Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 16:6-14

In there verses we have an account of the great things which God did for the Jewish nation in raising them up by degrees to be very considerable. 1. God saved them from the ruin they were upon the brink of in Egypt (Ezek. 16:6): ?When I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thy own blood, loathed and abandoned, and appointed to die, as sheep for the slaughter, then I said unto thee, Live. I designed thee for life when thou wast doomed to destruction, and resolved to save thee from death.?... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 16:6

And when I passed by thee ,.... Alluding to a traveller passing by where an infant lies, exposed, and looks upon it, and takes it up; or it may be to Pharaoh's daughter walking by the river side, when she spied the ark in which Moses was, and ordered it to be taken up, and so saved his life: and saw thee in thine own blood ; keeping up the simile of a newborn infant, that has nothing done to it, but is all over covered with menstruous blood; denoting the wretched and miserable estate the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 16:7

I have caused thee to multiply as the bud of the field ,.... Or, "made thee millions" F13 רבבה "millia dedi", Pagninus, Montanus; "in multa millia", Tigurine version; "in myriadem te auxi", Piscator; so Ben Melech. ; like the spires of grass in the field. This refers to the multiplication of the children of Israel in Egypt, especially after the death of Joseph, and even while they were sorely afflicted, and likewise in later times. Jacob went down to Egypt with seventy five persons... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 16:8

Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee ,.... Which the Targum refers to the Lord's appearance to Moses in the bush; See Gill on Ezekiel 16:6 ; behold, thy time was the time of love ; which the Targum explains of the time of redemption of the people of Israel out of Egypt, which was an instance of the great love of God unto that people; and which time was fixed by him; and when it was come, at the exact and precise time, the redemption was wrought; see Genesis 15:13 ; and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 16:9

Then washed I thee with water ,.... Brought the Israelites out of the mean, abject, servile, and sordid state in which they were, when among the mortar, bricks, and pots, into a state of liberty; so the Targum, "and I redeemed you from the servitude of the Egyptians; and I removed the strength of dominion from you, and brought you into liberty;' perhaps some reference may be had to the ceremonial ablutions enjoined them; they were washed before the covenant was made with them at Mount... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 16:10

I clothed thee also, with broidered work ,.... Or, "with needle work" F17 רקמה "veste acupicta", Vatablus, Grotius; "acupicto", Montanus, Cocceius, Starckius. ; with garments of divers colours, like Joseph's coat; perhaps it may refer to the rich raiment borrowed of the Egyptians, when they came out from thence. So the Targum, "and I clothed you with various garments, the desirable things of your enemies;' and which, with their other clothes, waxed not old all the while they were... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 16:11

And I decked thee also with ornaments ,.... The Targum interprets this of the ornament of the words of the law; see Proverbs 1:8 ; but may be as well understood of good works done in obedience to them, from a right principle, and to right ends; which adorn professors of religion, their profession, and the doctrines of Christ, which they profess, 1 Timothy 2:9 ; or rather the graces of the Spirit, which are all of them very ornamental to the saints, as faith, hope, love, humility,... read more

John Gill

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

Group of Brands