Ezekiel 16:4

as for thy nativity The circumstances of thy birth were these, as follows. The family of Israel, represented by Jerusalem, is compared to an exposed infant, for whom the things absolutely necessary to preserve its life were not done. The reference is to the history of the family in Canaan, and in its descent to Egypt, when it was feeble, unprotected and in danger of perishing.

to supplethee] The word is otherwise unknown. Targ. "for purification," probably guessed, but some such sense is required. Fried. Del. refers to an Assyrian root signifying to wash.

wast not salted at all An ancient custom was to rub the newborn infant with salt "tenera infantium corpora … solent ab obstetricibus sale contingi ut sicciora sint et restringantur," Jerome. The ceremony was probably partly religious as well as healthful.