Ezekiel 16:9-14

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 16:9

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

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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