About Ezekiel

Ezekiel proclaimed God's judgment from Babylon, using dramatic visions and symbolic acts, while promising future restoration.

Author: EzekielWritten: c. 593-571 BCReading time: ~8 minVerses: 63
Glory of GodJudgmentRestorationNew HeartSovereigntyTemple

King James Version

Ezekiel 16

63 verses with commentary

Jerusalem's Unfaithfulness

Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

View commentary (3 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

This verse presents Word of the LORD came in Ezekiel's extended allegory of Jerusalem as God's bride. Introduction to allegory of unfaithful Jerusalem, illustrating God's grace in choosing, rescuing, and elevating Israel from nothing to covenant partnership. The imagery depicts the foundational gospel pattern—God's initiative in salvation, not human merit or initiative. Israel contributed nothing ...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**11. Jews ... in Moab--**who had fled thither at the approach of the Chaldeans. God thus tempered the severity of His vengeance that a remnant might be left.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

Son of man, cause Jerusalem to know her abominations,

View commentary (2 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

This verse presents Cause Jerusalem to know in Ezekiel's extended allegory of Jerusalem as God's bride. Confronting the city with its sins, illustrating God's grace in choosing, rescuing, and elevating Israel from nothing to covenant partnership. The imagery depicts the foundational gospel pattern—God's initiative in salvation, not human merit or initiative. Israel contributed nothing to her elect...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto Jerusalem; Thy birth and thy nativity is of the land of Canaan; thy father was an Amorite, and thy mother an Hittite. birth: Heb. cutting out, or, habitation

View commentary (4 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

This verse presents Thy birth and nativity in Ezekiel's extended allegory of Jerusalem as God's bride. Jerusalem's shameful origins, illustrating God's grace in choosing, rescuing, and elevating Israel from nothing to covenant partnership. The imagery depicts the foundational gospel pattern—God's initiative in salvation, not human merit or initiative. Israel contributed nothing to her election; Go...
Read full commentary →

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(3) **Thy birth and thy nativity is of the land of Canaan.**—In the original the words “births” and “nativities” are in the plural, already indicating what the whole context makes plain, that the reference is not to the natural, but to the spiritual origin of Israel. So our Lord says to the Jews of His time, “Ye are of your father, the devil” (John 8:44; comp. Matthew 3:9); and Isaiah addresses hi...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**13. in the fields--**not in the city, but scattered in the country (Jr 40:7).

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

And as for thy nativity, in the day thou wast born thy navel was not cut, neither wast thou washed in water to supple thee; thou wast not salted at all, nor swaddled at all. to supple: or, when I looked upon thee

View commentary (4 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

This verse presents Not salted nor swaddled in Ezekiel's extended allegory of Jerusalem as God's bride. Abandoned and uncared for, illustrating God's grace in choosing, rescuing, and elevating Israel from nothing to covenant partnership. The imagery depicts the foundational gospel pattern—God's initiative in salvation, not human merit or initiative. Israel contributed nothing to her election; God ...
Read full commentary →

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(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 rubbin...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**14. Baalis--**named from the idol Baal, as was often the case in heathen names. **Ammonites--**So it was to them that Ishmael went after murdering Gedaliah (Jr 41:10). **slay--**literally, "strike thee in the soul," that is, a deadly stroke. **Ishmael--**Being of the royal seed of David (Jr 41:1), he envied Gedaliah the presidency to which he thought himself entitled; therefore he leagued ...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

None eye pitied thee, to do any of these unto thee, to have compassion upon thee; but thou wast cast out in the open field, to the lothing of thy person, in the day that thou wast born.

View commentary (2 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

This verse presents Cast out in open field in Ezekiel's extended allegory of Jerusalem as God's bride. Rejected and left to die, illustrating God's grace in choosing, rescuing, and elevating Israel from nothing to covenant partnership. The imagery depicts the foundational gospel pattern—God's initiative in salvation, not human merit or initiative. Israel contributed nothing to her election; God ch...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live; yea, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live. polluted: or, trodden under foot

View commentary (4 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

In God's extended allegory of Jerusalem as abandoned infant, He declares: 'And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live; yea, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live.' The repetition of 'in thy blood' and the double command 'Live' emphasize God's sovereign, life-giving intervention. The Hebrew 'chayiy' (חֲיִי, 'L...
Read full commentary →

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(6) **Live.**—While they were in this condition, God took pity on them. He delivered them from their oppressors; He raised up a leader for them , He gave them a law and a Church, with its priesthood and its sacraments; He led them into the land of promise, delivered them from their enemies, and constituted them a nation under the most favourable circumstances for their growth and development in al...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**16. thou speakest falsely--**a mystery of providence that God should permit the righteous, in spite of warning, thus to rush into the trap laid for them! Is 57:1 suggests a solution.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

I have caused thee to multiply as the bud of the field, and thou hast increased and waxen great, and thou art come to excellent ornaments: thy breasts are fashioned, and thine hair is grown, whereas thou wast naked and bare. caused: Heb. made thee a million excellent: Heb. ornament of ornaments

View commentary (3 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

This verse presents Multiplied as bud of field in Ezekiel's extended allegory of Jerusalem as God's bride. God's gracious providential growth, illustrating God's grace in choosing, rescuing, and elevating Israel from nothing to covenant partnership. The imagery depicts the foundational gospel pattern—God's initiative in salvation, not human merit or initiative. Israel contributed nothing to her el...
Read full commentary →

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(7) **I have caused thee.**—Omit the “have,” and modify the tenses throughout the verse. “I caused thee . . . thou didst increase and wax tall . . . and came to beauty** . . .** were fashioned** . . .** was grown.” In the first clause, “caused thee to multiply,” the literal sense takes the place of the figurative; but the rest of the verse describes Israel as a young woman just growing up into the...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord GOD, and thou becamest mine.

View commentary (4 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

This verse presents Covered thy nakedness in Ezekiel's extended allegory of Jerusalem as God's bride. God's covenant covering and protection, illustrating God's grace in choosing, rescuing, and elevating Israel from nothing to covenant partnership. The imagery depicts the foundational gospel pattern—God's initiative in salvation, not human merit or initiative. Israel contributed nothing to her ele...
Read full commentary →

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(8) **Now when I passed by thee.**—Here, as in Ezekiel 16:6, omit the *when, *and render, “and I passed by thee.” Two separate visits are spoken of: the one in Israel’s infancy in Egypt, when God blessed and multiplied her (Ezekiel 16:6); the other when she had become a nation, and God entered into covenant with her in the Exodus and at Sinai. The verse describes this covenant in terms of the marr...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

CHAPTER 41 Jr 41:1-18. Ishmael Murders Gedaliah and Others, Then Flees to the Ammonites. Johanan Pursues Him, Recovers the Captives, and Purposes to Flee to Egypt for Fear of the Chaldeans. **1. seventh month--**the second month after the burning of the city (Jr 52:12, 13). **and the princes--**not the nominative. And the princes came, for the "princes" are not mentioned either in Jr 41:2 or in...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

Then washed I thee with water; yea, I throughly washed away thy blood from thee, and I anointed thee with oil. blood: Heb. bloods

View commentary (4 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

This verse presents Washed thee with water in Ezekiel's extended allegory of Jerusalem as God's bride. God's cleansing and purification, illustrating God's grace in choosing, rescuing, and elevating Israel from nothing to covenant partnership. The imagery depicts the foundational gospel pattern—God's initiative in salvation, not human merit or initiative. Israel contributed nothing to her election...
Read full commentary →

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(9-14) These verses describe the purifications and preparations for marriage to one of high rank (comp. Esther 2:9; Esther 2:12). The reality corresponding to the figure is, of course, the Divine care over Israel at Sinai, in the wilderness, and in the conquest of Canaan.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**2. slew him whom the king of Babylon had made governor--**This assigns a reason for their slaying him, as well as showing the magnitude of their crime (Da 2:21; Ro 13:1).

