Ezekiel 21:2

2 "Son of man, turn your attention to Jerusalem. Preach against the temple. Prophesy against the land of Israel.

Ezekiel 21:2 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 21:11

What [is] my strength, that I should hope?
&c.] For a perfect restoration of health, suggested by Eliphaz; since it was so sadly weakened by the present affliction, which made death more desirable than life lengthened out in so much weakness, pain, and sorrow; or "that I should bear" ^F23, such a weight and heavy load that lay upon him, and crushed him, and to which his strength was not equal; or continue and endure ^F24;

what [is] mine end, that I should prolong my life?
what end can be answered by living, or desiring a long life? His children were gone, and none left to take care of and provide for; his substance was taken away from him, so that he had not to support himself, nor to be useful to others, to the poor; he had lost all power, authority, and influence, among men, and could be no more serviceable by his counsel and advice, and by the administration of justice and equity as a civil magistrate; and as to religious matters, he was reckoned an hypocrite and a wicked man by his friends, and had lost his character and interest as a good man; and so for him to live could answer no valuable end, and, therefore, he desires to die; for what is here, and in ( Job 6:12 Job 6:13 ) said, contain reasons of his above request.

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FOOTNOTES:

F23 (lxya yk) (oti upomenw) , Sept. "ut sustineam", V. L.
F24 "Ut durem", Junius & Tremellius.

Ezekiel 21:2 In-Context

1 A message came to me from the Lord. He said,

2 "Son of man, turn your attention to Jerusalem. Preach against the temple. Prophesy against the land of Israel.

3 "Tell them, 'The LORD says, "I am against you. I will pull out my sword. I will cut off from you godly people and sinful people alike.

4 Because I am going to cut them off, my sword will be ready to use. I will strike everyone down from south to north.

5 Then all people will know that I have pulled out my sword. I will not put it back. I am the Lord." '