1Under the similitude of an helpless exposed infant is represented the original state of Jerusalem, 6whom God is described to have bred up, married, and treated with kind indulgence: 15her unnatural whoredoms: 35God threateneth her with severe judgment: 44her sin, equal to her mother's, the Hittite, and exceeding that of her sisters, Sodom and Samaria, shall not go unpunished. 60A promise of mercy in the end.
1AGAIN the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
2Son of man, cause 1Jerusalem to know her 2abominations,
1 That is, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, which here in the sequel for this cause are addressed in the singular number and in the feminine gender.
2 That is, abominable works, committed especially by idolatry.
3And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto Jerusalem; Thy 3birth and thy 4nativity is of the land of Canaan; thy father was 5an Amorite, and thy mother an 6Hittite.
3 Or, Thy dealings. Many understand hereby the entire practice of all the people of Israel in point of religion and the service of God; among which are also to be comprehended the works concerning the conduct of life. Others translate this word with off-springs, or generations, origins, habitations, or associations.
4 That is, the beginnings and origins of your aforementioned dealings are not of Abraham and Sarah, of whom ye boast to be descended, but out of the idolatrous and wicked pagans, whose doings ye have imitated, degenerating from the faith and works of your father Abraham. Compare John 8:39; Rom. 2:28; 9:7, 8. Some conceive that the Hebrew word is here put in the plural number to show that the Israelites always followed different idolatrous religions, not being contented with one.
5 See of the descent of this people, Gen. 10:16, and of their wickedness, Gen. 15:16.
6 Of the Hittites’ descent see Gen. 10:15, and of their wickedness Gen. 27:46.
4And as for thy nativity, 7in the day thou wast born thy navel 8was 9not cut, neither wast thou washed in water 10to supple thee; thou wast not salted 11at all, nor swaddled at all.
7 That is, at the time when I called Abraham, who was an idolater, Joshua 24:2, when thou wast in his loins, out of Ur in Chaldea, to go into the land of Canaan and brought his seed into Egypt, and led them through the wilderness into the land of promise. Compare Hosea 2:3.
8 The misery of the people of Israel is described here by a similitude taken from a newborn child, which, having come forth out of its mother’s womb, is regarded by no man.
9 This signifies that no bare creature delivered, or could deliver, this people from their natural misery and death, to bring them to everlasting salvation.
10 Or, when I looked upon thee. Hebr. with my beholding, that is, as soon as I beheld thee. Likewise some translate the words by, or, with my foot, Gen. 30:30. Other, for my beholding, that is, for a delight of My beholding, so that thou wouldest have been delightful and acceptable unto My sight. Other, for softening, namely, whereby the skin of the newborn child is made soft, clean, neat and smooth, when, after it is washed, it is anointed with some materials useful for that purpose.
11 Hebr. being salted wast not salted. Salt was also formerly used to stiffen or harden the skin, and to strengthen the inward parts. All this intimates that God found nothing in the Israelites when He took them for His own people, but misery, filth and weakness, and consequently chose them not in respect of their own worthiness, but of His free grace in the promised Mediator.
512None eye pitied thee, to do any 13of these unto thee, to have compassion upon thee; but thou 14wast cast out in the open field, to the lothing 15of thy person, in the day that thou wast born.
12 Namely, not only because they would not, but also because they could not. Hebr. No eye spared or pitied thee.
13 Namely, which ought necessarily to be done to such a newborn babe for its preservation.
14 That is, as forsaken by all, and to be helped by none but by God.
15 For, The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?, Jer. 17:9. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: …, Rom. 8:7, and he is totally as a worm, Job 25:6, yea, altogether lighter than vanity, Psalm 62:9.
6¶And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted 16in thine own blood, I said unto thee when thou wast 17in thy blood, 18Live; 19yea, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live.
16 Namely, which was upon thy body when thou first camest into the world. This blood signifies the corruption of our nature wherein we are all conceived and born, and which makes us subject to both temporal and eternal death.
