Ezekiel 16 13

Ezekiel 16:13 kjv

Thus wast thou decked with gold and silver; and thy raiment was of fine linen, and silk, and broidered work; thou didst eat fine flour, and honey, and oil: and thou wast exceeding beautiful, and thou didst prosper into a kingdom.

Ezekiel 16:13 nkjv

Thus you were adorned with gold and silver, and your clothing was of fine linen, silk, and embroidered cloth. You ate pastry of fine flour, honey, and oil. You were exceedingly beautiful, and succeeded to royalty.

Ezekiel 16:13 niv

So you were adorned with gold and silver; your clothes were of fine linen and costly fabric and embroidered cloth. Your food was honey, olive oil and the finest flour. You became very beautiful and rose to be a queen.

Ezekiel 16:13 esv

Thus you were adorned with gold and silver, and your clothing was of fine linen and silk and embroidered cloth. You ate fine flour and honey and oil. You grew exceedingly beautiful and advanced to royalty.

Ezekiel 16:13 nlt

And so you were adorned with gold and silver. Your clothes were made of fine linen and costly fabric and were beautifully embroidered. You ate the finest foods ? choice flour, honey, and olive oil ? and became more beautiful than ever. You looked like a queen, and so you were!

Ezekiel 16 verses

Ezekiel 16 13 Meaning

The verse vividly depicts God's immense grace in elevating Jerusalem from its abandoned state to one of supreme splendor and abundance. It details the luxurious adornments and provisions – gold, silver, fine linen, silk, embroidered cloth, fine flour, honey, and oil – which transformed her into an exceedingly beautiful and royal entity through divine beneficence.

Ezekiel 16 13 Context

Ezekiel chapter 16 presents a vivid and extended allegory where God personifies Jerusalem as a discarded, helpless infant. He finds her, cleanses her, cares for her, and, as she grows, lavishes upon her abundant gifts and transforms her into a beautiful queen-like bride. This verse, Ezekiel 16:13, stands at the peak of this gracious provision, describing the pinnacle of her adornment and prosperity. Historically, this corresponds to periods of Israel's national glory and blessing, notably during the reigns of David and Solomon, when the nation reached its zenith in wealth, political power, and cultural influence. God, through Ezekiel, underscores the immeasurable goodness and favor He bestowed upon Jerusalem, laying a crucial foundation for the devastating indictment of her subsequent unfaithfulness and spiritual harlotry against Him.

