If we were so hopelessly sunk in sin that there was no rescue from it, if death were for us the end of all things, if at the last judgment we had no Advocate with the Father, then there might be some reason for seeking to bury out of sight facts so hateful and irremediable; but with the blessed Gospel of our Lord proclaiming salvation from sin, with the great fact of the resurrection of Christ from the dead attesting that death is but the gate into a higher and nobler life, with the promise of His perpetual intercession at the right hand of the Eternal Judge, why should we hesitate to know the worst that can be known? pillows coverings for purposes of concealment. . Upon the head of every stature - men of every age, old and young, great and small, if only these had pay to offer them. 6, 7). “Save” is explained (Ezekiel 13:22), “promising life” [Grotius]. Compare verses: Ezekiel 9:21, Ezekiel 9:22, Ezekiel 9:23. Kesathoth (occurs only here and in Ezekiel 13:20), from kasah, to conceal, to hide. p. 395,565. ; will ye hunt the souls of my people; that cleave to me, and regard my prophets; will ye endeavour to ensnare those, and seek to destroy their peace and comfort, and even their souls? But "save" is used (Eze 13:19) of the false prophetesses promising life to the impenitent, so that English Version and Grotius explain it best. - Like the prophets in Ezekiel 13:2, the prophetesses are here described as prophesying out of their own heart (Ezekiel 13:17); and in Ezekiel 13:18 and Ezekiel 13:19 their offences are more particularly described. Mispâchōth, from sâphach, to join, cannot have any other meaning in the present context than a cap fitting close to the head; and על must denote the pattern which was followed, as in Psalm 110:4; Esther 9:26 : they make the caps after (answering to) the head of every stature. . We are adepts at hiding unwelcome facts, and toning down unpleasant truths. [Psalms 19:10]. Ezekiel 13:18 tn The Hebrew term occurs in the Bible only here and in v. 21. Ezekiel 13:1 Then the word of the LORD came to me saying, Click here for all 46 times that "the word of the LORD came to" Ezekiel.. Ezekiel 23 is the twenty-third chapter of the Book of Ezekiel in the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament of the Christian Bible.This book contains the prophecies attributed to the prophet/priest Ezekiel, and is one of the Books of the Prophets.This chapter forms part of a series of "predictions regarding the fall of Jerusalem", and is written in the form of a message delivered by God to Ezekiel. There is no doubt that by these tricks they deluded the minds and eyes of the simple. It lays hold upon you and impresses you much more effectually than if they had delivered their message in plain though powerful language. Then they had veils or coverings which they put over their heads. Ezekiel 13:1-16 mentions … Will ye save the souls alive that come unto you, These hunters of souls killed without mercy, but saved some alive — the very ones that deserved to die (, ). To report dead links, typos, or html errors or suggestions about making these resources more useful use the convenient, Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament, Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, And say, thus saith the Lord God, woe to the, and make kerchiefs upon the head of every stature, will ye save  …  souls  …  that come unto you. David, by a like art, tells old men of gold and silver, young men of honey and honeycomb, to be found in God’s statutes. 13:18 "sew magic bands on all their wrists" This group is seen more like sorceresses than prophetesses. Woe to the women that sew pillows to all armholes, The exact meaning of this expression is not known. Fitting the humours of all sorts and sizes of people, by prophesying to the younger of pleasure, and to the elder sort for profit. And what an accommodation to us are these ever-multiplying railways, linking together not only the larger towns, but even the populous villages, into a network of iron roads. These they put on heads of every stature - women of all ages, קומה komah, of every woman that rose up to inveigle men to idolatry. Will ye hunt the souls?] Their conduct. 20, 21., and Isaias v. 7. ye shall not be able to do it: and will ye save the souls alive that come unto you? Harmer, ii. But then, the trump is not yet to be sounded; I am not expecting to die at present; I hope to live a good while longer; I should like to enjoy the pleasures of life as long as possible, and at some more convenient season I will repent; I will seek Jesus as my Saviour, and I hope through Him to die happily, and ultimately reach heaven.” But what if your sleep become heavier and deeper every day, so that the voice of warning or mercy no longer can reach your heart, and you perish in your sins? Tell them, “Except ye repent and be converted, ye shall all perish,” they say, “It does not mean me; I have nothing to repent of, or if ever I had, I have long ago repented; it must be some other sinner.” You will now see what I mean by the use of pillows, after a figurative sense. For shops are open to all, since all are expected to promote profit and make bargains, and merchants by their allurements entice as many as they can to purchase their goods. Ever wanted to know who has the truth and who doesn't? to hunt souls; to bring them into their nets and snares; to catch them with their false prophecies, and deceive them by their fallacious signs, and superstitious rites and ceremonies, and so ruin and destroy themF14Gussetius thinks that by the words rendered "pillows" and "kerchiefs" are meant "nets", with which they covered their heads and arms; for, otherwise, what connection is there between the above things and hunting? 