Keraia
Ezekiel 16

Ezekiel 16:14

Jerusalem’s Unfaithfulness · Ezekiel 16:1–34
Read Ezekiel 16

Translations

Modern
Your fame spread among the nations on account of your beauty, for it was perfect in the splendor I bestowed on you, declares the Lord GOD.
Traditional
And thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty: for it was perfect through my comeliness, which I had put upon thee, saith the Lord God.
Literal
And a name for you went forth among the nations on account of your beauty, for it was perfect in My splendor that I had set upon you, a declaration of the Lord YHWH.
Latin
Et egressum est nomen tuum in gentes propter speciem tuam, quia perfecta eras in decore meo quem posueram super te, dicit Dominus Deus.

Original

Hebrew
English
Your fame spread among the nations on account of your beauty, for it was perfect in the splendor I bestowed on you, declares the Lord GOD.

Notes

Ezekiel 16:11–14

She wore jewelry and ate the finest foods. She was known throughout the world for her beauty and splendor, which were gifts from the Lord.

Ezekiel 16:1–63

In Ezekiel 16, Jerusalem is described as an unfaithful wife and a prostitute. This language is very strong. Even in English, the chapter can be difficult to read. In its ancient setting, it would have sounded even more shocking.

Ezekiel used graphic language to show how serious Judah’s sin was. He did not try to make his message softer or more polite. He spoke in a direct and forceful way.

This strong language is the main point of the chapter. Ezekiel wanted the people to feel how terrible their sin was in God’s sight. The shocking description helped them understand that God’s judgment was not unfair.

If Ezekiel had used softer words, the people might not have understood the full seriousness of their sin. The strong picture was necessary to show why God’s judgment was justified (that is, right and fair).

Ezekiel 15:1–24:14

This section includes eight metaphors, each showing from a different angle the certainty of Jerusalem's upcoming judgment. The images are of:

  1. a worthless vine (Ezekiel 15);

  2. a faithless wife (Ezekiel 16);

  3. a vine and two eagles (Ezekiel 17);

  4. Sour grapes (Ezekiel 18);

  5. a lion and her cubs (Ezekiel 19);

  6. a sword (Ezekiel 21);

  7. two corrupt sisters (Ezekiel 23); and

  8. a cooking pot (Ezekiel 24).

Events

People

LORD: Names or title used to refer to God

Glossary

Adultery Bride of Christ Ezekiel, Book of Food and Food Preparation Hittites Sexual Immorality

Topics

Beauty: Spiritual Beauty: Vanity of Blessing: Spiritual, from God Bride: Figurative Bridegroom: Figurative God: Love of, Exemplified Ingratitude to God: Illustrated Righteousness Imputed: Predicted