Ezekiel 16:7

have caused … multiply Lit. as marg. made thee a myriad. This idea of multiplication in numberdeserts the figure, introducing the notion of the numerical increase of the people (Exodus 1:7; Deuteronomy 10:22; Deuteronomy 33:17). The rest of the verse, however, continues the figure of the child growing up to womanhood. For "myriad" LXX. has "do thou grow" (imper.). This is not natural, but probably some word signifying "growth" should be read, "I gave thee growth like the herb of the field; and thou didst grow and wax great."

thou art come … ornaments Thou didst come to excellent ornament, lit. ornament of ornaments. The connexion requires that "ornament" should mean graces and beauties of the person. The word has nowhere else this sense, being always employed of such ornaments as jewelry which are worn (Ezekiel 16:11). The rendering "beauty of cheeks" (Hitz.) rests upon the supposed sense of Psalms 32:9; Psalms 103:5. In Isaiah 64:6 a word somewhat similar occurs: filthy(i.e. menstruous) garment, and several scholars (J. D. Michaelis, Cornill) assume this sense here. This requires considerable alteration of the text, which already lay before LXX. (though rwas read for d, as often). Neither is Ezekiel 16:22 in favour of it.

are fashioned Better past tenses: were fashioned … was grown, but thou wast.

The passage is an allegorical description of the early history of the family of Israel, their struggles for existence in Canaan, their descent into Egypt, the oppressions suffered there, and the Lord's care and protection of them (Exodus 3:7; Exodus 3:9; Psalms 105:12 seq.). The unattractive character of the early patriarchal history as written in Genesis is plain enough (Genesis 29-31, 38.). This unattractive character is set forth in the blood and pollution of the new-born infant, and the Lord's care of them in their dependent and defenceless condition under the figure of his pity and adoption of the outcast child. The truth conveyed in the allegory is more delicately expressed by another writer: "The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all peoples; but because the Lord loved you" (Deuteronomy 7:7-8).