Ezekiel 16 10

Ezekiel 16:10 kjv

I clothed thee also with broidered work, and shod thee with badgers' skin, and I girded thee about with fine linen, and I covered thee with silk.

Ezekiel 16:10 nkjv

I clothed you in embroidered cloth and gave you sandals of badger skin; I clothed you with fine linen and covered you with silk.

Ezekiel 16:10 niv

I clothed you with an embroidered dress and put sandals of fine leather on you. I dressed you in fine linen and covered you with costly garments.

Ezekiel 16:10 esv

I clothed you also with embroidered cloth and shod you with fine leather. I wrapped you in fine linen and covered you with silk.

Ezekiel 16:10 nlt

I gave you expensive clothing of fine linen and silk, beautifully embroidered, and sandals made of fine goatskin leather.

Ezekiel 16 verses

Ezekiel 16 10 Meaning

This verse describes the pristine state of Jerusalem at its birth, likening it to a newborn baby. It emphasizes God's deliberate and tender care for the city, selecting it and nurturing it from its origins. The imagery conveys a sense of divine affection and purposeful selection of Jerusalem as His own.

Ezekiel 16 10 Context

Ezekiel 16 is a powerful and extended allegory where the prophet depicts Jerusalem as an unfaithful wife and an abandoned, rescued infant. This chapter serves as a severe indictment of Jerusalem's idolatry and whoredom, which are portrayed as profound betrayals of God's covenant love. The verse in question, Ezekiel 16:10, falls within the section that describes Jerusalem's miraculous birth and subsequent upbringing under God's direct care. This initial phase of tenderness contrasts sharply with the later descriptions of her sexual immorality and rebellion. The historical context is crucial: Jerusalem, the capital of the Kingdom of Judah, had experienced periods of great prosperity and spiritual faithfulness, but also periods of grave sin and apostasy, leading to its eventual destruction by the Babylonians. This chapter functions as a retrospective look at God's faithful dealing with Jerusalem, highlighting her unfaithfulness in response.

Ezekiel 16 10 Word Analysis

• I (אָנֹכִי - anokhi): First person singular pronoun. Emphasizes God's personal action and direct involvement. This "I" is the divine agent of creation and covenant.
• clothed (לָבַשְׁתִּי - lavashti): Root word (לָבַשׁ - lavash) meaning to put on, to cover, to be clothed with. Here, it signifies being adorned with beautiful garments, symbolizing status, protection, and divine favor. It's an active act of God bestowing beauty and dignity.
• you (אוֹתָךְ - otakh): Second person feminine singular pronoun, referring to Jerusalem, personified as a female.
• with (בְּ - be): Preposition indicating the means or instrument.
• fine (בּוּץ - butz): Refers to fine linen, a luxurious and costly fabric often used for royal or priestly garments in ancient Near Eastern cultures. It denotes high quality and preciousness.
• workmanship (מַעֲשֶׂה - ma'aseh): Root word (עָשָׂה - asah) meaning to do, to make, to work, to fashion. Here it implies something skillfully made or fashioned. Combined with "fine" linen, it suggests the attire was of exquisite craftsmanship, crafted with meticulous care.
• and (וְ - ve): Conjunction.
• shod (נַעֲלֵךְ - na'aleikh): Root word (נעל - na'al) meaning to put on shoes, to furnish with soles. The grammatical form suggests a plural form referring to the feet or shoes for both feet, or possibly footwear for the ankles as well as the feet. In the context of ancient luxury, this would imply finely made shoes or sandals, not simple footwear. Some interpretations suggest it could even refer to anklets, a form of adornment. The Hebrew implies being equipped or provided for, not just with mere covering, but with a specific form of covering for the feet.
• you (אֹתָךְ - otakh): As above, referring to Jerusalem.
• with (בְּ - be): Preposition.
• broidered (מַרְקָם - marqam): Root word (רָקַם - raqam) meaning to stitch, to embroider, to weave with patterns. This describes elaborate needlework, patterns woven into the fabric or stitched onto it, indicating a high level of artistic skill and value. It paints a picture of richly decorated attire.
• and (וְ - ve): Conjunction.
• covered (עָטַף - `atap): Root word (עָטַף - `atap) meaning to wrap around, to cover, to surround. In this context, it implies a garment that enveloped and beautified, perhaps a veil, a robe, or a fine sash.
• you (אוֹתָךְ - otakh): As above.
• with (בְּ - be): Preposition.
• fine (שֵׁשׁ - shesh): Another term for fine linen, similar to butz. It emphasizes the softness, purity, and luxury of the material.
• silk (מֶשִׁי - meshi): Often interpreted as fine linen or perhaps silk, a costly imported material known for its smoothness and sheen. This highlights the exquisite nature of the covering.

Word Group Analysis:

• "fine workmanship" (בּוּץ מַעֲשֶׂה - butz ma'aseh): This phrase, in combination, speaks of a garment of superior quality and intricate design. The linen itself is fine (butz), and its construction or ornamentation is masterful (ma'aseh).
• "shod you with broidered" (נַעֲלֵךְ מַרְקָם - na'aleikh marqam): This pairing suggests footwear that was not only functional but also decorative. The soles were not simply of leather, but of a finely embroidered or patterned material, indicating significant value and a desire for completeness in adornment.
• "covered you with fine silk" (עָטַף - atapotakh B -- shesh me -- shi - atap otakh be shesh va-meShi): This depicts an additional layer of luxurious covering, wrapped around Jerusalem. The use of both shesh (fine linen) and meshi (silk/fine linen) emphasizes the richness and layered beauty of the adornment, covering her entirely in exquisite materials.

Ezekiel 16 10 Bonus Section

The imagery of being "clothed with fine workmanship," "shod with broidered [footwear]," and "covered with fine silk" evokes the attire of royalty and high status in the ancient Near East. Such adornments were not merely aesthetic but symbolic of position and divine favor. In Hebrew thought, clothing was often imbued with significance, representing one's identity and condition. This passage can be seen as foreshadowing the ultimate presentation of the Church (the New Jerusalem) without spot or blemish, made radiant in Christ (Ephesians 5:27), who has clothed us with His righteousness. The completeness of the adornment—from fine linen at the core to embroidered soles and silken coverings—underscores God's thorough work in beautifying and establishing His covenant people. This meticulous dressing highlights God’s proactive engagement in establishing His chosen city, emphasizing His sovereignty and singular affection before any merit on Jerusalem’s part.

Ezekiel 16 10 Commentary

God’s intimate and tender care for Jerusalem is vividly illustrated through this verse's imagery. The initial "birth" of Jerusalem, after its rescue from death (Ezekiel 16:4-6), was met with immediate divine attention. God did not just sustain her; He adorned her in the finest of materials, employing skilled craftsmanship. The mention of fine linen, intricate embroidery, and luxurious silk speaks of royal and priestly attire, a divine investiture of honor, dignity, and status. This divine provision was not accidental; it was a deliberate act of love, marking Jerusalem as His chosen, beautified bride. This foundational beauty and status were a testament to God's commitment, a stark contrast to her later betrayal of Him. The careful detail in clothing and adorning, even the feet, highlights the totality of God's benevolent action and the intrinsic worth He placed upon His people and His dwelling place.