¹ sn The meaning of the thirtieth year is problematic. Some take it to mean the age of Ezekiel (e.g., Origen). The Aramaic Targum explains the thirtieth year as the thirtieth year dated from the recovery of the book of the Torah in the Temple (2 Kgs 22:3-9). The number seems somehow to be equated with the fifth year of Jehoiachin in 1:2, i.e., 593 BC.
¹⁴sn The Chebar River is mentioned in Babylonian texts from the city of Nippur in the fifth century BC. It provided artificial irrigation from the Euphrates.
³sn For concept of the heavens opened in later literature, see 3 Macc 6:18; 2 Apoc. Bar. 22:1; T. Levi 5:1; Matt 3:16; Acts 7:56; Rev 19:11.
⁴tn Or “saw a divine vision.” The phrase occurs also in Ezek 8:3 and 40:2 and its occurrence is a marker for dividing the book into three sections.
⁵sn The prophet’s name, Ezekiel, means “May God strengthen.”
⁶tn Heb “Chaldeans.” These were an Aramaic people group who won their independence from the Assyrians in 625 BC.
⁷sn Hand is used in the OT to refer to “power” (Exod 9:3; Deut 2:15; 1 Sam 5:9; Isa 41:20). When the hand of God came upon Elijah he received supernatural strength (1 Kgs 18:46). In Ezekiel God’s hand is regularly associated with a divine vision (3:22; 8:1; 37:1; 40:1).
⁸sn Storms are often associated with appearances of God (see, Nah 1:3; Ps 18:13 [12]; 2 Sam 22:13).
⁹tn Or “bright light.” The term also occurs in 1:27b.
¹⁰tn Heb a “fire taking itself.” The phrase “fire flashing forth” occurs elsewhere only in Exod 9:24.
¹¹tn The term is translated hjlektron by the LXX and the cognate electrum by the Vulgate.
sn The term glowing substance (lmvj) is used in Modern Hebrew for the word “electricity.”
¹²sn The Hebrew word translated form (twmd) is first used in Gen 1:26 in referring to man as being according to God’s “likeness.” The word occurs 9 times in Ezek 1 (1:5 (2x), 10, 13, 16, 22, 26 (2x), 28).
¹³tn The term is feminine plural yet thirty-three of the forty five pronominal suffixes and verbal references which refer to the living beings in the chapter are masculine plural.
sn The grammatical vacillation between masculine and feminine plurals suggests the difficulty Ezekiel had in penning these words as he was overcome by the vision of God.
¹⁴tn The repetition of the words (twmd) “form, likeness,” and (harm) “appearance” suggests that it is not possible to describe God explicitly.
sn The Hebrew word (harm) translated appearance occurs 15 times in Ezek 1 (1:5, 13 (2x), 14, 16 (2x), 27 (4x), 28 (3x).
¹⁵sn They had human form may mean they stood erect.
¹⁶sn The Hebrew verb translated gleamed (Jxn) occurs only here in the OT.
¹⁷tc The MT (wdyw) has “his hand,” while many Hebrew manuscripts as well as the qere read (ydyw)”hands of.” Two similar letters waw (w) and yod (y) have been confused.
¹⁸tc The first phrase of verse 11 is missing in the LXX.
¹⁹tc The first word (twmd) in the MT was read as (kai ejn mesw) “in the midst” by the LXX.
²⁰sn Burning coals of fire are a part of other visions of God (see 2 Sam 22:9, 13; Ps 18:9 [8].
²¹tn The Hebrew term (qzb) occurs only here in the OT. In post-biblical Hebrew the term refers to a lightning flash.
²²sn Another vision which includes wheels on thrones occurs in Dan 7:9.
²³tn The Hebrew word (Jra) may be translated “earth” or “ground.”
²⁴tn The meaning of the Hebrew word is unclear. The term has also been translated “tarshish,” “anthrax,” “topaz.”
²⁵tc The MT adds an additional phrase “the spirit would go.”
²⁶sn The first occurrence of this noun (uyqr) is found in Gen 1:6.
²⁷tc The author of the LXX apparently omitted this first phrase attributing the repetition to dittography.
²⁸tn “Sound” or “voice.” Hebrew (lwq) occurs 5 times in this verse and once in verse 25.
sn The occurrence of sound with the mention of “hearing” (1:24, 28) indicates that the focus of the vision has moved from sight to sound.
²⁹sn The only other occurrence of the Hebrew word (hlmh) is in Jer 11:16. It indicates a noise like that of a hubbub of a military camp or the sound of an army on the march.
³⁰tn See Ezek 1:4.
³¹sn Reference to the glowing substance and the radiance and storm phenomena in vv. 27-28a echo in reverse order the occurrence of these phenomena in verse 4.
³²tn The vision closes repeating the verb (har) “to see” from the beginning of the vision in 1:4.
¹sn The phrase Son of man occurs 93 times in the book of Ezekiel.
²tn The phrase “with you” would normally be understood as a direct object “you” in Hebrew. The same phenomenon occurs in Kings and Jeremiah (Bauer-Leander § 81 o) .
³tn “To the rebellious nations” is omitted in the LXX in an apparent attempt to provide a smoother reading. Elsewhere in Ezekiel the singular ywg “nation” is used for Israel (36:13-15; 37:22).
sn Nations may have the meaning of “tribes” or refer to the two nations of Israel and Judah in this context.
⁴tn Hebrew (uvp) is the strongest word to for expressing a covenant violation. The word is used in the diplomatic arena to express treaty violation (2 Kgs 1:1; 3:5, 7).
⁵tc The phrases “stern of face” and “hard of heart” appear to be lacking in the LXX.
⁶tn The phrase “thus says (the Lord)” occurs 129 times in Ezekiel and the announcement is identical to the way messengers introduced their messages (Gen 32:5; 45:9; Exod 5:10; Num 20:14; Judg 11:15).
⁷tn The phrase “And as for them” literally reflects one word “they.”
⁸tn The root (ldj) is used in the same manner in 1 Kgs 22:6; Jer 40:4.
⁹tn This adjective is also used to describe the Israelites in Num 17:25 and Isa 30:9.
¹⁰tn Ezekiel frequently refers to the Israelites as a rebellious house (3:9, 26-27; 12:2, 9, 25; 17:12; 24:3; 44:6).
¹¹tn The Hebrew (brs) occurs only here in the OT.
¹²tn (<ynwls) is found elsewhere in the OT only in Ezek 28:24.
sn Thorns may be a figure for hostility (Ezek 28:24; Mic 7:4).
¹³tn Heb “their faces.”
¹⁴tn Ezek 1 closes with the same root and form (haraw).
¹⁵tn Heb “on the face.”
¹⁶sn While it was common for papyrus scrolls to have writing on both sides the same was not true for leather scrolls.
¹tn The early versions read “I ate it” which is certainly the meaning in the context.
sn A similar idea of consuming God’s word is found in Jer 15:16; Rev 10:10..
²sn The LORD’s word is described as sweeter than honey in Ps 19:11; 119:103; Prov 16:24; 24:13.
³tn Heb “deep of lip” in the sense of incomprehensible.
⁴sn Similar language occurs in Exod 4:10; Isa 33:19.
