Verse 17
17. The judgments of Isaiah 66:15-16, likewise fall on nations or heathen as well as on Jews who still voluntarily drop themselves from the election of grace, and become measurably like the heathen.
They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens The same as described in Isaiah 65:3-4. These are the ancient idolaters among the Jews, of whom so much has been said in these prophecies. Their sins, past, present, and future, are considered as in one group, for which judgment of “fire” and “sword” is executed.
Gardens Enclosures containing trees and shrubs and aromatic plants, belonging to the wealthy, especially kings and nobles. When idolatry became common in Palestine these were used for polluting, idol worship.
Behind one tree in the midst The word “tree” is not in the Hebrew text, but the reading is: Behind one, one, or one after one. It is generally believed one file leader is the proper idea; he standing in the “midst,” giving instruction and direction in idolatrous procession along the groves of the garden, where swine’s flesh is sacrificed and eaten, with the abomination, and the mouse. What these were is very difficult to ascertain; but the sentiment indicates that nothing was too disgusting to be an object of idolatrous reverence in the days of the wicked kings of Israel and Judah. The retributive judgments of these verses are seemingly generic, and do their chastising work along the whole course of history pertaining to the abuses of Jehovah’s true religion. This entire subject is quite inscrutable still to the ablest critics.
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