Matthew Poole and continuators on Ezekiel 23

2 Son of man, there were two women the daughters of one mother .

Iudah, and Israel, the two Kingdoms.

Sprung from Sarah, or, as some, Daughters of the Synagogue. They rose from one Family, these two were Daughters, that is parts, and the Mother is the whole posterity of the 12 Tribes.

3 And they committed whoredoms in Egypt, they committed whoredoms in their youth : there were their breasts pressed , and there they bruised the teats of their virginity.

When they came down into Egypt, and sojourned there, possibly they might commit Bodily Whoredoms, but Spiritual Whoredoms; i. e. Idolatry they did certainly commit, as appears Ioh. 24.14. and Ezek. 20.7, 8. which see; in a low condition by converse with the Idolatrous Egyptians, they fell in with their Idolatry.

Early, though 'tis no where said when they began, yet by this it appears, that 'twas not long after their coming down into Egypt.

This and what follows is an allusion, which illustrates what was before spoken; while they were constant to God, and his Worship, they were as Beautiful, chast, and lovely Virgins, when seduced to Idolatry, they became as loathsome Harlots, or Strumpets.

Marginal references: Lev. 17.7. [illegible: 1 letter]hap. 20.8.

4 And the names of them were Aholah the elder , and Aholibah her sister: and they were mine , and they bare sons and daughters: thus were their names: Samaria is Aholah, and Jerusalem , Aholibah.

That we might know them, they are described,

Which rendred in English, is his own Tabernacle, for Israel falling off from the House of David, fell also off from the Tabernacle, or Temple of God, so that all the Temple, and Worship they had amongst them, was of their own making.

Greater for number of Tribes, being Ten of Twelve, and greater for Power, Wealth, and multitudes of people.

This rendred in English, my Tabernacle in her: The Two Tribes had the Temple and Worship of God with them; God's own Tent was pitcht there, and his solemn Services.

By solemn Marriage Covenant, Ezek. 16.18.

Were fruitful, and brought forth Children to me, saith God, they increased in Numbers of people, and among these, some there were, that were Children of God by Faith, Love, and Obedience.

The chief City of the Apostate Ten Tribes.

Ierusalem, the chief City of the Two Tribes.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 letter]hap. 16.8,

5 And Aholah played the harlot when she was mine , and she doted on her lovers , on the Assyrians her neighbours .

The Kingdom of Israel, or the Ten Tribes.

United in confederacy in civil concerns, and in Idolatry as to Religious concerns with the Assyrians.

When under my Government, and Protection, or in my presence, or before I had abdicated, and cast her off.

Were madly inamoured with the Assyrian Idols, Temples, and manner of Worship.

Whom she loved, not that I find they so much loved her.

So often mentioned, nothing needs be said of them.

So they were now by their siezing of Syria, and possessing it as their own, 2 Kings. 15.19.

6 Which were cloathed with blue , captains , and rulers , all of them desirable young men, horsemen riding upon horses.

Richly apparelled, and, as the humour of that Nation, in rich and beautiful blue, very magnificent to the eye.

Daring valiant men, and fit for Wars, who might defend the Iews in time of danger.

Worthy of Authority, and fit to govern in times of peace.

Young, and vigorous, full of beauty, and strength to commend them to the desire, and choice.

Skilful in riding, and well furnisht with choice Horses, on which these deluded apostatizing Israelites relyed for help, as appears, Hos. 14.3.

7 Thus she committed her whoredoms with them, with all them that were the chosen men of Assyria, and with all on whom she doted : with all their idols she defiled her self.

By the eye, and familiar converse she fell to Idolatry.

See ver. 2. let. i.

She embraced the Friendship, and Religion of all of them, and relied on the Assyrians Idols for deliverance, and peace.

i. e. Other Nations with whom she had Commerce, and made Leagues.

Like an Adulterous Wife, she was mad in her love to them, to their Persons, Customs, Idols, and Religion, with all which she polluted her self.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 letter]eb. bestowed whor[illegible: 1 letter]doms [illegible: 1 word] them.; [illegible: 1 letter]eb. choice of [illegible: 1 word] children of [illegible: 1 word].

