Ezekiel 16:12

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 God’s kindness and abundant blessing, Israel’s grievous sin is now described (Ezekiel 16:15). 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 Ezekiel 5:7).