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

I clothed thee also with broidered work, and shod thee with badgers' skin, and I girded thee about with fine linen, and I covered thee with silk.

View commentary (4 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

This verse presents Clothed thee with embroidered work in Ezekiel's extended allegory of Jerusalem as God's bride. God's lavish provision and adornment, illustrating God's grace in choosing, rescuing, and elevating Israel from nothing to covenant partnership. The imagery depicts the foundational gospel pattern—God's initiative in salvation, not human merit or initiative. Israel contributed nothing...
Read full commentary →

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(10) **Badgers’ skin.**—See Exodus 25:5. The thing intended is a fine kind of leather prepared from the skin of some sea animal; but the critics differ as to the particular animal intended, whether the dolphin or the dugong. “Fine linen” was a luxury much valued by the ancients, while “silk” is a word used only here and in Ezekiel 16:13, and its meaning is much questioned. By its etymology it is t...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**3. slew all the Jews--**namely, the attendants and ministers of Gedaliah; or, the military alone, about his person; translate, "even (not 'and,' as English Version) the men of war." The main portion of the people with Gedaliah, including Jeremiah, Ishmael carried away captive (Jr 41:10, 16).

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

I decked thee also with ornaments, and I put bracelets upon thy hands, and a chain on thy neck.

View commentary (4 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

This verse presents Decked thee with ornaments in Ezekiel's extended allegory of Jerusalem as God's bride. God's beautification of His people, illustrating God's grace in choosing, rescuing, and elevating Israel from nothing to covenant partnership. The imagery depicts the foundational gospel pattern—God's initiative in salvation, not human merit or initiative. Israel contributed nothing to her el...
Read full commentary →

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(11-14) In these verses the Divinely-given prosperity and glory of Israel is set forth under the sustained figure of the ornaments and food of a royal eastern bride. The various particulars mentioned are familiar to all readers of the Scripture histories. The latter part of Ezekiel 16:13 and Ezekiel 16:14 evidently refer to the times of David and Solomon, when the kingdom of Israel extended from t...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**4. no man knew it--**that is, outside Mizpah. Before tidings of the murder had gone abroad.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and earrings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thine head. forehead: Heb. nose

View commentary (4 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and earrings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thine head.</strong> Continuing the allegory of God transforming Jerusalem from abandoned infant to royal bride, this verse describes lavish adornment symbolizing the glory and honor God bestowed upon Israel through covenant relationship. The jewelry represents covenant blessings, honor, and elevated ...
Read full commentary →

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(12) **A jewel on thy forehead.**—Literally, *a nose-ring on thy nostril, *the custom of the time sanctioning this mode of ornament. In contrast to God’s kindness and abundant blessing, Israel’s grievous sin is now described (Ezekiel 16:15-34)*. *It is to be remembered that however this extraordinary sin was the natural fruit of neglected grace, it yet was extraordinary. It is not by mere hyperbol...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**5. beards shaven, &amp;c.--**indicating their deep sorrow at the destruction of the temple and city. **cut themselves--**a heathen custom, forbidden (Le 19:27, 28; De 14:1). These men were mostly from Samaria, where the ten tribes, previous to their deportation, had fallen into heathen practices. **offerings--**unbloody. They do not bring sacrificial victims, but "incense," &amp;c., to testi...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

Thus wast thou decked with gold and silver; and thy raiment was of fine linen , and silk, and broidered work; thou didst eat fine flour, and honey, and oil: and thou wast exceeding beautiful, and thou didst prosper into a kingdom.

View commentary (3 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Thus wast thou decked with gold and silver; and thy raiment was of fine linen, and silk, and broidered work; thou didst eat fine flour, and honey, and oil: and thou wast exceeding beautiful, and thou didst prosper into a kingdom.</strong> Continuing the allegory of God transforming Jerusalem, this verse details the lavish provision and status God bestowed through covenant relationship. Eve...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**6. weeping--**pretending to weep, as they did, for the ruin of the temple. **Come to Gedaliah--**as if he was one of Gedaliah's retinue.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

And thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty: for it was perfect through my comeliness, which I had put upon thee, saith the Lord GOD.

View commentary (3 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty: for it was perfect through my comeliness, which I had put upon thee, saith the Lord GOD.</strong> This verse acknowledges international recognition of Israel glory while attributing all beauty entirely to God work. The nation reputation derived completely from divine grace, not inherent merit—a crucial truth they would soon forget...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**7. and cast them into ... pit--**He had not killed them in the pit (compare Jr 41:9); these words are therefore rightly supplied in English Version. **the pit--**the pit or cistern made by Asa to guard against a want of water when Baasha was about to besiege the city (Jr 41:9; 1Ki 15:22). The trench or fosse round the city [Grotius]. Ishmael's motive for the murder seems to have been a suspici...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

But thou didst trust in thine own beauty, and playedst the harlot because of thy renown, and pouredst out thy fornications on every one that passed by; his it was.

View commentary (4 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>But thou didst trust in thine own beauty, and playedst the harlot because of thy renown, and pouredst out thy fornications on every one that passed by; his it was.</strong> The allegory shifts dramatically from God grace to Israel unfaithfulness. The verse describes spiritual adultery—using God gifts for idolatry and alliances with pagan nations, betraying the exclusive covenant relationsh...
Read full commentary →

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(15) **Didst trust in thine own beauty.**—Comp. Deuteronomy 32:15; Hosea 13:6. There can scarcely be a more striking instance of the working of the hand of Providence in history than the story of the kingdom of Israel during and after the reign of Solomon. Raised as a theocracy to great power and wealth by the Divine blessing, it began to trust in its own beauty. Solomon’s policy was to make it a ...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**8. treasures--**It was customary to hide grain in cavities underground in troubled times. "We have treasures," which we will give, if our lives be spared. **slew ... not--**(Pr 13:8). Ishmael's avarice and needs overcame his cruelty.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

And of thy garments thou didst take, and deckedst thy high places with divers colours, and playedst the harlot thereupon: the like things shall not come, neither shall it be so.

View commentary (4 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Thou hast also taken thy fair jewels of my gold and of my silver, which I had given thee, and madest to thyself images of men, and didst commit whoredom with them,</strong> Israel not only pursued foreign gods but actually fashioned idols from the covenant gifts God provided. This represents using divine blessings for direct rebellion—the height of ingratitude and covenant treachery.<br><b...
Read full commentary →

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(16) **Deckedst thy high places with divers colours.**—The use of colours, and especially of tapestry in colours, in the adornment of places of worship, was universal throughout the religions of antiquity. It formed a striking feature of the adornment of the Tabernacle, and what is censured here is the perversion of this, which should have been for the glory of God, to the honour of idols. Transla...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**9. because of Gedaliah--**rather, "near Gedaliah," namely, those intercepted by Ishmael on their way from Samaria to Jerusalem and killed at Mizpah, where Gedaliah had lived. So 2Ch 17:15, "next"; Ne 3:2, Margin, literally, as here, "at his hand." "In the reign of Gedaliah" [Calvin]. However, English Version gives a good sense: Ishmael's reason for killing them was because of his supposing them ...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

Thou hast also taken thy fair jewels of my gold and of my silver, which I had given thee, and madest to thyself images of men, and didst commit whoredom with them, of men: Heb. of a male

View commentary (3 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Thou hast also taken thy fair jewels of my gold and of my silver, which I had given thee, and madest to thyself images of men, and didst commit whoredom with them,</strong> Israel not only pursued foreign gods but fabricated idols from covenant gifts God provided. This represents ultimate perversion—using divine blessings for direct rebellion against the Giver.<br><br>My gold and of my sil...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**10. the king's daughters--**(Jr 43:6). Zedekiah's. Ishmael must have got additional followers (whom the hope of gain attracted), besides those who originally set out with him (Jr 41:1), so as to have been able to carry off all the residue of the people. He probably meant to sell them as slaves to the Ammonites (see on Jr 40:14).

