1
Eze 17:1-24.
英文原文
Eze 17:1-24.
PARABLE OF THE TWO GREAT EAGLES, AND THE CROPPING OF THE CEDAR OF LEBANON. JUDAH IS TO BE JUDGED FOR REVOLTING FROM BABYLON, WHICH HAD SET UP ZEDEKIAH INSTEAD OF JEHOIACHIN, TO EGYPT; GOD HIMSELF, AS THE RIVAL OF THE BABYLONIAN KING, IS TO PLANT THE GOSPEL CEDAR OF MESSIAH.
The date of the prophecy is between the sixth month of Zedekiah's sixth year of reign and the fifth month of the seventh year after the carrying away of Jehoiachin, that is, five years before the destruction of Jerusalem [HENDERSON].
2
無標題
2. 謎語——一篇連貫的寓言，以隱晦的方式表達，需要超乎尋常的洞察力與認真思考。希伯來文源於一個意為「鋒利」的詞根，即旨在激發注意、磨礪心思。與「寓言」有別之處在於，它所教導的不是虛構，而是事實。它不像普通的謎語那樣旨在使人困惑，而是為教導人。「謎語」在此與「比喻」相同，只是前者著重於晦澀之處，後者著重於比喻與所比之物之間的相似性。
英文原文
2. riddle--a continued allegory, expressed enigmatically, requiring more than common acumen and serious thought. The Hebrew is derived from a root, "sharp," that is, calculated to stimulate attention and whet the intellect. Distinct from "fable," in that it teaches not fiction, but fact. Not like the ordinary riddle, designed to puzzle, but to instruct. The "riddle" is here identical with the "parable," only that the former refers to the obscurity, the latter to the likeness of the figure to the thing compared.
3
無標題
3. 鷹——百鳥之王。希伯來文字面為「那大鷹」。這是亞述至高神 Nisroch 的象徵；如此應用於巴比倫的「大王」——他在地上的代理人
(Jer 48:40; 49:22)。
他的「翅膀」是他的龐大軍力。猶太人對這樣的象徵十分熟悉，因為他們在巴比倫宏偉的建築上見過這些描繪；如今在亞述遺跡中也可見到。
翅膀大的——暗示他帝國的廣闊疆域。
羽毛豐滿的——換羽之後更新了的羽毛；即在新近煥發之青春的豐盛中
(Ps 103:5; Isa 40:31)。
對應於許多構成巴比倫力量的附庸民族。
有各樣顏色的——金鷹，帶有星狀斑點，被認為是最大的鷹〔BOCHART〕。對應於巴比倫屬下各民族在語言、習俗和服飾上的多樣性。
來到利巴嫩——延續比喻：正如鷹常出沒於山嶺而非城市。耶路撒冷的聖殿被猶太人稱為「利巴嫩」〔EUSEBIUS〕，
因為其木工全部使用利巴嫩的香柏木。即「主殿的山」
(Isa 2:2)。
然而主要所指是耶路撒冷，那是民事尊榮的主要所在，正如利巴嫩是外在高度的代表。
將最高的枝尖折去——約雅斤王，當時年僅十八歲，以及許多首領和百姓與他一同被擄
(2Ki 24:8, 12-16)。
希伯來文「最高的枝尖」嚴格而言是樹頂那羊毛般的簇生尖端。（照樣在
Eze 31:3-14)。香柏樹作為高聳的樹，是王權高舉的象徵（比較
Da 4:10-12)。
英文原文
3. eagle--the king of birds. The literal Hebrew is, "the great eagle." The symbol of the Assyrian supreme god, Nisroch; so applied to "the great king" of Babylon, his vicegerent on earth
(Jer 48:40; 49:22).
His "wings" are his great forces. Such symbols were familiar to the Jews, who saw them portrayed on the great buildings of Babylon; such as are now seen in the Assyrian remains.
long-winged--implying the wide extent of his empire.
full of feathers--when they have been renewed after moulting; and so in the full freshness of renovated youth
(Ps 103:5; Isa 40:31).
