Ezekiel 20:5 - Clarke's commentary and critical notes on the Bible

Bible Comments

And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day when I chose Israel, and lifted up mine hand unto the seed of the house of Jacob, and made myself known unto them in the land of Egypt, when I lifted up mine hand unto them, saying, I am the LORD your God; I chose Israel - They did not choose me for their God, till I had chosen them to be my people.

I lifted up mine hand - I bound myself in a covenant to them to continue to be their God, if they should be faithful, and continue to be my people. Among the Jews the juror lifted up his right hand to heaven; which explains Psalms 144:8 : "Their right hand is a right hand of falsehood." This is a form used in England, Scotland, and Ireland.

Ezekiel 20:5

5 And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day when I chose Israel, and lifted up mine hand unto the seed of the house of Jacob, and made myself known unto them in the land of Egypt, when I lifteda up mine hand unto them, saying, I am the LORD your God;