Ezekiel 17:2

2 “Son of man, give this riddle, and tell this story to the people of Israel.

Ezekiel 17:2 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 17:2

Son of man, put forth a riddle
A dark saying, but a smart one: "whet a whetting" ^F11, as in the Hebrew; something at first sight difficult to be understood, yet amusing and entertaining; and, when solved, very useful and instructive: and speak a parable unto the house of Israel;
or, "concerning the house of Israel" ^F12; as the Targum and Syriac version; something relating to them, and what would aptly describe and represent their case; for the prophet was bid to take such a method, not to hide things from them, but rather the more strongly to represent them to them; seeing hereby their attention would be excited, and things would be more fixed in their memories, and they would be put upon studying the meaning of them; and when explained to them, and understood, which was quickly done, they might be the more affected with them.

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FOOTNOTES:

F11 (hdyx dwx) , Heb. "acue acumen", Piscator.
F12 (larvy tyb la) "de domo Israelis", Junius & Tremellius, Polanus.

Ezekiel 17:2 In-Context

1 Then this message came to me from the LORD :

2 “Son of man, give this riddle, and tell this story to the people of Israel.

3 Give them this message from the Sovereign LORD : “A great eagle with broad wings and long feathers, covered with many-colored plumage, came to Lebanon. He seized the top of a cedar tree

4 and plucked off its highest branch. He carried it away to a city filled with merchants. He planted it in a city of traders.

5 He also took a seedling from the land and planted it in fertile soil. He placed it beside a broad river, where it could grow like a willow tree.