Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ezekiel 16:12
And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and earrings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thine head.
12. on thy forehead ] Rather: a ring on thy nose, Isa 3:21. The nose-ring was a jewel placed on the outside of the nostril. Cf. Jdg 8:24 (where read, nose-rings). Gen 24:47. On earrings, Num 31:50.
a beautiful crown ] so ch. Eze 23:42; in Isa 62:3 rendered “a crown of glory.” The word does not suggest royalty (Eze 23:42).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
A jewel on thy forehead – literally, a nose-ring on thy nostril (Gen 24:22 note).
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 12. I put a jewel on thy forehead] al appech, upon thy nose. This is one of the most common ornaments among ladies in the east. European translators, not knowing what to make of a ring in the nose, have rendered it, a jewel on thy forehead or mouth, (though they have sometimes a piece of gold or jewel fastened to the centre of their forehead.) I have already spoken of this Asiatic custom, so often referred to in the sacred writings: see Ge 24:22; Ge 24:42; Ex 32:2; Job 42:11; Pr 11:22; Isa 3:21; Ho 2:13.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
A jewel; it was many times of silver, but most commonly of gold, and was of circular figure, hanging by a string fastened above the forehead in such a manner that it lay or rested on the nose, much esteemed among the Eastern people, though of no account with us.
Earrings; golden ornaments hanging in the fleshy part of the ear.
A beautiful crown; a very rich and beautiful crown; as virgins espoused and married had crowns set on their heads, Son 3:11, so, to complete the solemnity, and make the magnificence of these nuptials full, a crown of beauty is set on the head of this Jewish nation now married to God.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
12. jewel on thy foreheadrather,”a ring in thy nose” (Isa3:21).
a crownat once thebadge of a bride, and of her being made a queen, as being consort ofthe King; the very name Israel meaning “a prince of God.”So they are called “a kingdom of priests” (Ex19:6; compare Re 1:6).Though the external blessings bestowed on Israel were great, yet notthese, but the internal and spiritual, form the main reference in thekingly marriage to which Israel was advanced.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
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, Isa 3:21; 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 z relates; so Dr. Shaw a 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, Ro 10:9;
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 Ex 23:20; with which Jarchi compares Mic 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,
Re 12:1.
z Travels, par. 2. B. 2. c. 9. p. 94. a Travels, p. 241. Ed. 2.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(12) A jewel on thy forehead.Literally, a nose-ring on thy nostril, the custom of the time sanctioning this mode of ornament.
In contrast to Gods kindness and abundant blessing, Israels grievous sin is now described (Eze. 16:15-34). It is to be remembered that however this extraordinary sin was the natural fruit of neglected grace, it yet was extraordinary. It is not by mere hyperbole that Israel is represented as worse than others. The grace which does not elevate always reacts by directing to a lower depth. (See Excursus at end of this Book on Eze. 5:7).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
12. A jewel on thy forehead Literally, ring upon thy nose. (See Isa 3:21; Gen 24:47; Hos 2:13.) For other articles of jewelry mentioned see Gen 24:22; Gen 24:47; Gen 41:42; Num 31:50; Pro 1:9; Pro 3:3.
A beautiful crown This has reference probably to the marriage crown. It is even yet used in Palestine. It is the wife’s dowry, and the treasures of which it is composed cannot be touched by any creditor.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Eze 16:12. I put a jewel on thy forehead I put thee on a nose-jewel. See Gen 24:47 and Houbigant. See also Son 3:11.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Eze 16:12 And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and earrings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thine head.
Ver. 12. And I put a jewel on thy forehead. ] Heb., On thy nose. See on Gen 24:47 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
on thy forehead = in thy nose. Referring to the decorations, &c., of the city after being occupied by David.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Reciprocal: Gen 24:22 – earring Exo 32:2 – General Deu 26:19 – high above Isa 3:20 – the earrings Eze 21:26 – Remove Eze 23:42 – bracelets
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Eze 16:12. The crown was not used in the sense of authority, but as a token of the giory that he recognized it meant to him to have the love and association with such a creature. (See 1Co 11:7.)
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
16:12 And I put a jewel in thy nose, and earrings in thy ears, and a beautiful {h} crown upon thy head.
(h) By this he shows how he saved his Church, enriched it, and gave it power and dominion to reign.