8 Neither left she her whoredoms brought from Egypt: for in her youth they lay with her, and they bruised the breasts of her virginity, and poured their whoredom upon her.

Though she took in so many Gods of the Assyrians, yet she did not renounce, or cast off the Gods of Egypt, but kept them too.

It is plain, the Israelites learnt Idolatry in Egypt, carried it with them out of Egypt, and retained it to the la[illegible: 1 letter]t.

See ver. 3. let. k, l.

9 Wherefore I have delivered her into the hand of her lovers, into the hand of the Assyrians, upon whom she doted.

For this boundless Idolatry, and Lewdness.

Long agone I have delivered the Ten Tribes: First, P[illegible: 1 letter]l put them under Tribute, 2 Kings 15.19, 20. about 200 years before our Prophets time: Then Tiglath-Pi[illegible: 2 letters]ser, 2 Kings 15.29. and finally into Salmanezer's hand, who destroyed the Kingdom, 2 King. 17.6.

Punisht them for their sins by those, were fellow sinners with her.

Marginal references: 2 King. 17.[illegible: 1 letter], 4, 5, 23.

10 These discovered her nakedness : they took her sons and her daughters, and slew her with the sword : and she became famous among women; for they had executed judgment upon her.

Used her as lewd Women deserve, stript her naked, and exposed her to shame, as ver. 26. God her Husband had clothed her, and covered her nakedness, but she lightly esteemed her God, doted on Idols, and Idolaters strip her.

Made them Captives, and carried them away as Slaves to serve the Lusts of barbarous Conquerors, so both Sexes were used.

As a person slain with the Sword ceaseth to be, so this Kingdom of Israel under Hoshea was by the Sword of Salmanezer utterly destroyed.

Her lewdness made her infamous, and God's judgments for it made her more known in the world.

The Assyrians a proud, bitter, and violent Enemy.

Had executed their own malicious revenges, but God's just displeasure upon her.

Marginal references: chap. 16.37.; Heb. a name.

11 And when her sister Aholibah saw this she was more corrupt in her inordinate love than she, and in her whoredoms more than her sister in her whoredoms.

Iudah, yet Two Tribes.

Both the sins and punishments of the Kingdom of Israel, which should have been her Admonition.

Ran more violently into both Friendship, Confederacies, and Idolatries with the Assyrians.

Samaria, Ierusalem had more Idols in it, and more abominable Idolatry, than any we read of in Samaria, that, at present, I can remember.

Marginal references: Jer. 3.8.; Jer. 3.11. chap. 16.47, 51.; Heb. corrupted her inordinate love more, &c.; Heb. more than the whoredoms of her sister.

12 She doted upon the Assyrians her neighbours, captains and rulers, clothed most gorgeously, horse men riding upon horses, all of them desirable young men.

This verse is the same with verse 6▪ which see; only the cloathing there of Blue, is here clothing of Beauty, i. e. most beautiful.

Marginal references: 2 King. 16.7, 10. chap. 16.28.

13 Then I saw that she was defiled , that they took both one way.

When she took not warning, neither feared.

Her heart was already on her Idols.

Samaria, and Ierusalem.

Chose the same Idols, and Idolatry.

14 And that she increased her whoredoms: for when she saw men pourtrayed upon the wall, the images of the Chaldeans pourtray'd with vermilion ,

Added to the number of her Idolatries.

Where ever 'twas, the Jews saw there 'twas they doted on their persons and habits; it is probable enough they might see them in the Idol Temples, or in the House of the King of Iudah, or of the great men, who promoted the friendships, and Leagues with these Nations.

The counterfeits of Strangers, and such as were far off, as the Chaldaeans were.

Which as 'tis a very glossy and shining colour, so duly mixt with Ceruse, doth lively express the colour of mans flesh.

15 Girded with girdles up on their loines, exceeding in died attire upon their heads, all of them princes to look to, after the manner of the Babylonians of Chaldaea the land of their nativity.

