Again, because of God’s decree that the nations should be her foes, the result is that Jerusalem has become a filthy thing among them.
Jerusalem, once honoured among the neighbouring nations, is now ignored by them—regarded much like an unclean leper (see also Lamentations 4:13–15). Sin was the reason for this declaration of uncleanliness. This declaration conveys that she is like a woman declared ceremonially unclean under Mosaic law (see Leviticus 12:2,Leviticus 12:5; Leviticus 15:19–26; Ezekiel 7:19–20; Ezekiel 18:6). Sin is portrayed in the Old Testament as something repulsive (see Isaiah 64:6; Ezekiel 16:51; Ezekiel 23:5–21; Micah 3:2–3).1
17 Zion stretches out her hands, but there is none to comfort her; the LORD has commanded against Jacob that his neighbors should be his foes; Jerusalem has become a filthy thing among them.