Ezekiel 20:1

“And it came to pass in the seventh year, &c.] Of Zedekiah’s reign, and of the captivity of Jeconiah; from whence the dates of Ezekiel’s visions and prophecies are taken, (<260102>Ezekiel 1:2 8:1); two years, one month, and five days, after Ezekiel began to prophesy, and eleven months and five days after the preceding prophecy: in the fifth [month], the tenth [day] of the month; the month Ab, which answers to our July and August; on this day afterwards Jerusalem was twice destroyed, first by the Chaldeans, and then by the Romans: [that] certain of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the Lord; by the prophet; these were either some of the elders that were carried captive, who came to…”

“REJECTION OF THE ELDERS' APPLICATION TO THE PROPHET: EXPOSURE OF ISRAEL'S PROTRACTED REBELLIONS, NOTWITHSTANDING GOD'S LONG-SUFFERING GOODNESS: YET WILL GOD RESTORE HIS PEOPLE AT LAST. (Eze. 20:1-49) seventh year, &c.--namely, from the carrying away of Jeconiah (Eze 1:2; Eze 8:1). This computation was calculated to make them cherish the more ardently the hope of the restoration promised them in seventy years; for, when prospects are hopeless, years are not computed [CALVIN]. elders . . . came to inquire--The object of their inquiry, as in Eze 14:1, is not stated; probably it was to ascertain the cause of the national calamities and the time of their termination, as their false prophets…”

“The elders of Israel - These were as in Ezekiel 14:1, some of Ezekiel’s fellow-exiles, designated in general terms by the name of Israel, though more properly belonging to the kingdom of Judah. return to 'Top of Page'”

“The seventh year - Of Zedekiah's reign, two years and five months before Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem. Came - Yet resolved before - hand what they would do. Ezekiel 20:3”

“20:1-3 the seventh year of King Jehoiachin’s captivity: Five more years would pass before the destruction of Jerusalem. • The leaders (literally elders) of Israel—the leaders of the community in exile—came to Ezekiel once again, looking for a word from the Lord (cp. 8:1; 14:1). Normally, seeking a message from the Lord is a good thing. But these leaders had already been condemned for their mixed motives (see ch 14), and the Lord would not receive their request. The question they asked Ezekiel is not recorded—perhaps they never had the opportunity to ask it.”

“am 3411, bc 593 in the seventh: The seventh year of the captivity of Jeconiah, and according to Usher, Monday, Aug. 27, 3411. Eze 1:2, Eze 8:1, Eze 24:1, Eze 26:1, Eze 29:1, Eze 29:17, Eze 30:20, Eze 31:1, Eze 32:1, Eze 40:1 that certain: Eze 14:1-3, Eze 33:30-33; Kg1 14:2-6, Kg1 22:15-28; Kg2 3:13; Isa 29:13, Isa 58:2; Jer 37:17; Mat 22:16 and sat: Eze 8:1; Luk 2:46, Luk 8:35, Luk 10:39; Act 22:3 Ezekiel 20:3”

“The date given in Eze 20:1 applies not only to Ezekiel 20, but also to Ezekiel 20-23 (compare Eze 24:1); the prophetic utterances in these four chapters being bound together into a group of connected words of God, both by their contents and by the threefold repetition of the expression, "wilt thou judge?" (vid., Eze 20:4; Eze 22:2, and Eze 23:36). The formula התשׁפּוט, which is only omitted from the threat of punishment contained in Ezekiel 21, indicates at the same time both the nature and design of these words of God. The prophet is to judge, i.e., to hold up before the people once more their sinful abominations, and to predict the consequent punishment. The circumstance which occasioned…”