With Souldiers belts about their [illegible: 1 letter]o[illegible: 1 letter]ns, which includes the rest of the garb, dres[illegible: 1 letter], or habit of Souldiers.

Both rich, comely, large, and of divers colours, and those of the choicest, that art, or money could prepare.

Of princely aspect, and majesty.

Agreeable to the garments of the rich, and pro[illegible: 1 letter]d Babylon[illegible: 1 letter]a[illegible: 1 letter]s.

Which probably was the most fruitful part of that Kingdom, and most pleasant, and were the pride and luxury of the inhabitants, exceeded others.

16 And as soon as she saw them with her eyes, she doted upon them, and sent messengers unto them into Chaldea .

The pourtraits of them.

Courted the love of those strangers, and woo'd their embraces, sent to make alliances with them, prostituted her self to them.

Though 'twas a long journey, troublesome, and cos[illegible: 1 letter]ly; all this hinders not this extravagant lewd woman, she sends to these remote parts, and forgets her God.

Like an in[illegible: 1 letter]atiable, and most impudent Adulteress she fell into most inordinate affection for their persons on sight of their pictures.

Marginal references: 2 King. 24.1. chap. 1[illegible: 1 letter].29.; Heb. at the sight of her eyes.

17 And the Babylonians came to her into the bed of love, and they defiled her with their whoredom , and she was polluted with them, and her mind was alienated from them.

The Prophet prosecuteth the Allegory, the Adulteress sent, and invited, and here the Chaldeans comply with it, they came, Embassadors no doubt first to make a Confederacy, and then free intercourse in Trade and Religion too.

So the impudently lascivious call the polluted, forbidden bed, as the Harlot, Prov. 7.18. It is like with this commerce, and Confederacy the lustful Babylonians did spread that disease, the Jewish nation were too much inclined to corporal Adulteries, and Fornications, but metaphorically, it is a delightful communicating with them in their Idolatry in their Idol Temples, and Feasts.

Made her unclean, and loathsom.

Spiritual and corporal.

Greatly defiled, as the doubling the expression imports.

Like an arrant Adulteress, wearied, but not satisfied with her Adulterers, she changeth mind, and friendships, and seeks new on[illegible: 1 letter]s. So did this people weary of the Chaldeans seek new confederates.

Marginal references: Heb. children of Babel.; verse 28.; Heb. lo[illegible: 1 letter]sed, or disjointed.

18 So she discovered her whoredomes, and discovered her nakedness . Then my mind was alienated from her , like as my mind was alienated from her sister .

By this uns[illegible: 1 letter]tiableness and change of Lovers.

Made it appear to all far, and near, that she was a most notorious, and infamous strumpet.

Her weakness, and her shame.

When I saw the lewdness, impudence, and boundlesness of her Adulteries.

Turned from her with abhorrency, I could no longer endure it.

Ierusalem, the land of Iudea, the Kingdom of the Two Tribes.

Samaria the Ten Tribes, and I resolved to destroy them both alike by their Lovers.

Marginal references: Jer. 6.8.

19 Yet she multiplyed her whoredomes, in calling to remembrance the dayes of her youth , wherein she had played the harlot in the land of Egypt.

And Heb.

Added more, and greater to her former sins of Idolatry, and Whoredomes, and persisted in them.

This may refer, either to the Jewish nation remembring their Idolatries in Egypt, their alliances with, and reliance upon it in days past, which she now resolves to act over again; or it may refer to God, who, by these continued courses of Iudahs lewdness, is provokt to remember, and punish old perfidious and idolatrous practices.

Verse 3. let. k.

20 For she doted upon their paramours, whose flesh is as the flesh of asses, and whose issue is like the issue of horses.

Verse 5. let. z.

Egyptians, and the nations, that were Confederate with the Egyptians, looking on them as able to defend by their power, enrich by their Trade and make prosperous by their Friendship.

