Ezekiel 23

Ezekiel 23:2

TWo women] Meaning Israel and Judah, divided into two Kingdoms, both came out of one family. See Jer. 3 7, 8, 10. Chap. 16. 44, 45.

Ezekiel 23:3

And they committed whore oms] Leviticus 17:7. Joshua 24:14. Chap. 20. 8 Spiritually by idolatry.

there were their breasts pressed] A figurative description of the peoples first going astray after idols.

Ezekiel 23:4

Aholah the elder] Aholah signifieth a mansion or dwelling in her self; meaning Samaria, which was the Head Citie of the ten Tribes, Isa. 7. . who having forsaken the Temple of God, had established a worship of God according to their own mindes, 1 King. 12. 16, 28, 31. And Aholibah signifieth my mansion in her; whereby is meant Jerusalem, where Gods Temple was, in which the pure worship of God remained. 2 Chron. 13. 10, 11.

and they were mine] Chap. 16. 8. 20.

Ezekiel 23:5

when she was mine] Heb. under me. Which may be understood thus, Being my wife, subject to me.

her lovers] An ordinary title for profane nations, with which Gods people joyned in idolatry and impiety.

on the Assyrians her neighbours] 2 Kings 15:19. After the Assyrians had conquered Syria, which bordered upon the ten Tribes.

Ezekiel 23:6

clothed with blue] A magnificent, gentile, rich and powerfull nation.

Ezekiel 23:7

committed her whoredomes with them] Heb. bestowed her whoredoms upon them.

the chosen men of Assyria] Heb. the choice of the children of Asshur.

Ezekiel 23:8

from Egypt] He seems to have relation to the golden Calves set up by Jeroboam, in imitation of the Calfe Apis, dedicated to the Egyptians chiefest Idol Serapis; see Exodus 32:4. This may also be understood of the unlawfull Covenants made with Egypt, 2 Kings 17:4.

they lay with her] The holy Ghost useth these terms, which seem strange to chaste ears, to cause this wicked vice of idolatry so to be abhorred, that scarce any should abide to hear the name thereof mentioned.

Ezekiel 23:9

I have delivered her] 2 Kings 17. 3, 4, 5.

into the hand of the Assyrians] 2 Kings 17:23.

Ezekiel 23:10

Thse discovered her nakednesse] Chap. 16. 37. That is, they have shamefully punished her. A terme taken from the disgraces which are done to poor women taken in the wars. Isaiah 20:4. & Isaiah 47:3.

and slew her] Namely, the body of the Nation, taking away their Kingdom; whereof see 2 King. 17. 4, 5, 6. and 18. 11.

famous] Heb. a name. That is, a noted and memorable example of Gods judgements.

Ezekiel 23:11

her sister Aholibah] Jeremiah 3:8.

she was more corrupt in her inordinate love then she] Heb. she corrupted her inordinate love more then she.

more then her sister in her whoredoms] Heb. more then the whoredomes of her sister. Jeremiah 3:11. Chap. 16. 47.

Ezekiel 23:12

the Assyrians] 2 Kings 16. 7. Chap. 16. 28.

Ezekiel 23:14

men pourtrayed upon the wall] A description of unbridled lust; like a woman that should fall in love with strangers that are absent, onely by seeing their pictures, and should send to seek after them into farre countreys.

Ezekiel 23:16

assoon as she saw them with her eyes] Heb. at the sight of her eyes.

Ezekiel 23:17

Babylonians] Heb. children of Babel.

her minde was alienated from them] Heb. loosed, or, disjoynted. That is, the Jews have broken the league which they had made with the Chaldeans, to joyn with the Egyptians, their enemies and emulators. 2 Kings 24:1; 2 Kings 24:20.

my minde was alienated] Jeremiah 6:8.

Ezekiel 23:19

Yet she multiplied her whoredoms] She hath also had shamefull doings with the Egyptians, putting confidence and trust in their relief and friendship, contrary to the faith they owed to God.

Ezekiel 23:20

their paramours] Heb. concubines. By the Egyptians Concubines or Paramours are to be understood the neighbouring nations, adhering to them, and imitating their idolatry.

whose flesh is as the flesh of asses] Chap. 16. 26. These are termes taken from the shamelesse lusts of unchaste women, and do shew the strength and riches of Egypt; which moved the Jews to make a league with them.

Ezekiel 23:21

the paps of thy youth] The meaning is, the Egyptians took occasion to perswade thee to idolatrie, when thou wast in thy spirituall childhood, by reason thou hadst but small knowledge and experience of my pure worship; which thou canst not now pretend, being fully instructed in it: as a young maide, if she were seduced, might partly be excused for her simplicity, which a married woman that is of full age cannot plead.

Ezekiel 23:22

Behold, I will raise] Chap. 16. 37.

Ezekiel 23:23

Pekod, and Shoa] Names of some people of Asia, which were subjects to Nebuchadnezzar, of which his army was also composed. Jeremiah 50:21.

