The Inner Meaning of the Prophets and Psalms #139
139. Internal Meaning of Ezekiel, Chapter 16
The successive states of the Jewish church. (2)
1-2 There was nothing in it but falsity and evil. (2)
3-6 It was forsaken by the Lord from the beginning, because it was without anything of the church. (2)
7-12 After a time truths and goods of every kind and species were given to it through the Word, and thus evils and falsities were removed. (2)
13-14 Thus it could have been in intelligence. (2)
15-20 It falsified all things of the Word. (2)
21-22 It extinguished truths and goods, and became as in the beginning. (2)
23-25 It turned truths into falsities (2)
26-28 by knowledges [scientifica] of the natural man, by traditions, and by reasonings from them, (2)
29-30 finally profaning [truths]. (2)
31 It exalted itself above all men. (2)
32-34 It obtruded its falsities on others. (2)
35-42 They will utterly perish by the falsities by which the truths of the Word have been destroyed. (3)
43-45 Thus they will be as in the beginning. (3)
46-52 The like has come to pass with the Israelitish church, but in a less degree. (3, 17)
53-55 Nevertheless the church in general shall be restored. (11)
56-58 It is everywhere better than in the Jewish church. (11)
Ezekiel 16:46-52
46
Your elder sister is Samaria, who dwells at your left hand, she and her daughters; and your younger sister, who dwells at your right hand, is Sodom and her daughters.
47
Yet have you not walked in their ways, nor done after their abominations; but, as [if that were] a very little [thing], you were more corrupt than they in all your ways.
48
As I live, says the Lord Yahweh, Sodom your sister has not done, she nor her daughters, as you have done, you and your daughters.
49
Behold, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: pride, fullness of bread, and prosperous ease was in her and in her daughters; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.
50
They were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw [good].
51
Neither has Samaria committed half of your sins; but you have multiplied your abominations more than they, and have justified your sisters by all your abominations which you have done.
52
You also, bear you your own shame, in that you have given judgment for your sisters; through your sins that you have committed more abominable than they, they are more righteous that you: yes, be also confounded, and bear your shame, in that you have justified your sisters.
