Ezekiel 16:4-14

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 16:12

And I put a jewel on thy forehead ,.... The same with the nose jewel, which was hung upon the forehead, and reached down to the nose and mouth; and, however disagreeable it may seem to us, was reckoned very ornamental in the eastern countries, Isaiah 3:21 ; and where now, as in Persia, as well as in all the Levant, the women put rings through their noses, which they pierce with needles, as Monsieur Thevenot F26 Travels, par. 2. B. 2. c. 9. p. 94. relates; so Dr. Shaw F1 Travels,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 16:13

Thus wast thou decked with gold and silver ,.... The Targum interprets it of the tabernacle adorned with gold and silver, and linen curtains, of various dies and colours; but it refers to the ornaments, bracelets, chain, earrings, and crown before, mentioned; see Psalm 45:9 ; and thy raiment was of fine linen, and silk, and broidered work ; See Gill on Ezekiel 16:10 ; with this compare Revelation 19:8 ; thou didst eat fine flour, and honey, and oil ; which did not a little... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 16:14

And thy renown went forth among the Heathen for thy beauty ,.... Which consisted of the above things: with this compare Deuteronomy 6:4 , Psalm 48:2 ; the church's beauty lies in the righteousness of Christ imputed, to her; in the holiness of Christ reckoned unto her; in the blood of Christ being upon her, by which she is washed and cleansed, justified and pardoned; and in the graces of the Spirit of Christ implanted in her; and in the salvation of Christ she is interested in; and in the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 16:4

As for thy nativity, etc. - This verse refers to what is ordinarily done for every infant on its birth. The umbilical cord, by which it received all its nourishment while in the womb, being no longer necessary, is cut at a certain distance from the abdomen: on this part a knot is tied, which firmly uniting the sides of the tubes, they coalesce, and incarnate together. The extra part of the cord on the outside of the ligature, being cut off from the circulation by which it was originally fed,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 16:5

Thou wast cast out in the open field - This is an allusion to the custom of some heathen and barbarous nations, who exposed those children in the open fields to be devoured by wild beasts who had any kind of deformity, or whom they could not support. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 16:6

I said - Live - I received the exposed child from the death that awaited it, while in such a state as rendered it at once an object of horror, and also of compassion. - Modo primos Edere vagitus, et adhuc a matre rubentem read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 16:8

Was the time of love - Thou wast marriageable. I spread my skirt over thee - I espoused thee. This was one of their initiatory marriage ceremonies. See Rth 3:9. I - entered into a covenant with thee - Married thee. Espousing preceded marriage. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 16:10

I clothed thee also with broidered work - Cloth on which various figures, in various colors, were wrought by the needle. With badgers'skin - See Exodus 25:6 . The same kind of skin with which the tabernacle was covered. Fine linen - בשש beshesh , with cotton. I have seen cloth of this kind enveloping the finest mummies. I covered thee with silk - משי meshi . Very probably the produce of the silk-worm. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 16:12

I put a jewel on thy forehead - אפך על al appech , upon thy nose. This is one of the most common ornaments among ladies in the east. European translators, not knowing what to make of a ring in the nose, have rendered it, a jewel on thy forehead or mouth, (though they have sometimes a piece of gold or jewel fastened to the center of their forehead.) I have already spoken of this Asiatic custom, so often referred to in the sacred writings: see Genesis 24:22 , Genesis 24:42 ; Exodus... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 16:13

Thus wast thou decked, etc. - The Targum understands all this of the tabernacle service, the book of the law, the sacerdotal vestments, etc. Thou didst prosper into a kingdom - Here the figure explains itself: by this wretched infant, the low estate of the Jewish nation in its origin is pointed out; by the growing up of this child into woman's estate, the increase and multiplication of the people; by her being decked out and ornamented, her tabernacle service, and religious ordinances;... read more

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