EZEKIEL—NOTE ON EZEKIEL 16:1 Chapter Ezekiel 16:1 includes brutal violence and shocking sexual language. It shows that the infidelity of Jerusalem has brought upon it the just punishment of God. In no way does it justify any human punishment of adultery. Verses Ezekiel 16:1 follow the story of the a... [ Continue Reading ]
EZEKIEL—NOTE ON EZEKIEL 16:2 The instruction to deliver the oracle comes in semi-legal language: MAKE KNOWN (compare Ezekiel 20:4; Job 13:23) expresses the idea of an arraignment in court. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
EZEKIEL—NOTE ON EZEKIEL 16:4 CAST OUT. Leaving a newborn child outside implies an unwanted birth and certain death. The other actions that Ezekiel describes are the usual practice for welcoming a newborn. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img;... [ Continue Reading ]
EZEKIEL—NOTE ON EZEKIEL 16:6 BLOOD is an important theme throughout Ezekiel. Usually it refers to violence, but here it involves life (compare Genesis 9:4). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
EZEKIEL—NOTE ON EZEKIEL 16:7 The story quickly moves from infancy to puberty. Still NAKED, the girl is vulnerable and in need of resources of all kinds. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
EZEKIEL—NOTE ON EZEKIEL 16:8 Now at a marriageable AGE, the girl is taken as a wife. SPREAD... MY GARMENT signals intent to marry (compare Ruth 3:9), and the COVENANT signifies formal commitment (Malachi 2:14). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getEl [ Continue Reading ]
EZEKIEL—NOTE ON EZEKIEL 16:9 The cleansing actions here mirror those of v. Ezekiel 16:4. BLOOD in this case indicates her menstrual cycle has begun. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
EZEKIEL—NOTE ON EZEKIEL 16:10 Only after the covenant has been entered are the gifts of clothing and jewelry given. This signifies her status as ROYALTY (v. Ezekiel 16:13). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
EZEKIEL—NOTE ON EZEKIEL 16:14 God asserts that Jerusalem’s RENOWN and beauty were entirely of his making (THAT I HAD BESTOWED). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
EZEKIEL—NOTE ON EZEKIEL 16:15 PLAYED THE WHORE in the OT usually refers to unrestrained sexual immorality. When used metaphorically of one’s relationship with God, it usually includes idol worship. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
EZEKIEL—NOTE ON EZEKIEL 16:23 Jerusalem’s “whorings” included multiple partners. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
EZEKIEL—NOTE ON EZEKIEL 16:30 This summary of vv. Ezekiel 16:15 accuses Jerusalem of being uniquely promiscuous. It draws together the two preceding metaphors. The marriage metaphor relates to infidelity and adultery, which betray the exclusive loyalty of the covenant relationship. The prostitution... [ Continue Reading ]
EZEKIEL—NOTE ON EZEKIEL 16:35 BECAUSE... THEREFORE (vv. Ezekiel 16:36 and v. Ezekiel 16:43) presents the sins and punishments in two parts (vv. Ezekiel 16:36, Ezekiel 16:43). Adultery, along with other illicit sexual relationships, was one of a number of capital crimes in Israel’s law, so the announ... [ Continue Reading ]
EZEKIEL—NOTE ON EZEKIEL 16:49 Jerusalem’s crimes include social justice issues (v. Ezekiel 16:49), not just idolatry. She mistreats other people and God. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
EZEKIEL—NOTE ON EZEKIEL 16:53 Here judgment is assumed and a future restoration is envisioned. Both here and in the conclusion (vv. Ezekiel 16:59), the people feel shame at their previous acts. Restoring each to THEIR FORMER STATE (v. Ezekiel 16:55) puts Jerusalem on the same level as her “sisters,”... [ Continue Reading ]
EZEKIEL—NOTE ON EZEKIEL 16:60 The term EVERLASTING COVENANT also occurs in Ezekiel 37:26 and elsewhere in the OT (see Isaiah 61:8). In Jeremiah 32:40 it appears in the context of bringing together the old northern and southern kingdoms. ⇐ ⇔... [ Continue Reading ]