Westminster Annotations, Ezekiel · Chapter 17
CHAP. XVII.
Vers. 2. PUt forth a riddle] Or a figurative speech, representing one thing by another, with a convenient correspondencie.
V. 3. A great Eagle] That is, Nebuchadnezzar, Jer. 48. 40. and 49. 22. who hath great power, riches, and many countreys under him, shall come to Jerusalem, and take away Jeconiah the King, as vers. 12.
divers colours] Heb. embroidering. Hereby is meant Nebuchadnezzars Empire over many nations of divers customes, and languages; or his army composed of severall sorts of people.
unto Lebanon] To Judea, which is oftentimes likened to a wood of excellent trees.
highest branch] Namely Jehoiachin, led into captivitie, 2 King. 24. 12.
V. 4. He cropt off] Hereby is signified the captivity of the chief of the kingdom, led away with Jehoiachin.
merchants] Or, traffick: He meaneth some Province or City of Babylon, assigned to the Jews, which was commodious for traffick; to keep them from all thoughts of warre and State policie.
V. 5. of the seed] Namely, Zedechiah, who was of the blood royall. See upon vers. 13.
planted it in a fruitfull field] Heb. put it in a field of seed. To wit, in the kingdom of Judea, not yet made desolate, where Zedechiali, made king in stead of Jechoniah, 2 King. 24. 17. Jerem. 37. 1. might have maintained himself, and grown prosperously.
V. 6. it grew] Zedechiah prospered whilest he was faithfull to the Chaldeans.
of low stature] Signifying that he was but a vassall, not Soveraign nor absolute, that he might not have power to rebell against Babylon, as vers. 14.
whose branches] Being a dependant, and subject to Nebuchadnezzar.
the roots] That is, he stayed in his own countrey, and was not transported into any other place, and the State remained in its ancient form and seat; onelyonly the Kings power was diminished, and subjected to the King of Babylon.
brought forth branches] Zedechiah begat and brought up Children. Jer. 52. 10.
V. 7. …nother great eagle] Namely, the King of Egypt, who was also a mighty King, with whom Zedechiah joyned himself against Nebuchadnezzar, vers. 15. 17. 2 Kings 24. 20. Jerem. 52. 3.
water it] That is, uphold and relieve him with his Forces, against the Chaldeans. See Jer. 37. 7.
the furrows] He alludeth to the Channels and Pipes wherewith the Egyptians conveyed the waters of Nilus to their Land. See Deut. 11. 10.
V. 8. It was planted] It was very likely that Zedechiah, by this league with Egypt, might have maintained and bettered himself; but Judah thinking to be moistened by the waters of Nilus, (thence to get Chariots and Horse to keep them from Babylon) in vain did resist one set up a Conquerour for their sinnes, when they daily more and more provoked God against them.
soil] Heb. field.
V. 9. shall he not pull] Shall not Nebuchadnezzar, the great Eagle, Vers. 3. destroy it?
without great power] He shall not need a great Army to subdue King Zedechiah, for God will deliver him into his hand, for violating his oath.
V. 10. East winde] By this tempestuous and scorching wind, Jon. 4. 8. is meant Gods judgement executed by the means of the Chaldeans. Ezek. 19. 12.
furrows] That is to say, notwithstanding Egypts assistance and relief.
V. 12. to the rebellious house] To the Tribe of Judah.
the King] That is, Jehoiachin, Vers. 2, 3. 2 King. 24. 12, 15. who was called Jeconiah, 1 Chron. 3. 16. and Coniah, Jerem. 22. 24. & 37. 1.
V. 13. of the Kings seed] To wit, Mattaniah, whose name was changed to Zedechiah, 2 King. 24. 17. who was sonne to King Josiah, 1 Chron. 3. 15. yet he is called sonne to Jeconiah, 1 Chron. 3. 16. not by nature for he was Uncle; but son by succession in the kingdom: also Zedechiah is called Jeconiahs brother, 2 Chron. 36. 10. by generall terme of kindred.
taken an oath of him] Heb. brought him to an oath. 2 Chron. 36. 13. For his subjection and obedience.
the mighty of the land] That is, he hath carried them away with him, to weaken the Kingdome, and for to have hostages by him.
V. 14. but that by keeping of his covenant it might stand] Heb. to keep his covenant, to stand to it.
V. 15. But he rebelled] 2 Kings 24. 20.
horses] Isa. 31. 1. 3.
V. 16. in the midst of Babylon he shall die] Jer. 32. 5. & 34. 3. Chap. 12. 13.
V. 17. make for him] He shall do Zedechiah no good, who was straitly besieged by Nebuchadnezzar. Jer. 37. 5, 7.
by casting up mounts] Jer. 52. 4. Chap. 4. 2.
V. 18. he had given his hand] Because he took the Name of God in vain, and brake his oath which he had confirmed by giving his hand, therefore the Prophet declareth that God would not suffer such perjury and infidelity to escape punishment.
V. 19. mine oath] Namely, the punishment for breaking the oath he had made in my Name.
V. 20. And I will spread my net upon him] Chap. 12. 13. & 32. 3.
V. 21. And all his fugitives] Chap. 12. 14.
V. 22. I will also take] This begun to be put in execution in Zerubbabel, who was of the bloud royall, and brought the people out of Babylon; but the perfect accomplishment is in Christ, the everlasting King, and Sonne of David, Isa. 11. 1.
a tender one] Hereby are meant Christs weak beginnings in his humane nature, who was descended from the ancient stock of the Kings of Judah.
and will plant it upon an high mountain] That is, God would set this King upon his holy hill of Sion, Psal. 2. 6. and over his Church.
V. 23. the height of Israel] Natuely, in my Church, which spiritually is higher then any wordly height. Chap. 20. 40. Isa. 2. 2, Mic. 4. 1.
and under it] The Israelites, and all the Tribes, and spiritually the elect of all Countreys, both Jews and Gentles, shall come under the Mossias to shelter themselves from all evils. Isa. 66. 23.
V. 24. all the trees] All the great ones of the world shall know that I have plucked down the proud enemies, & set up my Church which was low and contemned. So it came to passe by Gods ordering, that Babylon was overthrown by Cyrus, and the spirituall Kingdom of the Devill by Christ, that the Jewish people were returned from captivity, and the elect from their spirituall bondage into the liberty of the sons of God.