Westminster Annotations, Ezekiel · Chapter 23
CHAP. XXIII.
Vers. 2. TWo women] Meaning Israel and Judah, divided into two Kingdoms, both came out of one family. See Jer. 3 7, 8, 10. Chap. 16. 44, 45.
V. 3. And they committed whore …oms] Levit. 17. 7. Josh. 24. 14. Chap. 20. 8 Spiritually by idolatry.
there were their breasts pressed] A figurative description of the peoples first going astray after idols.
V. 4. Aholah the elder] Aholah signifieth a mansion or dwelling in her self; meaning Samaria, which was the Head Citie of the ten Tribes, Isa. 7. …. who having forsaken the Temple of God, had established a worship of God according to their own mindes, 1 King. 12. 16, 28, 31. And Aholibah signifieth my mansion in her; whereby is meant Jerusalem, where Gods Temple was, in which the pure worship of God remained. 2 Chron. 13. 10, 11.
and they were mine] Chap. 16. 8. 20.
V. 5. when she was mine] Heb. under me. Which may be understood thus, Being my wife, subject to me.
her lovers] An ordinary title for profane nations, with which Gods people joyned in idolatry and impiety.
on the Assyrians her neighbours] 2 Kings 15. 19. After the Assyrians had conquered Syria, which bordered upon the ten Tribes.
V. 6. clothed with blue] A magnificent, gentile, rich and powerfull nation.
V. 7. committed her whoredomes with them] Heb. bestowed her whoredoms upon them.
the chosen men of Assyria] Heb. the choice of the children of Asshur.
V. 8. from Egypt] He seems to have relation to the golden Calves set up by Jeroboam, in imitation of the Calfe Apis, dedicated to the Egyptians chiefest Idol Serapis; see Exod. 32. 4. This may also be understood of the unlawfull Covenants made with Egypt, 2 King. 17. 4.
they lay with her] The holy Ghost useth these terms, which seem strange to chaste ears, to cause this wicked vice of idolatry so to be abhorred, that scarce any should abide to hear the name thereof mentioned.
V. 9. I have delivered her] 2 Kings 17. 3, 4, 5.
into the hand of the Assyrians] 2 Kings 17. 23.
V. 10. Th…se discovered her nakednesse] Chap. 16. 37. That is, they have shamefully punished her. A terme taken from the disgraces which are done to poor women taken in the wars. Isa. 20. 4. & 47. 3.
and slew her] Namely, the body of the Nation, taking away their Kingdom; whereof see 2 King. 17. 4, 5, 6. and 18. 11.
famous] Heb. a name. That is, a noted and memorable example of Gods judgements.
V. 11. her sister Aholibah] Jer. 3. 8.
she was more corrupt in her inordinate love then she] Heb. she corrupted her inordinate love more then she.
more then her sister in her whoredoms] Heb. more then the whoredomes of her sister. Jer. 3. 11. Chap. 16. 47.
V. 12. the Assyrians] 2 Kings 16. 7. Chap. 16. 28.
V. 14. men pourtrayed upon the wall] A description of unbridled lust; like a woman that should fall in love with strangers that are absent, onelyonly by seeing their pictures, and should send to seek after them into farre countreys.
V. 16. assoon as she saw them with her eyes] Heb. at the sight of her eyes.
V. 17. Babylonians] Heb. children of Babel.
her minde was alienated from them] Heb. loosed, or, disjoynted. That is, the Jews have broken the league which they had made with the Chaldeans, to joyn with the Egyptians, their enemies and emulators. 2 Kings 24. 1, 20.
my minde was alienated] Jer. 6. 8.
V. 19. Yet she multiplied her whoredoms] She hath also had shamefull doings with the Egyptians, putting confidence and trust in their relief and friendship, contrary to the faith they owed to God.
V. 20. their paramours] Heb. concubines. By the Egyptians Concubines or Paramours are to be understood the neighbouring nations, adhering to them, and imitating their idolatry.
whose flesh is as the flesh of asses] Chap. 16. 26. These are termes taken from the shamelesse lusts of unchaste women, and do shew the strength and riches of Egypt; which moved the Jews to make a league with them.
V. 21. the paps of thy youth] The meaning is, the Egyptians took occasion to perswade thee to idolatrie, when thou wast in thy spirituall childhood, by reason thou hadst but small knowledge and experience of my pure worship; which thou canst not now pretend, being fully instructed in it: as a young maide, if she were seduced, might partly be excused for her simplicity, which a married woman that is of full age cannot plead.
V. 22. Behold, I will raise] Chap. 16. 37.
V. 23. Pekod, and Shoa] Names of some people of Asia, which were subjects to Nebuchadnezzar, of which his army was also composed. Jer. 50. 21.
