Matthew Poole and continuators on Ezekiel 8:17

17 ¶ Then he said unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah, that they commit the abominations, which they commit here? for they have filled the Land with violence, and have returned to provoke me to anger; and lo, they put the branch to their nose.

After the Prophet had seen all and had time to consider all he saw.

God appeals to the Prophet.

Doth the House of Iudah think these no sins, or but little sins, or that I account not those provocations to anger. Do they so sottishly undervalue me and my Law and Ordinances, &c?

These Idolaters as others of the same stamp are great oppressors.

Every where their oppressions may be found in great and high degrees.

All in[illegible: 1 letter]ustice is here meant towards all sorts of men, whom they first despise and next destroy.

From Injustice against man they return to impiety against God.

Consecrate first these branches in the Sun and then next prize them, as what had toucht the Idol and was bettered by it. Or, perhaps took some branches out of the Garland, wherewith they deckt the idol the Altar, the victim, or themselves, and as the Orgyasts, i. e. Worshippers of Bacchus did wave their T[illegible: 1 letter]yrsus ▪ the stalk or stem wrethed with Ivy about it, carrying it in their hands whilst they danced, bowed their bodies and often kissed the branches, so did these Idolatrous Jews.

Marginal references: Or, Is there any thing lighter than to commit