17 That is, when thou wast in thy blood.
18 That is, thou shalt live, though thou art exceeding corrupt and miserable. It is a command, containing in it a promise of life; of which manner of speech see Psalm 37 on verse 3; Prov. 3 on verse 25. The Lord wants to say: Though ye be very unclean and deformed, and lie as in the midst of death, yet I will cause you to live. This is continually fulfilled, according to the covenant of grace, which God made with Abraham.
19 This is said twice, to show that God has oftentimes renewed His promises and that they remain firm and steadfast. See of these promises Gen. 12:1, 2, 3; 13:15, 16; 15:1, etc.; 17:1, 2, etc.; 22:17, etc.; 24:7; 26:3; 28:13, etc.
7I have caused thee to 20multiply as the bud of the field, and thou hast increased and waxen great, and thou art come to 21excellent ornaments: thy breasts are fashioned, and thine hair is grown, whereas thou wast 22naked and bare.
20 That is, a very great multitude. See Exod. 1:7; 12:37. A certain number for an uncertain.
21 Hebr. to the ornament of ornaments, that is, to a very great or to the greatest vigor. See of this phrase Lev. 2 on verse 3. Understand this of a spiritual ornament and vigor, of which cause see Deut. 7:7, 8 and consequently issued from the first mercy here mentioned, contained in the promise of life, verse 6.
22 Hebr. nakedness. Also verse 22. Understand the deprivation of the original righteousness, and the emptiness of all saving riches. See of the spiritual nakedness also Rev. 3:17.
8Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time 23of love; and I 24spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy 25nakedness: yea, Ia sware unto thee, and entered into 26a covenant with thee, saith the Lord GOD, and thou becamest mine.
23 That is, the time that thou wast marriageable, or suitable to be desired in marriage. The Lord here speaks after the manner of men of the spiritual marriage, which He out of mere grace and love made with the people of the Jews, when He separated them from other nations of the earth, and entered with them into a covenant of grace in the Messiah.
24 That is, I took thee into My custody to make thee My spouse. Compare Ruth 3 on verse 9.
25 Or, shame.
a Gen. 22:16; 24:7.
26 Namely, of spiritual marriage, that I would be your God, and ye would be My people. See Gen. 17:1, 2, etc.
9Then 27washed I thee with water; yea, I throughly washed away 28thy blood from thee, and I 29anointed thee with oil.
27 Hereby many understand the benefit of the forgiveness of sins, flowing from the covenant of grace, which is often represented and expressed by washing, Exod. 24:8; Lev. 15:13; Psalm 51:2, 7; Ezek. 36:25; Acts 22:16; 1 Cor. 6:11; Rev. 1:5. Yet understand also this and the following benefit, namely, of regeneration and sanctification in respect of the children of promise and the elect that were among the people.
28 Namely, the blood, which was found upon thee in thy birth.
29 Namely, to make thee acceptable. Compare Esther 2:12. This signified the spiritual anointing with the oil of regeneration, whereby a person is sanctified for a better life. See of this oil and anointing 2 Cor. 1:21, 22; 1 John 2:20, 27.
1030I clothed thee also with 31broidered work, and shod thee with 32badgers’ skin, and I girded thee about with 33fine linen, and I covered thee with silk.
30 That is, I have abundantly furnished thee, not only in body with all that was needful for thee, but have likewise thus enriched and filled thee with spiritual goods and mercies, that thou excellest all other nations, Gen. 12:2, 3; Num. 24:5, 6, 7, 17, 18, 19; Deut. 4:6, 7, 8; Psalm 132:13, 14, 15, etc., and by My marriage art become a queen. See Psalm 45:9, 10, 11, 12, 13, etc. See also on verse 13.
31 Or, stitched work. Also verse 18.
32 See of these Exod. 25 on verse 5.
33 See Gen. 41 on verse 42.
11I decked thee also with ornaments, and I put 34bracelets upon thy hands, and a 35chain on thy 36neck.
34 See Gen. 24 on verse 22.
35 See of this word also Gen. 41:42.
36 Hebr. throat.
12And I put a 37jewel 38on thy forehead, and 39earrings in thine ears, and a beautiful 40crown upon thine head.
