Ezekiel 7:12-15 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Bible Comments

Let not the buyer rejoice, &c. The buyer will have no reason to rejoice, because he will not enjoy what he hath bought; nor the seller have cause to mourn for having been obliged to part with his possessions, of which the approaching desolation of the country and the captivity would otherwise have deprived him. For the seller shall not return to that which was sold, &c. The year of jubilee shall be no advantage to the sellers; for though they should live till it come, yet they shall not enjoy the benefit of the law, (Leviticus 25:13,) nor be restored again to their possessions, as the Chaldeans will have seized upon their lands, who will pay no regard to the year of jubilee, with respect to restoring to every one his old inheritance. For the vision Or the prophecy; is touching the whole multitude Is concerning the whole people; which shall not return Or, as Bishop Newcome reads it. It, that is, the vision or prophecy, shall not return, namely, unfulfilled; or, it shall not be void. Neither shall any strengthen himself in iniquity Neither shall any one secure himself by acting wickedly. Or, “And though they harden themselves in sin, and shut their eyes against the judgments which hang over their heads, these will at last unavoidably overtake them.” They have blown the trumpet The house of Israel have summoned in all fit for arms: see Jeremiah 6:1. But none goeth to the battle There is not a man going to the war. For the people's hearts fail them Looking upon themselves as given up to destruction. For my wrath is upon all the multitude thereof That displeasure which takes away their courage. The sword is without In the countries; and the pestilence and the famine within The besieged city. He that is in the field Whoever is in the field; shall die with the sword Of the Chaldean soldiers. And he that is in the city Whither he had fled for safety; famine and pestilence shall devour him Shall eat him up. You, O Jews, shall be food for these insatiable destroyers.

Ezekiel 7:12-15

12 The time is come, the day draweth near: let not the buyer rejoice, nor the seller mourn: for wrath is upon all the multitude thereof.

13 For the seller shall not return to that which is sold, although they were yet alive: for the vision is touching the whole multitude thereof, which shall not return; neither shall any strengthen himself in the iniquity of his life.

14 They have blown the trumpet, even to make all ready; but none goeth to the battle: for my wrath is upon all the multitude thereof.

15 The sword is without, and the pestilence and the famine within: he that is in the field shall die with the sword; and he that is in the city, famine and pestilence shall devour him.