Ezekiel 16:4 NIV

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ezekiel 16:4

Ezekiel 16:4. As for thy nativity, &c. “Jerusalem is here represented under the image of an exposed infant, whom God preserved from destruction, brought up, espoused and exalted in sovereignty. But she proved faithless and abandoned; and therefore God threatens her with severe vengeance, but graciously promises that afterward he would fulfil his early covenant with her. The allegory is easily understood; and has much force, liveliness, and vehemence of eloquent amplification. The images... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 16:1-43

The unfaithfulness of Jerusalem (16:1-43)In this chapter Ezekiel describes Judah’s relationship with Yahweh by means of a long and colourful illustration. The ancient nation Israel began life in Canaan as a hated people of mixed blood and mixed culture. It was like an unwanted baby girl thrown out at birth and left to die (16:1-5). Then a passing traveller (Yahweh) picked the baby up and gave it a chance to live. The girl survived and grew, though without training or upbringing (6-7).Many years... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ezekiel 16:4

to supple = to cleanse. salted : i.e., rubbed, or washed with salt. This is the custom in the Land to = day. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Ezekiel 16:4

Ezekiel 16:4. And as for thy nativity— "Thou wast abandoned like an infant, whereof no care is taken, and which is about to be exposed." The expressions used in this verse allude to the customs observed by eastern nations at the birth of their children; and the design of the prophet is to mark out that state of impurity wherein the Hebrews were found in Egypt; plunged in idolatry and ignorance, and oppressed with cruel servitude. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ezekiel 16:4

4. Israel's helplessness in her first struggling into national existence, under the image of an infant (Hosea 2:3) cast forth without receiving the commonest acts of parental regard. Its very life was a miracle (Hosea 2:3- :). navel . . . not cut—Without proper attention to the navel cord, the infant just born is liable to die. neither . . . washed in water to supple thee—that is, to make the skin soft. Rather, "for purification"; from an Arabic root [MAURER]. GESENIUS translates as the Margin,... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ezekiel 16:1-5

The birth of Jerusalem 16:1-5 read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ezekiel 16:3-4

Yahweh personified Jerusalem as a woman (cf. Isaiah 1:21), and he related her history as a parable (allegory). In this parable Jerusalem represents the people of Jerusalem (a metonymy), but it is the people of Jerusalem throughout Israel’s history that are particularly in view. Some interpreters take Jerusalem as representing Israel as a nation. [Note: E.g., Cooper, p. 167; Feinberg, p. 86; and Taylor, p. 133.] Others believe Jerusalem identifies the city that is only similar to the nation in... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 16:1-63

The Foundling Child who became an Unfaithful WifeFrom Hosea onwards the prophets spoke of idolatry under the figure of unchastity. God was the husband of Israel, but she proved unfaithful to Him. This thought has already been expressed by Ezekiel in Ezekiel 6:9, and it is now expanded into an elaborate historical allegory. The subject is nominally the city of Jerusalem, but really the whole nation of Israel. Jerusalem was a girl-child of heathen extraction, who was exposed in infancy to die... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ezekiel 16:4

(4) Washed in water to supple thee.—The various particulars of this and the following verse describe a child cast out into the field immediately upon its birth, unpitied by any one, and in a condition in which it must soon have perished. Neither the text nor the margin seems to have hit upon the sense of the word translated “to supple,” the probable meaning of which is “to cleanse.” The rubbing of the body of the new-born infant with salt, a custom still prevailing in some parts of the east,... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Ezekiel 16:1-63

Ezekiel 16:6 Weakness can speak and cry when we have not a tongue. And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said to thee, Live. The kirk could not speak one word to Christ then; but blood and guiltiness out of measure spake, and drew out of Christ pity, and a word of life and love. Samuel Rutherford. Ezekiel 16:14-15 When one is in bed and really ill, one would gladly sacrifice one's complexion or one's bright eyes to regain health and enjoy the sunshine. And... read more