37 See Gen. 24 on verse 22.
38 Or, over thy nose, or, upon thy face. See Gen. 24 on verse 47.
39 See the same word in the same signification, Gen. 35:4.
40 Or, a crown of ornament, that is, a glorious or a beautiful crown. See Prov. 4:9 and the annotation.
1341Thus wast thou decked with gold and silver; and thy raiment was of fine linen, and silk, and 42broidered work; thou didst eat 43fine flour, and honey, and oil: and thou wast 44exceeding 45beautiful, and thou didst prosper 46into a kingdom.
41 By all these similitudes, taken from corporal ornaments, necessaries, beauty and prosperity, is portrayed the abundance of spiritual blessings, whereby God had exalted the people of Israel above other nations, such as were the giving of the law, the revelation of heavenly doctrine, the gift of prophecy, the priesthood, the pure worship of God, the miracles, the hope of the life to come, etc.
42 Or, stitched work.
43 Understand under the sorts of sustenance here mentioned, all which is necessary for provision of life, and for recreation of the body.
44 Hebr. very very.
45 That is, very lovely and beautiful, and looked upon by all nations with admiration.
46 That is, that thou hadst thine own kings, who governed thee. Or, thou hadst prosperity in the kingdom, namely, for the most part under the reign of king David and Solomon. The royal dignity was promised to the Israelites, Gen. 17:6; 49:10.
14And thy renown 47went forth among the heathen for thy beauty: for it was perfect through my 48comeliness, which I had put upon thee, saith the Lord GOD.
47 See hereof the promise Gen. 12:2; Deut. 4:6, 7, 8. The fulfillment Num. 23:8, 21, etc.; Joshua 2:9; 2 Sam. 7:9; 1 Kings 10:1, etc., 24, etc.; 2 Chron. 32:23.
48 See on verse 10 and 13.
15¶But thou didst 49trust in thine own beauty, and 50playedst the harlot 51because of thy renown, and pouredst out thy fornications on every one that passed by; his 52it was.
49 It is as if thou wouldst keep it forever, even how thou wouldst make out with Me.
50 That is, didst commit adultery, partly in thy idol worship, and partly in your wicked engagements with idolatrous nations. See of the spiritual whoredom committed by idolatry, Lev. 17 on verse 7; Lev. 20 on verse 5, and of the unlawful engagements forbidden by God, Exod. 23:32; 34:12; Deut. 7:2, and made by the Jews, 2 Chron. 19:2; 20:35, etc.
51 That is, because thou hast the name of being very beautiful and in that respect thou hast a desire to prostitute thyself, unto the satisfying of thy whorish disposition.
52 Namely, thy beauty. Compare Isa. 57:5; Jer. 2:20, 23, 36; 3:6.
16And of thy garments thou didst take, and deckedst thy 53high places with divers colours, and playedst the harlot thereupon: 54the like things shall not come, neither shall it be so.
53 Understand altars set up in high places unto idols, and hung with fair or broad speckled garments, in order that, being spied afar off, they might allure the passengers to idolatry. These are here compared to the beds of harlots which are beautifully and costly trimmed to entice lovers, Prov. 7:16, for which cause also these idolatrous places are called beds, Isa. 57:7.
54 The sense is, that the Jews committed such a gross offence by their idolatry that it has no equal, nor ever would have.
17Thou hast also taken 55thy fair jewels of 56my gold and of my silver, which I had given thee, and 57madest to thyself 58images of men, and didst commit 59whoredom with them,
55 The Hebrew word is generally taken for all manner of vessels, furniture or household stuff made of gold, silver, etc. Compare Lev. 15 on verse 4.
56 That is, which I have given thee for necessary use, and moderate ornament. Compare Hosea 2:8.
57 Namely, of that gold and silver.
58 It seems that here the images of a man are named, and not the images of a woman, either because Jerusalem is here brought in under the person of an harlot, who keeps company with every man; or because they had some images in the form of a man, portrayed most unchastely and shocking.
59 Namely, by doing sacrifices with them, calling upon them and showing all religious honor unto them.
18And tookest thy broidered garments, and 60coveredst them: and thou hast set 61mine oil and mine 62incense before them.
60 Namely, thy images, and that to adorn them also with costly ornaments, which is likewise idolatry.
61 Which I gave thee for other uses, and amongst others for My service. See Gen. 28 on verse 18; Exod. 27:20, 21; 30:7; Lev. 2:1, 2; Lev. 8 on verse 2; Judges 9 on verse 9.