In these terms the Prophet expresseth the vehement desire of the Jews to Egyptian Idolatry compared to whoredom, and may, for ought I know, tax the lustful impudence of some of the Jewish Women in their corporal uncleannesses with the Egyptians, who were it seems (by report of Authors) naturally disposed for that vice, and fittest for unsatiable lustful women. See chap. 16.26. let. l.

Marginal references: chap. 16.26.

21 Thus thou calledst to remembrance the lewdness of thy youth , in bruising thy teats by the Egyptians, for the paps of thy youth.

See ver. 19. let. c.

Seever. 3. let. k.

Vid. 3. let. l.

The beauty & loveliness of them, when God had formed them, allured the Egyptians, this may be understood, both politically of the growing state of the Jewish Commonweal, or litterally of the beauty of their young women.

22 ¶ Therefore, O Aholibah, thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will raise up thy lovers against thee, from whom thy mind is alienated , and I will bring them against thee on every side .

See ver. let t.

Thy Confederates.

Whom thou hast first loathed and forsaken, and thereby enraged them against thee.

Be not only an exci[illegible: 1 letter]er to stir them up against thee, but I will be a guide, and conducter of them.

So no way left for thy escape.

Marginal references: chap. 16.37.

23 The Babylonians and all the Chaldeans , Pekod , and Shoa , and Koa , and all the Assyrians with them: all of them desireable young men, captains, and rulers, great lords, and renowned , all of them riding upon horses.

These are known.

Some reckon these the Titles of some of the great Commanders in this Army, which come against Ierusalem, but they are names of distinct Countries, or Provinces under the Babyloni[illegible: 1 letter]h Government, and so Pekod is the Province between Tigris, and Ly[illegible: 2 letters]s Rivers; in this was old Ninive[illegible: 1 letter], and was the principal Province of the Kingdom, though some others think Pekod was Bactriana, now called Vsbeck, and Corass[illegible: 1 letter]n, fierce thievish, and barbarous of old.

Either Sia in Arme[illegible: 1 letter]ia, or the S[illegible: 2 letters]ai, among which were the Adiabeni, and this contained the middle part of the Kingdom of Babylon, and was Assyria Mediana.

This bordered on Media, the inhabitants called Ko[illegible: 1 letter]ai, and dwelt about A[illegible: 1 letter]bel, or Arbelis, or A[illegible: 1 letter]bela, and comprehended Ganyamela, where a Fortress Ganga looks like this Koha, being easily changed from Koa to Ganga by change of the original Letters [non-Latin text not transcribed] into G. and [non-Latin text not transcribed] into G, a people too like enough to be cruel, and barbarous by their very scituation.

All these Sons, or subjects of the Assyrian Monarchy, or Confederates.

Most of these are already explained ver. 6. where these were objects of love, now they are objects of terrour, so God turns the occasions of mens sins into occasions of greater terrour, and punishment.

Heb. called, or invited first by the Jews to sin with them, ver. 16. let. i. now called of God to punish their fellow sinners.

24 And they shall come against thee with chariots , wagons , and wheels and with an assembly of people, which shall set against thee buckler, and shield, and helmet round about: and I will s[illegible: 1 letter]t judgment before them, and they shall judge thee according to their judgments .

Mentioned before ver. 23.

Or upon thee, surprize thee with a speedy march, for they were swift in their course.

Heb. is of larger sense, and more properly speaks all kind of Arms for the War, a thorough furniture, so the Chalde[illegible: 1 letter] Parap[illegible: 1 letter]r. with instruments of War, or Arms.

Heb. Chariot, and is oftner so renderd, for expedition, for ease of their Commanders on their march, and for strength against the Enemy in the Battle.

Whether distinct from all other, or whether prepared, lest in their march the carriage wheels should break, and they be at a stand, therefore beforehand store of these were provided.

A mighty confluence of people, and a mixture, where the worst, and cruellest are the most numerous.

Yet for their own defence well armed▪ and with armature fitted to defeat the Arrows, and offensive weapons of their Enemy, and to maintain a siege, such as they should weary Ierusalem with.