Ezekiel 23:24

according to their judgements] They shall indeed be my judgements, but I will leave the execution of them to their discretions. Or, he doth oppose mens judgements, which are without mercy, to the judgements of God, which are alwayes tempered with some clemency. See 2 Samuel 24:14. Zac 1:15.

Ezekiel 23:25

they shall take away thy nose] A kinde of speech taken from the ignominious punishments used in some Countreys against adulterous women: or, from the cruelties of enemies enraged against prisoners, before they kill them. Others, they shall destroy the Princes and Priests with the rest of thy people.

Ezekiel 23:26

They shall strip thee] Chap. 16. 39.

fair jewels] Heb. instruments of thy decking.

Ezekiel 23:27

Thus will I make thy lewdnesse] Chap. 22. 15.

from the land of Egypt] I will hinder thee from going any more into Egypt to commit fornication. Or, I will cause thy fornication which thou hast brought out of the land of Egypt to cease.

Ezekiel 23:28

whom thou hatest] Chap. 16. 37.

from whom] Vers. 17.

Ezekiel 23:29

all thy labour] All thy treasures and riches which thou hast gotten by labour.

shall be discovered] Even as a malefactors misdeeds are discovered, when he is once sentenced to death. Or, all the world shall see thy shamefull forsaking of God to serve idols.

Ezekiel 23:31

of thy sister] Namely of the ten tribes.

I will give her cup into thine hand] I will execute the same judgements and vengeance against thee. A terme taken from the ancient manner of feasting, where every one had his portion of meat and drink given him. See Psalms 75:8. Jerem. 25. 15. Matth 20. 23.

Ezekiel 23:35

and cast me behind thy back] 1 Kings 14:9. Nehem. 9. 26.

Ezekiel 23:36

judge Aholah] Chap. 20. 4. and 22. 2. Or plead for.

Ezekiel 23:37

and bloud is in] Chap. 16. 38.

devoure them] Read Chap. 16. 20.

Ezekiel 23:38

they have defiled] They have openly derided and mocked me, making a shew as if they would do me some service in my Temple at appointed times. See Chap. 20. 39. Or they have committed these abominations in my Temple and upon holy dayes. See 2 Kings 21:4. Jeremiah 11:15. Chap. 8. 3. 6.

Ezekiel 23:39

thus have they done] 2 Kings 21:4.

Ezekiel 23:40

that ye have sent for men] A figurative description of the profane entertainment given to the Chaldeans, Egyptians, and others sent for by the Jews, to treat of unlawfull covenants, taken from a whores preparation when she entertaineth her expected russian.

to come] Heb. coming.

wash thy self] He directeth his speech to either of them two, namely, Aholah, or Aholibah.

Ezekiel 23:41

stately bed] Heb. honourable. According to the manner of many ancient Nations, and also of the Jews, who at their most solemne feasts used to sit or lie upon beds, Esth. 1. 6. and 7. 8. John 13:25.

whereupon thou hast set] Proverbs 7:17.

mine incense and mine oyl] Which thou hadst received of me together with other blessings, and with which they did rub and anoint themselves at banquets and publike feasts. As if he would say, she had imployed Gods gifts in gaining the favour and friendship of profane Nations, Isaiah 57:9.

Ezekiel 23:42

with her] Heb. in her. Namely, Jerusalem and Samaria upon these occasions have been full of strangers, walking, and taking their pleasures, like fornicatours in a brothelhouse.

with the men] Heb. to the men. That is, besides those great and noble Nations, the Jews have also desired the friendship and relief of the Arabians, Ethiopians, and other base Nations, who thinking themselves much honoured by such a request, have carried them presents, which the nobler Nations have not done, but have received presents of the Jews, Chap. 16. 33, 34.

of the common sort] Heb. of the multitude of men.

Sabeans] Or, drunkards.

Ezekiel 23:43

unto her that was] To either of those Nations which were grown old in their idolatrie.

they now commit] Words of disdain, as much as to say, Now they will satisfie their unbridled lust, having all their fornicatours at their command: sometime with the one, sometime with the other.

whoredomes with her] Heb. her whoredomes.

Ezekiel 23:45

righteous men] Namely, the Assyrians and Chaldeans executioners of Gods justice, who shall have a just cause according to mens opinions, to revenge themselves of the Jewes and Israelites perjuries and rebellions. Or, your lewdnesse is such, that all just men shall judge you worthy of all that befals you.

judge them after] Chap. 16. 38.

Ezekiel 23:46

I will bring up] Chap. 16. 40.

to be removed and spoiled] Heb. for a removing and spoil.

Ezekiel 23:47

dispatch them] Or, single them out.

Ezekiel 23:48

Thus will I cause] Chap. 22. 15.

all women may be taught] Meaning, all other Cities and Countries, especially those where God hath planted his Church.

Ezekiel 23:49

your lewdnesse upon you] Namely, the just punishment for it.