62 Made of incense from sundry spices for the service of God, see Exod. 30:34, 35.
19My meat also which I gave thee, fine flour, and oil, and honey, wherewith I fed thee, thou hast even set it before 63them for a 64sweet savour: and thus it was, saith the Lord GOD.
63 Namely, of the images.
64 Compare Gen. 8 on verse 21.
20Moreover thou hast taken thy sons and thy daughters, whom thou hast borne unto 65me, and these hast thou sacrificed unto 66them 67to be devoured. 68Is this of thy whoredoms a small matter,
65 Namely, which belonged unto Me by virtue of the covenant which I made with thee and thy seed. For, though the people of the Jews had forsaken God, and deserved to be forsaken of God, yet in regard this was not yet done, they begat children, whom He also, by reason of circumcision, still considered worthy to know for His own, not desiring to punish the children for the offence of the parents. Also Ezek. 23:37.
66 Namely, unto the idols and images.
67 That is, that they might devour them by the fire.
68 Namely, in thine eyes or in thy judgment, that thou dost commit such abominations as are mentioned in the previous and following words, following from thy whoredom?
21That thou hast 69slainb my children, and delivered them to cause them to pass through the fire 70for them?
69 The Hebrew word signifies properly to throat, or to cut the throat, Lev. 1 on verse 5, but here it is taken simply for killing or slaying, by causing to pass through the fire. See Lev. 18 on verse 21; 2 Kings 23 on verse 10; 2 Chron. 28 on verse 3; Ezek. 23:37.
b Isa. 57:5.
70 That is, to the honor of the idols.
22And in all thine abominations and thy whoredoms thou hast not remembered the days 71of thy youth, when 72thou wast naked and bare, and wast 73polluted in thy blood.
71 See on verse 4.
72 See on verse 7.
73 See on verse 6.
23And it came to pass after all thy wickedness, (woe, woe unto thee! saith the Lord GOD;)
24That thou hast also built unto thee an 74eminent place, and hast made thee an high place in every street.
74 That is, an elevated place to commit thine idolatry upon it. Compare Lev. 26 on verse 30. Likewise Isa. 57:7, etc.; Jer. 3:6.
25Thou hast built thy high place 75at every head of the way, and hast made thy beauty to be abhorred, and 76hast opened thy 77feet to every one that passed by, and multiplied thy whoredoms.
75 Or, At every main road, or, In front of every way, that is, at all the crossways and beginnings of the streets. Also Ezek. 21:21; Compare Prov. 8:2 and the annotation, where the crossway is called an house of paths.
76 That is, thou hast given thyself over to all manner of the vilest and most impertinent idolatry, of what so ever nations thou mightest have borrowed it. The Hebrew word is used of the mouth and of the legs; of the mouth, for opening it wide to speak immodestly and impudently, Prov. 13:3, of the legs, for opening them wide to uncleanness, as here.
77 Or, legs. Hebr. feet.
26Thou hast also 78committed fornication with the 79Egyptians thy neighbours, 80great of flesh; and hast increased thy whoredoms, to provoke me to anger.
78 Namely, by making unlawful covenants with them. Compare Isa. 30:2; 31:1, contrary to the command of God, Deut. 17:16. Thus the word playing the harlot or committing fornication is also taken in verse 28.
79 Or, the children of Egypt, that is, the Egyptians. Also children of Asshur for the Assyrians, verse 28; children of Babel for Babylonians, Ezek. 23:17.
80 That is, who are very strong and mighty, even in uncleanness. Compare Ezek. 23:20.
27Behold, therefore I have 81stretched out my hand over thee, and have diminished thine 82ordinary food, and 83delivered thee unto the will of them that hate thee, 84the daughters ofc the Philistines, which are ashamed of 85thy lewdd way.
81 Namely, to punish thee, as follows. See Ezek. 14 on verse 9.
82 Namely, of food and drink, and ordinary sustenance. See Job 23 on verse 12.
83 See the exposition of this phrase, Psalm 27 on verse 12.
84 That is, of the people of the Philistines. See 2 Kings 19 on verse 21.
c 2 Chron. 28:18.
