THEOSISJerome of Stridon
The spirit elevated me and led me to the eastern gate of the Lord’s house, oriented toward the rise of the sun. The glory of the Lord had left the entrance of the temple and rested upon the cherubim. Once the cherubim moved on, that same glory paused at the entrance of the eastern gate of the Lord’s house. Since the prophet could not approach on his own, he was taken in the spirit to the eastern gate of the Lord’s house, aligned with the Sun of righteousness, of whom it is said, “Behold the Man, the east is His name” (Zechariah 6:12). This was so that he would not stay within the temple, shrouded by the cloud of ignorance, but rather, standing at the eastern gate of the Lord’s house, he could understand the mysteries that lie beyond. Further see vv. 2.
And behold, there were twenty-five men at the gate's entrance. Among them, I observed Jesoniah, the son of Azura, and Phaltia, the son of Banaeus, leaders of the people. Then the Lord addressed me, saying, "Son of man, look upon these men; they harbor wickedness in their hearts and provide the most harmful counsel in this city. They ask, 'How long will the houses stand?' They claim, 'He is the cauldron, and we are the meat.' Therefore, prophesy against them, son of man." The Spirit of the Lord descended upon me, and directed me to speak. "Thus says the Lord: You have spoken this, O house of Israel, and I know the intentions of your hearts. You have slain many in this city and have filled its streets with the dead.
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Therefore, this is what the Lord God declares: Your slain whom you have placed in the midst of the city are like meat in a cauldron, but I will take you out from its midst. You dread the sword, yet I will bring the sword upon you, says the Lord God. I will cast you out of its midst and hand you over to your enemies while executing judgment upon you. You shall fall by the sword; I will judge you within the borders of Israel, and you will know that I am the Lord. It shall not be a cauldron for you, nor will you be the meat within it. I will judge you in Israel, and you will know that I am the Lord. For you have not followed my commandments nor kept my statutes, but have acted according to the ordinances of the surrounding nations." The prophet will be taken up as it is written, "Receive the meek of the Lord" (Psalms 146:6), or he shall be lifted from the earth and brought to the east gate of the house of the Lord, to uncover the secrets of the twenty-five men at the gate entrance, including Jesoniah, son of Azur, and Phaltia, son of Banaeus, the leaders of the people.