Ezekiel 16:43 - Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

Bible Comments

Hast fretted me. — Better, hast raged against me. This form of the verb does not have a transitive sense. (Comp. Genesis 45:24; Proverbs 29:9; and in this particular form, 2 Kings 19:27-28; Isaiah 37:28-29, where the same word is used.)

Thou shalt not commit. — The English here follows the Masoretic punctuation, putting the verb in the second person. Probably it should be read in the first person (which only changes the Masoretic vowels) and translated “that I may not commit wickedness concerning all thine abominations.” The word for wickedness is the especial word used for one who tolerates sin in another who is under his control (see Leviticus 19:29). God represents that it would be wrong to allow Israel’s sin to go unpunished.

Ezekiel 16:43

43 Because thou hast not remembered the days of thy youth, but hast fretted me in all these things; behold, therefore I also will recompense thy way upon thine head, saith the Lord GOD: and thou shalt not commit this lewdness above all thine abominations.