Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 5. And Aholah played the harlot] Without entering into detail here, or following the figures, they both became idolatrous, and received the impure rites of the Egyptians, Assyrians, and Chaldeans, of which connection the prophet speaks here as he did in chap. xvi., which see.
In this chapter there are many of what we would call indelicate expressions, because a parallel is run between idolatry and prostitution, and the circumstances of the latter illustrate the peculiarities of the former.
In such cases, perhaps, the matter alone was given to the prophet, and he was left to use his own language, and amplify as he saw good. Ezekiel was among the Jews what Juvenal was among the Romans, - a rough reprover of the most abominable vices. They both spoke of things as they found them; stripped vice naked, and scourged it publicly. The original is still more rough than the translation; and surely there is no need of a comment to explain imagery that is but too generally understood. I have said enough on chap. 16., and to that I must refer the reader. It is true that there are a few things here in the shade that might be illustrated by anatomy; and it would not be difficult to do it: but they are not necessary to salvation, and I shall not take off the covering. They were sufficiently understood by those for whose use they were originally designed.
Matthew Henry Commentary
- The elders of Israel are reminded of the idolatry in Egypt. (Ezek 20:1-9) In the wilderness. (Ezek. 20:10-26) In Canaan. (Ezek. 20:27-32 God promises to pardon and restore them. (Ezek. 20:33-44) Prophec against Jerusalem. (Ezek. 20:45-49)
Ezek. 20:1-9. Those hearts are wretchedly hardened which ask God leav to go on in sin, and that even when suffering for it; see Ezek. 20:32 God is justly angry with those who are resolved to go on still in their trespasses. Cause the people to know the evil deeds of their fathers that they may see how righteous it was with God to cut them off.
Ezek. 20:10-26. The history of Israel in the wilderness is referred to in the new Testament as well as in the Old, for warning. God did grea things for them. He gave them the law, and revived the ancient keepin of the sabbath day. Sabbaths are privileges; they are signs of ou being his people. If we do the duty of the day, we shall find, to ou comfort, it is the Lord that makes us holy, that is, truly happy, here and prepares us to be happy, that is, perfectly holy, hereafter. The Israelites rebelled, and were left to the judgments they brought upo themselves. God sometimes makes sin to be its own punishment, yet he is not the Author of sin: there needs no more to make men miserable, tha to give them up to their own evil desires and passions.
Ezek. 20:27-32 The Jews persisted in rebellion after they settled in the land of Canaan. And these elders seem to have thought of unitin with the heathen. We make nothing by our profession if it be but profession. There is nothing got by sinful compliances; and the carna projects of hypocrites will stand them in no stead.
Ezek. 20:33-44 The wicked Israelites, notwithstanding they follow the sinful ways of other nations, shall not mingle with them in their prosperity, but shall be separated from them for destruction. There is no shaking off God's dominion; and those who will not yield to the power of his grace, shall sink under the power of his wrath. But no one of God's jewels shall be lost in the lumber of this world. He wil bring the jews to the land of Israel again; and will give them tru repentance. They will be overcome with his kindness: the more we know of God's holiness, the more we see the hateful nature of sin. Those wh remain unaffected amidst means of grace, and would live without Christ like the world around them, may be sure it is the way to destruction.
Ezek. 20:45-49 Judah and Jerusalem had been full of people, as a fores of trees, but empty of fruit. God's word prophesies against those wh bring not forth the fruits of righteousness. When He will ruin nation, who or what can save it? The plainest truths were as parable to the people. It is common for those who will not be wrought upon by the word, to blame it _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew ותזן2181 אהלה170 תחתי8478 ותעגב5689 על5921 מאהביה157 אל413 אשׁור804 קרובים׃7138
