Bible Commentaries

According to the duty of a watchman in warning the people, Ezekiel is admoished of his duty in warning sinners, Ezekiel 33:1-9. God showeth the manner of his dealings with the righteous that revolteth, and with the returning sinner, Ezekiel 33:10-16. He mataineth the equity of his proceeding, Ezekiel 33:17-20. Upon the news of the taking of Jerusalem, Ezekiel prophesieth the desolation of the land, Ezekiel 33:21-29. The hypocrisy of the captive Jews reproved. Ezekiel 33:30-33.

No text from Poole on this verse.

The prophet, after three years’ silence enjoined him now hath his mouth opened by new commission.

To the chidldren of thy people; to the Jews in general, to who he had not spoken since what he spake in the 24th chapter,

Say unto them; propound a parable unto then

When; if at any time.

The sword; war, or any sore judgment.

Take a man; choose out a man who live on the borders, and knows the avenues and the ways the enemy will most likely come to assault them. Set him for their watchman; appoint him to watch the coasts, that they may not be surprised.

The sword of the enemy, or any other danger which he may foresee in any of the causes or forerunners of it.

Come, i.e. coming, approaching to the land.

Blow the trumpet; sound the alarm: the sound of the trumpet is a warning, yet to this sometimes it is necessary to add a warning by word of month, and tell the people brought together by the trumpet what he seeth.

Whosoever considers not and minds not what he hears, who hears and does not consider, he turns a deaf ear to the meaning, though not to the sound of the trumpet.

Taketh not warning; apprehends not, nor will be made apprehensive of, the danger, to provide for resisting or fleeing the sword.

Take him away; destroy him.

His blood; the guilt and blame of his blood, of his death. Shall be upon his own head; shall never be charged on any but himself.

He heard, as well as others who escaped, and he might have delivered himself, as they did who took warning. He is the only cause of his own death.

Shall deliver his soul; shall save his life, preserve his own person.

Blow not the trumpet; neglect his charge, which is to give the alarm.

Be not warned; but, unwarned, are surprised by the enemy.

Taken away in his iniquity; punished by the Lord for his sins and trespasses formerly done, and he is destroyed under the present fault of not watching, which is a fault in every one that is so secure in time of war.

His blood; the guilt of that blood.

Require at the watchman’s hand; charge upon and for it punish the watchman, who sinned in not giving warning.

No text from Poole on this verse.

No text from Poole on this verse.