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

And tookest thy broidered garments, and coveredst them: and thou hast set mine oil and mine incense before them.

View commentary (3 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Thou hast set mine oil and mine incense before them</strong>—The Hebrew <em>shemen</em> (שֶׁמֶן, oil) and <em>qetoreth</em> (קְטֹרֶת, incense) were sacred items reserved exclusively for YHWH's worship (Exodus 30:22-33). Jerusalem's spiritual adultery reached its nadir by taking covenant gifts—<strong>broidered garments</strong> (רִקְמָה, elaborate embroidered vestments)—and using them to a...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**11. Johanan--**the friend of Gedaliah who had warned him of Ishmael's treachery, but in vain (Jr 40:8, 13).

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

My meat also which I gave thee, fine flour, and oil, and honey, wherewith I fed thee, thou hast even set it before them for a sweet savour: and thus it was, saith the Lord GOD. a sweet: Heb. a savour of rest

View commentary (3 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>My meat also which I gave thee, fine flour, and oil, and honey</strong>—The threefold provision (<em>solet</em> סֹלֶת, finest flour; <em>shemen</em> שֶׁמֶן, oil; <em>debash</em> דְּבַשׁ, honey) recalls the Promised Land's abundance (Deuteronomy 32:13-14). God supplied covenant blessings, yet <strong>thou hast even set it before them for a sweet savour</strong> (רֵיחַ נִיחוֹחַ, <em>reach ni...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**12. the ... waters--**(2Sa 2:13); a large reservoir or lake. **in Gibeon--**on the road from Mizpah to Ammon: one of the sacerdotal cities of Benjamin, four miles northwest of Jerusalem, now Eljib.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

Moreover thou hast taken thy sons and thy daughters, whom thou hast borne unto me, and these hast thou sacrificed unto them to be devoured. Is this of thy whoredoms a small matter, to be: Heb. to devour

View commentary (4 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Moreover thou hast taken thy sons and thy daughters, whom thou hast borne unto me, and these hast thou sacrificed unto them to be devoured. Is this of thy whoredoms a small matter,</strong> The allegory reaches its most horrific accusation: child sacrifice. This represents the ultimate perversion of covenant relationship—offering God own children to foreign deities, the most abominable pra...
Read full commentary →

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(20) **Hast sacrificed unto them, ***i.e., hast sacrificed the children unto the idols. *This was a terrible development of the later idolatries of Israel. At first the custom appears to have been a ceremony of passing young children through the fire to thereby consecrate them to Moloch; but afterwards it became an actual sacrifice of them in the fire to the idol. The Lord speaks of them in Ezekie...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**13. glad--**at the prospect of having a deliverer from their captivity.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

That thou hast slain my children, and delivered them to cause them to pass through the fire for them?

View commentary (3 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Thou hast slain my children, and delivered them to cause them to pass through the fire</strong>—The Hebrew <em>ma'avar ba'esh</em> (הַעֲבִיר בָּאֵשׁ, to pass through fire) refers to child sacrifice to Molech in the Valley of Hinnom (2 Kings 23:10, Jeremiah 32:35). God claims them as <strong>my children</strong>—covenant children belonging to YHWH were murdered and <em>delivered</em> (<em>n...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**14. cast about--**came round.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

And in all thine abominations and thy whoredoms thou hast not remembered the days of thy youth, when thou wast naked and bare, and wast polluted in thy blood.

View commentary (2 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Thou hast not remembered the days of thy youth</strong>—The Hebrew <em>zakar</em> (זָכַר, to remember) means more than mental recall; it implies covenant faithfulness and obedient response. Jerusalem forgot her origins: <strong>when thou wast naked and bare, and wast polluted in thy blood</strong> (verse 6)—exposed at birth, helpless, without status or beauty. God's covenant love (<em>hese...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

And it came to pass after all thy wickedness, (woe, woe unto thee! saith the Lord GOD;)

View commentary (4 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>After all thy wickedness, (woe, woe unto thee! saith the Lord GOD)</strong>—The doubled <em>oy</em> (אוֹי, woe) signals intensified judgment, a prophetic funeral dirge for the living (Isaiah 5:8, Amos 5:18). Ezekiel uses <em>oy</em> sparingly, making this double woe devastating. The parenthetical insertion interrupts the indictment with divine lament—God's sorrow over necessary judgment.<b...
Read full commentary →

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(23) **After all thy wickedness.**—The sin and idolatry hitherto described had been derived by Israel chiefly from the Canaanites, the old inhabitants of the land; but now. in accordance with what was said in Ezekiel 16:15, the prophet goes on to speak of the other abundant idolatries adopted eagerly by the Israelites from foreign nations.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**16. men of war--**"The men of war," stated in Jr 41:3 to have been slain by Ishmael, must refer to the military about Gedaliah's person; "the men of war" here to those not so. **eunuchs--**The kings of Judah had adopted the bad practice of having harems and eunuchs from the surrounding heathen kingdoms.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

That thou hast also built unto thee an eminent place, and hast made thee an high place in every street. eminent: or, brothel house

View commentary (4 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Thou hast also built unto thee an eminent place</strong>—The Hebrew <em>gavh</em> (גֶּב, eminent place) likely refers to elevated cultic platforms or shrines, possibly related to Akkadian <em>gabu</em> (summit). The phrase <strong>high place</strong> (<em>ramah</em>, רָמָה) typically denotes pagan worship sites, but here describes Jerusalem's systematic construction of idolatrous infrastru...
Read full commentary →

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(24) **Built unto thee an eminent place.**—The word means literally, *arches. *Such arched rooms were used in connection with the worship of idols for licentious purposes, and hence the translation of the margin indicates the real object of the structure, whether the word be taken in its literal sense, or spiritually, of unfaithfulness to God. In the following verse the indiscriminateness of Israe...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**17. dwelt--**for a time, until they were ready for their journey to Egypt (Jr 42:1-22). **habitation to Chimham--**his "caravanserai" close by Beth-lehem. David, in reward for Barzillai's loyalty, took Chimham his son under his patronage, and made over to him his own patrimony in the land of Beth-lehem. It was thence called the habitation of Chimham (Geruth-Chimham), though it reverted to Davi...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

Thou hast built thy high place at every head of the way, and hast made thy beauty to be abhorred, and hast opened thy feet to every one that passed by, and multiplied thy whoredoms.

View commentary (3 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>At every head of the way...and hast opened thy feet to every one that passed by</strong>—The imagery intensifies: <em>rosh kol-derekh</em> (רֹאשׁ כָּל־דֶּרֶךְ, head of every road) describes Jerusalem positioning herself like a prostitute at major intersections. <strong>Opened thy feet</strong> is a euphemism for sexual availability (see Ruth 3:4, Isaiah 7:20). The Hebrew <em>taznuth</em> (...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**18. afraid--**lest the Chaldeans should suspect all the Jews of being implicated in Ishmael's treason, as though the Jews sought to have a prince of the house of David (Jr 41:1). Their better way towards gaining God's favor would have been to have laid the blame on the real culprit, and to have cleared themselves. A tortuous policy is the parent of fear. Righteousness inspires with boldness (Psa...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

Thou hast also committed fornication with the Egyptians thy neighbours, great of flesh; and hast increased thy whoredoms, to provoke me to anger.

