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, p. 241. Ed. 2. says that nose jewels are used still by the Levant Arabs. The Targum applies it to the ark, thus,

"and I put the ark of my covenant among you;'

but may be better applied a public profession of religion, which every good man ought to make, and take up from principles of grace received; this is bearing the name of Christ and the name of his Father in their foreheads; which is very ornamental to the believer, and well pleasing to Christ, Romans 10:9 ;

and earrings in thine ears . The Targum is,

"and the clouds of my glory overshadowed you;'

but it may be better interpreted of the spiritual ears God gives his people in conversion; by which they hear his word, so as to understand it; hear the voice of Christ, so as to distinguish it from the voice of a stranger; and hear his Gospel, so as to believe and receive it, approve of it, and love it, and act in conformity to it:

and a beautiful crown upon thine head . The Targum paraphrases it thus,

"and an angel, sent from before me, led at the head of you:'

referring to Exodus 23:20 ; with which Jarchi compares Micah 2:13 but may be better illustrated by the beautiful crown of twelve stars, the doctrine of the twelve apostles of Christ, said to he upon the head of the church; and is upon the head of every believer that holds the mystery of the faith in pure conscience; that holds fast the faithful word, and will not let it go, that so no man may take away his crown, Revelation 12:1 .