Matthew Henry on Ezekiel 12:17-20
Here again the prophet is made a sign to them of the desolations that were coming on Judah and Jerusalem. 1. He must himself eat and drink in care and fear, especially when he was in company, Eze 12:17, Eze 12:18. Though he was under no apprehension of danger to himself, but lived in safety and plenty, yet he must eat his bread with quaking (the bread of sorrows, Psa 127:2) and drink his water with trembling and with carefulness, that he might express the calamitous condition of those that should be in Jerusalem during the siege; not that he must dissemble and pretend to be in fear and care when really he was not; but having to foretel this judgment, to show that he firmly believed it himsel…
Read the whole note in the consoleJamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 12:18
Symbolical representation of the famine and fear with which they should eat their scanty morsel, in their exile, and especially at the siege.
Adam Clarke on Ezekiel 12:18
Eat thy bread with quaking - Assume the manner of a person who is every moment afraid of his life, who has nothing but a morsel of bread to eat, and a little water to drink. Thus signifying the siege, and the straits to which they should be reduced. See this explained, Eze 12:19 (note).
John Gill on Ezekiel 12:18
Son of man, eat thy bread with quaking,.... As one in surprise or fear, or that has got an ague upon him:
and drink thy water with trembling and with carefulness; fearing want of it, or as apprehensive of danger of its being taken away; see Ezekiel 4:16.
John Calvin on Ezekiel 12:17-19
Ezekiel 12:17-19
17. Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
17. Et fuit sermo Iehovae ad me dicendo,
18. Son of man, eat thy bread with quaking, and drink thy water with trembling and with carefulness;
18. Fili hominis, panem tuam in tremore comede, et aquas tuas in tumultu et dolore [258] bibe;
19. And say unto the people of the land, Thus saith the Lord GOD of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and of the land of Israel; They shall eat their bread with carefulness, and drink their water with astonishment, that her land may be desolate from all that is therein, because of the violence of all them that dwell therein.
19. Et dices ad populum terrae, Sic dicit Dominator Iehovah ha…
