On the fifth day of the month, the same was the fifth year of the captivity of king Joachin,

In the fifth of the month, it is the fifth year of the removal of the king Jehoiachin,

On the fifth day of the month, in the fifth year after King Jehoiachin had been made a prisoner,

In quinta mensis, ipse est annus quintus captivitatis regis Joiakim.

The Jewish date. This verse and Ezekiel 1:3, which seem rather to interrupt the course of the narrative, may have been added by the prophet when he revised and put together the whole book. The word "captivity" (as in Ezekiel 1:1) refers to the "transportation" of the king and others from their native to foreign soil. This policy of settling a conquered people in lands distant from their home, begun by the Assyrians, was continued by the Persians and by Alexander the Great. The Jews were specially selected for such settlements, and this was no doubt a Providential preparation for the Gospel, the dispersed Jews carrying with them the knowledge of the true God and the sacred Scriptures, and thus paving the way for the messengers of the kingdom of Christ.

Jehoiachin's captivity - Called also Jeconiah and Coniah; see 2-Kings 24:12. He was carried away by Nebuchadnezzar; see 2-Kings 24:14.

In the fifth day of the month,.... The month Tammuz, as before:
(which was the fifth year of Jehoiachin's captivity); the same with Jeconiah and Coniah, as he is sometimes called; he was taken by the king of Babylon, when he had reigned but three months, and his captivity held seven and thirty years, 2-Kings 24:8.

Jehoiachin's captivity--In the third or fourth year of Jehoiakim, father of Jehoiachin, the first carrying away of Jewish captives to Babylon took place, and among them was Daniel. The second was under Jehoiachin, when Ezekiel was carried away. The third and final one was at the taking of Jerusalem under Zedekiah.

The month - Thamus, as Ezekiel 1:1, answering to our June and July. Fifth year - This account observed will guide us in computing the times referred to Ezekiel 1:1. These five of Jehoiachin, and the eleven of his predecessor, added to fourteen of Josiah's reign, after he found the law, make up thirty years, Ezekiel 1:1. Jehoiachin - Who is also called Jechoniah, and Coniah. It may be of use to keep an account, when and where God has manifested himself to us in a peculiar manner. Remember, O my soul, what thou didst receive at such a time, at such a place: tell others what God did for thee.