Answering to the many peoples which, as tributaries, constituted the strength of Babylon.
divers colours--the golden eagle, marked with star-like spots, supposed to be the largest of eagles [BOCHART]. Answering to the variety of languages, habits, and costumes of the peoples subject to Babylon.
came unto Lebanon--continuing the metaphor: as the eagle frequents mountains, not cities. The temple at Jerusalem was called "Lebanon" by the Jews [EUSEBIUS], because its woodwork was wholly of cedars of Lebanon. "The mountain of the Lord's house"
(Isa 2:2).
Jerusalem, however, is chiefly meant, the chief seat of civil honor, as Lebanon was of external elevation.
took the highest branch--King Jeconiah, then but eighteen years old, and many of the chiefs and people with him
(2Ki 24:8, 12-16).
The Hebrew for "highest branch" is, properly, the fleece-like tuft at the top of the tree. (So in
Eze 31:3-14).
The cedar, as a tall tree, is the symbol of kingly elevation (compare
Da 4:10-12).
4
無標題
4. 貿易之地……商賈——巴比倫
(2Ki 24:15, 16)，
以底格里斯河和幼發拉底河上的運輸貿易聞名。此外，藉著與波斯灣的聯繫，它與印度也進行大量貿易。
英文原文
4. land of traffic . . . merchants--Babylon
(2Ki 24:15, 16),
famous for its transport traffic on the Tigris and Euphrates. Also, by its connection with the Persian Gulf, it carried on much commerce with India.
5
無標題
5. 地上的種子——不是外來的產物，而是本地原生的；本地之子，不是外國人：西底家，約雅斤的叔叔，屬大衛家。
在肥田——字面作「種子之田」；即適合繁殖和延續王室種子的。
如柳樹——源自一個意為「泛濫」的希伯來文詞根，因柳樹喜水
(Isa 44:4)。
猶大是「有溪水和泉源之地」
(De 8:7-9；
比較
Joh 3:23)。
英文原文
5. seed of the land--not a foreign production, but one native in the region; a son of the soil, not a foreigner: Zedekiah, uncle of Jehoiachin, of David's family.
in a fruitful field--literally, a "field of seed"; that is, fit for propagating and continuing the seed of the royal family.
as a willow--derived from a Hebrew root, "to overflow," from its fondness for water
(Isa 44:4).
Judea was "a land of brooks of water and fountains"
(De 8:7-9;
compare
Joh 3:23).
6
無標題
6. 矮小的葡萄樹——如今不再是如先前那樣挺拔的「香柏樹」；猶大國將要繁榮，但不會被高舉。
枝子向著他——表達西底家作為藩屬的效忠，仰望尼布甲尼撒——猶大的平安乃至作為獨立國家的存立都歸功於他。「枝子」指他的兒子和其他首領貴族。
根……在他以下——猶大的穩固依賴於巴比倫。「枝子」與「嫩芽」的重複，是為標明西底家的忘恩——他不以適度的繁榮為足，竟背叛了他曾起誓效忠的人。
英文原文
6. vine of low stature--not now, as before, a stately "cedar"; the kingdom of Judah was to be prosperous, but not elevated.
branches turned toward him--expressing the fealty of Zedekiah as a vassal looking up to Nebuchadnezzar, to whom Judah owed its peace and very existence as a separate state. The "branches" mean his sons and the other princes and nobles.
The roots . . . under him--The stability of Judah depended on Babylon. The repetition "branches" and "springs" is in order to mark the ingratitude of Zedekiah, who, not content with moderate prosperity, revolted from him to whom he had sworn allegiance.
