Ezekiel 12:10

10. This burden concerneth the prince in Jerusalem This is a very difficult phrase. Jeremiah had already used the word “burden” for a heavy and fear-inciting utterance of Jehovah (Jeremiah 23:33), and this may be the meaning here. Or does it mean that this bearing, or leading, has reference to the prince (Ezekiel 12:12), David’s son? This reference to the prince must have been very dangerous to the popularity of the prophet.

Reverence for the king, “the son of David,” the “anointed of Jehovah,” was highly developed in Israel. The religion and Messianic hope of everlasting dominion seemed bound up with the Davidic dynasty. But Ezekiel, except in one doubtful passage, never calls Zedekiah king. He considered the glory of the state as well as of the temple to have departed. This so-called king is but a vassal of Nebuchadnezzar, and deserves no kingly dignity or allegiance (Skinner). He, as well as the priests and the captains, is involved in the universal guilt and must meet the penalty.

And all the house of Israel that are among them R.V., “all the house of Israel, among whom they are,” or, all the house of Israel which is in the midst of it (Kautzsch, Davidson).