⁵tn The conjunction “but” is implied from the context.
⁶tn Heb “hear.”
⁷tc Hebrew reads “if not” but most ancient versions translate only “if.” The expression occurs with this sense in Isa 5:9; 14:24. See also Ezek 34:8; 36:5; 38:19.
⁸sn Moses (Exod 3:19) and Isaiah (Isa 6:9-10) were also told that their messages would not be received.
⁹sn A similar description of Israel’s disobedience is given in 1 Sam 8:7.
¹⁰tn Heb “strong.”
¹¹tn Hebrew (rymv) is parallel to iron in Jer 17:1.
¹²tn Heb “faces.”
¹³sn In 1 Kgs 18:12; Isa 40:24; 41:16 we find the similar concept of an individual being transported by storm.
¹⁴tn The reference would be to the vision of Ezek 1.
¹⁵tn The name Tel Aviv is a transliteration of an Akkadian term meaning “mound of the flood,” i.e., an ancient mound.
¹⁶sn A similar response to a divine encounter is found in Acts 9:8-9.
¹⁷sn This phrase occurs about fifty times in the Book of Ezekiel.
¹⁸tn The literal role of watchman is found in 2 Sam 18:24; 2 Kgs 9:17.
¹⁹tn Seeking blood from the hand is equivalent to requiring the death penalty (2 Sam 4:12-13).
²⁰tn Verses 17-19 are repeated in Ezek 33:7-9.
²¹tn Hebrew (lwvkm) refers to an obstacle in the road in Lev 19:14.
²²sn Ezekiel had another vision at this location (Ezek 37).
²³sn The prophet is to be silent except for the speaking of God’s oracles to the exiles.
²⁴tn In Isa 29:21 and Amos 5:10 this individual issued rebuke at the city gate.
²⁵sn This phrase seems to indicate that Ezekiel was not continually dumb.
¹sn Ancient Near Eastern bricks were 10 to 24 inches long and 6 to 13 1/2 inches wide.
²tn The purpose of a siege would be to prevent anyone from escaping.
³tn In Num 14:33-34 days were converted into years.
⁴sn The meaning of the number three hundred ninety days is not clear. The number may refer to the length of the division of the northern and southern kingdoms down to the fall of Jerusalem. The best explanation is that the number refers to the years of the sinfulness of Israel during the period of the First Temple.
⁵sn The number forty days may refer in general to the period of Judah’s exile using the number of years Israel was punished in the wilderness. Alternatively, forty years may represent the long reign of Manasseh, the most wicked king of Judah (2 Kgs 21).
⁶sn God’s arm was bared against his people in Jer 21:5 and Ezek 20:33 whereas this same expression refers to the LORD coming to their aid in Isa 52:10.
⁷sn The action may refer to a series of daily acts rather than to a continuous period.
⁸sn All these foods were common in Mesopotamia where Ezekiel was exiled.
⁹tn The phrase “you will eat it” comes at the end of the verse in the Hebrew text.
¹⁰tn A shekel equaled about four tenths of an ounce.
¹¹tn A hin equaled a gallon.
¹²tn Human waste was to remain outside the camp of the Israelites (Deut 23:15).
¹³sn Lands outside of Israel were considered unclean (Josh 22:19; Amos 7:17).
¹⁴tn Hebrew (lwgp) refers to sacrificial meat not eaten by the appropriate time (Lev 7:18; 19: 7).
¹⁵tn Heb “over them.”
¹⁶tn The reference refers to the practice of carrying bread on sticks.
¹⁷tn Ezek 4:16-17 alludes to Lev 26:26.
¹tn The word (rut) occurs only here in the OT.
²tn This verse alludes to Isa 7:20.
³tn The word “strands” has been supplied. The text literally reads, “few in number.”
⁴sn Objects could be carried in the end of a garment (Hag 2:12).
⁵sn Nations are subject to a natural law (Gen 9; Amos 1:3-2:3; Jonah 1:2).
⁶sn Israel is accused of being worse than the nations in Ezek 16:27; 2 Kgs 21:11; Jer 2:11.
⁷tn The verb (hcu) is translated “observed” as well as “carried out” in this verse.
⁸tn The word “their” is supplied as it does not occur in the original text.
⁹sn This is a fulfillment of a covenant law violation (Lev 26:29; see also Deut 28:53; Jer 19:9; Lam 2:20; Zech 11:9).
¹⁰tn This activity of God corresponds to the prophet’s sign (5:1).
¹¹tn The phrase “my eye will not spare, nor will I have pity” first occurs in Deut 13:9. In Ezekiel the phrase refers to God’s resolve to punish his rebellious nation (7:4, 9; 8:18; 9:5, 10).
¹²tn The judgment of plague and famine comes from the covenant curse (Lev 26:25-26).
¹³sn Judgment by plague, famine, sword occurs in Jer 21:19; 27:13; Ezek 6:11, 12; 7:15.
¹⁴sn The noun jealousy is used in the human realm to describe suspicion of adultery (Num 5:14ff.; Prov 6:34). Since Israel’s relationship with God was often compared to a marriage this term is appropriate here. The term occurs elsewhere in Ezekiel in 8:3, 5; 16:38, 42; 23:25).
¹⁵tc This reading is supported by the versions and by the Dead Sea Scrolls (11QEzek). Most Masoretic manuscripts read “it (Jerusalem) will be.”
¹⁶tn The word (hpwdg) only occurs here in the OT.
¹⁷tn The language may have been influenced by Deut 32:23.
¹⁸tn This threat is based on the covenant curse found in Lev 26:26.
¹⁹tn This threat recalls the warning of Lev 26:22, 25 and Deut 32:24-25.
¹tn The phrase “set your face against” occurs at the beginning of Ezekiel’s prophetic oracles in Ezek 21:2, 7; 25:2; 28:21; 29:2; 35:2; 38:2.
²tn The phrase “mountains of Israel” occurs only in the book of Ezekiel (6:2, 3; 19:9; 33:28; 34:13, 14; 35:12; 36:1, 4, 8; 37:22; 38:8; 39:2, 4, 17). The expression refers to the whole land of Israel.
sn The mountainous terrain of Israel would contrast with the exiles’ habitat in the river-valley of Babylonia.
³sn The introductory formula “Hear the word of the Lord GOD,” parallels a pronouncement delivered by the herald of a king (2 Kgs 18:28).
⁴tn “High places” (twmb) were elevated platforms where pagan sacrifices were performed.
⁵tn Thirty-nine of the forty-eight occurrences of this word (<ylwlg) “idols” are found in the book of Ezekiel
⁶tn The verb “wiped out” is frequently used to describe the judgment of the flood (Gen 6:7; 7:4, 23).
⁷sn The phrase “you will know that I am the LORD” concludes over sixty oracles in the book of Ezekiel and indicates the net result of God’s action. The phrase is often used in the book of Exodus (Exod 7:5; 14:4, 18).
⁸tn Heb “whoring” or “promiscuous.”
⁹tn Heb “in their faces.”
¹⁰tn Heb “this evil.” The wording of the last half of verse ten parallels God’s declaration after the sin of the Golden Calf (Exod 32:14).
