Ezekiel 19:7

“And he knew their desolate palaces, &c.] He took notice of the palaces or seats of the richest men of the nation, and pillaged them of their treasure and wealth, and so they became desolate: it may be rendered, he “knew their widows”f282: or, “his own widows”; whom he made so; he slew the men to get their substance into his hands, and then defiled their widows: and he laid waste their cities; by putting the inhabitants to death; or obliging them to leave them, and retire elsewhere, not being able to pay the taxes he imposed upon them, partly to support his own grandeur and luxury, and partly to pay the tribute to the king of Egypt: and the land was desolate, and the fulness thereof, by the…”

“knew . . . desolate palaces--that is, claimed as his own their palaces, which he then proceeded to "desolate." The Hebrew, literally "widows"; hence widowed palaces (Isa 13:22). VATABLUS (whom FAIRBAIRN follows) explains it, "He knew (carnally) the widows of those whom he devoured" (Eze 19:6). But thus the metaphor and the literal reality would be blended: the lion being represented as knowing widows. The reality, however, often elsewhere thus breaks through the veil. fulness thereof--all that it contained; its inhabitants.”

“Chains - See the marginal rendering to Ezekiel 19:9 and Isaiah 27:9, note. Ezekiel 19:5 Another - Jehoiachin who soon showed himself no less unworthy than Jehoahaz. The “waiting” of the people was during the absence of their rightful lord Jehoahaz, a captive in Egypt while Jehoiakim, whom they deemed an usurper, was on the throne. It was not until Jehoiachin succeeded, that they seemed to themselves to have a monarch of their own 2 Kings 24:6. Ezekiel 19:7 Their desolate palaces - Rather, his palaces, built upon the ground, from where he had ejected the former owners. Ezekiel 19:8 The nations - are here the Chaldaeans: see the marginal references. return to 'Top of Page'”

“He knew - By taking them, he came to know their places, which are here called, what he made them, desolate. Roaring - By the perpetual violent threats of this cruel king. Ezekiel 19:8”

“desolate palaces: or, widows and the land: Eze 22:25; Pro 19:12, Pro 28:3, Pro 28:15, Pro 28:16 the fulness: Eze 12:19, Eze 30:12; Amo 6:8; Mic 1:2 Ezekiel 19:8”