85 Hebr. thy ways of lewdness.
d vicious, ignorant*
28Thou hast 86played the whore also with the 87Assyrians, because thou wast 88unsatiable; yea, thou hast played the harlot with them, and yet couldest not be satisfied.
86 See on verse 26.
87 See 2 Kings 16:7; 2 Chron. 28:16.
88 Namely, of playing the whore.
29Thou hast moreover multiplied thy fornication 89in the land of Canaan unto Chaldea; and yet thou wast not satisfied herewith.
89 Some understand this thus, that the Jews not only followed the idolatry of the Canaanites, but also of the Chaldeans, and this might have been done by those who were carried away captive to Babel with Jeconiah.
30How 90weak is thine heart, saith the Lord GOD, seeing thou doest all these things, the work of an 91imperious whorish woman;
90 Or, faint, feeble, weary, namely, being fatigued and over-labored by that insatiable whorish lust.
91 That is, who is not only a whore, but is in the prostitution so excessive, licentious and mischievous, that she is the mistress over all.
31In that thou buildest thine 92eminent place 93in the head of every way, and makest thine high place in every street; and hast not been as 94an harlot, in that thou scornest hire;
92 See on verse 24.
93 See on verse 25.
94 Seeing thou desirest no reward, but givest it. See verses 33 and 34.
32But as 95a wife that committeth adultery, which taketh 96strangers instead of 97her husband!
95 Namely, who entices other men to her without desiring any reward.
96 namely, lovers and fornicators, that is, strange and false gods, Psalm 44:20; Jer. 2:25; 3:13.
97 Who is God Himself, Hosea 2:19; 2 Cor. 11:2.
3398They give gifts to all whores: but thou givest 99thy gifts to all thy 100lovers, and hirest them, that they may 101come unto thee 102on every side 103for thy whoredom.
98 Or, One giveth. Hebr. They give, namely, the whoremongers.
99 Namely, as well in getting and obtaining of strange gods and the manner how to serve them, as making idolatrous covenants with the Gentiles.
100 Hebr. lovers, or devotees. Also in the sequel.
101 See of this phrase Gen. 6 on verse 4.
102 That is, from all cities and countries.
103 That is, to commit whoredom with thee.
34And 104the contrary is in thee 105from other women in thy whoredoms, 106whereas none followeth thee to commit whoredoms: and in that thou givest a reward, and no reward is given unto thee, therefore thou art contrary.
104 Hebr. turning about.
105 Namely, who are unchaste and make their bodies common. For, they desire to receive a whore’s reward, and not to give a reward.
106 Hebr. and behind thee whoredom is not committed, that is, seeing no one pursueth thee, or inquireth after thee to commit whoredom with thee.
35¶Wherefore, O harlot, hear the word of the LORD:
36Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thy 107filthiness was poured out, and thy nakedness discovered through thy whoredoms with 108thy lovers, and with all the idols of 109thy abominations, and by the 110blood of thy children, which thou didst give unto them;
107 The Hebrew word signifies properly copper, copper rust, copper green, Spanish green, which is venomous, and is here by way of similitude taken for that contagiousness, which an harlot gets in her body by frequent uncleanness. Whereby is intimated how filthy and odious idolatry is in the sight of God. According to the opinion of others, the word points at the insatiable lust of whores. See of the Hebrew word also Ezek. 24:11. Others translate this word filthiness, ugliness, shamefulness or baseness.
108 Here is related a twofold spiritual whoredom: the first committed with strange nations by unlawful covenants, such as were the Assyrians, Egyptians and Babylonians; the other with the idols through false, religious worship.
109 Idols are thus called, because in their idolatrous service many abominations are committed.
110 Hebr. the bloods, that is, slaughters, murders, see Gen. 4 on verse 10; whereby thou hast cruelly murdered thy children in honor of thine idols. See verses 20 and 21. Other, by or about the blood of thy children, etc., that is, when thou didst murder thy children.
37Behold, therefore I will gather all thy 111lovers, with whom thou hast 112taken 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 113thy nakedness unto them, that they may see all thy nakedness.