¹¹sn A similar trilogy of punishments is mentioned in Lev 26:25-26. See also Jer 14:12; 21:9; 27:8, 13; 29:18).
¹²sn Ezekiel may be expanding on the phraseology of Deut 12:2 (see 1 Kgs 14:23; 2 Kgs 16:4; 17:10; Jer 2:20; 3:6, 13; 2 Chr 28:4).
¹³tn A common expression in Ezekiel (14:9, 13; 16:27; 25:7; 35:3).
¹⁴tc The LXX reads the name as Riblah, a city north of Damascus. The letters (r , d) “r, d “ may be confused in Hebrew. This town was in the land of Hamath (2 Kgs 23:33) which represented the northern border of Israel (Ezek 47:14).
¹tn The use of the Hebrew word (Jq) in this context of judgment is reminiscent of the use of the term in announcing the judgment of the flood (Gen 6:13). It denotes “annihilation.”
²tn The phrase “four corners of the earth” refers to the whole earth (Isa 11:12).
³tn Or “punish” (BDB, 1047).
⁴tn The term “you” is not in the Hebrew text but is warranted from the context.
⁵tn The term (hur) is normally translated “evil” (see 6:10; 14:22).
⁶tn The verb may also accurately be translated “is coming.”
⁷sn Reference to the day of the Lord, beginning in Amos 5:18-20, became a common theme in prophetic books.
⁸tn Reference to “pouring out wrath” occurs in Ezek 9:8; 14:19; 20:8, 13, 21; 22:31; 30:15; 36:18.
⁹tn Heb “give.”
¹⁰tn Heb “the violence.”
¹¹tn The word (hn) occurs only here in the OT.
¹²tn Heb “her.”
¹³tn Heb “her.”
¹⁴tn Heb “her.”
¹⁵tn The expression probably refers to urination caused by fright.
¹⁶tn The Hebrew term (hdn) refers to menstrual impurity. The term also occurs at the end of verse 20.
¹⁷tn The “stumbling block of their iniquity” is a unique phrase of the prophet Ezekiel (Ezek 14:3, 4, 7; 18:30; 44:12).
¹⁸tn The “beautiful ornament” refers either to the temple, or silver or gold ornaments.
¹⁹tn Heb “surround.”
²⁰sn The “treasured place” would refer either to the city of Jerusalem or the land of Israel.
²¹tn The Hebrew word (qwtr) occurs only here in the OT.
²²tn Heb “judgment” of bloodshed.
²³sn This curse was included in the Mosaic law for disobedience (Lev 26:32).
²⁴tn The Hebrew word (hdpq) occurs only here in the OT.
¹sn The date would be 17 September 592 BC, about fourteen months after the initial vision.
²tc The MT reads “fire” rather than “man,” the reading of the LXX. The nouns are very similar in form as the term man has an extra vowel letter.
³tn The phrase occurs in Ezek 1:4, 27.
⁴tn The Hebrew term (tynbt) is normally used as an architectural term in describing the tabernacle or temple (see Exod 25:8; 1 Chr 28:11).
⁵tn Heb “head.”
⁶tn Heb “way of.”
⁷sn These engravings are prohibited in the law (Deut 4:17-18).
⁸tn Note the contrast of these seventy men who represented Israel to the seventy elders who ate the covenant meal before God inaugurating the covenant relationship (Exod 24:1, 9).
⁹tn The term (rtu) occurs only here in the OT.
¹⁰tn The “cloud of incense” plays a prominent role in screening the high priest on the Day of Atonement (Lev 16:13). Here it has become part of pagan ritual.
¹¹tn This Hebrew word for image (tykcm) is explicitly prohibited in the law (Lev 26:1).
¹²sn The worship of Tammuz included the observation of the annual death and descent into the Netherworld of the god Dumuzi. The practice was observed by women in the ancient Near East over a period of centuries.
¹³sn The priests pray to God between the porch and the altar on fast days (Joel 2:17). This is the location where Zechariah was murdered (Matt 23:35).
¹⁴tc The LXX reads “twenty” instead of twenty-five perhaps because of the association of the number twenty with the Mesopotamian sun god Shamash.
¹⁵tn The temple faced east.
¹⁶sn The worship of astral entities may have begun during the reign of Manasseh (2 Kgs 21:5).
¹⁷tn It is not clear what the practice of “holding a twig to the nose” indicates. A possible parallel is the Syrian relief of a king holding a flower to his nose as he worships the stars (ANEP 281).
¹⁸tn This is the same word translated “commit” in this chapter.
¹tn Heb “ears.”
²sn The six men plus the scribe would equal seven which was believed to be the number of planetary deities by the Babylonians.
³tn This was the gate built by Jotham (2 Kgs 15:35).
⁴tn The Hebrew term (tsq) occurs only in Ezekiel 9 and is believed to be an Egyptian loanword.
⁵tn The word “mark” is the spelling of the Hebrew letter (wt) “taw.” Outside this context the only other occurrence of the word is in Job 31:35. In the old Paleohebrew script this letter was written like the letter X.
sn For a similar concept in the Bible, see Rev 7:2-4; 13:16; 14:9, 11; 20:4; 22:4.
⁶tn Heb “ears.”
⁷tn The word “them” is not in the Hebrew text but is required by the context.
⁸sn Killing in front of the temple would cause it to be desecrated (2 Kgs 23:15-16, 20).
⁹tn The Hebrew term (hfm) occurs only here in the OT.
¹⁰sn The saying is virtually identical to the elders in Ezek 8:12.
¹¹tn The same expression occurs in 1 Kgs 8:32; Ezek 11:21; 16:43; 22:31.
¹tn Hebrew often refers to chariot wheels (Isa 28:28; Ezek 23:24; 26:10).
²tn The word “them” is not in the Hebrew text but is understood from the context.
³tn This would be the south side.
⁴tn Many assume the human face of each cherub was the one that looked forward.
⁵tn Heb “flesh.”
⁶sn The living creature is thus slightly different from the one described in Ezek 1:10 where a bull’s face appears instead of a cherub’s.
⁷tn Heb “living creature.”
⁸tn Heb “they.”
⁹tn Heb “they.”
¹⁰tn Heb “living creature.”
¹tn The phrase “officials of the people” occurs in Neh 11:1; 1 Chr 21:2; 2 Chr 24:23.
²tn The Hebrew verb (rma) may mean “think,” similar to the Akkadian cognate amiáru.
³sn The expression build houses may indicate “establishing families” (Deut 25:9; Ruth 4:11; Prov 24:27).
⁴sn The city of Jerusalem is also compared to a pot in Ezek 24:3-8. The siege of the city is pictured as heating up the pot.
⁵tn Hebrew (rma) normally means “to say” (see Ezek 11:3 and note 188).
⁶tn Many of the versions read “I will bring you out.”
⁷tn Heb “your redemption-men.” These were the relatives responsible for deliverance in times of hardship (see Lev 25:25-55).
⁸tn The term (fum) may be understood adjectively, “a little sanctuary.”
⁹tc Many Hebrew manuscripts and versions read “within them.”
¹⁰sn This expression occurs as a promise to Abraham (Gen 17:8), Moses (Exod 6:7), and the nation (Exod 29:45).