Give them a power by their victory and in right of conquest over theirRebels, as well as mine, and I will give them a spirit of judgment to discern the greatness of this peoples sins.

Plead with thee, convince, condemn, and execute sentence upon thee.

To their will, power, wrath, and custom against Rebels, for these are their rules of judgment, all which appeared when the chief of all the people were condemned to slavery, the wise Counsellers, and valiant Commanders sentenced to dye, Zedekia[illegible: 1 letter]s Children slain, his own eyes put out, and City and Temple to be burnt.

25 And I will set my jealousie against thee, and they shall deal furiously with thee: they shall take away thy nose, and thine ears; and thy remnant shall fall by the sword: they shall take thy sons and thy daughters, and thy residue shall be devoured by the fire.

As a jealous provoked Husband, I will be as much against thee as they are, their fury shall avenge my quarrel.

Their disposition naturally is to furious wrath, my jealousie shall enkindle it more.

As thou hast prostituted thy beauty like an harlot, so they shall use thee as such, and marre thy beauty, and brand thee for ever, as thou deservest, and that thou mayst be as loathsome in thy deformity, as ever thou wast thought lovely in thy beauty; this punishment of Adulteresses is known to have been used, and is yet in use.

Or else at last, thy latter end shall be to fall by the Sword, those, that do not live under such reproach, shall dye by the Sword of the Enemy.

For Captives and Slaves for work, and somewhat a thousand times worse.

Either the people, who did hide themselves in vaults and cellars, and came not out, or else what remains of that the Chaldeans cannot carry away, all this shall be devoured by fire as when the City was burnt.

26 They shall also strip thee of thy clothes, and take away thy fair jewels .

Both as lewd disgraced Harlots, and as Captives are used▪ chap. 16.39. let. a.

All thy rich, beautiful ornaments. chap. 16. ver. 17. let. p. They shall be prey, and plunder to the Enemy.

By these destroying judgments, which shall make thee cease to be a people; I will put an end to the lewdness thou wouldst never have put end to, thou shalt never have opportunity, if thou had'st heart to do the like.

Idolatries.

When thou camest out under my hand.

With desire and affection toward them, as once, when thou dotedst on them.

With Love, Trust, Imitation, and desire of Commerce with her, but all thy remembrance of Egypt shall be with deep shame, and loathing.

Marginal references: Heb. i[illegible: 4 letters]ment of [illegible: 1 span].

28 For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold I will deliver thee into the hand of them whom thou hatest, into the hand of them from whom thy mind is alienated.

Give thee up.

To the Power, and Will.

Those shall be thy Masters, and Domineer over thee, whom of all men thou didst most desire might not.

'Tis doubled for certainty of the thing, and to make deeper Impression, they shall certainly Lord it over thee, whom of all men thou dost most loath.

Marginal references: [illegible: 2 letters]p. 16.37.; [illegible: 1 letter]er. 17.

29 And they shall deal with thee hatefully , and shall take away all thy labour , and shall leave thee naked and bare: and the nakedness of thy whoredoms shall be discovered, both thy lewdness and thy whoredoms.

Use thee, and ever demean themselves toward thee

In hatred, whatever drudgery, hardship, base, and vile employment their spite and hatred can invent, they shall cast on thee.

Spoil thee of all thou hadst got in Iudea, as they did when they conquered, and plundered. And deprive thee of all the right, and comfortable use of all thy labour, which they will exact of thee in Captivity, and make thee know a Slave hath no right to any thing.

Both literally, thou shalt not have clothes to cover thy nakedness, and figuratively, thou shalt be left in a most disgraced state, and the shame of all thy sins shall cover thee: All this, as this Prophet usually doth, is doubled to affect the more.

Marginal references: [illegible: 2 letters]p. 16.39.

30 I will do these things unto thee, because thou hast gone a whoring after the heathen, and because thou art polluted with their idols.

