Ezekiel 16:12

12 "I also put a 1ring in your nostril, earrings in your ears and a 2beautiful crown on your head.

Ezekiel 16:12 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 16:12

And I put a jewel on thy forehead
The same with the nose jewel, which was hung upon the forehead, and reached down to the nose and mouth; and, however disagreeable it may seem to us, was reckoned very ornamental in the eastern countries, ( Isaiah 3:21 ) ( Genesis 24:22 Genesis 24:47 ) ; and where now, as in Persia, as well as in all the Levant, the women put rings through their noses, which they pierce with needles, as Monsieur Thevenot F26 relates; so Dr. Shaw F1 says that nose jewels are used still by the Levant Arabs. The Targum applies it to the ark, thus,

``and I put the ark of my covenant among you;''
but may be better applied a public profession of religion, which every good man ought to make, and take up from principles of grace received; this is bearing the name of Christ and the name of his Father in their foreheads; which is very ornamental to the believer, and well pleasing to Christ, ( Romans 10:9 Romans 10:10 ) ( Revelation 14:1 ) ( Matthew 10:32 ) ; and earrings in thine ears.
The Targum is,
``and the clouds of my glory overshadowed you;''
but it may be better interpreted of the spiritual ears God gives his people in conversion; by which they hear his word, so as to understand it; hear the voice of Christ, so as to distinguish it from the voice of a stranger; and hear his Gospel, so as to believe and receive it, approve of it, and love it, and act in conformity to it: and a beautiful crown upon thine head.
The Targum paraphrases it thus,
``and an angel, sent from before me, led at the head of you:''
referring to ( Exodus 23:20 ) ; with which Jarchi compares ( Micah 2:13 ) but may be better illustrated by the beautiful crown of twelve stars, the doctrine of the twelve apostles of Christ, said to he upon the head of the church; and is upon the head of every believer that holds the mystery of the faith in pure conscience; that holds fast the faithful word, and will not let it go, that so no man may take away his crown, ( Revelation 12:1 ) ( 3:11 ) .
FOOTNOTES:

F26 Travels, par. 2. B. 2. c. 9. p. 94.
F1 Travels, p. 241. Ed. 2.

Ezekiel 16:12 In-Context

10 "I also clothed you with embroidered cloth and put sandals of porpoise skin on your feet; and I wrapped you with fine linen and covered you with silk.
11 "I adorned you with ornaments, put bracelets on your hands and a necklace around your neck.
12 "I also put a ring in your nostril, earrings in your ears and a beautiful crown on your head.
13 "Thus you were adorned with gold and silver, and your dress was of fine linen, silk and embroidered cloth. You ate fine flour, honey and oil; so you were exceedingly beautiful and advanced to royalty.
14 "Then your fame went forth among the nations on account of your beauty, for it was perfect because of My splendor which I bestowed on you," declares the Lord GOD.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Genesis 24:47; Isaiah 3:21
  • 2. Isaiah 28:5; Jeremiah 13:18; Ezekiel 16:14
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