111 Out of whom consisted the army of the Babylonians.
112 Namely, in the spiritual idolatry, of wicked covenants and of false worships. Other, hast taken or committed pleasure or delight, or, hast been voluptuous, or, hast had the sweet.
113 Or, thy shame. This signifies the vilest and basest infamy and reproach which may be inflicted upon anyone before men. Compare 2 Sam. 10:4; Isa. 20:4; 47:3; Jer. 13 on verses 22 and 26; Nahum 3:5.
38And I will judge thee, as women 114that break wedlock and 115shed blood are judged; and I will give thee 116blood in fury and 117jealousy.
114 See of these laws or judgments Lev. 20:10; Deut. 22:22.
115 See Gen. 9:6; Exod. 21:12; Mat. 26:52; Rev. 13:10.
116 That is, death, which shall proceed from My wrath and jealousy.
117 See Ezek. 5 on verse 13.
39And 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 118fair jewels, and leave thee naked and bare.
118 Hebr. vessels or furnitures of thy ornament, or thy glory.
40They shall also bring up a company against thee, and they shall stone thee with stones, and thrust thee through with their swords.
41And they shall burn thine houses 119with fire,e and execute judgments upon thee in the sight of many 120women: and I will cause thee to cease from playing the harlot, and thou also shalt give no hire any more.
119 This punishment is perhaps here also mentioned in respect of the sin of adultery which by some ancient laws was thus punished. Compare Gen. 38:24; Lev. 21:9; Jer. 29:22, 23; Ezek. 23:45, 47. See this burning fulfilled 2 Kings 25; 2 Chronicles 36; Jeremiah 52.
e 2 Kings 25:9; Jer. 52:13.
120 That is, nations. Thus the nation of the Jews in this entire transaction is set forth under the name of an adulterous woman. Likewise daughters are referred to in Holy Scripture as nations. See verse 27. Here is now mentioned of the surrounding nations, unto whom the Jews in their ruin became a public example of God’s vengeance, yea, a scorn and a derision unto many. See Psalm 137:7; Lam. 1:8, 21; 2:15, 16; Ezek. 25:3; 26:2, etc.
42So will I make 121my fury toward thee to rest, and 122my jealousy shall depart from thee, and I will be quiet, and will be no more angry.
121 See Ezek. 5 on verse 13.
122 Namely, after I shall have executed all My fearful judgments against thee, in order that I shall rest satisfied therewith without being anymore angry at thy lewdness. God speaks of Himself after the manner of men.
43Because thou hast not remembered 123the days of thy youth, but hast 124fretted me in all these things; behold, therefore I also will recompense 125thy way upon thine head,f saith the Lord GOD: and thou shalt not commit 126this lewdness above all thine 127abominations.
123 That is, thy former misery, and My mercy therein towards thee. See verse 4, etc.
124 That is, an anger or vexation. Thus is this word taken for angry commotion, Gen. 45:24; Prov. 29:9. See the annotations.
125 See Ezek. 9 on verse 10.
f Ezek. 9:10; 11:21.
126 Understand the forgetfulness of her youth, whereof mention is made at the beginning of this verse. Others understand the murdering of her children, whereof see verses 20 and 21. Some take the Hebrew word in a good sense, and translate these words thus: and thou hast not made or had one thought, that is, not once thought on all thy abominations.
127 That is, abominable idolatries.
44¶Behold, every one that useth proverbs shall use this 128proverb against thee, saying, 129As is the mother, so is her daughter.
128 See Ezek. 12 on verse 22.
129 That is, the daughter very often follows the nature and morals of her mother.
45130Thou art thy mother's daughter, that lotheth 131her husband and her children; and thou art the sister of 132thy sisters, which lothed their husbands and their children: 133your mother was an Hittite, and your father an Amorite.
130 That is, thou art of thy mother’s nature, and art like unto her in manners and works.
131 That is, God, Whom she forsook by idolatry, and her own sons and daughters, whom she murdered to the honor of idols.
132 Called Samaria and Sodom in the next verse. Hebr. sister, that is, each of thy sisters. Also in the sequel.
133 See verse 3.
46And thine 134elder sister is Samaria, she and her 135daughters that dwell 136at thy left hand: and thy younger sister, that dwelleth at thy right hand, is Sodom and her daughters.