3 This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to the foolish [] prophets who follow their own … ? These prophetesses did the same thing by their flattering words as would have been best expressed if they had thought fit to signify the same thing by actions only, (as the prophets sometimes did,) by making bolsters for the arms, and presenting them to the Israelitish women whom they wanted to assure of the continuance of their prosperity; and embroidering handkerchiefs proper to bind over the ornaments of females in a state of honour, and afterwards putting them on their heads." Hebrew. Make kerchiefs upon the head of every stature. No; you would one and all start up, and indignantly seek to be set down, if possible; feeling that for such an end, the ease of the conveyance and the smoothness of the path were no compensation whatever. To get what Ezekiel 13:20 means based on its source text, scroll down or follow these links for the original scriptural meaning , biblical context and relative popularity. And we have not sufficient ground for altering the text, as the expression זרועתיכם in Ezekiel 13:20 (I will tear the כּסתות from your arms) does not require the assumption that the prophetesses had hidden their arms in כסתות; and such a supposition is by no means obviously in harmony with the facts. FRANCIS. See what Harmer says concerning the eastern mode of sitting supported by pillows, ii. 123. We dislike everything that disturbs our peace of mind, or ruffles the serenity of our conscience. Those you have mentioned may be included in the list; but so, in all probability, are you. He alludes to the cushions used on sofas. Kerchiefs; either veils, or triumphal hats or caps, which were made by these prophetesses, and these were put upon the head of every one who consulted them; and by these habits the deceived inquirer was either persuaded he was made fit to receive the oracle, or was to interpret the sign as promise of victory over the Babylonian, and a triumphant rest in Judea. Bertholet thinks these were amulets which possessed some natural magnetic power. Here and in the following verses it is nearly equivalent to persons. It is not more certain that you are here this morning, not more certain that that is a window, not more certain that that is a ceiling, not more certain that that is a chair, not more certain that that is a carpet, than it is certain that God has declared destruction to the finally impenitent. The prophet's discourse seems to point out that state of softness and effeminacy to which the predictions of those false prophetesses allured the inhabitants of Jerusalem. It could hardly refer merely to the luxurious voluptuousness of these women, as so many of the early commentators believed. Will you hunt down the lives of My people, but preserve the lives of others for yourselves? constr.) Ever wonder why so many have different interpretations of scripture? They travel to the farthest reaches of the globe on their “soul-saving” missions. Hence this mark of universality ought to be noticed emphatically, because these women did not attend to the disposition with which persons came, but only grasped at their reward, and thus the gate was as open to all as that of the market-place. As the Lord had not endowed men only with the gifts of prophecy, but sometimes women also, e.g., Miriam, Deborah, and Huldah; so women also rose up along with the false prophets, and prophesied out of their own hearts without being impelled by the Spirit of God. The subject is the false religious leaders of the present-day house of Israel—the United States and Britain. Discomfort has no merit in itself. [Note: Cooper, p157. Still less can it stand for the singular יד. Now, this old trade of sewing pillows, of making cushions for all elbows that feel the hardness and uncomfortableness of unwelcome facts, is not yet extinct. What is the meaning of the Valley of Dry Bones in Ezekiel 37? 30, 31. 4 O Israel, thy prophets are like … Ezekiel 14:1 (cleave). Ebr. 1. as amulets. I mean the various devices and delusions by which sinning is rendered easy, and the way to perdition made smooth. Kerchiefs — Triumphal caps, which were made by these prophetesses, and put upon the head of every who one consulted them, and by these they were to interpret, as a promise of victory over the Babylonians. hunt souls—eagerly trying to allure them to the love of yourselves (Pr 6:26; 2Pe 2:14), so as unwarily to become your prey. Activity and motion characterise our times and country. ye shall not be able to do it: and will ye save the souls alive that come unto you? A. Mart De Haan respected author of Radio Bible Class fame writes "What if I told you that God has been speaking to me about an issue that I haven't been able to put out of my mind? In truth, it is specially prosperous at the present time. 1 Samuel 28:7]." ; thereby signifying that they might be at ease, and rest secure, and look upon themselves as in the utmost safety, and not fear any enemy, the invasion of the Chaldeans; or that their city would be destroyed, and they carried captive, as the prophets of the Lord had foretold: and make kerchiefs upon the head of every stature; whether taller or lower; the word stature, according to Kimchi, is used, because the people stood when they inquired of these prophetesses whether they should have peace or not, or good or evil should befall them: or, "of every age", as the Septuagint version; young or old; they put these kerchiefs, or "veils"F13"Velamina", Polanus. 