Ezekiel 16:53-56 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

When I shall bring again the captivity of Sodom and her daughters, &c. “Sodom and her daughters may mean cities placed in the district where Sodom stood. Sodom was not where the lake is, Genesis 19:24.” Bishop Newcome. “The Moabites and Ammonites, descended from Sodom, are called by this name.” Michaelis. “When the fulness of the Gentiles shall come into the church, some of whom may be compared with Sodom for wickedness, Isaiah 1:9, then will I also remember you were my ancient people. St. Paul tells us the Jews will be provoked to emulation by the Gentiles coming into the church, and thereby be induced to acknowledge the truth, Romans 11:11-31. And the conversion of the Gentiles is expressed, Jeremiah 48:47; Jeremiah 49:6; Jeremiah 49:39, by returning the captivity of Moab, Ammon, and Elam; and Isaiah 18:7; Isaiah 19:24-25; Isaiah 23:18, by the Egyptians, Syrians, Assyrians, and Ethiopians bringing presents to God, and acknowledging themselves his servants. And by the same analogy we may understand the bringing again the captivity of Sodom here, of the Gentiles coming into the church.” Lowth. “The sense of this,” says Bishop Newcome, “is again expressed Ezekiel 16:55, and both verses are to be explained by Ezekiel 16:61. I refer the words rather to the future restoration of the Jews than to their return from Babylon.” This prediction was partly fulfilled in the age of the apostles and first disciples of Christ; but the full accomplishment of it is undoubtedly yet future. That thou mayest bear thine own shame That thou mayest be humbled and made ashamed, in having those put upon a level with thee whom thou hadst before so greatly contemned, and thought so much beneath thee. For thy sister Sodom Including the cities in or near the place where she stood, and the Ammonites, Moabites, and other neighbouring nations, termed her daughters, Ezekiel 16:53; Ezekiel 16:55, and here put for the Gentiles in general; was not mentioned in the day of thy pride Was held in such contempt, that thou didst not think her worthy of being named by thee; before thy wickedness was discovered, Ezekiel 16:57 Before it was made apparent to the world by the judgments or punishments inflicted on thee. Or, as Bishop Newcome and some others interpret the words, “The exemplary punishment of Sodom was not duly considered and spoken of by thee in the time of thy prosperity and self-confidence; before thy humiliation showed thy wickedness, and defeats and distresses were brought on thee by the Syrians and Philistines.”