John Gill Commentary Ezekiel 17:18

"For he hath despised the oath by breaking the covenant; and behold, he had given his hand, and yet hath done all these things; he shall not escape." — Ezekiel 17:18 (ASV)

Seeing he despised the oath, by breaking the covenant
This is repeated again, to show the heinousness of the sin Zedekiah had been guilty of, and what was the cause of his ruin: when, lo, he had given his hand ;
to the king of Babylon, to testify his hearty agreement with him, and that he might depend upon the oath and covenant being sacredly observed by him. This was a rite for custom frequently and early used in different nations, when covenants and agreements were entered into; we find it used in the times of Homer {z}; and among the Romans. When Antoninus, Lepidus, and Octavius made peace, the historian says ^F1 , they joined their hands together.

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Virgil
``and, lo, he stretched out his hand to Pharaoh:'' and has done all these [things] ;
been guilty of such and so many crimes, as ingratitude, perjury, covenant breaking, and vain confidence: he shall not escape ;
divine vengeance, just and proper punishment for his sins.

FOOTNOTES:

• F1: Florus, Hist. Rom. Gest. l. 4. c. 5.