View commentary (3 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Thou hast also committed fornication with the Egyptians thy neighbours, great of flesh</strong>—The phrase <em>gedolei vasar</em> (גִּדְלֵי בָשָׂר, great of flesh) likely refers to Egyptian military power and cultural influence, though some interpret it as vulgar sexual imagery emphasizing Jerusalem's lustful pursuit. Historically, Judah repeatedly sought Egyptian alliances against Assyria...
Read full commentary →

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(26) **The Egyptians . . . great of flesh.**—The Egyptians are properly named first, because, even in the golden calf of the wilderness, the Israelites turned with avidity to the worship of Egypt. This tendency seems to have been only suppressed, not extinguished, during the subsequent ages, and remained ever ready to develop itself, as in the calves of Jeroboam (1Kings 12:28-30); but it received ...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

Behold, therefore I have stretched out my hand over thee, and have diminished thine ordinary food, and delivered thee unto the will of them that hate thee, the daughters of the Philistines, which are ashamed of thy lewd way. daughters: or, cities

View commentary (3 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>I have stretched out my hand over thee, and have diminished thine ordinary food</strong>—The Hebrew <em>natah yad</em> (נָטָה יָד, stretched out hand) signals covenant judgment. God's hand stretched out in blessing becomes outstretched in discipline. <strong>Diminished thine ordinary food</strong> (<em>chok</em>, חֹק, appointed portion) refers to reducing Jerusalem's territorial holdings a...
Read full commentary →

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(27) **Diminished thine ordinary food.**—This cutting short of the power and prosperity of Israel was a discipline of correction designed to bring her to a consciousness of her sin. **The daughters of the Philistines,** *i.e., *their cities, according to the figurative language of the chapter, and indeed the common figurative language of Scripture. Philistia was but a small power in the south-west...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

Thou hast played the whore also with the Assyrians , because thou wast unsatiable; yea, thou hast played the harlot with them, and yet couldest not be satisfied.

View commentary (4 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Thou hast played the whore also with the Assyrians, because thou wast unsatiable</strong>—The Hebrew <em>lo sav'at</em> (לֹא שָׂבָעַתְּ, not satisfied) exposes the insatiable nature of idolatry. After Egyptian alliances failed, Jerusalem pursued Assyrian treaties (2 Kings 16:7-9). <strong>Yet couldest not be satisfied</strong> repeats the indictment, emphasizing that false gods never fulfi...
Read full commentary →

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(28) **With the Assyrians.**—The Assyrians and Egyptians were for many centuries in deadly hostility against each other, and it would seem that Israel could hardly have formed alliances with and adopted the idolatries of both. Nevertheless they had done so, and in addition to their Egyptian idolatries, had gone to the extent, in the time of Ahaz, of displacing the altar in the court of the Temple,...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

CHAPTER 42 Jr 42:1-22. The Jews and Johanan Inquire of God, through Jeremiah, as to Going to Egypt, Promising Obedience to His Will. Their Safety on Condition of Staying in Judea, and Their Destruction in the Event of Going to Egypt, Are Foretold. Their Hypocrisy in Asking for Counsel Which They Meant Not to Follow, if Contrary to Their Own Determination, Is Reproved. **2. Jeremiah--**He probably...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

Thou hast moreover multiplied thy fornication in the land of Canaan unto Chaldea; and yet thou wast not satisfied herewith.

View commentary (4 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Thou hast moreover multiplied thy fornication in the land of Canaan unto Chaldea; and yet thou wast not satisfied herewith.</strong> This verse climaxes Ezekiel 16's shocking allegory of Jerusalem as an adulterous wife. The Hebrew <em>taznuth</em> (תַּזְנוּת, "fornication") denotes sexual immorality used metaphorically for idolatry and political alliances with pagan nations. The progressio...
Read full commentary →

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(29) **In the land of Canaan unto Chaldæa.**—Canaan was originally the name of only that strip of land between the hills and the sea occupied by the Phœnicians, in other words, the lowlands. Thence it became extended over the whole land. It is thought by some writers to revert here to its original meaning, and be equivalent to the low, flat land. The expression will become clearer if translated, “...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

3. They consulted God, like many, not so much to know what was right, as wishing Him to authorize what they had already determined on, whether agreeable to His will or not. So Ahab in consulting Micaiah (1Ki 22:13). Compare Jeremiah's answer (Jr 42:4) with Micaiah's (1Ki 22:14).

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

How weak is thine heart, saith the Lord GOD, seeing thou doest all these things, the work of an imperious whorish woman;

View commentary (4 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>How weak is thine heart, saith the Lord GOD, seeing thou doest all these things, the work of an imperious whorish woman.</strong> God's diagnosis: <strong>"How weak is thine heart"</strong> (literally, "how sick/faint is your heart"). The Hebrew <em>amelah</em> (אֲמֵלָה) suggests exhaustion, sickness, feebleness. Sin doesn't strengthen; it enfeebles. Jerusalem's pursuit of idols and foreig...
Read full commentary →

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(30) **Weak.**—The English word scarcely expresses the force of the original :—languishing with desire. The word *heart *occurs here only in the feminine.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**4. I have heard--**that is, I accede to your request. **your God--**Being His by adoption, ye are not your own, and are bound to whatever He wills (Ex 19:5, 6; 1Co 6:19, 20). **answer you--**that is, through me. **keep nothing back--**(1Sa 3:18; Ac 20:20).

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

In that thou buildest thine eminent place in the head of every way, and makest thine high place in every street; and hast not been as an harlot, in that thou scornest hire; In that thou buildest: or, In thy daughters is thine, etc

View commentary (4 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>In that thou buildest thine eminent place in the head of every way, and makest thine high place in every street; and hast not been as an harlot, in that thou scornest hire.</strong> The indictment continues: Jerusalem built <em>gab</em> (גַּב, "eminent place," a platform or shrine) at <strong>"the head of every way"</strong> (every crossroads) and <em>ramah</em> (רָמָה, "high place," pagan...
Read full commentary →

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(31) **Eminent place.**—See note on Ezekiel 16:24. **In that thou scornest him.**—It was characteristic of both the kingdoms of Israel after the division, that the interference of foreign nations in their affairs was generally sought first by Israel itself and purchased at a heavy price. The people were so situated on the great highway between the rival nations of Egypt and Assyria, that their fri...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**5. Lord be a true ... witness--**(Ge 31:50; Psa 89:37; Re 1:5; 3:14; 19:11).

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

But as a wife that committeth adultery, which taketh strangers instead of her husband!

View commentary (3 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>But as a wife that committeth adultery, which taketh strangers instead of her husband!</strong> This verse exposes the perversion of Jerusalem's idolatry using the marriage metaphor central to Ezekiel 16. The Hebrew <em>na'aph</em> (נָאַף, "committeth adultery") denotes covenant betrayal—not mere sexual sin but the breaking of sacred vows. <strong>"Strangers instead of her husband"</strong...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**6. evil--**not moral evil, which God cannot command (Jas 1:13), but what may be disagreeable and hard to us. Piety obeys God, without questioning, at all costs. See the instance defective in this, that it obeyed only so far as was agreeable to itself (1Sa 15:3, 9, 13-15, 20-23).

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

They give gifts to all whores: but thou givest thy gifts to all thy lovers, and hirest them, that they may come unto thee on every side for thy whoredom. hirest: Heb. bribest

View commentary (4 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>They give gifts to all whores: but thou givest thy gifts to all thy lovers, and hirest them, that they may come unto thee on every side for thy whoredom.</strong> This devastating indictment reveals Jerusalem's unprecedented depravity. Normal prostitutes (<em>zonah</em>, זוֹנָה) receive payment; Jerusalem <strong>reversed the transaction</strong>, bribing nations to accept her advances. Th...
Read full commentary →

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(33) **Thou givest thy gifts.**—2Kings 16:8-9, may be referred to as an instance in illustration. Ahaz “took the silver and gold that was found in the house of the Lord,” as well as “the treasures of the king’s house,” and used it to secure the alliance of the king of Assyria. The prophet, having up to this point described the sin, now turns to pronounce the punishment upon Israel (Ezekiel 16:35-5...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**7. ten days--**Jeremiah did not speak of himself, but waited God's time and revelation, showing the reality of his inspiration. Man left to himself would have given an immediate response to the people, who were impatient of delay. The delay was designed to test the sincerity of their professed willingness to obey, and that they should have full time to deliberate (De 8:2). True obedience bows to...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

And the contrary is in thee from other women in thy whoredoms, whereas none followeth thee to commit whoredoms: and in that thou givest a reward, and no reward is given unto thee, therefore thou art contrary.

