John Gill 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)

And I put a jewel on your forehead
The same with the nose jewel, which was hung upon the forehead, and reached down to your nose and mouth; and, however disagreeable it may seem to us, was reckoned very ornamental in the eastern countries, (Isaiah 3:21) (Genesis 24:22Genesis 24:47); and where now, as in Persia, as well as in all the Levant, the women put rings through their noses, which they pierce with needles, as Monsieur Thevenot ^F26 relates; so Dr. Shaw ^F1 says that nose jewels are used still by the Levant Arabs.

The Targum applies it to the ark, saying, "and I put the ark of my covenant among you;" but it may be better applied to a public profession of religion, which every good man ought to make, and take up from principles of grace received; this is bearing the name of Christ and the name of his Father in their foreheads; which is very ornamental to the believer, and well pleasing to Christ, (Romans 10:9Romans 10:10) (Revelation 14:1) (Matthew 10:32).

and earrings in your ears .
The Targum is, "and the clouds of my glory overshadowed you;" but it may be better interpreted of the spiritual ears God gives his people in conversion; by which they hear his word, so as to understand it; hear the voice of Christ, so as to distinguish it from the voice of a stranger; and hear his Gospel, so as to believe and receive it, approve of it, and love it, and act in conformity to it:

and a beautiful crown upon your head .
The Targum paraphrases it thus, "and an angel, sent from before me, led at the head of you:" referring to (Exodus 23:20); with which Jarchi compares (Micah 2:13); but it may be better illustrated by the beautiful crown of twelve stars, the doctrine of the twelve apostles of Christ, said to be upon the head of the church; and is upon the head of every believer that holds the mystery of the faith in pure conscience; that holds fast the faithful word, and will not let it go, that so no man may take away his crown, (Revelation 12:1) (3:11).

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FOOTNOTES:

• F26: Travels, par. 2. B. 2. c. 9. p. 94.
• F1: Travels, p. 241. Ed. 2.