Ezekiel 7:16-18

16 'Even when their survivors 1escape, they will be on the mountains like 2doves of the valleys, all of them 3mourning, each over his own iniquity.
17 'All 4hands will hang limp and all knees will become like water.
18 'They will 5gird themselves with sackcloth and 6shuddering will overwhelm them; and shame will be on all faces and 7baldness on all their heads.

Ezekiel 7:16-18 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EZEKIEL 7

This chapter contains a prophecy of the speedy destruction of the Jews, as being just at hand; of the particular judgments that should come upon them; of the horror that should seize them, and the distress that all ranks of men among them should be in, a few only escaping, who are described as in mournful circumstances. The destruction in general is denounced as being very near; the end being come, which is often repeated; and as it is represented as sudden, so without mercy; which is declared, Eze 7:1-14; the particular judgments, sword, pestilence, and famine, are mentioned in Eze 7:15, and the few that should escape are compared to mourning doves, Eze 7:16; the trembling, horror, and shame that should be upon all, are intimated in Eze 7:17,18; the unprofitableness of their gold and silver to deliver them, and the unsatisfying nature of these things, are expressed, Eze 7:19; the profanation and destruction of their temple are prophesied of, Eze 7:20-22; and for their murder, rapine, and oppression, it is threatened that their houses should be possessed by the worst of Heathens, and their holy places defiled; and one calamity should come upon another; when their application to prophets, priests, and ancient men for counsel, would be in, vain, Eze 7:23-26; and king, prince, and people, should be in the most melancholy and distressed circumstances, Eze 7:27.

Cross References 7

  • 1. Ezra 9:15; Isaiah 37:31; Ezekiel 6:8; Ezekiel 14:22
  • 2. Isaiah 38:14
  • 3. Isaiah 59:11; Nahum 2:7
  • 4. Isaiah 13:7; Ezekiel 21:7; Ezekiel 22:14; Hebrews 12:12
  • 5. Isaiah 15:3; Ezekiel 27:31; Amos 8:10
  • 6. Job 21:6; Psalms 55:5
  • 7. Ezekiel 27:31

Footnotes 2

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