¹¹tn Heb “stood.”
¹²tn Heb “appearance.”
¹sn See Isa 6:9-10.
²tn Apart from this context Hebrew (hflu) occurs only in Gen 15:17 in reference to the darkness after sunset.
³sn See also Ezek 12:11, 24:27, 27.
⁴tn “The pact” is not in the Hebrew text.
⁵sn The reference is to King Zedekiah.
⁶tn “His pack” is not in the Hebrew text but is understood from the context.
⁷sn This prediction was fulfilled in 2 Kgs 25:7.
⁸sn This was fulfilled in the life of king Zedekiah who died in exile (Jer 52:11).
⁹tn Hebrew (vur) normally refers to an earthquake (see 1 Kgs 19:11; Amos 1:1).
¹⁰tn The use of the perfect (ytbvh) is an example of a prophetic perfect.
¹¹tn Heb “word.”
¹sn Note the testimony of Moses in Num 16:28 which contains a similar expression.
²tn The word root (lbn) is used to describe sexual sins (Gen 34:7; Deut 22:21; Judg 19:23; 20:6; 2 Sam 13:12; Jer 29:23) or criminal transgression (Josh 7:15).
³sn The same description of a false prophet is found in Micah 2:11.
⁴sn A similar concept is found in Jer 14:14; 23:21.
⁵tn The Hebrew term (dws) may refer to the secret counsel of the LORD (Jer 23:18; Job 15:8) or of deliberation by humans (Gen 49:6; Jer 6:11; 15:17 Ps 64:3; 111:1).
⁶tn The reference here is probably to a civil list as in Ezra 2:16; Neh 7:64 rather than a “book of life” (Exod 32:32; Isa 4:3; Ps 69:29; Dan 12:1). The registry may have been established at the making of David’s census (2 Sam 24:2, 9).
⁷sn God’s judgments are frequently described in storm imagery (Ps 18:7-15; 77:17-18; 83:15; Isa 28:17; 30:30; Jer 23:19; 30:23).
⁸tn Heb “human lives” or “souls.”
⁹tn The verb is feminine plural indicating that it is the false prophetesses who are addressed.
¹tn This phrase is unique to the prophet Ezekiel.
²tn The Hebrew word “seek” (vrd) is used in a technical sense of seeking an oracle from a prophet (2 Kgs 1:16; 3:11; 8:8).
³tn Heb “proverbs.”
⁴sn See Exod 6:7; Lev 26:12; Jer 7:23; 11:4
⁵tn This is the only passage in the OT where acting faithlessly against the LORD is carried out by a non-Israelite.
⁶tn Heb “evil.”
¹tn Most modern translations take the statement as a comparison but in doing so they ignore the significance of the occurrence of the verb (hyhy) translated here “will happen.”
sn Comparing Israel to the wood of the vine may focus on Israel’s inferiority to the other nations. For the vine imagery in relation to Israel and the people of God, see Ps 80:8-13; John 15:1-7; Rom 11:17-22.
²sn This escape refers to the exile of Ezekiel and others in 597 BC (Ezek 1:2; 2 Kgs 24:10-16).
³sn This fire, which stands in the future from the time of its announcement, occurred in 587 BC.
¹sn Arab midwives still cut the navel cords of infants and then proceed to apply salt and oil to their bodies.
²tn Heb “face of.”
³sn A similar concept is found in Deut 32:10.
⁴tn The fine adornments in this context may be defined as breasts and growth of bodily hair.
⁵tn See similar use of (<ydd) in Ezek 23:17; Prov 7:16; Song of Songs 4:10; 7:13.
⁶tn Heb “wing.” The gesture symbolized acquiring a woman in early Arabia (similarly, see Deut 22:30; Ruth 3:9).
⁷tn Heb “name.”
⁸tn The terms “prostituted” and “harlotry” are from the same root (hnz) but have been varied for rendering more acceptable English.
⁹sn The sacrifice of children was prohibited in Lev 18:21; 20:2; Deut 12:31; 18:10.
¹⁰tn Some believe this alludes to the pagan practice of making children pass through the fire.
¹¹tn The only other occurrence of the Hebrew root (qcp) is found in Prov 13:3 in reference to the talkative person who habitually “opens wide” his lips.
¹²tn The Hebrew term (/nta) which also occurs in verses 34 and 41 of this chapter always refers to the payment of a prostitute (Deut 23:19; Isa 23:17; Hos 9:1; Mic 1:7).
¹³tn The Hebrew word (hdn) occurs only here in the OT.
¹⁴tn The Hebrew word (tvjn) occurs only here in the OT.
¹⁵sn Harlots suffered degradation when their nakedness was exposed (Jer 13:22, 26; Hos 2:12; Nah 3:5).
¹⁶tn Heb “left.”
¹⁷tn The word “sister” is not in the Hebrew text but is required from the context.
¹⁸tn Heb “right.”
¹⁹sn Sodom was the epitome of evil (Deut 29:23; 32:32; Isa 1:9-10; 3:9; Jer 23:14; Lam 4:6; Matt 10:15; 11:23-24; Jude 7).
²⁰tn The Hebrew expression (fumk) has a temporal meaning as illustrated by the use of the phrase in 2 Chr 12:7.
²¹tn Heb “strengthen the hand of.”
¹sn The verb(dwj) occurs elsewhere in the OT only in Judg 14:12-19 where Samson supplies a riddle.
²tn The parable assumes the defection of Zedekiah to Egypt and his rejection of Babylon lordship.
³sn The great eagle is a figurative reference to Nebuchadnezzar (17:12).
⁴sn In the parable Lebanon apparently refers to Jerusalem (17:12).
⁵tn Hebrew (hqyny) occurs only here in the OT.
⁶sn The seed refers to Zedekiah.
⁷tn Heb “a field of seed.”
⁸sn The phrase another great eagle refers to Pharaoh Psammetichus.
⁹tn The Hebrew root (ssq) occurs only here in the OT and appears to have the meaning of “strip off.” In application to fruit the meaning may refer to “rotting.”
¹⁰sn The narrative description of this interpretation of the riddle is given in 2 Kgs 24:11-15.
¹¹tn Heb “caused him to enter into an oath.”
¹²tn Heb “deal with” or “work with.”
¹³sn “Giving one’s hand” is a gesture of promise (2 Kgs 10:15).
¹⁴tc Some versions read “choice men.”
¹⁵sn The language is analogous to Messianic imagery in Isa 11:1; Zech 3:8; 6:4 although the technical terminology is not the same.
¹sn Similar statements are found in Deut 24:16 and Jer 31:29-30.
²tn This expression occurs often in Ezekiel (5:11; 14:16, 18, 20; 16:48; 17:16, 19; 20:3, 31, 33; 33:11, 27; 34:8; 35:6, 11).
³tn The mountains are often mentioned as the place where idolatrous sacrifices were eaten (Ezek 20:28; 34:6).
⁴tn Lifting up eyes with a view of looking to the idols for help.
⁵tn “Draw near” (brq) is a euphemism for sexual intercourse (Lev 18:14; Deut 22:14; Isa 8:3).
⁶sn The root (lbj) occurs in Exod 22:25 in reference to restoring a man’s garment as a pledge before nightfall.