View commentary (2 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And the contrary is in thee from other women in thy whoredoms, whereas none followeth thee to commit whoredoms: and in that thou givest a reward, and no reward is given unto thee, therefore thou art contrary.</strong> The Hebrew <em>hephek</em> (הֵפֶךְ, "contrary") means perversion or reversal—Jerusalem's behavior <strong>inverted normal patterns of sin</strong>. The phrase "none followeth...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

Wherefore, O harlot, hear the word of the LORD:

View commentary (2 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Wherefore, O harlot, hear the word of the LORD:</strong> The stark vocative "O harlot" (<em>zonah</em>, זוֹנָה) strips away euphemism and forces direct confrontation. God addresses Jerusalem not as "my people" or "chosen nation" but as prostitute—the identity she embraced through idolatry. The command <strong>"hear the word of the LORD"</strong> (שִׁמְעִי דְּבַר־יְהוָה) uses the imperative...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thy filthiness was poured out, and thy nakedness discovered through thy whoredoms with thy lovers, and with all the idols of thy abominations, and by the blood of thy children, which thou didst give unto them;

View commentary (4 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thy filthiness was poured out, and thy nakedness discovered through thy whoredoms with thy lovers, and with all the idols of thy abominations, and by the blood of thy children, which thou didst give unto them;</strong> The divine speech formula "Thus saith the Lord GOD" (<em>Adonai YHWH</em>) introduces covenant lawsuit charges. "Filthiness" (<em>nechosheth...
Read full commentary →

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(36) **Thy filthiness.—**Literally, *thy brass, i.e., *money, which, as said in the previous verses, Israel had lavished upon the surrounding nations. Either gold or silver is the more common term for money, and the prophet appears to have here used brass contemptuously. In this verse the people’s apostasies are briefly recapitulated, under the names of adultery and child murder, as the basis for ...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**10. If ye ... abide--**namely, under the Babylonian authority, to which God hath appointed that all should be subject (Da 2:37, 38). To resist was to resist God. **build ... plant--**metaphor for, I will firmly establish you (Jr 24:6). **I repent ... of the evil--**(Jr 18:8; De 32:36). I am satisfied with the punishment I have inflicted on you, if only you add not a new offense [Grotius]. Go...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

Behold, therefore I will gather all thy lovers, with whom thou hast taken pleasure, and all them that thou hast loved, with all them that thou hast hated; I will even gather them round about against thee, and will discover thy nakedness unto them, that they may see all thy nakedness.

View commentary (3 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Behold, therefore I will gather all thy lovers, with whom thou hast taken pleasure, and all them that thou hast loved, with all them that thou hast hated; I will even gather them round about against thee, and will discover thy nakedness unto them, that they may see all thy nakedness.</strong> The divine verdict employs poetic justice: Jerusalem's lovers become her executioners. "I will gat...
Read full commentary →

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(37) **Thou hast loved . . . hast hated.**—Not only those with whom Israel had sought alliances, but those who had been her hereditary foes, like the Philistines and Edomites, shared in the spoil of her land. Much of this had been already accomplished (see 2Kings 16:6; 2Chronicles 28:17-18, &c). Israel’s weakness and wickedness should be fully exposed to all her enemies.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

And I will judge thee, as women that break wedlock and shed blood are judged; and I will give thee blood in fury and jealousy. as: Heb. with judgments of

View commentary (4 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And I will judge thee, as women that break wedlock and shed blood are judged; and I will give thee blood in fury and jealousy.</strong> The Hebrew <em>shaphat</em> (שָׁפַט, "judge") indicates legal verdict and execution, not mere accusation. The comparison "as women that break wedlock and shed blood are judged" references Leviticus 20:10 (death penalty for adultery) and Numbers 35:33 (bloo...
Read full commentary →

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(38) **Women that break wedlock and shed blood.**—Under the Mosaic law the penalty for adultery was death (Leviticus 20:10), and the same penalty also was attached to the devotion of “seed to Moloch” (Leviticus 20:1-5), and *to *murder (Exodus 21:12). The Jewish method of capital punishment on individuals was by stoning (see Leviticus 20:2, and comp. John 8:5), and of punishing an apostate city wa...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**12. show mercies--**rather, I will excite (in him) feelings of mercy towards you [Calvin]. **cause you to return--**permit you to return to the peaceable enjoyment of the possessions from which you are wishing to withdraw through fear of the Chaldeans. By departing in disobedience they should incur the very evils they wished thereby to escape; and by staying they should gain the blessings whic...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

And I will also give thee into their hand, and they shall throw down thine eminent place, and shall break down thy high places: they shall strip thee also of thy clothes, and shall take thy fair jewels, and leave thee naked and bare. thy fair: Heb. instruments of thine ornament

View commentary (4 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

This verse continues Ezekiel's shocking allegory of Jerusalem as an unfaithful wife facing judgment. The phrase <strong>וְנָתַתִּי אוֹתָךְ בְּיָדָם</strong> (venatatti otakh beyadam, 'And I will give you into their hand') shows God actively delivering Jerusalem to her enemies—not passive permission but deliberate judgment. The verb <strong>וְהָרְסוּ</strong> (veharsu, 'they shall throw down') mean...
Read full commentary →

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(39) **Eminent places.**—See Note on Ezekiel 16:24. The destruction of her idolatries as well as the desolation of Israel herself is foretold.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**13. if ye say, &amp;c.--**avowed rebellion against God, who had often (De 17:16), as now, forbidden their going to Egypt, lest they should be entangled in its idolatry.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

They shall also bring up a company against thee, and they shall stone thee with stones, and thrust thee through with their swords.

View commentary (3 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>They shall also bring up a company against thee, and they shall stone thee with stones, and thrust thee through with their swords.</strong> The "company" (<em>qahal</em>, קָהָל) refers to a gathered assembly or army—the Babylonian coalition. "Stone thee with stones" invokes Levitical punishment for adultery (Deuteronomy 22:23-24) and idolatry (Leviticus 20:2-5)—Jerusalem would experience c...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**14. where we shall see no war--**Here they betray their impiety in not believing God's promise (Jr 42:10, 11), as if He were a liar (1Jo 5:10).

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

And they shall burn thine houses with fire, and execute judgments upon thee in the sight of many women: and I will cause thee to cease from playing the harlot, and thou also shalt give no hire any more.

View commentary (4 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And they shall burn thine houses with fire, and execute judgments upon thee in the sight of many women: and I will cause thee to cease from playing the harlot, and thou also shalt give no hire any more.</strong> "Burn thine houses with fire" describes the total destruction of Jerusalem—residential areas, palaces, and the temple itself (2 Kings 25:9, Jeremiah 52:13). Fire symbolizes complet...
Read full commentary →

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(41) **Shall burn thine house.**—Comp. Deuteronomy 13:16. The figurative and the literal sense here blend together; the house of the unfaithful wife shall be destroyed, and the houses of Jerusalem shall be burned.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**15. wholly set your faces--**firmly resolve (Lu 9:51) in spite of all warnings (Jr 44:12).

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

So will I make my fury toward thee to rest, and my jealousy shall depart from thee, and I will be quiet, and will be no more angry.