7
無標題
7. 另一……大鷹——即埃及王
（結十七15）。
結十七3
中的「大翅膀」在此省略了，因為埃及沒有巴比倫那樣廣大的帝國和龐大的軍隊。
葡萄樹……彎……根向著他——字面意思是「以根渴慕他」；表達猶太人心向埃及的渴慕。西底家尋求與埃及結盟，以為藉此可以擺脫對巴比倫的依附
（王下二十四7、20； 代下三十六13； 耶三十七5、7）。
藉……栽植之處的溝渠澆灌——即在（猶大）葡萄樹所栽種的園圃中。更恰當地說，是「藉」或「從溝渠」。這是指埃及的水，尼羅河藉由小運河或「溝渠」灌溉田地；這些水是埃及試圖用以幫助猶大的輔助軍隊的預表。參同樣的比喻，
賽八7。
但參
結十七10
的註解， 「溝渠它生長之處」。
英文原文
7. another . . . eagle--the king of Egypt
(Eze 17:15).
The "long-winged" of
Eze 17:3
is omitted, as Egypt had not such a wide empire and large armies as Babylon.
vine . . . bend . . . roots towards him--literally, "thirsted after him with its roots"; expressing the longings after Egypt in the Jewish heart. Zedekiah sought the alliance of Egypt, as though by it he could throw off his dependence on Babylon
(2Ki 24:7, 20; 2Ch 36:13; Jer 37:5, 7).
water it by . . . furrows of . . . plantation--that is, in the garden beds (Judea) wherein (the vine) it was planted. Rather, "by" or "out of the furrows." It refers to the waters of Egypt, the Nile being made to water the fields by means of small canals or "furrows"; these waters are the figure of the auxiliary forces wherewith Egypt tried to help Judah. See the same figure,
Isa 8:7.
But see on
Eze 17:10,
"furrows where it grew."
8
無標題
8. 栽於肥美之地——促使西底家背叛的，不是缺乏生活必需品，也不是尼布甲尼撒的壓迫，而是無謂的野心、驕傲與忘恩。
英文原文
8. It was planted in a good soil--It was not want of the necessaries of life, nor oppression on the port of Nebuchadnezzar, which caused Zedekiah to revolt: it was gratuitous ambition, pride, and ingratitude.
9
無標題
9. 豈能發旺呢？——無謂的叛變豈能順利？神不容許。「它」，即葡萄樹。
他……拔出——即第一隻鷹，或尼布甲尼撒。
盡……春天的一切葉子——即一切新發（萌芽）的葉子。
不用大力量或多人的——毀滅它不需要巴比倫全部的兵力；一小隊軍隊就足夠了，因為神必將它交在尼布甲尼撒手中
（耶三十七10）。
英文原文
9. Shall it prosper?--Could it be that gratuitous treason should prosper? God will not allow it. "It," that is, the vine.
he . . . pull up--that is, the first eagle, or Nebuchadnezzar.
in all . . . leaves of her spring--that is, all its springing (sprouting) leaves.
without great power or many--It shall not need all the forces of Babylon to destroy it; a small division of the army will suffice because God will deliver it into Nebuchadnezzar's hand
(Jer 37:10).
10
無標題
10. 已被栽種——即「雖然被栽種」。
東風——東風在巴勒斯坦對植物有害；是巴比倫的恰當象徵，因它來自東北。
在生長的溝渠中枯乾——西底家在耶利哥被擒，那是在猶太土地上
（耶五十二8）。
「它必枯乾，雖然它有指望從其中得著持續澆灌的溝渠」〔CALVIN〕，
（結十九12； 何十三15）。
英文原文
10. being planted--that is, "though planted."
east wind--The east wind was noxious to vegetation in Palestine; a fit emblem of Babylon, which came from the northeast.
wither in . . . furrows where it grew--Zedekiah was taken at Jericho, on Jewish soil
(Jer 52:8).
"It shall wither, although it has furrows from which it expects continual waterings" [CALVIN],
(Eze 19:12; Ho 13:15).