⁷tn Hebrew (hlzg) is seizure of property, usually by the rich (Isa 3:14; 10:2; Mic 2:2 [see Lev 5:21, 23]).
⁸sn This law was given in Lev 25:36.
⁹tn Heb “begets.”
¹⁰tn The parenthetical note refers back to the father.
¹¹sn The poor and needy are often found together in the OT (Deut 24:14; Jer 22:16; Ezek 14:69; Ps 12:6; 35:10; 37:14)
¹²tc This translation follows the LXX. The MT reads “restrained his hand from the poor,” confusing Hebrew lwu with ynu.
¹³tn Heb “bear.”
⁴tn Heb “bear.”
¹⁵tn Heb “because of them he will die.”
¹⁶tn Heb “for them” or “because of them.”
¹⁷tn Heb “he saw.”
¹⁸tn The verbs and persons in this verse are plural whereas the individual has been the subject of the chapter.
¹⁹sn In Ezek 11:19, 36:26 the new heart and new spirit are promised as future blessings.
²⁰tn Heb “the death of the one dying.”
¹sn Lions probably refer to Judahite royalty and/or nobility.
²tn Heb “a man.” Gen 49:9 seems to be the background for Judah being compared to lions.
³sn The description applies to king Johoahaz (2 Kgs 23:31-34; Jer 22:10-12).
⁴sn The reference is probably to king Zedekiah.
⁵tn Hebrew reads “knew,” reading (udyw) instead of (uryw).
⁶tn Hebrew reads “widows” instead of “strongholds.” The idea might be: “he raped their widows.”
⁷tc Most Hebrew manuscripts read “blood” for “vineyard.”
⁸tn The word “fit” does not occur in the Hebrew text.
⁹tn The verse describes the similar situation recorded in Judg 9:20.
¹sn The date would be August 14th, 571 BC. The seventh year is the seventh year of Jehoiachin’s exile.
²tn Heb “men from the elders.”
³sn God refuses to be available to sinners in Ezek 7:27.
⁴tn Heb “I lifted up my hand.”
⁵tn Heb “seed.”
⁶tn Heb “I lifted up my hand.”
⁷tn Heb “I swore to them.”
⁸tn Hebrew (rwt) is used to describe the activity of the spies in “spying out” the land of Canaan (Num 13-14).
⁹sn The phrase “a land flowing with milk and honey” occurs in Exod 3:8, 17; 13:5; 33:3; Lev 20:24; Num 13:27; Deut 6:3; 11:9; 26:9; 27:3; Josh 5:6; Jer 11:5; 32:23 (see also Deut 1:25; 8:7-9).
¹⁰tn Heb “of his eyes.” Josh 24:14 also mentions that the Israelites had worshipped foreign gods.
¹¹sn The laws were given at Mount Sinai.
¹²tn The wording and the concept is contained in Lev 18:5 and Deut 30:15-19.
¹³sn Ezekiel’s contemporary, Jeremiah, also stressed the single importance of obedience to the sabbath law (Jer 17).
¹⁴tn The last phrase of verse 12 appears to be a citation of Exod 31:13.
¹⁵tn Heb “said.” The Akkadian cognate amOEru does mean “to think.”
¹⁶tn This idiom also occurs in Lam 2:8 and Ps 74:11.
¹⁷sn Ps 106:27 also seems to speak of God’s oath to exile the people before they had entered Canaan.
¹⁸sn This act is proscribed in Deut 12:29-31.; Jer 7:31; 19:5; 32:35; see also 2 Kgs 21:6; 23:10. This custom indicates that the laws the Israelites were following were the disastrous laws of pagan nations (see Ezek 16: 20-21). This act of God is conceptually parallel to the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart as well as the instruction to Isaiah in Isa 6:9-10.
¹⁹sn God’s activity toward rebellious Israel is reminiscent of Rom 1: 24-28.
²⁰tn The Hebrew word (hmb) means “high place.”
²¹tn The Hebrew could also read: “Let us be.”
²²sn This verse echoes the content of 1 Sam 8:20.
²³tn Phrase occurs frequently in Deuteronomy (Deut 4:34; 5:15; 7:19; 11:2; 26:8).
²⁴tn This is the same root used to describe the passing of the children into the fire.
sn The metaphor may be based in Lev 27:32 (see also Jer 33:13; Matt 25:32-33).
²⁵sn A similar concept may be found in Lev 18:21; 20:3.
²⁶tn Heb “all of her.”
²⁷tn Heb “loathe yourselves in your faces.”
²⁸sn Beginning with 20:45, the verse numbers through 21:32 in the English Bible differ by five from the verse numbers in the Hebrew text (BHS), with 20:45 ET = 21:1 HT, 20:46 ET = 21:2 HT, 21:1 ET = 21:6 HT etc., through 21:32 ET = 21:37 HT. From 22:1 the versification in the English Bible and the Hebrew Bible is again the same.
²⁹tn The expression “set your face toward” occurred earlier in Ezek 6:2; 13:17.
³⁰tn The two words translated “south” in this verse are two different Hebrew words.
³¹tn Fire for judgment occurred in Ezek 15:4-7; 19:12, 14.
³²sn For the sword of judgment, see Isa 31:8; 34:6; 66:16.
³³tn This expression may be a euphemistic way of expressing urination due to fear.
³⁴tn Or “scepter.”
³⁵tn Heb “face.”
³⁶tn Heb “cause to rest.”
³⁷tn Heb “mother.”
³⁸tn This word first occurs in Gen 31:19.
³⁹tn Heb “sees.”
⁴⁰sn Observing the liver to detect the future was a common Babylonian practice.
⁴¹tn Heb “open the mouth” for slaughter.
⁴²tn Probably a reference to King Zedekiah.
⁴³tn Elsewhere in the Bible the turban is worn by priests (Exod 28:4, 37, 39; 29:6; 39:28, 31; Lev 8:9; 16:4).
⁴⁴tn Heb “This not this.”
⁴⁵tn This phrase appears to be based on Gen 49:10.
¹tn The phrase “bloody city” is used on Nineveh in Nah 3:1.
²tn Heb “days.”
³tn Heb “unclean of name.”
⁴tn Heb “arm.”
⁵tn Heb “are treated lightly.”
⁶tn Widows and orphans are often coupled together in the OT (Deut 14:29; 16:11, 14; 24:19-21; 26:12-13; Jer 7:6; 22:3).
⁷sn For the legal discussion of these laws, see Lev 18:7-20; 20:10-21; Deut 22:22-23, 30; 27:22.
⁸sn Forgetting the Lord is also addressed in Deut 6:12; 8:11, 14; Jer 3:21; 13:25; Ezek 23:35; Hos 2:15; 8:14; 13:6.
⁹tn Heb “the blood which was in you.”
¹⁰tn Heb “stand.”
¹¹tn For similar imagery, see Isa 1:21-26; Jer 6:27-30.
¹²tn The expression may be based upon Ezek 13:2-16.
¹³tn Heb “I did not find.”
¹⁴tn Heb “I have given.”
¹tn The names Oholah and Oholibah are both built on the word (lha) “tent.” The meaning of Oholah is “her tent,” while Oholibah means “my tent is in her.”