This verse gives the same reason, which hath been often given, why the Lord proceeds in this severity, because as an obstinate, lewd, untractable Adulteress abuseth the best Husband, till none can forbear, so had the Jews dealt with God, and God will deal with them.

31 Thou hast walked in the way of thy sister , therefore will I give her cup into thine hand.

O Ierusalem and Iudah.

Hast run into the same sinful enormities.

Samaria, and the ten Tribes, both great Idolatresses.

Of judgments, and sorrow exprest frequently by a Cup, Psal. 75.8. and Ier. 25.15. I will punish thee with punishments like hers, since thou hast made thy self in sins like her.

32 Thus saith the Lord GOD, Thou shalt drink of thy sisters cup deep , and large : thou shalt be laught to scorn and had in derision; it containeth much.

Thou shalt not put it by, and shift it off.

Towards the dregs where the bitterest poyson of it lieth.

In great quantity; thy punishment shall be most grievous who must drink so deep of this cup of astonishment.

When sick, as heart can hold, and needest pity, and help to relieve, instead hereof thou shalt be derided, and abused, these will be cruel mockings.

The Cup.

Is large, and contains what will last many years till the 70 years be expired, and of this Cup thou shalt still drink, and be derided.

33 Thou shalt be [illegible: 1 letter]illed with drunkenness and sorrow, with the cup of astonishment and desolation, with the cup of thy sister Samaria.

Thy afflictions shall be as great, as thou canst hold, as a vessel filled with liqour.

34 Thou shalt even drink it , and suck it out , and thou shalt break the sheards thereof, and pluck off thine own breasts : for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD.

Thou shalt stagger with sorrows, that shall intoxicate, and astonish, in the verse each part explains the other, sorrow explains drunkenness, astonishment explains sorrow, desolation explains astonishment, and the cup of Samaria, el[illegible: 1 letter]ewhere called the line of Samaria explains all: Samaria was made a heap, Mic. 1.6. so shall Ierusalem be.

The dregs shalt thou drink, and multiply thine own sorrows.

Either out of indignation, or to suck out what was imbibed.

Which tempted others, and undid thy self, for which cause thou now revengest thy self upon thy self.

Nothing shall divert the punishment.

Marginal references: Psal. 75.8. [illegible: 1 word]. 51.17.

35 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast forgotten me, and cast me behind thy back, therefore bear thou also thy lewdness and thy whoredomes.

Chap. 22.12. which is here explained by what follows, 'twas a willful forgetting of God, and voluntary despising his Law, Ordinances, Worship, Favour, and Presence, so God is cast behind a sinners back.

The guilt, I will impute it, the punishment, I will not pardon it, and the shame, for I will pour out contempt upon thee, bear both sorrow and reproach of thy sins.

Marginal references: Jer. 2.32. & 3.21. & 13.25.; [illegible: 1 letter] King. 14.9, Neh. 9.26.

36 ¶ The LORD said moreover unto me, Son of man, wilt thou judge Aholah and Aholibah? yea, declare unto them their abominations.

Excuse or plead for such Adulteresses? So chap. 22.2. let. b.

Plainly, fully tell them, what they have been, and what they must expect for all their abominations.

Marginal references: chap. 20.4[illegible: 1 letter]; Or, plead for ▪

37 That they have committed adultery , and blood is in their hands, and with their idols have they committed adultery and have also caused their sons, whom they bare unto me, to pass for them through the fire to devour them.

This seems to referre to corporal uncleannesses.

Innocent blood of the murthered Prophets, and just men.

Spiritual Adultery, i. e. Idolatry.

Most unheard of cruelty, and unnatural murthers under pretext of Religion thus chap. 16.20.

They destroyed, took away the life of their sons in barbarous manner.

Marginal references: chap. 16.38▪; chap. 16.36, 45. & 20.26, 31.

38 Moreover this they have done unto me: They have defiled my sanctuary in the same day, and have profaned my sabbaths .

Which is declared in the following words, 'twas some great injury, or affront done to God.

My Holy things, House, Altar, Sacrifices, and Oblations; one part of the Temple put for all parts of the holy things of God.

