Page 43 - NOTES ON EZEKIEL

CHAPTERS VIII., IX. 37

There is no sufficient reason, in my opinion, to depart
from the ordinary rendering of verse 17, and to change
STYIDT from “ branch” into song; nor need we heed the
Rabbinical notion that the text is to l?e reckoned
among the Tikkun Sopherim, the original reading being
supposed to mean “ to my [instead of ‘their’] nose.”
The LXX seem to have so read, at least they render it
tivTot fivKTrjpi'^ovTes, “ they are as scorners.’7 But
the Hebrew MSS support the common text which
makes an excellent and consistent sense. “ Then he
said unto me, Hast thou seen this, 0 son of man ? Is it
a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the
abominations which $ey commit here? for they have
filled the land with violence, and have returned to pro­
voke me to anger: and, lo, they put the branch to their
nose. Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye
shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though
they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not
hear them.” Punishment to the uttermost must befall
the Jews without mercy : Jehovah Himself would
see to it.

CHAPTER IX.
Chapter ix. gives us the divine preparations and plan
for executing judgment on all, save the reserved remnant,
in Jerusalem. “ And he called also in my ears with
a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over
the city to draw near, even every man with his destroy­
ing weapon in his hand. And, behold, six men came