Ezekiel 16

3 an Amorite . . . a Hittite. The Hittites and Amorites were two of the chief Canaanite tribes; and Israel is here connected with them to show how she had manifested the very propensities to evil which had caused their extermination. For the same reason Sodom is called her “sister” (46, 49).

4 supple. Rather, “cleanse,” as R.V.

thou wast not salted. Salt was anciently applied to new-born infants; partly, perhaps, to harden the skin.

5 to the loathing of thy person. Rather, “with contempt of thy life.”

6 polluted. Better, as R.V., “weltering.”

7 whereas thou wast naked and bare. Rather, “and thou (still) wast naked and bare.” This part of the description refers to the sojourn of the Israelites in Egypt, when they were greatly increased in numbers, but were much distressed.

8. I spread My skirt over thee. A phrase expressive of entering into the marriage relation (Ruth iii. 9). The reference is to Sinai and to the covenant into which Jehovah then entered with the people.

12 a jewel upon thy forehead. R.V., “a ring upon thy nose”: a prized ornament in the East.

15 because of thy renown. Instead of regarding all their privileges as God’s unmerited gifts, and using them for His glory, they looked upon them as their own, prided themselves in them, and perverted them into occasions of sin.

24 an eminent place. Or, “a vaulted chamber,” as R.V., marg.

26 fornication with the Egyptians. This refers probably as much to political alliances with Egypt as to the adoption of its idolatry; both of which involved the guilt of unfaithfulness to God (Isa. xxxi.).

27 the daughters of the Philistines. Here put for the Philistines. Wicked as they are, they have not apostatised like you: see Jer. ii. 10, 11.

31 thou scornest hire. You persist in your wicked courses, not because there is anything to be gained by them, but from love to the sins themselves.

33 thou givest thy gifts, etc. The conduct of king Ahaz in purchasing aid from Assyria by the gold and silver of the Temple has been cited as an apt illustration of this passage.

37. I will even gather them round about against thee. Your associates in sin shall be the instruments of your punishment.

38. I will give thee blood in fury and jealousy. Or, as R.V., “I will bring upon thee the blood of fury and jealousy.”

42 make . . . to rest. i.e., “satisfy.” So R.V.

46 thy left hand . . . thy right hand. i.e., looking eastward from the Temple hill.

47 thou wast corrupted more than they. Having sinned against fuller knowledge and greater privileges (see ver. 27).

51 hast justified thy sisters. See Jer. iii. 11, and note.

52. When I shall bring again their captivity. See note on Job xlii. 10. The fulfilment of such predictions is not in the literal restoration of Sodom and Samaria, but in the ingathering of the heathen into the Church. “A divine mercy which embraces in its sweep those communities which had reached the lowest depths of moral corruption” (Skinner).

56 was not mentioned by thy mouth. It was not mentioned, as being unworthy of thy notice.

57 of [thy] reproach. Rather, “of the reproach” (R.V.); i.e., the disgrace which they inflicted on thee by invading the land.

59 the oath. The oath of fidelity to Me: see Exod. xxiv. 3, 8; Josh. xxiv. 22.

61 thine elder and thy younger. That is, thy elder ones and thy younger ones. Both the words are plural; referring not to Samaria and Sodom merely, but to the nations in general which shall be admitted into the Church: see Isa. ii. 2-4; liv. 1-3.

not by thy covenant. Not by such alliances as thou hast wickedly formed of old; but according to Jehovah’s covenant.