When they had newly polluted themselves with most horrid crimes, Idolatry and Murther they thrust into the Temple, whereas by the Law, if they had been but unclean by touch of a dead body, they must have been cleansed by sacrifices before they ought to come into company with the Jews.

By offering Sacrifices to Idols, and doing that on those dayes, which God, Nature, and all Civil Nations abhorre, onely the Devil is pleased with, who is a murtherer from the beginning, promotes such bloody cruelties.

Marginal references: chap. 22.8.

39 For when they had slain their children to their idols, then they came the same day into my sanctuary to profane it, and lo, thus have they done in the midst of my house.

See chap. 16. ver. 20. let. m, n.

Using my Holy Temples, as if 'twere a common, and unclean place.

Nay, these things have been done in my house, they have offered to their Idols in the house, where my name alone should be called upon.

Marginal references: 2 Kings 21.4.

40 And furthermore, that ye have sent for men to come from far , unto whom a Messenger was sent; and lo, they came ; for whom thou didst wash thy self, paintedst thy eyes , and deckedst thy self with ornaments.

See verse 16. let. i.

From Chaldaea.

An Embassy from the King of Iudah, with advice of his Princes, no doubt.

See ver. 17. let. l, and m.

After the manner of Harlots got'st all fine, clean, and delicate against thy paramours came, so Idol Temples built, Altars beautified, Sacrifices prepared, all to commend thy self to their alliance, and help.

Like a decayed Harlot madest up thy defects with paint.

Put'st on the rich clothing I gave thee, and with thy Husbands Bounty allured Adulterers to thy Bed; so chap. 16.13, 14. thus was God abused, and provoked.

Marginal references: Heb. comings

41 And satest upon a stately bed, and a table prepared before it, whereupon thou hast set mine incense, and mine oyl.

'Tis a Table gesture, as appears, she was prepared to feast them.

A magnificent rich Bed, on which Women sate to Feast, when men leant on their sides, which would not have been a comely posture to a Woman.

Table furnisht with choicest provision, such as made for Feasts, when solemn Sacrifices were offered, or when vows were paid, as the Harlot, Prov. 7.14, 15.

This assures us that Idolatrous Worship was acted by her in complyance with the Chaldaeans, offered to their Idols, and then feasted the Idolaters, with what God had given her, when they confirm'd their Leagues, and swore by false Gods.

Marginal references: Heb. honourable.; Prov. 7.16.

42 And a voice of a multitude being at ease was with her ; and with the men of the common sort were brought Sabeans from the wilderness, which put bracelets upon their hands, and beautiful crowns upon their heads.

A shout for joy, that there was treaty of peace between the Jews, and the Chaldaeans, or Songs of gladness for the peace made, and confirmed not in God's Name, but in the Name of the Idols.

Free now from the tears of any Wars to disquiet them.

About the Altar first, where the peace was s[illegible: 1 letter]orn, about her Bed next, where she feasted her new Allies, that were Great Princes, and Nobles.

And to these worthy the Name of men, or beside these Great, and Famous ones. (Et avec ets ho[illegible: 2 letters]nes) as the French Version.

Messengers were sent to, or received, or entertained, and cares[illegible: 1 letter]ed from the Roaring Sabeans, who lived on Robberies, and Spoiling the Merchants, these were brought to Ierusalem from the Wilderness, Deserts of Arabia, a rude, barbarous, and Idolatrous scum of men described by their ill properties in Geographers, of these were they, that destroyed Iob's Servants in the verse described by their Ornaments, Bracelets about Necks and Arms, and Crowns on their Heads, which some think they bestowed upon this Harlot.

Marginal references: Heb. multitude of men.; Or, [illegible: 1 word].

43 Then said I unto her that was old in adulteries, will they now commit whoredoms with her, and she with them?

After the manner of man God seems to stand musing, or saying to himself, or it may be supposed that God speaks to his Prophet, asking him.

Or rather of her, concerning her.

