Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 1. Moreover take thou up a lamentation] Declare what is the great subject of sorrow in Israel. Compose a funeral dirge. Show Be melancholy fate of the kings who proceeded from Josiah. The prophet deplores the misfortune of Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim, under the figure of two lion whelps, which were taken by hunters, and confined in cages. Next he shows the desolation of Jerusalem under Zedekiah, which he compares to a beautiful vine pulled up by the roots, withered, and at last burned.
Calmet justly observes, that the style of this song is beautiful, and the allegory well supported throughout.
Matthew Henry Commentary
- A parable showing the first low estate of the Jewish nation, it prosperity, idolatries, and punishment.
Ezek. 16:1-58 In this chapter God's dealings with the Jewish nation and their conduct towards him, are described, and their punishmen through the surrounding nations, even those they most trusted in. Thi is done under the parable of an exposed infant rescued from death educated, espoused, and richly provided for, but afterwards guilty of the most abandoned conduct, and punished for it; yet at last receive into favour, and ashamed of her base conduct. We are not to judge of these expressions by modern ideas, but by those of the times and place in which they were used, where many of them would not sound as they d to us. The design was to raise hatred to idolatry, and such a parabl was well suited for that purpose.
Ezek. 16:59-63 After a full warning of judgments, mercy is remembered mercy is reserved. These closing verses are a precious promise, in par fulfilled at the return of the penitent and reformed Jews out of Babylon, but to have fuller accomplishment in gospel times. The Divin mercy should be powerful to melt our hearts into godly sorrow for sin Nor will God ever leave the sinner to perish, who is humbled for his sins, and comes to trust in His mercy and grace through Jesus Christ but will keep him by his power, through faith unto salvation _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew ואתה859 שׂא5375 קינה7015 אל413 נשׂיאי5387 ישׂראל׃3478