²tn Heb “their names. . .”
³tn Heb “while she was under me.”
sn Played the harlot refers to alliances with pagan nations in this context. In Ezek 16 harlotry described the sin of idolatry.
⁴tn Heb “sons of Assyria.”
⁵tn Heb “harlotries.”
⁶tn Heb “name.”
⁷tn The word “this” is not in the original text.
⁸tn The only other occurrence of the Hebrew term (rvv) occurs in Jer 22:14.
⁹tn Heb “the sons of Babel.”
¹⁰tn Heb “at the appearance of her eyes.”
¹¹sn The Chaldeans were prominent tribal groups of Babylonia. The imagery is reminiscent of events in Hezekiah’s (2 Kgs 20:12-15) and Jehoiakim’s reigns (2 Kgs 23:34-24:1).
¹²tn Heb “harlotries.”
¹³tn Heb “her soul.”
¹⁴tn Heb “my soul.”
¹⁵tn Heb “my soul.”
¹⁶tn This is the only occurrence of this term in the OT.
¹⁷tn Heb “give.”
¹⁸sn This method of punishment is attested among ancient Egyptian and Hittite civilizations.
¹⁹tn The Hebrew term (uygy) means “toil, product.”
²⁰sn For the cup of strong drink, see Jer 25:15, 17, 28; Hab 2:16. The cup of wrath is a theme also found in the NT (Mark 14:36).
²¹tn The severe action is more serious than beating the breasts in anguish (Isa 32:12; Nah 2:7).
²²tn The word “punishment” is not in the original text but is demanded by the context.
²³tn The verb (rbu) is commonly taken to refer to passing children through fire, especially as an offering to the pagan god Molech.
²⁴tn An alternate reading is “drunkards.” Sheba is located in the area of modern day Yemen.
¹tn The date would be January 15, 588 BC.
²tn Heb “lean on, put pressure on.”
³sn See Ezek 11:3-12.
⁴tn The Hebrew term (<ynat) occurs only here in the OT.
⁵tc Thus many Hebrew manuscripts. Most Hebrew manuscripts read “they” will judge.
⁶sn The turban would normally be removed for mourning (Josh 7:6; 1 Sam 4:12).
⁷tn Heb “the bread of men.”
⁸tn Heb “to make the ears hear.”
¹sn This phrase introduces the seven oracles against foreign nations in Ezekiel.
²sn Ammon was directly east of Israel.
³tc Following the qere reading.
⁴sn Moab was located immediately south of Ammon.
⁵tn Heb “shoulder.”
⁶tn Heb “from its end.”
⁷sn Edom was located south of Moab.
⁸sn Edom apparently in some way assisted in the destruction of Jerusalem in 587/6 BC (Ps 137:7; Lam 5:21, 23; Joel 3:19; Obadiah).
⁹sn The Philistines inhabited the coastal plain by the Mediterranean Sea, west of Judah.
¹⁰sn Joel 3:4-8 also speaks of the Philistines taking advantage of the fall of Judah.
¹sn April 23, 587 BC.
²sn Tyre is the capital of modern day Lebanon.
³sn Tyre played a central role in international trade.
⁴sn Nebuchadrezzar is a variant spelling of Nebuchadnezzar.
⁵tn Heb “swords.”
⁶tn Heb “set.”
⁷sn This prophecy was fulfilled by Alexander the Great in 332 BC.
⁸tn Heb “from your going out.”
⁹tn The Hebrew word (<wht) first occurred in Gen 1:2.
¹tn Heb “entrances.” The plural noun may reflect the fact that Tyre had two main harbors.
²sn Rome, another economic power, is described in a similar way in Rev 17:1.
³tn The city of Tyre known as a principle harbor city is described in the following account in the terms of merchant ship.
⁴tn Heb “built.”
⁵sn Probably a reference to Cyprus.
⁶sn Sidon and Arvad, like Tyre were Phoenician coastal cities.
⁷sn Another Phoenician coastal city located between Sidon and Arvad.
⁸sn See Gen 10:22.
⁹tn The meaning of Hebrew (flv) is uncertain.
¹⁰sn Commonly believed to be located in southern Spain.
¹¹tc Some Hebrew manuscripts and the Syriac version read “Edom.” This alternate reading is supported from the context as the text deals with Damascus, the capital of Syria (Aram) in verse 18.
¹²sn The location is mentioned in Judg 11:33.
¹³sn See Gen 10:27.
¹⁴tn The term Hebrew (Jtlkrm) occurs only here in the OT.
¹⁵tn Note a similar expression to “roll in the ashes” in Mic 1:10.
¹tn Heb “lifted up.”
sn See Prov 16:5.
²tn The MT may be translated Danel.
³tn Heb “wisdom.”
⁴sn The strangers are probably a reference to the Babylonians.
⁵tc The Greek and Syriac versions read “I placed you with the anointed cherub.”
⁶tn The meaning of this phrase in Hebrew is uncertain. The word translated here “guards” occurs in Exod 25:20 in reference to the cherubim “covering” the ark.
⁷tn Heb “they filled your midst with violence.”
⁸sn Sidon was located 25 miles north of Tyre.
⁹sn Similar language is used in reference to Israel’s adversaries in Num 33:55; Josh 23:13.
¹⁰sn This promise was given in Lev 25:18-19.
¹tn January 7, 587 BC.
²tn The Egyptian word “Pharaoh” means “great house.”
³tn The Hebrew term (/ynt) is parallel to a serpent in Deut 32:33 and Psa 91:13. It is often translated “crocodile.”
⁴tc The translation “buried” is supported by some Hebrew manuscripts, the Targum and possibly the LXX. The Masoretic Text reads “gathered.”
⁵sn In 2 Kgs 18:21 and Isa 36:6 trusting in the Pharaoh is compared to leaning on a staff. The oracle may reflect Hophra’s attempt to aid Jerusalem (Jer 37:5-8).
⁶sn A covenant curse, see Lev 26:25.
⁷sn This location may refer to a location in the Egyptian Delta area which served as a refuge for Jews (Jer 44:1; 46:14).
⁸sn In Ezek 4:4-8 it was said that the house of Judah would suffer forty years.
⁹tc Thus the Masoretic Text. The LXX, Peshitta, and Vulgate translate as though the Hebrew read “inhabit.”
¹⁰sn April 26, 571 BC.
¹¹tn A variant spelling of Nebuchadnezzar.
¹²sn Nebuchadnezzar besieged Tyre from 586 to 571 BC.
¹³tn A variant spelling of Nebuchadnezzar.
¹⁴tn The horn is used as a figure for power in the OT (Ps 92:11 [10].
sn A similar expression is made in reference to the Davidic dynasty in Ps 132:17.
¹sn The expression “day of clouds” occurs also in Joel 2:2 and Zeph 1:15. The expression recalls the appearance of God at Mount Sinai (Exod 19:9, 16, 18).
²tn The expression “sons of the covenant land” possibly refers to Jews living in Egypt (Jer 44).
³tn A variant spelling of Nebuchadnezzar.
⁴tn The Babylonians were known for their cruelty (2 Kgs 25:7).
⁵tn The word to go is feminine plural, thus the feminine noun city is supplied in the translation.