Such usually are out of request with Adulterers, and now Samaria and Ierusalem had been long Spiritual Adulteresses, and one would think her Lovers would be weary of her, if she were not weary of them.

Marginal references: Heb. her whoredoms.

44 Yet they went in unto her, as they go in unto a woman that playeth the harlot: so went they in unto Aholah and unto Aholibah the lewd women.

This resolves the doubt of the former Chapter.

In this Metaphor the Prophet expresseth the Confederacy of the Jews, against God's express command with the Nations round about them. The Jews enter League with these Robbers, and admit their Idols, and so commit whoredom with them, and these Sabeans probably admit some of the Jews Idols too, and so commit whoredom with her, exprest in the last words of the 43 verse.

45 And the righteous men, they shall judge them after the manner of adulteresses , and after the manner of women that shed blood; because they are adulteresses, and blood is in their hands.

Men that kept the Law of their God: for some such there were about Aholibah her self, or Prophets, such as Ieremiah and Ezekiel, and some few more; or else the Babylonians, who in the present Controversie between Ierusalem, and its King on the one part, and Nebuchadnezzar, and the Babylonians on the other part, were comparatively the Righteous men.

Which was to be put to death by stoning, Lev. 20.10. and Murther was punisht with Death.

Marginal references: chap. 16.38.

46 For thus saith the Lord GOD; I will bring up a company upon them, and will give them to be removed , and spoiled .

The Babylonian Army.

Against the Jews, the Children of this Aholibah.

The Inhabitants of Iudea, the Citizens of Ierusalem with Princes, and Royal Family.

To be carried away Captive into the Land of Chaldaea.

By the rapine of the Souldiers in their own Land, and by the cruelty of their Masters to whom they shall be slaves in a strange Land; this is the plain sense of the verse, though possibly there may be an allusion to the solemn proceedings of a Court of Judicature coucht in the proper import of many of the Hebr. words.

Marginal references: chap. 16.40.; Heb. for a removing and spoil.

47 And the company shall stone them with stones, and dispatch them with their swords; they shall slay their sons and their daughters , and burn up their houses with fire.

Congregation, Hebr. the Babylonian Army.

The Punishment of an Adulteress, and this was in manner done, when the Engines, which cast mighty stones into the besieged City, dasht out the brains of some, and when Chimneys, or Walls, or Towers beat down by those stones cast out of the Engines, fell on others, and buried them alive,

Some of them, who scaped the stones, fell under the Sword.

Of the Babylonian Souldier.

Either in Fight, or when they break into the City, or light on them wandring on Mountains, or hiding in Dens, and Caves.

Either in sacking the City, when they regard no Sex, or because they choose to dye, rather than yield to the lust of those vile ones.

As the Cities, and Houses abroad in the Countrey; so the Babylonish Army destroyed what they could not carry away with them; as verse 25. let. a.

Marginal references: Or, single them out.

48 Thus will I cause lewdness to cease out of the land, that all women may be taught not to do after your lewdness.

See verse 27. let. t. Hereafter in this [illegible: 1 letter]and such like abominations shall never be committed more, as indeed we do not read of any such after their return out of this Captivity.

Countreys, Kingdoms, and Cities may be warn'd by your examples of [illegible: 1 letter]orrows, destruction to fear God, do justly, love mercy, and hate violence.

Marginal references: chap. 22.15.

49 And they shall recompence your lewdness upon you, and ye shall bear the sins of your idols: and ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD.

The Babylonians, and their Confederates.

As God's Ministers of just vengeance shall judge you worthy, and execute on you what you are worthy of, all that may make you desolate, a derision, and scorn.

The guilt of the sins you committed in Worshipping of, and relying upon Idols, and you shall bear the punishment of Idolaters, which by the Law of God is Death without Mercy. Deut. 13.6, 7, 8, 9, 10.

By what you suffer you shall know, that I am justly displeased with your sins, am true to my threats, and have made good my word, Deut. 8.19, 20. if thou do at all forget the Lord thy God, and walk after other Gods, and serve them, &c. ye shall surely perish.