134 Samaria, whereby is to be understood the ten tribes; is called Jerusalem’s elder sister, because her kingdom was greater than the kingdom of Judah, so Sodom in the following words is called her younger sister, because her kingdom was less.
135 The word daughters indeed oftentimes signifies the dependent places of the great cities (see 2 Kings 19 on verse 21), but here it may be understood of the inhabitants of these cities and countries.
136 That is, northward of thee; for, those who were at Jerusalem with their faces towards the east, had Samaria on their left hand, that is northward, and Sodom on their right hand, that is southward.
47Yet 137hast thou not walked after their ways, nor done after their abominations: but, 138as if that were a very little 139thing, thou wast corrupted 140more than they in all thy 141ways.
137 That is, their sins cannot be compared to yours, which are far greater and more abominable.
138 Namely, to sin no other ways than as those of Samaria and Sodom had sinned.
139 Namely, that thou wouldst do no more than they had done.
140 That is, made it worse and lived more wickedly. Such is the word corrupt or make corrupt taken in Deut. 31:29; Judges 2:19. Otherwise the Holy Scripture calls this corrupting one’s way, Gen. 6:12; corrupting one’s doings or works, Zeph. 3:7.
141 That is, works.
48As I live, saith the Lord GOD, Sodom thy sister hath not done, she nor her daughters, as thou hast done, thou and thy daughters.142
142 An abrupt speech, usual in oaths.
49Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, 143fulness of bread, and abundance of 144idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.
143 Understand all sins, which are wont to proceed out of the abundance of physical need in the wicked; also in the following: idleness for the evil from which it proceeds.
144 Or, quiet stillness. Other, abundant idleness.
50And they were haughty, and committed 145abomination 146before me: therefore I tookg them away 147as I saw good.
145 See hereof Gen. 13:13; 18:20; 19:5.
146 See Gen. 6 on verse 11.
g Gen. 19:24.
147 Namely, how abominable they lived. Compare Gen. 18:21 and the annotation. It is spoken of God after the manner of men.
51148Neither hath Samaria committed half of thy sins; but thou hast multiplied thine abominations more than they, and hast 149justified thy sisters in all thine abominations which thou hast done.
148 Namely, by reason of thy unthankfulness, whereby thou hast contemptibly rejected My bounty and lovingkindness which I bestowed upon thee in a far greater measure than I did upon Samaria; and by reason of thy carelessness whereby thou hast slighted the judgments which I sent upon Samaria for thine example and warning.
149 That is, declared to be more pious than thyself, because they have not sinned as abominably as thou hast done. Compare Jer. 3:11.
52Thou also, which hast 150judged thy 151sisters, 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 152sisters.
150 That is, hast justified them, and hast pronounced them to be more pious than thyself, as in the previous verse. Other, that hast condemned thy sister, namely, Samaria, declaring that she was justly punished and forsaken by God for her backsliding. Other, thou that hast judged thy sisters, bear also thy shame for thy sins, etc.
151 Hebr. sister. See on verse 45.
152 Hebr. sister. See on verse 45.
53When I shall bring again their 153captivity, the captivity of Sodom and her daughters, and the 154captivity of Samaria and her daughters, 155then will I bring again the captivity of thy captives in the midst of them:
153 Or, captives, also in the sequel. Hebr. captivity. See Num. 31 on verse 12.
154 The word captivity is used for all manner of plagues and judgments which come upon man. See Job 42:10 and the annotation.
155 That is, never. For, Sodom and Samaria were utterly destroyed without any hope of being restored to their former state. Also in the 55th verse following. Understand this with exception of those whom God had chosen by grace to be an holy seed and remnant of His church, of which see in verse 60.
54That thou mayest bear thine own shame, and mayest be confounded in all that thou hast done, in that thou art a 156comfort unto 157them.
156 That is, relieve them in their plagues which they have received, when they shall consider that like sins are rewarded with like plagues. Compare Ezek. 14 on verse 22.
157 Namely, Sodom and Samaria.
55When 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.
