Eze 17:15-17 | JFB | STEP | 15. he rebelled-- God permitted this because of His wrath against Jerusalem ( ). horses-- in which Egypt abounded and which were forbidden to Israel to seek from Egypt, or indeed to "multiply" at all ( ; , ; compare ). Diodorus Siculus [1.45] says that the whole region from Thebes to Memphis was filled with royal stalls, so that twenty thousand chariots with two horses in each could be furnished for war. Shall he prosper?-- The third time this question is asked, with an indignant denial understood ( , ). Even the heathen believed that breakers of an oath would not "escape" punishment.

‏ Ezekiel 17:15-17

15. he rebelled--God permitted this because of His wrath against Jerusalem (2Ki 24:20).

horses--in which Egypt abounded and which were forbidden to Israel to seek from Egypt, or indeed to "multiply" at all (De 17:16; Is 31:1, 3; compare Is 36:9). Diodorus Siculus [1.45] says that the whole region from Thebes to Memphis was filled with royal stalls, so that twenty thousand chariots with two horses in each could be furnished for war.

Shall he prosper?--The third time this question is asked, with an indignant denial understood (Eze 17:9, 10). Even the heathen believed that breakers of an oath would not "escape" punishment.

16. in the place where the king dwelleth--righteous retribution. He brought on himself in the worst form the evil which, in a mild form, he had sought to deliver himself from by perjured treachery, namely, vassalage (Eze 12:13; Jr 32:5; 34:3; 52:11).

17. Pharaoh--Pharaoh-hophra (Jr 37:7; 44:30), the successor of Necho (2Ki 23:29).

Neither ... make for him--literally, "effect (anything) with him," that is, be of any avail to Zedekiah. Pharaoh did not act in concert with him, for he was himself compelled to retire to Egypt.

by casting up mounts, &c.--So far from Pharaoh doing so for Jerusalem, this was what Nebuchadnezzar did against it (Jr 52:4). Calvin Maurer, &c., refer it to Nebuchadnezzar, "when Nebuchadnezzar shall cast up mounts."