Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 4. Set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh] This is in allusion to the ancient every-where-used custom of setting marks on servants and slaves, to distinguish them from others. It was also common for the worshippers of particular idols to have their idol's mark upon their foreheads, arms, &c. These are called sectarian marks to the present day among the Hindoos and others in India. Hence by this mark we can easily know who is a follower of Vishnoo, who of Siva, who of Bramah, &c. The original words, wt tywthw vehithvitha tau, have been translated by the Vulgate, et signa thau, "and mark thou tau on the foreheads," &c. St. Jerome and many others have thought that the letter tau was that which was ordered to be placed on the foreheads of those mourners; and Jerome says, that this Hebrew letter t tau was formerly written like a cross. So then the people were to be signed with the sign of the cross! It is certain that on the ancient Samaritan coins, which are yet extant, the letter t tau is in the form +, which is what we term St. Andrew's cross. The sense derived from this by many commentators is, that God, having ordered those penitents to be marked with this figure, which is the sign of the cross, intimated that there is no redemption nor saving of life but by the cross of Christ, and that this will avail none but the real penitent. All this is true in itself, but it is not true in respect to this place. The Hebrew words signify literally, thou shalt make a mark, or sign a sign, but give no intimation what that mark or sign was. It was intended here to be what the sprinkling of the blood of the paschal lamb on the lintels and door-posts of the Israelites was, namely, a notice to the destroying angel what house he should spare. As the whole of this matter only passed in vision we are bound to neither letter, nor any other kind of figure. The symbolical action teaches us that God, in general judgments, will make a distinction between the innocent and the guilty, between the penitent and the hardened sinner.
Matthew Henry Commentary
- The desolation of the land. (Ezek. 7:1-15) The distress of the few wh should escape. (Ezek. 7:16-22) The captivity. (Ezek. 7:23-27)
Ezek. 7:1-15 The abruptness of this prophecy, and the many repetitions show that the prophet was deeply affected by the prospect of thes calamities. Such will the destruction of sinners be; for none can avoi it. Oh that the wickedness of the wicked might end before it bring the to an end! Trouble is to the impenitent only an evil, it hardens their hearts, and stirs up their corruptions; but there are those to whom it is sanctified by the grace of God, and made a means of much good. The day of real trouble is near, not a mere echo or rumour of troubles Whatever are the fruits of God's judgments, our sin is the root of them. These judgments shall be universal. And God will be glorified in all. Now is the day of the Lord's patience and mercy, but the time of the sinner's trouble is at hand.
Ezek. 7:16-22 Sooner or later, sin will cause sorrow; and those wh will not repent of their sin, may justly be left to pine away in it There are many whose wealth is their snare and ruin; and the gainin the world is the losing of their souls. Riches profit not in the day of wrath. The wealth of this world has not that in it which will answe the desires of the soul, or be any satisfaction to it in a day of distress. God's temple shall stand them in no stead. Those are unworth to be honoured with the form of godliness, who will not be governed by its power.
Ezek. 7:23-27 Whoever break the bands of God's law, will fin themselves bound and held by the chains of his judgments. Since the encouraged one another to sin, God would dishearten them. All mus needs be in trouble, when God comes to judge them according to their deserts. May the Lord enable us to seek that good part which shall no be taken away _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew ויאמר559 יהוה3069 אלו413 עבר5674 בתוך8432 העיר5892 בתוך8432 ירושׁלם3389 והתוית8427 תו8420 על5921 מצחות4696 האנשׁים582 הנאנחים584 והנאנקים602 על5921 כל3605 התועבות8441 הנעשׂות6213 בתוכה׃8432
