Ezek. 5 Under the type of the prophet’s hair, Ezek. 5:1–4, is showed God’s judgment upon Jerusalem, Ezek. 5:5–11, by pestilence, by famine, by the sword, and by dispersion, Ezek. 5:12–17.

It is not unlikely that this command was given to the prophet so soon as he had understood the former chapter’s vision. Son of man: see Ezek. 2:1. Take thee; procure it by any means. A sharp knife; a sword or knife very sharp, as the Hebrew; so the grievous judgment is expressed Ezek.

This verse tells you into how many parts the hair was to be divided, and how to be disposed of, and so plain it needs little explication. With fire; so either pestilence, or famine, with the displeasure of God, and the burning of the city and of the citizens, is noted.

Thereof, i.e. of the last third which were to be dispersed. A few, or small quantity. In number; or, by number, as them in thy skirts; as men tie up in a handkerchief, or in the skirt of their garment, what they would not lose.

Then take of them again; another division make of that little number, the preserved remnant. Throw some of them into the fire; they are not all to be saved who are delivered at the end of the siege. Burn them; literally burn the hair, but signify the burning them that are meant by it.

Thus saith the Lord God: this solemn declaration in God’s name the prophet useth by express order, Ezek. 3:11. This portrayed city’s typically Jerusalem, and her inhabitants.

She; Jerusalem, the metropolis, where the temple and the solemn feasts and sacrifices were, which in likelihood was forwardest, fullest, and most expensive on other invented modes of worship; she who was most obliged to me.

Ye multiplied: there is some difficulty in assigning what it is they multiplied in, either numbers of people, benefits received from God, luxury, pride, tumultuousness, with increase of your riches; or in idols, superstitions, and appendant wickednesses.

Therefore; it is very just what God doth, he hath cause more than enough given him to do so. Behold; take notice, and consider me, not as now for you, but against you. You look to the instruments, to the rod, but, behold, I am, even I am, against you, against thee, O Jerusalem.

Though the old world perished by water, and the judgment was greater in its extent, and Sodom was destroyed by fire, yet neither one or other was so lingering a death. These poor Jews were long dying, and felt themselves dying.

And this explains what is above threatened. No history I know of that does mention any thing like this; barbarous Indians sell one another, and some report (as I take it) that children among them unnaturally murder aged parents, but they eat them not.

As I live; a form of an oath becoming none but the living God, used often in Scripture and in this prophet. Defiled; violated and profaned. My sanctuary; my temple.

From this to the end of the chapter we have a particular and more express declaration how God would execute these severe judgments upon this people. With pestilence; no doubt, though it were not mentioned or threatened, as Jer.

Thus; in this terrible and relentless manner already declared. Mine anger; my provoked justice, not passion, shall be executed to the full of that I intend and have spoken. My fury: after the manner of man is this spoken, and implies the great and hot displeasure of the Lord.

Judgments should empty the land of men that might till and manure it, and so your fruitful land shall be turned and continued a waste and desolate land. A reproach, Jer. 24:9, Jer. 29:18, Jer.

A reproach: see Ezek. 5:14. A taunt; a very proverb among men. An instruction; sinners like thee shall learn by thy miseries what they may expect from me, and they shall acknowledge Divine justice in all. When I shall execute judgments, in highest degrees of severity.

I shall send; it is a messenger that goes not till God sends, and ever goes when he sendeth; he sends cleanness of teeth. The evil arrows; either because thunder, tempests, locusts, blastings, &c., which cause famine, are sent by him, and fly like arrows; or because, like arrows shot forth, they…

Evil beasts; Heb. evil beast: either the king of Babylon, which, like a ravenous and insatiable beast, tore and devoured all. Or, literally, lions, bears, &c., which are one of his four sore judgments, Ezek. 14:21.