And I put a jewel on thy forehead,.... The same with the nose jewel, which was hung upon the forehead, and reached down to the nose and mouth; and, however disagreeable it may seem to us, was reckoned very ornamental in the eastern countries, Isa 3:21; 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 relates; so Dr.
Shaw says that nose jewels are used still by the Levant Arabs. The Targum applies it to the ark, thus,"and I put the ark of my covenant among you;''but may be better applied 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, Ro 10:9;and earrings in thine 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 thine head.
The Targum paraphrases it thus,"and an angel, sent from before me, led at the head of you:''referring to Ex 23:20; with which Jarchi compares Mic 2:13 but may be better illustrated by the beautiful crown of twelve stars, the doctrine of the twelve apostles of Christ, said to he 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, Re 12:1.
Travels, par. 2. B. 2. c. 9. p. 94. Travels, p. 241. Ed.