V. 24. according to their judgements] They shall indeed be my judgements, but I will leave the execution of them to their discretions. Or, he doth oppose mens judgements, which are without mercy, to the judgements of God, which are alwayes tempered with some clemency. See 2 Sam. 24. 14. Zach. 1. 15.
V. 25. they shall take away thy nose] A kinde of speech taken from the ignominious punishments used in some Countreys against adulterous women: or, from the cruelties of enemies enraged against prisoners, before they kill them. Others, they shall destroy the Princes and Priests with the rest of thy people.
V. 26. They shall strip thee] Chap. 16. 39.
fair jewels] Heb. instruments of thy decking.
V. 27. Thus will I make thy lewdnesse] Chap. 22. 15.
from the land of Egypt] I will hinder thee from going any more into Egypt to commit fornication. Or, I will cause thy fornication which thou hast brought out of the land of Egypt to cease.
V. 28. whom thou hatest] Chap. 16. 37.
from whom] Vers. 17.
V. 29. all thy labour] All thy treasures and riches which thou hast gotten by labour.
shall be discovered] Even as a malefactors misdeeds are discovered, when he is once sentenced to death. Or, all the world shall see thy shamefull forsaking of God to serve idols.
V. 31. of thy sister] Namely of the ten tribes.
I will give her cup into thine hand] I will execute the same judgements and vengeance against thee. A terme taken from the ancient manner of feasting, where every one had his portion of meat and drink given him. See Psal. 75. 8. Jerem. 25. 15. Matth 20. 23.
34. suck it out] Psal. 75. 8. Isa. 51. 17.
break the sherds thereof] Thou shalt grow mad therewith like a drunken man, who aft…r he is overcome with wine will break the cups and pots, and will teare his flesh with his nailes, and with his teeth, Jer. 25. 16.
V. 35. and cast me behind thy back] 1 King. 14. 9. Nehem. 9. 26.
V. 36. judge Aholah] Chap. 20. 4. and 22. 2. Or plead for.
V. 37. and bloud is in] Chap. 16. 38.
devoure them] Read Chap. 16. 20.
V. 38. they have defiled] They have openly derided and mocked me, making a shew as if they would do me some service in my Temple at appointed times. See Chap. 20. 39. Or they have committed these abominations in my Temple and upon holy dayes. See 2 King. 21. 4. Jer. 11. 15. Chap. 8. 3. 6.
V. 39. thus have they done] 2 King 21. 4.
V. 40. that ye have sent for men] A figurative description of the profane entertainment given to the Chaldeans, Egyptians, and others sent for by the Jews, to treat of unlawfull covenants, taken from a whores preparation when she entertaineth her expected russian.
to come] Heb. coming.
wash thy self] He directeth his speech to either of them two, namely, Aholah, or Aholibah.
V. 41. stately bed] Heb. honourable. According to the manner of many ancient Nations, and also of the Jews, who at their most solemne feasts used to sit or lie upon beds, Esth. 1. 6. and 7. 8. Joh. 13. 25.
whereupon thou hast set] Pro 7. 17.
mine incense and mine oyl] Which thou hadst received of me together with other blessings, and with which they did rub and anoint themselves at banquets and publike feasts. As if he would say, she had imployed Gods gifts in gaining the favour and friendship of profane Nations, Isa. 57. 9.
V. 42. with her] Heb. in her. Namely, Jerusalem and Samaria upon these occasions have been full of strangers, walking, and taking their pleasures, like fornicatours in a brothelhouse.
with the men] Heb. to the men. That is, besides those great and noble Nations, the Jews have also desired the friendship and relief of the Arabians, Ethiopians, and other base Nations, who thinking themselves much honoured by such a request, have carried them presents, which the nobler Nations have not done, but have received presents of the Jews, Chap. 16. 33, 34.
of the common sort] Heb. of the multitude of men.
Sabeans] Or, drunkards.
V. 43. unto her that was] To either of those Nations which were grown old in their idolatrie.
they now commit] Words of disdain, as much as to say, Now they will satisfie their unbridled lust, having all their fornicatours at their command: sometime with the one, sometime with the other.
whoredomes with her] Heb. her whoredomes.
V. 45. righteous men] Namely, the Assyrians and Chaldeans executioners of Gods justice, who shall have a just cause according to mens opinions, to revenge themselves of the Jewes and Israelites perjuries and rebellions. Or, your lewdnesse is such, that all just men shall judge you worthy of all that befals you.
judge them after] Chap. 16. 38.
V. 46. I will bring up] Chap. 16. 40.
to be removed and spoiled] Heb. for a removing and spoil.
V. 47. dispatch them] Or, single them out.
V. 48. Thus will I cause] Chap. 22. 15.
all women may be taught] Meaning, all other Cities and Countries, especially those where God hath planted his Church.
V. 49. your lewdnesse upon you] Namely, the just punishment for it.