⁶sn In Zeph 1:15 darkness is associated with the day of the LORD.
⁷tn April 29, 587 BC.
⁸sn The expression “breaking the arm” indicates the removal of power (Ps 10:15; 37;17; Job 38:15; Jer 48:25).
⁹sn This may refer to the event recorded in Jer 37:5.
¹sn June 21, 587 BC.
²sn Lebanon was know for its cedar trees (Judg 9:15; 1 Kgs 4:33; 5:6; 2 Kgs 14:9; Ezra 3:7; Ps 29:5; 92:12; 104:16).
³tn Heb “when it sends forth.” Different vowels with the consonants of the Masoretic text would render the proposed reading “shoots.”
⁴tn Or “cypress trees.”
⁵sn For the expression “going down to the pit,” see Ezek 26:20; 32:18, 24, 29.
⁶tn Heb “its arm.”
¹sn March 3, 585 BC.
²tn The lion was a figure of royalty (Ezek 19:1-9).
³tn The expression “spread my net” is common in Ezekiel (12:13; 17:20; 19:8).
⁴tc Thus Symmachus, Syriac and Vulgate. Hebrew (twmr) would be translated “your height.”
⁵sn For similar features of cosmic eschatology, see Joel 2:10; 4:15; Amos 5:18-20; Zeph 1:5.
⁶sn Nebuchadnezzar (Ezek 21:19).
⁷tn Hebrew (uqv) literally means “to sink.”
⁸tn March 17, 585 BC. The LXX adds “first month.”
⁹tn The Hebrew verb(hhn) is used as a response to death (Jer 9:17-19; Amos 5:16).
¹⁰tn Heb “pleasantness.”
¹¹tn The only other occurrence of the phrase “uttermost parts of the pit” occurs in Isa 14:15.
¹²tc The LXX reads “from of old” instead of “of the circumcised.” The phrases are very similar in spelling.
¹tn The trumpet served the function of warning the people in Neh 4:18-20; Jer 4:19; Amos 3:6.
²sn Jeremiah (Jer 6:17) and Habakkuk (Hab 2:1) also served in the role of a watchman.
³tn The same expression occurs in Gen 2:17.
⁴tn Heb “in it.”
⁵tn The Hebrew word (/kty) translated “just” has the basic meaning of “measure.” For a similar concept, see Ezek 18:25, 29.
⁶tn January 19, 585 BC.
⁷tn Heb “smitten.”
⁸tn The other occurrences of the phrase “the hand of the LORD” in Ezekiel occurs in visions.
⁹tn The muteness was lifted (3:26).
¹⁰tn Outside of Ezekiel this term (hvrwm) occurs only in Exod 6:8 and Deut 33:4.
¹¹tn Heb “stand.”
¹²sn The judgments of verses 27-29 echo the judgments of Lev 26:22, 25.
¹³tn Heb “sons of your people.”
¹⁴tn The word “as” is supplied in the translation.
¹⁵sn Similar responses are found in Isa 29:13; Matt 21:28-32; James 1:22-25.
¹tn The term shepherd is applied to kings in the ancient Near East. In the OT the LORD is often addressed as shepherd of Israel (Gen 49:24; Ps 8:1).
sn The imagery of shepherds as Israel’s leaders is also employed (Jer 23:1-2).
²tn The term harshness (Jrp) was used to describe the oppression the Israelites suffered as slaves in Egypt (Exod 1:13).
³sn The imagery may reflect the overthrow of the Israelites by the Babylonians in 587/6 BC.
⁴tn Heb “good pasture.”
⁵tn Heb “outside.”
⁶sn Jer 30:9 and Hos 3:5 speak of a future David.
⁷tn Live securely (jfbl) occurs in Ezek 28:26; 38:8, 11, 14; 39:26 as an expression of freedom from fear. It is a promised blessing resulting from obedience in Lev 26:5-6.
⁸sn The woods were considered to be places of danger (Ps 104:20-21; Jer 5:6).
⁹tn Abundant rain is a covenantal blessing for obedience (Lev 26:4).
¹⁰tn Heb “those gathered” for famine.
¹¹sn The blessings described in verses 25-30 are those described for obedience in Lev 26:4-13.
¹²sn A promise given to Abraham (Gen 15:7) and his descendants (Gen 15:8; Exod 6:7).
¹sn Mount Seir is to be identified with Edom (Ezek 35:15), the descendants of Esau (Gen 25:21-30).
²tn The phrase “to the power of the sword” also occurs in Jer 18:21 and Ps 63:11.
³tn Heb “them.”
⁴tn The meaning of the Hebrew verb (rtu) is uncertain as the word occurs only here in the OT.
¹tn Heb “lip of the tongue.”
²tn Heb “I lifted up my hand.”
³sn These verbs occur together in Gen 1:22, 28; 9:1.
⁴tn The LORD poured out his wrath upon the Israelites in Ezek 7:8; 9:8; 14:19; 20:8, 13, 21; 22:22; 20:15.
⁵tn For the concept in legal literature, see Lev 18:28; Deut 21:23.
⁶tn In Ezek 20 punishment was not meted out “for the sake of God’s holy name.” Here God’s reputation is the basis for restoration.
⁷tn The two words for land in this verse are actually two different Hebrew words.
⁸tn For the use of water in cleansing, see Exod 30:19-20; Lev 14:51; Num 19:18; Heb 10:22.
⁹tn In Rabbinic literature a “stone” was associated with the evil inclination (b. Sukk. 52a).
¹⁰sn Jer 31:31-34 is parallel to this passage.
¹¹sn See Gen 17:2; Lev 26:9.
¹tn Heb “caused me to rest.”
²sn The phrase recalls Gen 2:7.
³m/ Heb “bring near.”
⁴The reunification of Israel and Judah is addressed in Ezek 33:23, 29; Jer 3:18; 23:5-6; Hos 1:11; Amos 9:11.
⁵sn Jeremiah also attested to the reuniting of the northern and southern kingdoms (Jer 3:12, 14; 31:2-6).
⁶tn The “everlasting covenant” is also mentioned in Isa 24:5; 55:3; 61:8; Jer 32:40; 50:5; Ezek 16:60.
⁷tn Heb “give them.”
⁸tn The sanctuary of Israel becomes the subject of Ezek 40-48.
¹sn May refer to a Lydian king in west Asia Minor in the seventh century BC. The only other occurrence of the name occurs in Rev 20:8.
²sn One of the sons of Japheth according to Gen 10:2; 1 Chr 1:5.
³sn Meshech and Tubal were two nations in Cappadocia of Asia Minor. They were also sons of Japheth (Gen 10:2; 1 Chr 1:5).
⁴tn Heb “it.”
⁵tn Heb “go up.”
⁶tn Heb “words will go up in your heart.”
⁷tn The Hebrew term (rwbf) occurs elsewhere only in Judg 9:37.
⁸tn Heb “young lions.”
⁹tn The phrase “in the fire of my fury” occurs in Ezek 21:36; 22:21, 31.
¹⁰tn Or “shaking.”
¹¹tn Or “tremble.”
¹²tn The term occurs only here and in Song of Songs 2:14.
