Ezekiel-Chapter-11
-hebraicstudies.net-
Please
do NOT visit this site on שַׁבָּת - Shabbat or on
the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts!
Re Tanakh versions:
Throughout this site I may use any of the following
three versions of the Tanakh: 1. “Jewish
Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2. “Mechon-Mamre.org”
(MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org”
(SEF), three brilliant versions, although JPS-1917 is my preferred version!
Colour coded
details of our beloved TaNaKh:
1. Torah =
History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.
*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books -
Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or
Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of
Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history
of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.
Please
Note: Some
alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’
of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having been corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.
YYYYYYY
Remember the following truth from our beloved Torah!
“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which
I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM
IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim -
Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).
YYYYYYY
With
Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Introduction:
Chapter 11
marks a dramatic conclusion to Ezekiel’s vision of
YYYYYYY
Below are the verses of Ezekiel Chapter 11:1-25: Whilst below the verses
are the Explanation’s. (Chapter is from JPS-1917
version of the Tanakh).
1. “Moreover the spirit lifted me up,
and brought me unto the east gate of יְהוָה - the LORD’s house, which looketh
eastward; and behold at the door of the gate five and twenty men; and I saw in
the midst of them Jaazaniah the son of Azzur, and Pelatiah the son of Benaiah, princes of the people.
Explanation: The prophet is brought to the main entrance where the civic leaders gathered. These “princes” represent the political authority that misled the nation.
2. And He said unto me: ‘Son of man,
these are the men that devise iniquity, and that give
wicked counsel in this city;
Explanation: אֱלֹהִים - Elohim identifies these individuals as the architects of the city’s moral and strategic failure. Their “counsel” was likely an agitation for rebellion against Divine warnings.
3. that say: The time is not near to build
houses! this city is the caldron, and we are the
flesh’.
Explanation:
This cynical proverb suggests they felt safe within the walls of
4. Therefore prophesy against them,
‘prophesy, O son of man’.
Explanation: Ezekiel is commanded to directly challenge the false sense of security held by the ruling elite.
5. And the
spirit of יְהוָה - the LORD fell
upon me, and He said unto me: ‘Speak’: Thus saith יְהוָה - the LORD: Thus have ye said, O house
of
Explanation: אֱלֹהִים - Elohim reveals that He is aware of not just their spoken words, but their internal motives and the arrogance of their thoughts.
6. ‘Ye have multiplied your slain in
this city, and ye have filled the streets thereof with the slain.
Explanation: The leaders are held responsible for the blood shed in the city both through perverted justice and the consequences of their failed policies.
7. Therefore thus saith אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim: Your slain whom ye have laid
in the midst of it, they are the flesh, and this city is the caldron; but you shall
be brought forth out of the midst of it.
Explanation: אֱלֹהִים - Elohim turns their own proverb against them. The only ones who will remain in the “caldron” are those already dead; the living leaders will be dragged out to face judgment elsewhere.
8. Ye have feared the sword; and the
sword will I bring upon you, saith אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim.
Explanation: By trying to escape their fate through political manoeuvring, they brought upon themselves the very violence they sought to avoid.
9. And I will bring you forth out of
the midst thereof, and deliver you into the hands of strangers, and will
execute judgments among you.
Explanation: This predicts the capture of the leadership by the Babylonians (“strangers”) outside the city walls.
10. Ye shall fall by the sword; I will
judge you in the border of
Explanation: This was fulfilled historically at Riblah, in the border of the land, where the Judean nobles were judged and executed.
11. This city shall not be your caldron,
neither shall ye be the flesh in the midst thereof; I will judge you in the
border of
Explanation: A
re-emphasis that the walls of
12. and ye shall know that I am יְהוָה - the LORD; for
ye have not walked in My statutes, neither have ye executed Mine ordinances,
but have done after the ordinances of the nations that are round about you.'
Explanation: The core of the indictment is the imitation of pagan cultures. They abandoned the unique ethical standards of the Torah to follow the "ordinances" of the surrounding nations.
13. And it came to pass, when I
prophesied, that Pelatiah the son of Benaiah died. Then fell I down upon my face, and cried with
a loud voice, and said: ‘Ah אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - LORD Elohim! wilt Thou make a full end of the
remnant of
Explanation: The sudden death of a prince during the vision prompts Ezekiel to intercede again, fearing the total extinction of the Hebrew people.
14. And the word of יְהוָה - the LORD came
unto me, saying:
Explanation: אֱלֹהִים - Elohim ‘responds to Ezekiel’s plea with a message of hope directed toward those already in exile.
15. ‘Son of man, as for thy brethren,
even thy brethren, the men of thy kindred, and all the house of Israel, all of
them, concerning whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said: Get you far from יְהוָה - the LORD; unto
us is this land given for a possession;
Explanation:
Those left in
16. therefore say: Thus saith אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim: Although I have removed them far off among the nations,
and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet have I been to them
as a little sanctuary in the countries where they are come.
Explanation: This is a cornerstone of Jewish faith: אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s presence (Mikdash Me'at) is not tied to a building but follows the people into exile.
17. Therefore say: Thus saith אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim: I will even gather you from the peoples, and assemble
you out of the countries where ye have been scattered, and I will give you the
Explanation: A
promise of the physical return to the
18. And they shall come thither, and
they shall take away all the detestable things thereof and all the abominations
thereof from thence.
Explanation: The return is not just physical but a spiritual cleansing of the Land.
19. And I will give them one heart, and
I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of
their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh;
Explanation: This describes an internal transformation. The “stony heart” (insensitivity to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s will) is replaced by a “heart of flesh” (responsiveness and empathy).
20. that they may walk in My statutes, and
keep Mine ordinances, and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be
their אֱלֹהִים - Elohim.
Explanation: The ultimate goal of the renewal is the restoration of the Covenant relationship, defined by the observance of the Law.
21, But as for them whose heart walketh after the heart of their detestable things and
their abominations, I will bring their way upon their own heads, saith אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim’.
Explanation: A final warning that those who persist in idolatry and corruption will still face the natural consequences of their actions.
22. Then did the cherubim lift up their
wings, and the wheels were beside them; and the glory of the אֱלֹהִים - Elohim of Israel was over them above.
Explanation: The chariot prepares for its final movement out of the city limits.
23. And the glory of יְהוָה - the LORD went
up from the midst of the city, and stood upon the mountain which is on the east
side of the city.
Explanation: The Divine Presence
departs the city and rests upon the
24. And the spirit lifted me up, and
brought me in the vision by the spirit of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim into
Explanation: Ezekiel is transported back to the reality of the exile. The vision ends, leaving him with the weight of the message he must now deliver.
25. Then I spoke unto them of the
captivity all the things that יְהוָה - the LORD had shewed me.
Explanation: Ezekiel fulfils his role as a watchman by communicating the entire vision, the judgment and the hope to his fellow exiles.
YYYYYYY
My Closing
Message:
Chapter 11 provides
the vital equilibrium to Ezekiel’s message. While it confirms the inevitable
fall of the physical
YYYYYYY
Please
Note: “hebraicstudies”
links are located down the page!
This
site was originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and
wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or
three times a day (if possible) and always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His love is always with us,
especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However this site has become very
much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!
Remember
what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following via
several of our prophets...
“Hebraic Studies” motto is as follows;
“The More Torah, the More Life”,
For Elohim is the One who
gave us our ... “Life!”
May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts, be with you, and
please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim -
Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s - Prayers and
regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s - blessings before
food and drinks, etc!
שָׁלוֹם
עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with
you!
Enter ...