View commentary (4 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>So will I make my fury toward thee to rest, and my jealousy shall depart from thee, and I will be quiet, and will be no more angry.</strong> This remarkable verse announces the <strong>cessation of divine wrath</strong> after judgment accomplishes its purpose. "I will make my fury toward thee to rest" uses <em>nuach</em> (נוּחַ), meaning to settle or come to rest—God's wrath would be satis...
Read full commentary →

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(42) **My fury . . .** **to rest.**—Not in pity but in satiety, as having accomplished the utter desolation of Israel.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**16. sword, which ye feared, shall overtake you--**The very evils we think to escape by sin, we bring on ourselves thereby. What our hearts are most set on often proves fatal to us. Those who think to escape troubles by changing their place will find them wherever they go (Eze 11:8). The "sword" here is that of Nebuchadnezzar, who fulfilled the prediction in his expedition to Africa (according to...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

Because thou hast not remembered the days of thy youth, but hast fretted me in all these things; behold, therefore I also will recompense thy way upon thine head, saith the Lord GOD: and thou shalt not commit this lewdness above all thine abominations.

View commentary (4 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Because thou hast not remembered the days of thy youth</strong> (לֹא זָכַרְתְּ אֶת־יְמֵי נְעוּרָיִךְ)—the Hebrew <em>zakar</em> (remember) implies not mere recollection but covenant faithfulness and grateful response. Jerusalem failed to remember God's gracious deliverance when she was abandoned and vulnerable. <strong>Fretted me</strong> (רָגַז, <em>ragaz</em>) means to provoke to trembli...
Read full commentary →

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(43) **Hast fretted me.**—Better, *hast raged against me. *This form of the verb does not have a transitive sense. (Comp. Genesis 45:24; Proverbs 29:9; and in this particular form, 2Kings 19:27-28; Isaiah 37:28-29, where the same word is used.) **Thou shalt not commit.—**The English here follows the Masoretic punctuation, putting the verb in the second person. Probably it should be read in the fir...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**17. all the men--**excepting the "small number" mentioned (Jr 44:14, 28); namely, those who were forced into Egypt against their will, Jeremiah, Baruch, &amp;c., and those who took Jeremiah's advice and fled from Egypt before the arrival of the Chaldeans.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

Behold, every one that useth proverbs shall use this proverb against thee, saying, As is the mother, so is her daughter.

View commentary (4 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Every one that useth proverbs shall use this proverb against thee</strong>—the Hebrew <em>mashal</em> (מָשָׁל) means both proverb and taunt-song. Jerusalem, once exalted as God's city, will become a byword of shame among nations. <strong>As is the mother, so is her daughter</strong> establishes the principle of inherited corruption and spiritual genealogy.<br><br>This proverbial saying wou...
Read full commentary →

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(44) **As is the mother.**—The sin of the people had become so notorious as to attract general attention, and lead to the application of this proverb. The nativity of Israel described in Ezekiel 16:3 is here in mind, and the proverb becomes equivalent to saying, these sins belong to every people living in Canaan; once practised by the Amorites and Hittites, they are now continued by the Israelites...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**18. As mine anger, &amp;c.--**As ye have already, to your sorrow, found Me true to My word, so shall ye again (Jr 7:20; 18:16). **shall see this place no more--**Ye shall not return to Judea, as those shall who have been removed to Babylon.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

Thou art thy mother's daughter, that lotheth her husband and her children; and thou art the sister of thy sisters, which lothed their husbands and their children: your mother was an Hittite, and your father an Amorite.

View commentary (4 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Thou art thy mother's daughter, that lotheth her husband and her children</strong>—the Hebrew <em>ga'al</em> (גָּעַל, loathe) means to abhor or reject with disgust. Jerusalem's 'mother' (Canaanite culture) practiced child sacrifice and idolatry, rejecting both covenant with YHWH and covenant obligations toward offspring. <strong>Your mother was an Hittite, and your father an Amorite</stron...
Read full commentary →

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(45) **Which lothed their husbands.—**Israel, like Samaria and Sodom, being spiritually of Amorite and Hittite descent, they are represented as her sisters. A certain difficulty arises from the statement that they, too, “lothed their husbands and their children,” and this is only removed by remembering that, notwithstanding their heathenism and long course of idolatry, they are still regarded as h...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**19. I have admonished--**literally, "testified," that is, solemnly admonished, having yourselves as My witnesses; so that if ye perish, ye yourselves will have to confess that it was through your own fault, not through ignorance, ye perished.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

And thine elder sister is Samaria, she and her daughters that dwell at thy left hand: and thy younger sister, that dwelleth at thy right hand, is Sodom and her daughters. thy younger: Heb. lesser than thou

View commentary (4 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Thine elder sister is Samaria</strong>—the Northern Kingdom destroyed by Assyria in 722 BC for covenant unfaithfulness. <strong>At thy left hand</strong> (northward from Jerusalem) positions Samaria geographically and theologically. <strong>Thy younger sister, that dwelleth at thy right hand, is Sodom</strong> (southward)—the archetypal city of judgment destroyed by fire (Genesis 19).<br><...
Read full commentary →

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(46) **Thine elder sister.—**The words *elder *and *younger *mean, literally, *greater *and *smaller. *They thus come, like the Latin *major *and *minor, *to be used for *older *and *younger; *but still their original and most common meaning, which should be retained here, is greater and smaller. Chronologically, Sodom was not younger than Jerusalem, nor is there evidence that Samaria was older. T...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**20. dissembled in your hearts--**rather, "ye have used deceit against your (own) souls." It is not God, but yourselves, whom ye deceive, to your own ruin, by your own dissimulation (Ga 6:7) [Calvin]. But the words following accord best with English Version, ye have dissembled in your hearts (see on Jr 42:3) towards me, when ye sent me to consult God for you.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

Yet hast thou not walked after their ways, nor done after their abominations: but, as if that were a very little thing, thou wast corrupted more than they in all thy ways. as if: or, that was lothed as a small thing

View commentary (4 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Yet hast thou not walked after their ways, nor done after their abominations</strong>—the initial negative creates expectation of commendation, which the verse immediately subverts: <strong>but, as if that were a very little thing</strong> (כִּמְעַט קָט, <em>kim'at qat</em>—'as a trifling thing'). This rhetorical structure emphasizes Jerusalem's comparative wickedness.<br><br><strong>Thou ...
Read full commentary →

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(47) **As if that were a very little thing.**—Better, *thou hast not walked after their ways, nor done after their abominations a little only, but hast done more corruptly than they, &c. *This excess of wickedness is constantly charged upon the Jews (see Ezekiel 5:6-7). Sodom had indeed sinned grievously in its day, but more than 1,000 years had since passed, in which resistance to Divine admoniti...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**21. declared it--**namely, the divine will. **I ... but ye--**antithesis. I have done my part; but ye do not yours. It is no fault of mine that ye act not rightly.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

As I live, saith the Lord GOD, Sodom thy sister hath not done, she nor her daughters, as thou hast done, thou and thy daughters.

View commentary (3 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>As I live, saith the Lord GOD</strong>—the Hebrew oath formula <em>chai-ani</em> (חַי־אָנִי) invokes God's own existence as guarantee of truth. This solemn oath introduces one of Scripture's most shocking statements: <strong>Sodom thy sister hath not done, she nor her daughters, as thou hast done, thou and thy daughters</strong>.<br><br>This declaration would devastate Jerusalem's self-und...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**22. sojourn--**for a time, until they could return to their country. They expected, therefore, to be restored, in spite of God's prediction to the contrary.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.

View commentary (3 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

"Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy." Sodom's sin exceeded sexual immorality to include pride, luxury, and neglect of the poor. The threefold indictment—pride, satiation, idleness—depicts self-centered affluence ignoring others' suffering. Th...
Read full commentary →

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(49) **Pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness.**—The description strikes at the causes rather than the overt acts of sin, and the unnatural crimes which are always associated in our minds with the name of Sodom are not mentioned. It is noticeable, however, that the distinct sin which is mentioned in this passage is the negative one too common in all ages, “neither did she strengthen th...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.