12
無標題
12. 你們豈不知道——他責備他們道德上的遲鈍，進而導致智識上的愚昧。
將王帶去——即耶哥尼雅或約雅斤
（王下二十四11、12-16）。
英文原文
12. Know ye not--He upbraided them with moral, leading to intellectual, stupidity.
hath taken the king--Jeconiah or Jehoiachin
(2Ki 24:11, 12-16).
13
無標題
13. 王的後裔——西底家，耶哥尼雅的叔父。
使他發誓——起誓效忠作尼布甲尼撒的藩屬
（代下三十六13）。
又帶去國中尊貴的人——作為履行盟約的人質；因此西底家因他的叛逆而使他們暴露於死亡之下。
英文原文
13. the king's seed--Zedekiah, Jeconiah's uncle.
taken . . . oath of him--swearing fealty as a vassal to Nebuchadnezzar
(2Ch 36:13).
also taken the mighty--as hostages for the fulfilment of the covenant; whom, therefore, Zedekiah exposed to death by his treason.
14
無標題
14. 使國低微——即因作尼布甲尼撒的藩屬而在國家地位上低下；但同時若忠於「誓言」，則安全而繁榮。尼布甲尼撒在提出條件時是誠實而公開的，而且條件適度；因此西底家的背信更為卑鄙，也與他們對神的背信如出一轍。
英文原文
14. That the kingdom might be base--that is, low as to national elevation by being Nebuchadnezzar's dependent; but, at the same time, safe and prosperous, if faithful to the "oath." Nebuchadnezzar dealt sincerely and openly in proposing conditions, and these moderate ones; therefore Zedekiah's treachery was the baser and was a counterpart to their treachery towards God.
15
無標題
15. 他背叛——神因對耶路撒冷的怒氣而容許了這事
（王下二十四20）。
馬——埃及以馬匹豐盛聞名，而以色列被禁止從埃及尋求馬匹，實際上也不可「加增」
（申十七16； 賽三十一1、3；
參
賽三十六9）。
DIODORUS SICULUS〔1.45〕說，從底比斯到孟菲斯的整個地區遍佈王室馬廄，可為戰爭提供二萬輛戰車，每輛配兩匹馬。
他豈能亨通呢？——第三次問這問題，暗示憤慨的否定
（結十七9-10）。
即使外邦人也相信違背誓言的人不能「逃脫」刑罰。
英文原文
15. he rebelled--God permitted this because of His wrath against Jerusalem
(2Ki 24:20).
horses--in which Egypt abounded and which were forbidden to Israel to seek from Egypt, or indeed to "multiply" at all
(De 17:16; Isa 31:1, 3;
compare
Isa 36:9).
DIODORUS SICULUS [1.45] says that the whole region from Thebes to Memphis was filled with royal stalls, so that twenty thousand chariots with two horses in each could be furnished for war.
Shall he prosper?--The third time this question is asked, with an indignant denial understood
(Eze 17:9, 10).
Even the heathen believed that breakers of an oath would not "escape" punishment.
16
無標題
16. 在王所住的地方——公義的報應。他以最壞的形式招致了他想藉背誓的詭計來擺脫的那惡——即附庸的奴役
（結十二13； 耶三十二5，三十四3，五十二11）。
英文原文
16. in the place where the king dwelleth--righteous retribution. He brought on himself in the worst form the evil which, in a mild form, he had sought to deliver himself from by perjured treachery, namely, vassalage
(Eze 12:13; Jer 32:5; 34:3; 52:11).
17
無標題
17. 法老——合弗拉
（耶 37:7; 44:30），
尼哥的繼任者
（王下 23:29）。
不……為他——字面意思是「對他有所作為」，即對西底家有絲毫幫助。法老並未與他聯合行動，因為他自己也被迫退回埃及。
築壘等——法老非但沒有為耶路撒冷這樣做，這反而是尼布甲尼撒攻擊耶路撒冷時所做的
（耶 52:4）。
CALVIN、MAURER 等將此指向尼布甲尼撒，「當尼布甲尼撒築壘之時」。
英文原文
17. Pharaoh--Pharaoh-hophra
(Jer 37:7; 44:30),
the successor of Necho
(2Ki 23:29).