¹tn The Hebrew root (avv) occurs only here in the OT. A cognate in the Ethiopian language means “walk along.”
²sn References to the burning of weapons may be found In Ps 46:9; 76:3.
³sn See Rev 19:17-18.
⁴sn Eating the fat and drinking blood were God’s exclusive right in Israelite sacrifices (Lev 3:17).
⁵tn Heb “chariots.”
⁶tn Heb “return.”
⁷sn See Ezek 11:19; 37:14.
¹tn April 19, 573 BC.
²tn The expression introduces the three major visions of Ezekiel (1:1; 8:3; 40:2).
³tn Reference to a very high mountain is harmonious with Isa 2:2.
⁴tn Heb “in order to show (it) to you.”
⁵tn Heb “house.”
⁶tn About three inches.
⁷tn Heb “building.”
⁸sn The three alcoves are parallel to the city-gates found at Megiddo, Hazor, and Gezer.
⁹tn The word “high” is not in the Hebrew text but is supplied for sense.
¹⁰sn Palm trees were also a part of Solomon’s temple (1 Kgs 6:29, 32, 35).
¹¹tn Heb “as these windows.”
¹²tc The LXX reads “porches.”
¹³tc Thus the Aramaic Targum.
¹⁴tn “One” is not in the Hebrew text but is supplied for the translation.
¹⁵tc The LXX reads “ten steps.”
¹tn Heb “house” throughout Ezek 41.
²tn The Hebrew term (bswm) occurs only here in the OT.
³tc Some Hebrew manuscripts read “and its outer court.”
⁴tn The Hebrew word ([yjc) occurs only here in the OT.
⁵tc Thus the Masoretic text. The LXX reads “base.”
⁶tn Heb “turning” leaves.
¹tn Heb the door or entrance of the north.
²tc The LXX and the Peshitta read “one hundred” cubits.
³tn The phrase “upper chambers” is not in the Hebrew text but is supplied from the context.
⁴sn The priests are from the Zadokite family (Ezek 40:6; 44:15).
¹tn Ezekiel observed God leaving the temple from the east (11:23).
²tn The “many waters” are found in Ezek 1:24; Rev 1:15; 14:2; 19:6.
³tc The Masoretic text reads “I.”
⁴sn In 1 Kgs 8:10-11 we find a similar event with regard to Solomon’s temple. See also Exod 40:34-35. and Isa 6:4.
⁵sn God’s throne is mentioned in Isa 6:1; Jer 3:17.
⁶tn For soles of feet (1 Chr 28:2; Os 99:5; 132:7; Isa 60:13; Lam 2:1).
⁷tn Some suggest reading “stelae” rather than corpses based upon Ugaritic usage.
⁸tn See Ezek 40:47.
⁹tn Hebrew (qyj) normally means “bosom.” The reference would refer to a hollow in the ground.
¹⁰tn The word “high” is not part of the Hebrew text.
¹¹tc Thus the LXX. The Hebrew text reads (bg) “bulge, protuberance, mound.”
¹²tn The word “altar hearth” (lyara) occurs only here in the OT.
¹³tn The word “cubits” is not in the Hebrew texts but is understood from the context.
¹⁴tn For the “sprinkling of blood,” see Lev 1:5, 11; 8:19; 9:12.
¹⁵tn Note the similar language in Lev 16:18.
¹⁶tn It is likely that salt was used with sacrificial meals (Num 18:19; 2 Chr 13:5).
¹⁷tn Heb “fill the hands.”
¹⁸tn The people also could partake of the food of the peace offering (Lev 3).
¹tn Heb “set your heart;” as also in the latter part of the verse.
²tc The LXX reads “house of rebellion.”
³tc The Greek, Syriac, and Latin versions read “you.” The Masoretic text reads “they.”
⁴tn This word is not in the Hebrew text but is supplied from the context.
⁵sn Tobiah, an Ammonite (Neh 13:8) was dismissed from the temple.
⁶tn Heb “I lifted up my hand.”
⁷sn Zadok was a descendant of Aaron through Eleazar (1 Chr 6:50-53), who served as a priest during David’s reign (2 Sam 8:17).
⁸tn The idea seems to be anything that causes sweat.
⁹tn For a similar expression of the transmitting of holiness, see Exod 19:12-12; Lev 10:1-2; 2 Sam 6:7. Similar laws concerning the priest are found in Lev 10 and 21.
¹⁰tn The shaving of the head was associated with mourning (Ezek 7:18).
¹¹tn Letting the hair grow was associated with the taking of a vow (Num 6:5; Acts 21:23-26).
¹²tn This was the role of the priest (Lev 10:10).
¹³tn For a historical illustration of the priest carrying out this function, see 2 Chr 19:9-11.
¹⁴tn This law was part of the legal code for priests (Lev 21:1-3).
¹⁵tc One Hebrew manuscript, the LXX and the Peshitta along with Lev 15:13, 28 read the verb as singular.
¹⁶tn See Num 18:20; Deut 10:9; 18:2; Josh 13:3; 18:7.
¹⁷tn For this law, see Lev 7:24; 17:17.
¹tn Heb “a contribution.”
²tc The LXX reads “twenty” thousand cubits wide.
³tc The LXX apparently understood (vrgm) “open land” instead of (vdqm) “sanctuary.”
⁴tc Thus the LXX. The Masoretic text reads “twenty.”
⁵sn Evictions of the less fortunate by the powerful are described in 1 Kgs 21:1-16; Jer 22:1-5, 13-17; Ezek 22:25.
⁶tn Previous legislation regarding this practice may be found in Lev 19:35-36; Deut 25:13-16; Mic 6:10-12.
⁷tn The ephah was 1/2 bushel.
⁸tn The bath, a liquid measure, was 5 1/2 gallons.
⁹tn The homer was about 5 bushels as a dry measure and 55 gallons as a liquid measure.
¹⁰tn Heb “be” to this offering.
¹¹tn The Feast of Tabernacles (Exod 23:16; 34:22; Deut 16:16).
¹tn The east gate of the outer court was permanently closed (Ezek 44:2).
²tn Heb “a gift of his hand.”
³tn The phrase “he will offer” is not in the Hebrew text but is warranted from the context.
⁴tn Heb “with the lambs as his hand can reach.”
⁵tn That is, the year of Jubilee (Lev 25:8-15).
⁶tc Hebrew (twrfq) is unclear. The LXX and Syriac render “small.”
¹tn Heb “the waters become healed.”
²tn Heb “two rivers.”
³sn See Rev 22:1-2.
⁴sn A portion for Ephraim and Manasseh (Gen 48:17-20).
⁵sn Gen 15:9-21.
⁶sn The measurements resemble those in Num 34:1-2.
⁷sn A similar attitude toward non-Israelites is found in Isa 56:3-8.
¹sn The tribes descended from the maidservants are placed farthest from the sanctuary.
²sn The tribe from which the Messiah would come is given the most prestigious allotment (Gen 49:8-12).
³tn Egypt is not in the Hebrew text.
⁴sn See Rev 21:12-14.
⁵tn The phrase “the LORD is there” (hmv hwhy) sounds very similar to “Jerusalem” (<lvwry).
sn Rev 21:12-21.