56For thy sister Sodom 158was not mentioned by thy mouth in the day of 159thy pride,
158 Hebr. was not an hearing or report in thy mouth, that is, thou hast scarcely made any mention of the fearful example of My vengeance, which I have poured out upon the Sodomites, to the end that thou by avoiding similar sins mightest escape similar plagues.
159 Hebr. thy prides, that is, when thou wast exceeding proud, namely, when thou in thy great pride and stoutness didst despise all the admonitions of My prophets, and wentest on in thine abominations. Other, thy glories or excellencies, that is, when thou wast in thy greatest prosperity, pleasure and dignity. The Hebrew word is in a bad sense taken for pride or haughtiness, Lev. 26:19; Job 35:12; Ezek. 7:24; in the good sense for glory, excellence, dignity, Exod. 15:7; Job 40:10; Psalm 47:4.
57Before thy wickedness was 160discovered, as at the time 161of thy reproach of the daughters of Syria, and all that are round 162about her, 163the daughters of the Philistines, which 164despise thee 165round about.
160 Namely, by My punishments which I sent upon thee. The sins of God’s people have otherwise always been discovered by the preaching and admonitions of the prophets.
161 That is, whereby thou wast reproached by the Syrians, when they ran over and plundered thy country, 2 Kings 16:5, 6; 2 Chron. 28:5, 6.
162 Namely, the land of Syria.
163 That is, the Philistines. See 2 Chron. 28:18.
164 Understand the contempt which, just before, was called reproach. Other, spoiled and plundered; for, the Hebrew word (according to the opinion of many) signifies not only contempt, but also spoiling.
165 That is, on every side.
58Thou hast borne 166thy lewdness and thine abominations, saith the LORD.
166 Hebr. lewd act, lewdness, that is, the punishments thereof; whereby thy wickedness has begun to be discovered.
59For thus saith the Lord GOD; 167I will even deal with thee as thou hast done, which hast despisedh the 168oath in breaking the 169covenant.i
167 That is, as thou hast broken the covenant, likewise I have now also the liberty to do the same.
h Jer. 2:20.
168 Namely, whereby thou hast sworn and cursed thyself if ever thou wouldst break the covenant which I made with thee, Deut. 27:15, etc. Compare Neh. 10:29 and the annotation.
169 Made on Mount Sinai.
i verse 8.
60¶Nevertheless I will 170remember my covenant 171with thee in the days of thy youth, and I will establish unto thee an 172everlasting covenant.
170 See Gen. 8 on verse 1.
171 That is, which I made with thee in the time of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. For with these and their posterity God had established a covenant of grace, grounded on the merits of the Messiah, Who was to come, Gen. 17:2.
172 Namely, hanging on the former covenant of grace, and being a renewing thereof, and likewise standing open for all Gentiles who would believe in Christ.
61Then 173thou shalt remember thy ways, and be ashamed, when thou shalt 174receive 175thy sisters, thine elder and thy younger: and I will give them unto thee 176for daughters,j but not by 177thy covenant.
173 Namely, O Jerusalem and Judah.
174 That is, take into the fellowship of the church.
175 Understand those who of the Israelites or the ten tribes, and out of the nations, both great and small, would believe in the Messiah, and be converted unto the true knowledge of God.
176 Namely, as born out of thee by the preaching of the Holy Gospel.
j Gal. 4:26.
177 Namely, the covenant of the law, which I made with thee, as if thou hadst fully kept it; but by My covenant of grace, which also concerns Mine elect of the Gentiles.
62And I will 178establish my 179covenant with thee; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD:
178 Or, confirm.
179 Understand the covenant of grace, and compare Jer. 31:32.
63That thou mayest remember, and be confounded, and never open thy mouth 180any more because of thy shame, when I am pacified 181toward thee for all that thou hast done, saith the Lord GOD.
180 Hebr. mayest not have opening of the mouth anymore, that is, in order that thou mayest have no more boldness or cause to excuse thyself, or to favor thy sins. This manner of speech, taken in a good sense, is as much as to have the boldness and matter to utter or express something clearly and plainly. See Ezek. 29:21; Eph. 6:19.
181 That is, shall reconcile thee unto Myself. Also 2 Chron. 30:18. Or, shall be gracious unto thee, Deut. 21:8. See the annotation.