XXX.
This chapter is made up of two distinct prophecies: Ezekiel 30:1-19, and Ezekiel 30:20-26. The latter is distinctly dated, and comes in regular chronological order between Ezekiel 29:1-16 and Ezekiel 31; but whether the former belongs to this series, or is connected with Ezekiel 29:17-21, has been questioned. There are no sufficient data for a positive determination of the point; but the general presumption is that an undated prophecy belongs in the interval between the dates which precede and which follow. With this presumption the mention of the nearness of the event (Ezekiel 30:3) and of the name of Nebuchadnezzar (Ezekiel 30:10) agree, though not in themselves determinative.
This prophecy is divided into four parts, not strongly distinguished, but each marked by the formula, “Thus saith the Lord” (Ezekiel 30:2; Ezekiel 30:6; Ezekiel 30:10; Ezekiel 30:13).