Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ezekiel 17:21
And all his fugitives with all his bands shall fall by the sword, and they that remain shall be scattered toward all winds: and ye shall know that I the LORD have spoken [it].
21. all his fugitives ] The form of word does not otherwise occur, but has been so understood by some ancient versions. Others as Targ., Syr., assume a transposition of two letters and render: his choice men; and so many moderns (cf. ch. Eze 23:7; Dan 11:15). This last reading is found in a number of MSS. Cf. ch. Eze 5:2; Eze 5:12, Eze 6:10; Eze 6:13, Eze 12:12 seq.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 21. All his fugitives] All who attempted to escape with him, and all that ran to Egypt, &c., shall fall by the sword.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
All his fugitives; not strictly, but in large sense: all, i.e. the greatest part, as. Jer 13:19; 44:22; Mat 2:3; 3:5, of those who, at the taking of Jerusalem, attempt to flee with their king.
His bands; his guards, probably of stoutest men, reserved to convey him in safety from the pursuing enemy.
Shall fall by the sword; the enemy shall overtake, and cut in pieces. The few that do escape shall be scattered abroad among strangers, who will show them very little kindness. The miseries these people shall fall under shall be of such weight and continuance, that all shall know it is the execution of an extraordinary wrath from Heaven against them.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
21. all his fugitivesthesoldiers that accompany him in his flight.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And all his fugitives with all his bands shall fall by the sword,…. So those of his army that fled, and attempted to make their escape, when the city of Jerusalem was taken, as many as fell into the Chaldean army, which was round about the city, at least a great number of them, fell by the sword of the Chaldeans, Jer 52:7;
and they that remain shall be scattered towards all winds; and so it was, that such that escaped the sword were either carried captive into Babylon, or fled some one way, and some another, even into all parts, east, west, north, and south:
and ye shall know that I the Lord have spoken [it]; the Targum adds, by my word, and will do it; who is the Lord God omniscient and omnipotent, just and righteous; faithful and true, as to his word of promise, so of threatening.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The Prophet now descends to the whole people, especially to the soldiers, whom Zedekiah himself thought would be fit guardians of the city. He says, then, thus shall all his forces be dissipated, so that they shall be dispersed hither and thither and all by the sword. By these words he means the slaughter of the army, since as long as soldiers stand in their own ranks they sustain and repel a hostile attack; but when they are dispersed, every one is subject to the enemy, and hence a promiscuous slaughter arises. He says, therefore, that Zedekiah’s soldiers would be fugitives amidst all their bands: that is, although he had a large army, yet all his forces should be dispersed, and while each should consult his own advantage, he should fall into the enemy’s hands: thus, all shall fall by the sword; then those who remain shall be dispersed towards every wind. We saw the same thing before, for when the Prophet had declared that all the people should suffer by the sword, he added, at the same time, that all the survivors should be fugitives, just as if any one should throw out refuse or hair which the wind would blow hither and thither. Hence he repeats the same now, namely, that the whole people would be like a torn body, since if they escaped the sword, yet they would find no place of rest. Hence while a few would flee to Egypt, some to the Moabites, and others to the neighboring nations, the whole body of the people, would be dissipated. He adds, and you shall know that I Jehovah have spoken. We have explained the meaning of this, and why the Prophet repeats it so often, namely, because the Jews were untractable and derided all God’s threats: the Prophet teaches that they should really feel that he had spoken, and this is the wisdom of fools, as the common proverb expresses it. For because they do not obey any counsels, nor admit any admonitions, and receive no teaching, they are instructed only by the event itself. It follows —
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
21. Fugitives Perhaps, chosen ones, or choice men (Targum, Peshito).
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
“And all his fugitives in all his bands will fall by the sword, and those who remain will be scattered towards every wind, and you will know that I Yahweh have spoken it.”
Those who followed Zedekiah would suffer similar fates. They would be hunted down, they would be slain with the sword, and the remainder would be scattered in all directions. They would have lost homes, wealth and means of sustenance, becoming perpetual refugees. They would be dependent on the kindness of others for their lives, which would often not be forthcoming, for they were turbulent times.
Future Restoration.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Eze 17:21 And all his fugitives with all his bands shall fall by the sword, and they that remain shall be scattered toward all winds: and ye shall know that I the LORD have spoken [it].
Ver. 21. And all his fugitives. ] See on Eze 14:13-14 .
They shall know.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
all his fugitives. Compare Eze 12:14.
ye shall know, &c. See note on Eze 6:7.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
all his fugitives: Eze 5:12, Eze 12:14, 2Ki 25:5, 2Ki 25:11, Jer 48:44, Jer 52:8, Amo 9:1, Amo 9:9, Amo 9:10
shall know: Eze 6:7, Eze 6:10, Eze 13:14, Eze 13:23, Eze 15:7, Isa 26:11
Reciprocal: 2Ki 25:6 – they took Jer 13:24 – will Jer 21:7 – I will Jer 38:18 – then Eze 5:17 – I the Eze 26:14 – for I Zec 2:6 – spread 1Pe 5:6 – that
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Eze 17:21. Some of Zedekiahs men tried to escape with him, but they were captured and taken f)’om their king. This event is recorded in 2Ki 25:5.