18. sew pillows to . . . armholes--rather, elbows and wrists, for
which the false prophetesses made cushions to lean on, as a symbolical
act, typifying the perfect tranquility which they foretold to those
consulting them. Perhaps they made their dupes rest on these cushions in
a fancied state of ecstasy after they had made them at first
stand (whence the expression, "every stature," is used
for "men of every age"). As the men are said to have built a
wall
(Eze 13:10),
so the women are said to sew pillows, &c., both alike typifying the
"peace" they promised the impenitent.
make kerchiefs--magical veils, which they put over the heads of
those consulting them, as if to fit them for receiving a response, that
they might be rapt in spiritual trance above the world.
head of every stature--"men of every age," old and young, great and
small, if only these had pay to offer them.
hunt souls--eagerly trying to allure them to the love of yourselves
(Pr 6:26;
2Pe 2:14),
so as unwarily to become your prey.
will ye save . . . souls . . . that come unto you--Will ye haul after
souls, and when they are yours ("come unto you"), will ye
promise them life? "Save" is explained
(Eze 13:22),
"promising life" [GROTIUS]. CALVIN explains, "Will ye hunt My people's souls and yet
will ye save your own souls"; I, the Lord God, will not allow
it. But "save" is used
(Eze 13:19)
of the false prophetesses promising life to the impenitent, so
that English Version and GROTIUS explain it
best.
JFB.
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