particularly, because it was on them the chief scenes of idolatry were exhibited.
Matthew Henry Commentary
- The siege of Jerusalem. (Ezek. 4:1-8) The famine the inhabitants woul suffer. (Ezek. 4:9-17)
Ezek. 4:1-8 The prophet was to represent the siege of Jerusalem by signs. He was to lie on his left side for a number of days, supposed to be equal to the years from the establishment of idolatry. All that the prophet sets before the children of his people, about the destructio of Jerusalem, is to show that sin is the provoking cause of the ruin of that once flourishing city.
Ezek. 4:9-17 The bread which was Ezekiel's support, was to be made of coarse grain and pulse mixed together, seldom used except in times of urgent scarcity, and of this he was only to take a small quantity. Thu was figured the extremity to which the Jews were to be reduced durin the siege and captivity. Ezekiel does not plead, Lord, from my youth have been brought up delicately, and never used to any thing like this but that he had been brought up conscientiously, and never had eate any thing forbidden by the law. It will be comfortable when we ar brought to suffer hardships, if our hearts can witness that we have always been careful to keep even from the appearance of evil. See what woful work sin makes, and acknowledge the righteousness of God herein Their plenty having been abused to luxury and excess, they were justl punished by famine. When men serve not God with cheerfulness in the abundance of all things, God will make them serve their enemies in the want of all things _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew בן1121 אדם120 שׂים7760 פניך6440 אל413 הרי2022 ישׂראל3478 והנבא5012 אליהם׃413
