John Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 20:46

A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.

Exposition of the Old and New Testament
John Gill (1697–1771) · 18th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.

Son of man, set thy force toward the south, &c.] The land of Judea, which lay south of Babylon, where the prophet now was, as Babylon lay north of that, (<240114>Jeremiah 1:14 4:6) to set his face was to speak freely and boldly, with courage and constancy, and without fear and dread, to the inhabitants of it; and as a token of the Lord’s face being set against them for their sins. The Targum is, “take a prophecy towards the way of the south.” And drop thy word toward the south; or prophesy, as the Targum; doctrine or prophecy being compared to rain, and the delivery of it to the dropping or distilling of rain; which falls gently, gradually, successively, and oftentimes with weight, and to good purpose; (see <053202>Deuteronomy 32:2), which metaphorical phrase is explained in the next clause: and prophesy against the forest of the south field; the city of Jerusalem, in the land of Judea, which was very full of people, as a forest of trees; but these barren and unfruitful, as the trees of the wood generally are; and a rendezvous of wicked persons, comparable to beasts of prey, that haunt in woods and forests.

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