View commentary (3 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And they were haughty</strong> (גָּבְהוּ, <em>gavehu</em>)—this word means exalted in pride, arrogant. Pride was Sodom's foundational sin (confirmed in v. 49). <strong>And committed abomination before me</strong> (תּוֹעֵבָה, <em>to'evah</em>)—this term denotes covenant-breaking detestable practices, used of both sexual immorality (Leviticus 18:22) and idolatry (Deuteronomy 7:25). Genesis 1...
Read full commentary →

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(50) **As I saw good.**—The word *good *is not in the original, and should be omitted, and the particle translated *when: *“Therefore I took them away when I saw this.” Punishment followed upon the manifestation of their sin. (Comp. Genesis 18:21.)

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

Neither hath Samaria committed half of thy sins; but thou hast multiplied thine abominations more than they, and hast justified thy sisters in all thine abominations which thou hast done.

View commentary (4 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Neither hath Samaria committed half of thy sins</strong>—a devastating quantitative comparison. Samaria (Northern Kingdom) fell to Assyria in 722 BC for idolatry (2 Kings 17), yet Jerusalem's sins were <em>double</em>. <strong>Thou hast multiplied thine abominations more than they</strong>—the Hebrew <em>ravah</em> (רָבָה, multiplied) emphasizes abundance and excess.<br><br><strong>And has...
Read full commentary →

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(51) **Hast justified thy sisters.**—The same expression is repeated in the following verse. In both it is evidently used in a comparative sense. By the greatness of Judah’s sins even Sodom and Samaria were made to appear innocent in comparison.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

CHAPTER 43 Jr 43:1-13. The Jews Carry Jeremiah and Baruch into Egypt. Jeremiah Foretells by a Type the Conquest of Egypt by Nebuchadnezzar, and the Fate of the Fugitives. **2. Azariah--**the author of the project of going into Egypt; a very different man from the Azariah in Babylon (Da 1:7; 3:12-18). **proud--**Pride is the parent of disobedience and contempt of God.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

Thou also, which hast judged thy sisters, bear thine own shame for thy sins that thou hast committed more abominable than they: they are more righteous than thou: yea, be thou confounded also, and bear thy shame, in that thou hast justified thy sisters.

View commentary (4 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Thou also, which hast judged thy sisters</strong>—Jerusalem had smugly condemned Samaria and Sodom while committing worse sins (cf. Matthew 7:1-5). <strong>Bear thine own shame for thy sins that thou hast committed more abominable than they</strong>—the Hebrew <em>kelimmah</em> (כְּלִמָּה, shame) denotes public humiliation and disgrace. Jerusalem must now experience the covenant curse of s...
Read full commentary →

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(52) **Hast judged thy sisters.**—Judah had approved the judgments upon Sodom and Samaria, as it is always easy for man to approve judgments upon the sins of others; but now this must be brought home to herself for her own greater sins. (Comp. Romans 2) Having described the sin and the punishment, the prophet now goes on in the remainder of the chapter to speak of the restoration of Israel. This i...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**3. Baruch--**He being the younger spake out the revelations which he received from Jeremiah more vehemently. From this cause, and from their knowing that he was in favor with the Chaldeans, arose their suspicion of him. Their perverse fickleness was astonishing. In the forty-second chapter they acknowledged the trustworthiness of Jeremiah, of which they had for so long so many proofs; yet here t...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

When I shall bring again their captivity , the captivity of Sodom and her daughters, and the captivity of Samaria and her daughters, then will I bring again the captivity of thy captives in the midst of them:

View commentary (3 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>When I shall bring again their captivity</strong> (שׁוּב שְׁבוּת, <em>shuv shevut</em>)—this phrase means to restore fortunes, reverse captivity. God promises future restoration for <strong>Sodom and her daughters</strong> and <strong>Samaria and her daughters</strong>, with <strong>thy captives in the midst of them</strong> indicating Jerusalem's restoration will occur <em>alongside</em> ...
Read full commentary →

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(53) **Shall bring again their captivity.**—This is not a promise of restoration to Israel; but, on the contrary, is an expression of the utter hopelessness of their punishment in the strongest possible form. The “bringing again of captivity “does not, indeed, necessarily mean a return from exile (into which Sodom had not been carried); but, as explained in Ezekiel 16:55, a return to the former es...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

That thou mayest bear thine own shame, and mayest be confounded in all that thou hast done, in that thou art a comfort unto them.

View commentary (4 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>That thou mayest bear thine own shame, and mayest be confounded in all that thou hast done, in that thou art a comfort unto them.</strong> The paradox of Jerusalem's judgment is that her gross sin makes even Sodom and Samaria look righteous by comparison. The Hebrew <em>kālam</em> (כָּלַם, "be confounded") means to be publicly humiliated, disgraced. Jerusalem must <strong>bear thine own sh...
Read full commentary →

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(54) **Art a comfort unto them.**—Compare what was said of justifying them in Ezekiel 16:51-52. The greater sin of Judah became a comfort by throwing their own evil into the shade.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**5. remnant ... returned from all nations--**(Jr 40:11, 12).

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

When thy sisters, Sodom and her daughters, shall return to their former estate, and Samaria and her daughters shall return to their former estate, then thou and thy daughters shall return to your former estate.

View commentary (3 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>When thy sisters, Sodom and her daughters, shall return to their former estate, and Samaria and her daughters shall return to their former estate, then thou and thy daughters shall return to your former estate.</strong> This verse introduces an astonishing promise of future restoration even within a chapter dominated by judgment. The threefold repetition of <em>qadmâ</em> (קַדְמָה, "former...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**6. the king's daughters--**Zedekiah's (Jr 41:10).

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

For thy sister Sodom was not mentioned by thy mouth in the day of thy pride, mentioned: Heb. for a report, or, hearing pride: Heb. prides, or, excellencies

View commentary (3 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>For thy sister Sodom was not mentioned by thy mouth in the day of thy pride.</strong> The Hebrew phrase <em>lō' hāytâ Sedom... lišemû'â befîk</em> (literally, "Sodom was not for a report in your mouth") means Jerusalem never spoke of Sodom except in scorn. <strong>In the day of thy pride</strong> (<em>beyôm geônēk</em>, בְּיוֹם גְּאוֹנֵךְ) refers to Jerusalem's period of prosperity and arr...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**7. Tahpanhes--**(See on Jr 2:16); Daphne on the Tanitic branch of the Nile, near Pelusium. They naturally came to it first, being on the frontier of Egypt, towards Palestine.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

Before thy wickedness was discovered, as at the time of thy reproach of the daughters of Syria, and all that are round about her, the daughters of the Philistines, which despise thee round about. Syria: Heb. Aram despise: or, spoil

View commentary (3 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Before thy wickedness was discovered, as at the time of thy reproach of the daughters of Syria, and all that are round about her, the daughters of the Philistines, which despise thee round about.</strong> The Hebrew <em>gillâ</em> (גִּלָּה, "discovered") means uncovered, exposed, laid bare—Jerusalem's hidden wickedness became public knowledge through judgment. <strong>The reproach of the d...
Read full commentary →

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(57) **Thy reproach of the daughters of Syria—**The pronoun should be omitted, and the phrase read, “the reproach.” The time referred to, when Jerusalem was too proud to make mention of Sodom, was in the days of her prosperity. Later her “wickedness was discovered,” and her pride humbled by such disasters. as fell upon her, especially from the days of Ahaz onward. At that time she was hard pressed...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

Thou hast borne thy lewdness and thine abominations, saith the LORD. borne: Heb. borne them

View commentary (3 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Thou hast borne thy lewdness and thine abominations, saith the LORD.</strong> The Hebrew <em>nāśā</em> (נָשָׂא, "borne") means to carry, bear the weight or consequences. <strong>Thy lewdness</strong> translates <em>zimmâ</em> (זִמָּה), referring to sexual depravity, planned wickedness, especially cult prostitution. <strong>Thine abominations</strong> (<em>toebôtayik</em>, תּוֹעֲבוֹתַיִךְ) ...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**9. stones--**to be laid as the foundation beneath Nebuchadnezzar's throne (Jr 43:10). **clay--**mortar. **brick-kiln--**Bricks in that hot country are generally dried in the sun, not burned. The palace of Pharaoh was being built or repaired at this time; hence arose the mortar and brick-kiln at the entry. Of the same materials as that of which Pharaoh's house was built, the substructure of N...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, its prosperity, idolatries, and punishment. **Verses 1-58** In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation, and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishment through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. This is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death, ed...
Read full commentary →

For thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even deal with thee as thou hast done, which hast despised the oath in breaking the covenant.

