The arrangement, by whomsoever made, is very evidently designed, and it seems on many accounts most probable that it was made by Ezekiel him self. This is maintained by Havernick on the following grounds : I. The arrangement proceeds throughout on a plan corresponding with the sub jects of the predictions. In those against foreign nations chronological is united with material order, whilst in those which relate to Israel the order of time is strictly followed. 2. The predictions stand in such Connection with each other that every part has reference to what has preceded it. 3. Histori cal notices are occasionally appended to the predic tions, which would scarcely be done by a transcriber. c.g., the notice respecting himself in chaps. xi., xxiv., xxv., and the close of chap. xix., which Havemick translates, 'This is a lamentation and was for a lamentation' The whole book is divided by Havernick into nine sections, as follows :— 1. Ezekiel's call to the prophetic office (ch. i.-iii 2. Series of symbolical representations and par ticular predictions foretelling the approaching de struction of Judah and Jerusalem (ch. iii. 16-vii.) 3. Series of visions presented to the prophet a year and two months later than the former, in which he is shewn the temple polluted by the wor ship of Adonis—the consequent judgment on the mhabitants of Jerusalem and on the priests,—and closing with promises of happier times and a purer worship (ch. viii.-xi.) 4. A series of reproofs and warnings directed especially against the particular errors and pre judices then prevalent amongst his contemporaries (ch. xii.-xix.) 5. Another series of warnings delivered about a year later, announcing the coming judgments to be yet nearer (ch. xx.-xxiii.) 6. Predictions uttered two years and five months later, when Jerusalem was besieged, announcing to the captives that very day as the commencement of the siege (comp. 2 Kings xxv. r), and assuring
them of its complete overthrow (ch. xxiv.) 7. Predictions against foreign nations (ch. xxv. xxxii.) S. After the destruction of Jerusalem a pro phetic representation of the triumph of Israel and of the kingdom of God on earth (ch. xxxiii. xxxix. ) 9. Symbolic representation of Messianic times and of the establishment and prosperity of the kingdom of God (ch. xl.-xlviii.) The latter part of the book has always been regarded as very obscure. It will be seen by the brief notices of the contents of the sections which we have given above, that Havemick considers the whole to relate to Messianic times. The pre dictions respecting Gag (ch. xxxviii., xxxix.) have been referred by some to Antiachus Epiphanes ; by others to Cambyses, to the Chaldxans, the Scythians, the Turks, etc. Mr. Granville Penn has interpreted them of Napoleon and the French (The Prophecy of Ezekiel concerning Gogue, etc., 1815). The description of the temple (ch xl. xliii.) has been thought by many to contain an account of what Solomon's temple was ; by others, of what the second temple should be. The difficulties of all these hypotheses seem to be in superable. We have only space to say that we fully accord with the view of Havernick, to whom we are greatly indebted for the materials of the present article.—F. W. G.
[Commentaries. — cEcolampadius, Bas. 1548, fol. ; Calvin [in capp. 20 priora], Gen. 1565, 8vo, 1583, fol.; Pradus and Villapandus, Rom. 1596-1604, 3 vols. fol. ; Greenhill, Lond. 1694, 4to, new edition by Sherman, Lond. 1837 ; Newcome, Land. 1785, 4to, 1836, 8vo ; Ewald, Stuttg. 1840; Havernick, Erlang, 1843; Umbreit, Hamb. 1843; Hitzig., Leipz. 1847; Fairbairn, Edin. 1851; Henderson, Lond. 1855. The valuable commentaries of D. Kimchi is in Buxtorf's Biblia Rabbinica ; and the commentary of Rashi is printed with others in Ezekiel Heb. c. vers. germ., etc., Furth, 1812].