Neither . . . make for him--literally, "effect (anything) with him," that is, be of any avail to Zedekiah. Pharaoh did not act in concert with him, for he was himself compelled to retire to Egypt.
by casting up mounts, &c.--So far from Pharaoh doing so for Jerusalem, this was what Nebuchadnezzar did against it
(Jer 52:4).
CALVIN MAURER, &c., refer it to Nebuchadnezzar, "when Nebuchadnezzar shall cast up mounts."
18
無標題
18. 伸手——為確認誓言
（王下 10:15； 拉 10:19），
也作為臣服於尼布甲尼撒的記號
（代上 29:24，
旁註；
代下 30:8，
旁註；
哀 5:6）。
英文原文
18. given his hand--in ratification of the oath
(2Ki 10:15; Ezr 10:19),
and also in token of subjection to Nebuchadnezzar
(1Ch 29:24,
Margin;
2Ch 30:8,
Margin;
La 5:6).
19
無標題
19. 我的誓言——這約既奉神的名起誓，實際上就是祂的約；這是人在關乎神的事上屢次顯露之背信棄義精神的又一新例。因此，神必親自為祂的約被違犯之事，在那發假誓的人的「頭上」施行報應（參
詩 7:16）。
英文原文
19. mine oath--The "covenant" being sworn in God's name was really His covenant; a new instance in relation to man of the treacherous spirit which had been so often betrayed in relation to God. God Himself must therefore avenge the violation of His covenant "on the head" of the perjurer (compare
Ps 7:16).
20
無標題
20. 我的網——
（結 12:13; 32:3）。
神怎樣捉拿他，正如他曾試圖捉拿別人
（詩 7:15）。
這話至少在耶路撒冷傾覆三年多以前就已說出（比較
結 8:1
與結 20:1）。
與他爭辯——藉著對他的審判
（結 20:36）。
英文原文
20. my net--
(Eze 12:13; 32:3).
God entraps him as he had tried to entrap others
(Ps 7:15).
This was spoken at least upwards of three years before the fall of Jerusalem (compare
Eze 8:1, with Eze 20:1).
plead with him--by judgments on him
(Eze 20. 36).
21
無標題
21. 他的一切逃兵——隨他逃亡的兵丁。
英文原文
21. all his fugitives--the soldiers that accompany him in his flight.
22
無標題
22. 當以色列的景況似乎已無可挽回時，彌賽亞，即耶和華自己，將意外地出現，作祂百姓的救贖者
（賽 63:5）。
我……也——神以自己對抗尼布甲尼撒：「他從那地取了一粒種子栽種了
（結 17:3, 5），
我也照樣行，但要比他更有成效。他所折取並栽種的那枝子（西底家）只興旺一時，終必滅亡；我必栽種同一棵樹的一根嫩枝，就是大衛的家，國度藉永約屬於他家，這棵樹要成為全世的庇護，並存到永遠。」
枝子——彌賽亞獨特的稱號
（亞 3:8; 6:12； 賽 11:1; 4:2； 耶 23:5; 33:15）。
一根嫩枝——所羅巴伯從未作過普世的
（結 17:23）
王，此處所論的大事也不能指著他說，除非作為彌賽亞的預表。所指的只能是彌賽亞：祂原是「嫩芽，出於乾地的根」
（賽 53:2）；
祂國度的開始卑微，祂名義上的父母雖然大衛家的直系後裔，卻出身寒微；然而，即使在那時，神就在此論到祂，因著祂永遠的旨意，稱祂為「至高……中的至高」
（詩 89:27）。
我……將它栽於高山——錫安；定意成為恩典與榮耀的屬靈中心與高地，向世界照耀，超越一切屬地的高處。這國度在歸回巴比倫、重建聖殿時已預表性地開始，在基督顯現時才真正開始，並要在祂再來於錫安作王、從那裏統治全地之時，達到最高的彰顯
（詩 2:6, 8； 賽 2:2, 3； 耶 3:17）。
英文原文
22. When the state of Israel shall seem past recovery, Messiah, Jehovah Himself, will unexpectedly appear on the scene as Redeemer of His people
(Isa 63:5).
