Ezekiel 11WEB
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Ezekiel11

World English Bible · Public Domain

1Moreover the Spirit lifted me up and brought me to the east gate of Yahweh’s house, which looks eastward. Behold, twenty-five men were at the door of the gate; and I saw among them Jaazaniah the son of Azzur, and Pelatiah the son of Benaiah, princes of the people.

2He said to me, “Son of man, these are the men who devise iniquity, and who give wicked counsel in this city;

3who say, ‘The time is not near to build houses. This is the cauldron, and we are the meat.’

4Therefore prophesy against them. Prophesy, son of man.”

5Yahweh’s Spirit fell on me, and he said to me, “Speak, ‘Yahweh says: “Thus you have said, house of Israel; for I know the things that come into your mind.

6You have multiplied your slain in this city, and you have filled its streets with the slain.”

7“‘Therefore the Lord Yahweh says: “Your slain whom you have laid in the middle of it, they are the meat, and this is the cauldron; but you will be brought out of the middle of it.

8You have feared the sword; and I will bring the sword on you,” says the Lord Yahweh.

9“I will bring you out of the middle of it, and deliver you into the hands of strangers, and will execute judgments among you.

10You will fall by the sword. I will judge you in the border of Israel. Then you will know that I am Yahweh.

11This will not be your cauldron, neither will you be the meat in the middle of it. I will judge you in the border of Israel.

12You will know that I am Yahweh, for you have not walked in my statutes. You have not executed my ordinances, but have done after the ordinances of the nations that are around you.”’”

13When I prophesied, Pelatiah the son of Benaiah died. Then I fell down on my face, and cried with a loud voice, and said, “Ah Lord Yahweh! Will you make a full end of the remnant of Israel?”

14Yahweh’s word came to me, saying,

15“Son of man, your brothers, even your brothers, the men of your relatives, and all the house of Israel, all of them, are the ones to whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said, ‘Go far away from Yahweh. This land has been given to us for a possession.’

16“Therefore say, ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “Whereas I have removed them far off among the nations, and whereas I have scattered them among the countries, yet I will be to them a sanctuary for a little while in the countries where they have come.”’

17“Therefore say, ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “I will gather you from the peoples, and assemble you out of the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.”

18“‘They will come there, and they will take away all its detestable things and all its abominations from there.

19I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them. I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh,

20that they may walk in my statutes, and keep my ordinances, and do them. They will be my people, and I will be their God.

21But as for them whose heart walks after the heart of their detestable things and their abominations, I will bring their way on their own heads,’ says the Lord Yahweh.”

22Then the cherubim lifted up their wings, and the wheels were beside them. The glory of the God of Israel was over them above.

23Yahweh’s glory went up from the middle of the city, and stood on the mountain which is on the east side of the city.

24The Spirit lifted me up, and brought me in the vision by the Spirit of God into Chaldea, to the captives. So the vision that I had seen went up from me.

25Then I spoke to the captives all the things that Yahweh had shown me.

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Ezekiel 11.

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Chapter Summary

In this chapter: Divine judgments against the wicked at Jerusalem. (1-13). Divine favour towards those in captivity. (14-21). The Divine presence forsakes the city. (22-25).

vv1-13

Where Satan cannot persuade men to look upon the judgment to come as uncertain, he gains his point by persuading them to look upon it as at a distance. These wretched rulers dare to say, We are as safe in this city as flesh in a boiling pot; the walls of the city shall be to us as walls of brass, we shall receive no more damage from the besiegers than the caldron does from the fire. When sinners flatter themselves to their own ruin, it is time to tell them they shall have no peace if they go on. None shall remain in possession of the city but those who are buried in it. Those are least safe who are most secure. God is often pleased to single out some sinners for warning to others. Whether Pelatiah died at that time in Jerusalem, or when the fulfilment of the prophecy drew near, is uncertain. Like Ezekiel, we ought to be much affected with the sudden death of others, and we should still plead with the Lord to have mercy on those who remain.

vv14-21

The pious captives in Babylon were insulted by the Jews who continued in Jerusalem; but God made gracious promises to them. It is promised, that God will give them one heart; a heart firmly fixed for God, and not wavering. All who are made holy have a new spirit, a new temper and dispositions; they act from new principles, walk by new rules, and aim at new ends. A new name, or a new face, will not serve without a new spirit. If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. The carnal heart, like a stone, cannot be made to feel. Men live among the dead and dying, and are neither concerned nor humbled. He will make their hearts tender and fit to receive impressions: this is God's work, it is his gift by promise; and a wonderful and happy change is wrought by it, from death to life. Their practices shall be agreeable to those principles. These two must and will go together. When the sinner feels his need of these blessings, let him present the promises as prayers in the name of Christ, they will be performed.

vv22-25

Here is the departure of God's presence from the city and temple. It was from the Mount of Olives that the vision went up, typifying the ascension of Christ to heaven from that very mountain. Though the Lord will not forsake his people, yet he may be driven away from any part of his visible church by their sins, and woe will be upon them when He withdraws his presence, glory, and protection.

Cross References

Ezekiel 11
v3Jeremiah 1:13allusion

The leaders scoffingly twist Jeremiah's vision of the boiling caldron facing away from the north.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v19Ezekiel 36:26thematic

Direct parallel in Ezekiel's later restoration oracle, reiterating the promise of a heart of flesh.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v102 Kings 25:19-21fulfillment

The historical fulfillment of judgment on the border of Israel at Riblah.

Supported by JFB

v19Jeremiah 32:39thematic

God promises to give the returnees 'one heart' to fear Him forever.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v1Ezekiel 10:19thematic

The glory of the Lord was last seen departing to this same east gate.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v1Ezekiel 8:16thematic

Identifies the twenty-five men in the same location previously seen practicing sun-worship.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v3Ezekiel 24:3-14thematic

Ezekiel's subsequent detailed parable of the boiling caldron representing Jerusalem's fiery siege.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v3Jeremiah 29:5contrast

The scoffing leaders twist Jeremiah's letter to captives advising them to build houses in Babylon.

Supported by JFB

v5Psalms 139:2thematic

Confirms God's absolute sovereignty and knowledge over the immediate thoughts of their hearts.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v6Micah 3:3thematic

Parallels the condemnation of wicked rulers who flay and chop up God's people like meat.

Supported by JFB

v13Ezekiel 9:8thematic

Ezekiel repeats his intercessory cry, falling on his face, when a representative leader falls dead.

Supported by JFB

v23Ezekiel 10:4thematic

Traces the progressive departure of the divine glory from the temple prior to leaving the city.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v1Ezekiel 8:3thematic

Ezekiel is transported in the visions of God by the Spirit between Chaldea and Jerusalem.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v11Ezekiel 11:7-11thematic

God reverses their confident proverb; they will be brought out of their defensive caldron.

Supported by JFB

v12Ezekiel 11:21thematic

Contrasts those who follow detestable things with those who keep God's statutes.

Supported by John Calvin