Commentary on Ezekiel Chapters 1-20 John Calvin (continued)
Ezekiel 9
CHAPTER 9
Ezekiel 9:1
1. He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near, even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand.
1. Et clamavit voce magna in aure mea 190 dicendo, appropinquate 191 praefecturae 192 urbis: et quisque 193 instrumentum perditionis 194 suae in manu sua.
Now the manner of that vengeance which was lately mentioned is expressed.
Hence the Prophet says, God exclaimed, so that his command reached to the Chaldeans, who were to be executors of his vengeance, and therefore the imperative mood pleases me better, approach ye therefore. Those who consider the tense past say ``visitations,'' nor can they do otherwise, because no sense can be elicited from the words --- to have approached the prefecture of the city. But if we read the imperative mood, the sense agrees very well, approach ye the prefecture: the thing is put for the persons, or the name of the men may be understood, and thus
may be taken in the genitive case. As to the general meaning, God commands his servants who held authority over the devoted city, to approach, or apply themselves, or be ready to fulfill his work, and let each, says he, have his instrument of destruction: here destruction is taken actively. For God does not mean that the Chaldeans were armed for their own destruction, but for that of the Jews, and the ruin of the city. It follows ---
Ezekiel 9:2
190That is, "in my hearing." — Calvin. 191Some translate "they have approached" in the past tense, but the other rendering seems to me to suit better, as God commands to approach; "approach ye therefore." — Calvin
192Others translate, "visitations." — Calvin. 193We must understand, "let him have." — Calvin. 194That is, "his warlike instrument of destruction." — Calvin.