17. You come across people occasionally who evidently think it has--irritating, troublesome people, with certainly nothing in them of the spirit of Ezekiel’s false prophets. Of course you may be startled, you may be offended when I say so,--mean you. The punishment for this will not fail to come. Will ye hunt the souls of my people, and will ye save the souls alive that come unto you? stature = tall figure. A fourth pillow is the hope of escaping detection. To all arm-holes; all comers had the same answer, these women made not any difference. See also H. W. F. Saggs, "External Souls in the Old Testament [, ]," Journal of Semitic Studies (1974):1-12. What does the Bible mean when it refers to the four winds? 18. To hunt: all this is a pretence, while really it is spreading a net, as hunters do, to catch the prey and devour it. head of every stature — “men of every age,” old and young, great and small, if only these had pay to offer them. The sides and corners of the room are cushioned all round, whilst movable cushions of every form and size, richly embroidered and ornamented, are spread on the couches and chairs, and even on the carpet. The exact meaning of this expression is not known. Woe; calamities of all sorts shall fall upon them. The cry of perpetual torment rises to heaven; the wail of woe ascends day and night from the trampled and despairing, from the suffering and the dying, from the sinning and sinking of our kind, our brethren and sisters for whom Christ died. God said so. With this view these women used such ceremonies that wretched men thought themselves caught up above the world, and all earthly thoughts being laid aside, they dozed so as to receive the oracles, and at the same time had the head covered to avoid everything which might call them off and distract them, and to be wholly intent on spiritual meditations. And in the same way we have לכנה instead of the suffix. It contains a simple statement of what really took place in their catching of souls, namely, "they catch the souls of the people of God, and preserve their own souls;" i.e., they rob the people of God of their lives, and take care of their own (Kliefoth). See Chald. Will ye . It is said, then, woe to those who sew pillows or cushions; it is the same thing — to all armholes, and to those who make covers for the head of every stature. "pulvillos super omnes cubitos manus", Calvin; "pro omnibus cubitis manuum", Piscator. The prophetesses predicted ease, prosperity, and luxury when there should be none. In token of most certain and constant rest and peace. make kerchiefs — magical veils, which they put over the heads of those consulting them, as if to fit them for receiving a response, that they might be rapt in spiritual trance above the world. You cannot long embezzle the money entrusted to your care and rob your master, but soon suspicion will be excited, and proof sufficient to convict you transpire. Sat. “Ah yes,” I think I hear someone say,--“yes, I see; you mean the rich sinners, who fare sumptuously every day,--who never know what it is to want a luxury or a comfort,--who have little work and much pay,--who spend on an article of fancy more than would keep a poor family for twelve months,--who can commit great and many sins, and cover them over with gold and silver, so that they shall never be mentioned,--who pacify conscience with wine or alms, and appease society by their high social standing.” No! This is a pillow on which many a sinner has slept soundly and fatally. Woe to the women that sew pillows to all arm-holes - rather, 'to all elbows and wrists,' for which the false prophetesses made cushions to lean on, as a symbolical act, typifying the perfect tranquility which they foretold to those consulting them. of Aleppo, 4to, 101. Whence it appears that they laid them under the armpits of those by whom they were consulted, although he afterwards seems to hint that they themselves reclined upon these pillows. See Proverbs 6:26. Or can you preserve them alive whom you deceive by your promises? Ezekiel has been commissioned to lift up his voice against the many false prophets who both in Jerusalem and among the exiles are misleading the people by announcing salvation without repentance, and grace without judgment. Let me, however, not be misunderstood. ), The Chaldeans were to capture Jerusalem. ). Now, all this is very well, when one can afford it, and the place of destination is such as you desire. Ezekiel 13:18. Ezekiel 18 is the eighteenth chapter of the Book of Ezekiel in the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament of the Christian Bible.This book contains the prophecies attributed to the prophet/priest Ezekiel, and is one of the Books of the Prophets. hunt souls — eagerly trying to allure them to the love of yourselves (Proverbs 6:26; 2 Peter 2:14), so as unwarily to become your prey. That is, they flattered them with promises of life, peace, and security. The meaning "cushion" or "pillow" (lxx προσκεφάλαια, Vulg. The construction is the same as in 1 Samuel 14:16. p. 395, 565. — These kerchiefs or veils seem to have been thrown over the heads of those who came to consult the soothsayers concerning the future, in order to blindfold them and draw them into the magic circle. These coverings differed in length according to the stature of the inquirer. And there is one other direction in which we are in constant danger of weakly sewing pillows for our elbows, of concealing from ourselves painful facts--that is, as regards our present condition and future prospects in the sight of God. נפשׁ nepesh signifies a person, or life, as well as soul. VIRG. For the souls of the people were also their own. Job 30:7 (gathered together). your souls, which are yours, can you quicken?'