View commentary (4 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>For thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even deal with thee as thou hast done, which hast despised the oath in breaking the covenant.</strong> The Hebrew <em>bāzâ</em> (בָּזָה, "despised") means to treat with contempt, regard as worthless. <strong>The oath</strong> (<em>alâ</em>, אָלָה) refers to the covenant oath binding Israel to Yahweh—both God's oath to Abraham and Israel's oath at Sinai. ...
Read full commentary →

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(59) **In breaking the covenant.**—This was the especial point of the heinousness of the sin of the Jews, and the one which so greatly aggravated their guilt. The sin was necessarily proportioned to the light against which it had been committed. (Comp. John 9:39; John 9:41; John 15:22; John 15:24.)

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**10. my servant--**God often makes one wicked man or nation a scourge to another (Eze 29:18, 19, 20). **royal pavilion--**the rich tapestry (literally, "ornament") which hung round the throne from above.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 59-63** After a full warning of judgments, mercy is remembered, mercy is reserved. These closing verses are a precious promise, in part fulfilled at the return of the penitent and reformed Jews out of Babylon, but to have fuller accomplishment in gospel times. The Divine mercy should be powerful to melt our hearts into godly sorrow for sin. Nor will God ever leave the sinner to perish, wh...
Read full commentary →

Nevertheless I will remember my covenant with thee in the days of thy youth, and I will establish unto thee an everlasting covenant.

View commentary (4 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Nevertheless I will remember my covenant with thee in the days of thy youth, and I will establish unto thee an everlasting covenant.</strong> After chapters describing Israel comprehensive sin and deserved judgment, God announces grace: despite everything, He will remember His covenant. This demonstrates divine faithfulness transcending human unfaithfulness, pointing toward new covenant in...
Read full commentary →

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(60) **I will remember my covenant.**—The remembrance of God’s covenant is made the basis of His mercy to His penitent people (Leviticus 26:42-45) from the beginning, and it is often spoken of as an everlasting covenant. In the New Testament (Luke 1:54-55; Luke 1:72-73, &c.) this covenant is regarded as fulfilled in the Christian dispensation. At the same time, the Christian covenant is described ...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**11. such as are for death to death--**that is, the deadly plague. Some he shall cause to die by the plague arising from insufficient or bad food; others, by the sword; others he shall lead captive, according as God shall order it (see on Jr 15:2).

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 59-63** After a full warning of judgments, mercy is remembered, mercy is reserved. These closing verses are a precious promise, in part fulfilled at the return of the penitent and reformed Jews out of Babylon, but to have fuller accomplishment in gospel times. The Divine mercy should be powerful to melt our hearts into godly sorrow for sin. Nor will God ever leave the sinner to perish, wh...
Read full commentary →

Then thou shalt remember thy ways, and be ashamed, when thou shalt receive thy sisters, thine elder and thy younger: and I will give them unto thee for daughters, but not by thy covenant.

View commentary (4 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Then thou shalt remember thy ways, and be ashamed, when thou shalt receive thy sisters, thine elder and thy younger: and I will give them unto thee for daughters, but not by thy covenant.</strong> God promises restoration that will produce genuine repentance and expanded blessing beyond original covenant terms. The remembrance of sin will produce godly shame, and the inclusion of outsiders...
Read full commentary →

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(61) **Give them unto thee for daughters.**—The humiliation of Jerusalem must be so complete that she will gladly receive these once-despised enemies to the closest family relationship. We are not here to think of Sodom specifically, but (the concrete passing into the general) of that which Sodom represented, the heathen world at large. This shall be received with Jerusalem to the church of God; “...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**12. houses of ... gods--**He shall not spare even the temple, such will be His fury. A reproof to the Jews that they betook themselves to Egypt, a land whose own safety depended on helpless idols. **burn ... carry ... captives--**burn the Egyptian idols of wood, carry to Babylon those of gold and other metals. **array himself with the land, &amp;c.--**Is 49:18 has the same metaphor. **as a...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 59-63** After a full warning of judgments, mercy is remembered, mercy is reserved. These closing verses are a precious promise, in part fulfilled at the return of the penitent and reformed Jews out of Babylon, but to have fuller accomplishment in gospel times. The Divine mercy should be powerful to melt our hearts into godly sorrow for sin. Nor will God ever leave the sinner to perish, wh...
Read full commentary →

And I will establish my covenant with thee; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD:

View commentary (4 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And I will establish my covenant with thee; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD:</strong> God emphasizes His initiative in establishing covenant and the purpose: that His people will truly know Him. This knowing goes beyond intellectual assent to intimate personal relationship based on divine self-revelation through gracious covenant.<br><br>I will establish my covenant with thee emphas...
Read full commentary →

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(62) **Establish my covenant with thee.**—The old covenant, having failed, is merged in the new and better covenant promised in 11:19; 18:31; and more fully in Jeremiah 31:31-34. This new covenant, established through a perfect Mediator, can alone perfectly fulfil God’s gracious designs for man, although the way for it must necessarily have been prepared by the less perfect covenant of old.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**13. images--**statues or obelisks. **Beth-shemesh--**that is, "the house of the sun," in Hebrew; called by the Greeks "Heliopolis"; by the Egyptians, "On" (Ge 41:45); east of the Nile, and a few miles north of Memphis. Ephraim Syrus says, the statue rose to the height of sixty cubits; the base was ten cubits. Above there was a miter of a thousand pounds weight. Hieroglyphics are traced around ...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 59-63** After a full warning of judgments, mercy is remembered, mercy is reserved. These closing verses are a precious promise, in part fulfilled at the return of the penitent and reformed Jews out of Babylon, but to have fuller accomplishment in gospel times. The Divine mercy should be powerful to melt our hearts into godly sorrow for sin. Nor will God ever leave the sinner to perish, wh...
Read full commentary →

That thou mayest remember, and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more because of thy shame, when I am pacified toward thee for all that thou hast done, saith the Lord GOD.

View commentary (3 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>That thou mayest remember, and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more because of thy shame, when I am pacified toward thee for all that thou hast done, saith the Lord GOD.</strong> The chapter concludes with stunning grace: God will be pacified (propitiated, satisfied) despite all Israel sin. This silences all boasting and produces humble amazement at grace—the only appropriate r...
Read full commentary →

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(63) **Pacified toward theo.—**Better, *when I pardon thee. *The original word is the one used technically in the law for the atonement or “covering up” of sins; and the thought is, when God shall forgive the sins of His people, and receive them to communion with Himself. Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission. Bible Hub

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 59-63** After a full warning of judgments, mercy is remembered, mercy is reserved. These closing verses are a precious promise, in part fulfilled at the return of the penitent and reformed Jews out of Babylon, but to have fuller accomplishment in gospel times. The Divine mercy should be powerful to melt our hearts into godly sorrow for sin. Nor will God ever leave the sinner to perish, wh...
Read full commentary →

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study