I . . . also--God opposes Himself to Nebuchadnezzar: "He took of the seed of the land and planted it
(Eze 17:3, 5),
so will I, but with better success than he had. The branch he plucked (Zedekiah) and planted, flourished but for a time, to perish at last; I will plant a scion of the same tree, the house of David, to whom the kingdom belongs by an everlasting covenant, and it shall be the shelter of the whole world, and shall be for ever."
branch--the peculiar title of Messiah
(Zec 3:8; 6:12; Isa 11:1; 4:2; Jer 23:5; 33:15).
a tender one--Zerubbabel never reigned as a universal
(Eze 17:23)
king, nor could the great things mentioned here be said of him, except as a type of Messiah. Messiah alone can be meant: originally "a tender plant and root out of a dry ground"
(Isa 53:2);
the beginning of His kingdom being humble, His reputed parents of lowly rank, though King David's lineal representatives; yet, even then, God here calls Him, in respect to His everlasting purpose, "the highest . . . of the high"
(Ps 89:27).
I . . . will plant it upon an high mountain--Zion; destined to be the moral center and eminence of grace and glory shining forth to the world, out-topping all mundane elevation. The kingdom, typically begun at the return from Babylon, and the rebuilding of the temple, fully began with Christ's appearing, and shall have its highest manifestation at His reappearing to reign on Zion, and thence over the whole earth
(Ps 2:6, 8; Isa 2:2, 3; Jer 3:17).
23
無標題
23. 在它底下……各樣飛鳥——福音的「芥菜樹」，起初微小，至終卻使一切都在其蔭下
（太 13:32）；
與敵基督相對，敵基督由亞述所象徵，亞述也有同樣的描述
（結 31:6），
巴比倫也是如此
（但 4:12）。
敵基督模仿那本屬基督的普世權柄。
英文原文
23. under it . . . all fowl--the Gospel "mustard tree," small at first, but at length receiving all under its covert
(Mt 13:32);
the antithesis to Antichrist, symbolized by Assyria, of which the same is said
(Eze 31:6),
and Babylon
(Da 4:12).
Antichrist assumes in mimicry the universal power really belonging to Christ.
24
無標題
24. 我……使高的降卑——正是那要成就此事之主的童貞母親所歸給神的屬性。
高……低的樹——意即被高舉……被降卑的君王。世界一切帝國，以巴比倫為代表，一度興旺（「青」），必在曾經卑微（「枯」）但那時被高舉的彌賽亞與祂百姓的國度之前被降卑，這國的首領將是以色列
（但 2:44）。
英文原文
24. I . . . brought down the high--the very attribute given to God by the virgin mother of Him, under whom this was to be accomplished.
high . . . low tree--that is, princes elevated . . . depressed. All the empires of the world, represented by Babylon, once flourishing ("green"), shall be brought low before the once depressed ("dry"), but then exalted, kingdom of Messiah and His people, the head of whom shall be Israel
(Da 2:44).
Eze 17:1-24.
兩大鷹與利巴嫩香柏樹被折的比喻。猶大因背叛巴比倫（巴比倫曾以西底家取代約雅斤）而轉向埃及，必受審判；神自己作為巴比倫王的對手，將栽種彌賽亞的福音香柏樹。
這預言的日期，介於西底家在位第六年的第六個月、與約雅斤被擄後第七年的第五個月之間，即耶路撒冷毀滅前五年〔HENDERSON〕。