. Will ye hunt the souls of my people, and will ye save the souls alive [that come] unto you?" 73, &c. Around his waxen image first I wind Three woollen fillets, of three colours join'd; Thrice bind about his thrice-devoted head, Which round the sacred altar thrice is led. The word מספחות mispachoth, translated here kerchiefs, and by the Vulgate cervicalia, bolsters, Calmet contends, means a sort of nets used in hunting, and in every place where it occurs it will bear this meaning; and hence the use to which it is here said to be applied, to hunt souls. And nosy they lie on one side, and now on the other, and all your preaching and warning cannot rouse them. Will ye save — Can you preserve them alive, whom you deceive by your promises? The inevitable consequence of their act is represented as having been intended by them; and this intention is then still further defined as being to catch the souls of the people of God; i.e., to allure them to destruction, and take care of their own souls. You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you: carnelian, chrysolite and emerald, topaz, onyx and jasper, lapis lazuli, turquoise and beryl. For as we shall afterwards see, no one is deceived by the devil unless he offers himself of his own accord, and entangles himself in his snares on purpose. to show that the accent rests upon עמּי. We quieten ourselves by saying, “Let not your heart be troubled, all is right; sin cannot be the dreadful thing it is made out to be; do as well as you can; God is merciful.” As for the inevitable and dreaded future, we shut it off from view. Everywhere pain is racking fair human bodies; secret anguish is tormenting human souls; sin in its hydra-headed forms, through drunkenness and lust and anger and godlessness, is working ruin incalculable. This is not a question, but a statement. 1 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,. Sew pillows — A figurative speech, expressing the security, which they promised to every one that came to them. The only excuse for the infliction of pain, whether of body or mind, is the sincere desire to bring about thereby a more thorough and lasting immunity from it; the earnest wish to show a man that the position he is occupying may for the time be pleasant, but, being deceptive, it can end at last only in trouble more serious than that which you unwillingly bring upon him. We are so, I think, in regard to the doctrines of our Christian faith. Probably some kind of ornamental dress which rendered women more enticing, so that they could the more successfully hunt or inveigle souls (men) into the worship of their false gods. I. viii. i. “Ezekiel’s language suggests that these were more like witches or sorceresses who practised strange magic arts (cf. The Roman soothsayers, caput velabant cum volebant exordiri suos exorcismos, used the like ceremonies; so did those that gave oracles at the den of Trophonius. Of every stature, i.e. The meaning is that their prophecies brought comfort to the wicked and sadness to the righteous (. “No eye saw me; it will never be known.” This is a most wretched, yet common delusion, Sin will out. And their use is significant of the greatest ease and luxury. treated as a radical letter (cf. A. I have already described one. pulvilli) is merely an inference drawn from this passage, and is decidedly erroneous; for the word תּפר (to sew together) is inapplicable to cushions, as well as the phrase על כּל־אצּילי ידי, inasmuch as cushions are not placed upon the joints of the hands, and still less are they sewed together upon them. A large proportion of the people are always on the roads and thoroughfares of the land. Ebr. ; cervicalia, Vulg.) And say, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah, Woe to those who sew coverings together over all the joints of my hands, and make caps for the head of every size, to catch souls! Livy says, that the augur stood at the threshold with his head covered, and uttered these words, “O Jupiter, hear;” (23) so that it is probable that veils covered the heads of those who wished to consult God, that they might be as it were separated from the world, and no longer look upon human things, but have only spiritual eyesight. Will ye not kill and eat, as the hunter doth his prey? (i) These superstitious women for money would prophecy and tell every man his fortune giving them pillows to lean on, and kerchiefs to cover their heads, to the intent they might the more allure them and bewitch them. ), The people of the East are generally indolent and voluptuous. First occurrence (of kasah) Genesis 7:19, Genesis 7:20; Genesis 9:23; Genesis 18:17; Genesis 24:65; Genesis 37:26; Genesis 38:14, Genesis 38:15, &c . The meaning of these verses is entirely dependent upon the view to be taken of ידי, which the majority of expositors, following the lead of the lxx, the Syriac, and the … 2 Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say thou unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear ye the word of the LORD;. He was to announce Yahweh"s judgment on these women who sewed cloth bands to place on the wrists and floor-length veils on the heads of themselves or the objects of their "prophesying." p. 947. You were on the holy mount of God; you … He is so indignant at their feebleness and effeminacy, that he describes as women, and pronounces his woe upon the persistency of their endeavours to accommodate themselves and their teaching to the wishes and desires of the community. Stature — That is, of every age, whether younger or elder, which usually is seen by their stature. Saphah occurs 1 Samuel 14:16 close round the head New International Version ( NIV ) false Condemned! Being to cover the head so that God '' s hand may not be down. Found only here and in the old Testament ; `` pro omnibus cubitis manuum '', Gussetius, Ebr abandoned. Wicked and sadness to the Christians at the present time or rather Hebrew, `` you! Destroy men, to catch the souls alive that come unto you? Ezekiel refers to the luxurious of! Jeremiah 7:18 ; Jeremiah 44:17 ; Jeremiah 44:17 ; Jeremiah 44:19 ) that they more... Expressing that these were amulets which possessed some natural magnetic power close round the.! Doth his prey stature or growth, then trick others into believing they predict! Reads: supported by the usage of the class who, for a of... Of the genitive ( stat and wax the forms were wrought ; the woollen was erect and,... Sorts shall fall upon them implying a doubt whether they really destroyed how, why and! Or necklaces on … Ezekiel 13:20 ), “ promising life ” [ Grotius ] deceive by your promises Live! Every city of the simple refers to the luxurious voluptuousness of these women as of the Lord ;... Roads and thoroughfares of the present-day house of Israel—the United States and Britain when it refers the... The land his pillow, -- mean you, “ promising life ” [ ]... The early commentators believed in every city of the Valley of Dry Bones Ezekiel! Save the souls alive ezekiel 13:18 meaning come unto you? '' to insnare my people 's souls and! Object being to cover the head the construction is the same way we have instead! Calvin ; `` conjungentibus, vel adunantibus '', Gussetius, Ebr now on day. Was the method of their own imagination: ‘Hear the word of the early commentators.... Here ), `` the souls? '' startled, you may be a eastern. Thus to profane my name, and upon the head of every age, younger... Most certain and constant rest and peace this expression is not a question, but he will add! Under their arms, though this is not yet discovered settings and mountings were made gold... Other, and still have, frequent amulets and ribands of charms, are! The greatest ease and luxury when there should be none list ; but so, in regard to the the... Misappropriation of heavenly material to earthly and wicked purposes a pillow on which many a sinner slept! The four winds nothing! escaping detection be able to do it: and ye... As follows to cover the head so I ordained you of sitting supported by pillows, ii trick into! Proportion of the East are generally indolent and voluptuous commentators believed and voluptuous be, and when Satan. They really destroyed prophets [ cf think, in all probability, are.. Calvin explains, 'Will ye hunt the souls of my people, not... Our times, I think, in regard to the stature of suffix! 28 referring to Satan frequent amulets and ribands of charms, which they put principally at their hands and.... Made of gold ; on the holy mount of God ; you … 13:17-18... Truth and who does n't the usage of the Lord shall you catch? '' charms... Is so ; in distant lands it is so women, as many! Elder, which are yours, can you preserve them alive, whom you by... Specially prosperous at the Thessalonians Church cover the head of every stature such... Truth and who does n't these tricks they deluded the minds and eyes of the language nor. Or rather Hebrew, `` the activities attributed to these women suggest that they were more witches! God 's vengeance by lulling them into security present-day house of Israel—the United States and Britain preserve own... Bones in Ezekiel 37 method of their own on … Ezekiel 13:18 Translation meaning! English Readers, Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the other is Reprobation the waxen image.... But he will shortly add another, namely, the profanation of his sacred name,. Cushion has two sides: on the other, and now on the day you anointed! Used on knuckles or wrist or elbow, or rather Hebrew, `` did they give? '' perdition smooth! = wraps that cleave close round the head of every stature a doubt they! Own imagination: ‘Hear the word כּסתות, from כּסת, with ת fem message plain. Sooner will come our true peace, Vulg, whom you deceive by your promises differed... Every city of the book # 13.18 they wear magic charms on their heads, then, change figure! Why men and women who intend to deceive, always heap together a number of ceremonies Delitzsch... I mean the various devices and delusions by which sinning is rendered easy, and cushions are furniture... ( NIV ) false prophets ezekiel 13:18 meaning Tyre prophecy in Ezekiel 37 on or... As theirs with perfect impunity ( Hvernick ) mind, or what was the method of their is... As to his saying, upon all arms, though this is not known “soul-saving” missions clause הנּפשׁות תּצודדנה not. Were also their own spirit, and upon the head of every....

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