Ezekiel 23

Ezekiel 23:2

THere were] that is to say, my people have beene divided into two Kingdomes, of the ten tribes, and of Judah, both come of one Nation, namely, Israel, see Jer. 3. 7. 8. 10. Ezek. 16. 44. 45.

Ezekiel 23:3

Commited whoredomes] spiritually by Idolatry, There were] a figurative description of the peoples first going astray after Idolls.

Ezekiel 23:4

Aholah] the Italian Ohola] these are feigned names, fitted to the state of these two Kingdomes in respect of Religion: for Aholah, or Ohola signifieth her Tabernacle, because that the ten tribes having forsaken the Temple of God, had established a worship of God according to their owne minds, 1 Kings 12. 16. 28. 31 Aholibah or Ohdiba] signifieth my Tabernacle is in her, for the pure worship of God remained amongst the Jewes in the Temple, 2 Chron. 13. 10. 11 Samari] the head of the ten tribes, Isaiah 7:9. as Jerusalem was of Judah.

Ezekiel 23:5

When she was mine] the Italian, receiving others in my place] Heb. under mee which may be understood thus, being my wife, subject to mee, Loved] an ordinary title for prophane Nations; with which Gods people joyned in idolatrie and impurity, neighbours] after the Assyrians had conquered Syria, which bordered upon the ten tribes.

Ezekiel 23:6

Cloathed] a magnificent gentle, rich, and powerfull Nation.

Ezekiel 23:8

From Egypt] He seemes to have a relation to the golden Caves set up by Jeroboam in imitation of the Calfe Apis, dedicated to the Egyptians chiefest Idoll, Serapis; see upon Exodus 32:4. this may also be understood of the unlawfull covenants made with Egypt, 2 Kings 17:4.

Ezekiel 23:10

Discovered] that is to say, They have shamefully punished her; a terme taken from the disgraces which are done to poore women which are taken in the warres, Isa. 20. 4. and 47. 3. or from the shamefull punishment of Strumpets, slew her] namely, the body of the Nations, famous] that is to say, A noted and memorable example of Gods judgements.

Ezekiel 23:14

When she saw] a description of an unbridled lust, like a woman that should fall in love with strangers that are absent onely by seeing their picture, and should send to seeke after them into a farre countrey.

Ezekiel 23:17

Her mind] that is to say, The Jewes have broken the league which they had made with the Chaldeans, to joyne with the Egyptians, their enemies and emulators, 2 Kings 24. 1. 20.

Ezekiel 23:18

She discovered] Shee hath publikely prostituted her selfe.

Ezekiel 23:19

She multipled] She hath also had shamefull doings with the Egyptians, putting her whole confidence and trust in their reliefe and friend-ship, contrary to the faith they owed to God.

Ezekiel 23:20

Whose flesh] these are termes taken from the shamefull lusts of unchaste women, and doe shew the strength and riches of Egypt, which moved the Jewes to make a league with them.

Ezekiel 23:21

Of thy growth] The meaning is, the Egyptians tooke occasion to perswade thee to idolatry when thou wert 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 Maid, if hee were seduced, might partly be excused for her simplicity, which a married woman that is of full age cannot plead.

Ezekiel 23:23

Ped] Names of some people of Asia, which were subjects to Nebuchadnezzar, of which his army was also composed, Jerem, 50. 21.

Ezekiel 23:24

To their Iudgements] they shall indeed be my judgements, but I will leave the execution of them to their discretions; 〈…〉 hee doth oppose mens judgments which are without mercy, to the judgements of God, which are alwayes tempered with some clemencie, see 2 Samuel 24:14. Zechariah 1:15.

Ezekiel 23:25

Take away] the Italian cut off] manners of speaking, taken from the ignominious punishments used in some countreys towards adulterous women, or from the cruelties of enemies enraged against their prisoners, before they kill them.

Ezekiel 23:27

From the land] 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 23:29

Shall be discovered] even as a male factors misdeeds are discovered when he is once sentenced to death.

Ezekiel 23:31

Of thy sister] namely, of the ten tribes, will I give] that is to say, I will inflict the same punishment upon thee, a terme taken from the ancient manner of feasting, where every one had his portion of meat and drinke given them, see Psal. 75. 8. Jeremiah 25:15.

Ezekiel 23:34

Breake] Thou shalt grow mad therewith, like to a drunken man, who, after he is overcome with wine, will breake the cups and the pos, and will teare his flesh with his nailes, and with his teeth, Jeremiah 25:16.

Ezekiel 23:38

They have] They have openly derided and mocked mee, making a shew, as if they would doe me some service in my Temple, at appointed times, see Ezekiel 20:39. Or they have even committed these abominations in my Temple, and upon Holidayes, see 2 Kings 21:4. Jerem. 11. 15. Ezek. 8. 3 6.

Ezekiel 23:40

Yee have sent] A figurative description of the prophane entertainment given to the Chaldeans, Egyptians, and others, sent for by the Jews, to treat about unlawfull covenants: taken from a Whores preparation, when she entertaineth her expected Ruffian, Wash thy selfe] he directs his speech to either of them two, namely, Ahola, or Aholibah.

Ezekiel 23:41

Vpon a] According to the manner of many ancient Nations, and also of the Jews, namely, at their most solemne feasts, to sit, or lye upon beds, Est. 16. & 78. & 6. 4. John 13:25.mine incense] namely, which thou hast received of me, together with other blessings, and with which they did rub and anoint themselves at banquets and publique feasts. Hee would say that she had employed Gods gifts in gaining the favour and friendship of prophane nations.

Ezekiel 23:42

With her] The Italian, in her] that is to say, Jerusalem and Samaria upon these occasions have been full of strangers, walking, and taking their pleasures, like fornicators in a brothelhouse, with the men] the Italian besides the men] besides those great and noble nations, as the Chaldeans; the Jewes have also desired the friendship and reliefe of the Arabians, the Ethiopians, and other base nations, who thinking themselves much honoured by such a request, have carryed them preseus, which the nobler nations have not done, but have received presents of the Jewes, Ezek. 16. 33. 34.

Ezekiel 23:43

Vnto her] the Italian of her] of or to either of those nations which were growne old in their idolatrie, now] words of disdaine; as much as to say, now they will satisfie their unbridled lust, having all these fornicators at their command.

Ezekiel 23:45

Righteous men] namely, the Assyrians, and Chaldeans have executions of Gods justice, who shall have a just cause, according to mens opinions, to revenge themselves of the Jewes and Israelites perjuries and rebellions.

Ezekiel 23:48

All women] namely, Nations and Cities, especially those where God hath planted his Church.

Ezekiel 23:49

Your lewdnesse] namely, the just punishment for it.