Ezekiel 16 13 Word analysis

• וַתִּעְדִּי (vat-ti-'adi - "and you were adorned"): Derived from ʿādāh (עָדָה), meaning "to adorn" or "to deck oneself." This emphasizes that the beauty was not self-achieved but divinely bestowed, highlighting God's grace and active role in her transformation.
• זָהָב (zahab - "gold") and וָכֶסֶף (va-keseph - "and silver"): Precious metals symbolizing immense wealth, high status, and luxury. These were marks of royalty and exceptional prosperity in the ancient Near East, often reserved for sacred items or sovereign figures.
• וּמַלְבּוּשֵׁךְ (u-mal-bu-shekh - "and your clothing"): Denotes garments specifically given for adornment, suggesting custom and exclusive apparel, distinct from ordinary attire.
• שֵׁשׁ (shesh - "fine linen"): A costly, high-quality fabric, typically imported (likely from Egypt) and associated with royalty, the wealthy, and priestly garments (Exo 28:5). It signifies purity, elegance, and expense.
• וָמֶשִׁי (va-meshi - "and silk"): A very rare Hebrew word in the Old Testament, suggesting an exceptionally luxurious, fine, and soft material. The exact identification is debated (possibly silk, very fine spun cotton, or delicate gossamer), but it clearly implies ultimate fabric luxury.
• וְרִקְמָה (ve-rik-mah - "and embroidered cloth"): Fabric enriched with intricate, often colorful, patterns created by skilled artistry. It represents bespoke craftsmanship and supreme elegance, enhancing the garment's value and visual appeal.
• סֹלֶת (solet - "fine flour"): The purest, finest quality flour, generally reserved for special occasions, the diets of royalty or nobility, and sacred offerings (Lev 2:1), signifying prime, untainted provision.
• וָדְבַשׁ (va-devash - "and honey"): A cherished delicacy, symbolizing sweetness, abundance, and luxury in the biblical world, beyond basic sustenance. It denotes a life of blessing and enjoyment.
• וָשָׁמֶן (va-shamen - "and oil"): Referring primarily to olive oil, a vital staple but also used for anointing, cosmetics, and ceremonial purposes. It signifies blessing, prosperity, health, and a comfortable, refined existence.
• אָכַלְתְּ (a-khalet - "you ate"): Indicates direct and personal consumption, emphasizing that Jerusalem truly benefited from and fully partook of these exceptional provisions, distinguishing her privileged status.
• וַתִּיפִי (vat-tifi - "and you became beautiful"): From yāfāh (יָפָה), meaning "to be beautiful." This passive voice suggests her beauty was divinely created and amplified, emphasizing her breathtaking, elevated appearance.
• בִּמְאֹד מְאֹד (bim-'od me-'od - "exceedingly exceedingly" / "very, very much"): An intense emphatic repetition that highlights an extraordinary, superlative degree of beauty, surpassing ordinary comeliness.
• וַתִּצְלְחִי (vat-titz-lekhi - "and you prospered"): From tsalach (צָלַח), "to rush, advance, succeed, prosper." It implies thriving and achieving success, reaching a state of flourishing development beyond expectation.
• לִמְלוּכָה (lim-lukhah - "into royalty" / "for queenship"): Literally "to kingship" or "to reign." It denotes elevation to a sovereign, royal status, implying power, honor, and dominion, crowning her divine transformation.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "Thus you were adorned with gold and silver": This opening phrase signifies God's personal and generous investment in Jerusalem's transformation, adorning her with the most precious and valuable metals, underscoring her elevated status and intrinsic worth from His perspective.
• "your clothing was of fine linen, silk, and embroidered cloth": This ensemble of fabrics depicts a wardrobe of unparalleled luxury and craftsmanship. Each material on its own signals wealth and prestige, but their combination paints a picture of exceptional royal apparel, emphasizing the distinction and splendor God bestowed upon her.
• "You ate fine flour, honey, and oil": These foodstuffs represent not merely sustenance but the choicest, richest, and most desired provisions. This highlights an existence free from want, blessed with abundance, comfort, and an exquisite diet typically reserved for the elite or for sacred offerings.
• "You became exceedingly beautiful and prospered into royalty": This culmination summarizes the magnificent outcome of God's blessings. Jerusalem was not merely beautiful but superlatively so, and her flourishing led to a preeminent royal status. It speaks to the ultimate success of God's redemptive work for her, establishing her as the pride and glory of His earthly kingdom.

Ezekiel 16 13 Bonus section

• Polemic against Idolatry: The extensive list of adornments and provisions in this verse inadvertently lays the groundwork for God's indictment in subsequent verses (e.g., Eze 16:17-19). The very blessings YHWH provided – the gold, silver, fine clothes, and precious foods – Jerusalem later perverted by using them to make idols and offer sacrifices to foreign gods. This exposes the deep ingratitude and spiritual harlotry in diverting divine gifts for pagan worship.
• Type of Adornment: The detailed list of materials goes beyond basic needs, indicating status, honor, and even priestly connotations. For instance, "fine linen" and "embroidered cloth" were often associated with the Tabernacle/Temple furnishings and priestly vestments, subtly implying a sacred distinction for Jerusalem.
• Divine Sponsorship: The passage leaves no room for doubt about the source of Jerusalem's glory. Every item, from gold to fine flour, signifies that her entire being and status were underwritten and sponsored by God, highlighting His initiative and provision for every aspect of her flourishing.

Ezekiel 16 13 Commentary

Ezekiel 16:13 functions as the climactic point in God's portrayal of His boundless grace towards Jerusalem, transforming her from an abandoned, newborn gentile into an adorned queen. The verse lists, with opulent detail, the gold and silver ornaments, the exquisite clothing of fine linen, silk, and intricate embroidery, and the gourmet diet of fine flour, honey, and oil. Each item meticulously signifies not only wealth and luxury but also a position of profound honor and distinction, reflecting God's intention to establish her in unparalleled glory. Her eventual "exceedingly beautiful" appearance and ascension "into royalty" underscore that this elevation was entirely a divine gift, showcasing God's magnanimity, His love, and His unwavering commitment to His covenant bride. This magnificent endowment, however, also serves to amplify the heinousness of Jerusalem's later betrayal and ingratitude.

• Example: Think of a destitute orphan adopted by a king, not just given shelter, but lavished with royal jewels, tailor-made silk robes, and a diet fit for a prince, then raised to a position of authority. This verse depicts Jerusalem's ascent under God's hand as precisely such an extravagant and undeserved blessing.