Charles Ellicott Commentary Ezekiel 16:12

"And I put a ring upon thy nose, and ear-rings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thy head." — Ezekiel 16:12 (ASV)

A jewel on your forehead. —Literally, a nose-ring on your nostril, the custom of the time sanctioning this mode of ornament.

In contrast to God’s kindness and abundant blessing, Israel’s grievous sin is now described (Ezekiel 16:15–34). It is to be remembered that however this extraordinary sin was the natural fruit of neglected grace, it was still extraordinary.

It is not by mere hyperbole that Israel is represented as worse than others. The grace which does not elevate always reacts by directing to a lower depth. (See Excursus at the end of this Book on Ezekiel 5:7).