Ezekiel 23:31-35 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Therefore will I give her cup, &c. I will make thee drink the same bitter draught, or experience the same calamity that has fallen upon her. God's judgments are often compared to a cup of intoxicating liquors, because they astonish men, and bereave them of common judgment and discretion, and likewise expose them to the scorn and contempt of their enemies. Thou shalt even drink it and suck it out There shall be no punishment which thou shalt not partake of. Thou shalt drink of the cup of calamity even to the dregs; that which is the very worst and most bitter: see notes on Psalms 75:8. and Isaiah 51:17. Thou shalt break the sherds thereof People who are quite intoxicated, often in their drunken madness break the cups out of which they had drunk; therefore by this expression here is meant, that the Jewish people should be, as it were, driven to madness by the grievous judgments that should fall upon them. And pluck off thine own breasts “Thou shalt tear away thy breasts with the sharp pieces of the broken cup, through grief and madness.” Bishop Newcome. Or, Thou shalt be in a fury with thyself for having by thine own sins brought such grievous calamities upon thyself. Her breasts are mentioned as the parts which had a principal share in her guilt, according to the allegorical description here given of her idolatries. Because thou hast forgotten me Because thou hast not only forsaken my worship, but hast showed the utmost contempt of and aversion from me. Therefore bear thou also thy lewdness Therefore thou shalt suffer the punishment of thy wickedness and idolatry.