Ezekiel 16:17 kjv
Thou hast also taken thy fair jewels of my gold and of my silver, which I had given thee, and madest to thyself images of men, and didst commit whoredom with them,
Ezekiel 16:17 nkjv
You have also taken your beautiful jewelry from My gold and My silver, which I had given you, and made for yourself male images and played the harlot with them.
Ezekiel 16:17 niv
You also took the fine jewelry I gave you, the jewelry made of my gold and silver, and you made for yourself male idols and engaged in prostitution with them.
Ezekiel 16:17 esv
You also took your beautiful jewels of my gold and of my silver, which I had given you, and made for yourself images of men, and with them played the whore.
Ezekiel 16:17 nlt
You took the very jewels and gold and silver ornaments I had given you and made statues of men and worshiped them. This is adultery against me!
Ezekiel 16 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 16:17 | "You also took your fine | and embroidered |
| Exodus 28:40 | "...to put on them glory and | ...they shall be for |
| Exodus 31:10 | "...and the | garments for service, |
| Exodus 35:35 | "He has filled them with skill | to do every kind of |
| Isaiah 3:18-23 | "...the | finery, the necklaces..." |
| Proverbs 7:10 | "...and a | attired him." |
| Song of Songs 1:5 | "I am | black, O daughters of |
| Song of Songs 5:11 | "His head | |
| Jeremiah 10:4 | "...they | |
| 1 Corinthians 6:20 | "For you were bought | |
| 1 Peter 3:3-4 | "Let your | not be merely outward... |
| Revelation 18:12 | "...merchants | |
| Revelation 19:8 | "and to | she should be clothed |
| Revelation 21:2 | "And I, John, saw the | |
| Revelation 21:18 | "The | was of pure gold..." |
| Exodus 26:1 | "Moreover | the tabernacle you shall make |
| Exodus 26:31 | "You shall make a | for the tabernacle a |
| Psalm 45:13 | "The king’s | daughter is all glorious |
| Hosea 2:8 | "For she did not | that the grain and the |
| Micah 6:12 | "For the | of the city are |
| Matthew 11:8 | "But what did | go out to see? |
Ezekiel 16 verses
Ezekiel 16 17 Meaning
This verse describes the creation of beautiful objects, specifically an apron or skirt from fine linen and richly colored threads, a symbol of adornment and royal clothing. These items were crafted for personal beautification, implying their use for self-presentation and likely indicating wealth and status.
Ezekiel 16 17 Context
This verse appears in Ezekiel chapter 16, a symbolic portrayal of Jerusalem and Israel. God is recounting Jerusalem's history, comparing her to an abandoned infant found by Him and then nurtured into a beautiful bride. However, instead of faithfulness, Jerusalem has prostituted herself through idolatry and alliances with foreign nations, deviating from the covenant relationship with God. The specific imagery in this verse relates to the adornment and embellishments of this "bride" that were meant to be solely for the divine groom.
Ezekiel 16 17 Word analysis
and (וְ - ve): A conjunctive particle, linking clauses or items, indicating continuation or addition.
you took (לָקַחַתְּ - lakacht): Second person feminine singular Qal perfect of לקח (laqach), meaning to take, seize, acquire, or carry away. It signifies an action initiated by Jerusalem.
your (נִקְרִי — niqri [as possessed], but in context, implied 'your' from feminine second person): Possessive suffix.
fine linen (בּוּץ - buṣ): A luxurious, fine, white linen, often imported, associated with royalty and priestly garments.
and (וְ - ve): Conjunction.
embroidered (רָקַמְתְּ - raqamt): Second person feminine singular Qal perfect of רקם (raqam), meaning to stitch, embroider, or weave intricate patterns. Implies skilled craftsmanship.
with them (בָּהֶם - bahem): Prepositional phrase "in/with" plus third person masculine plural pronominal suffix, referring back to the "fine linen" and the subsequent mention of other materials.
your (of fine linen and embroidered articles): Implies possession and ownership of these decorative items.
took your fine linen and embroidered with them: This signifies the active choice by Jerusalem to take these beautiful materials and use them for her own adornment.
fine linen and embroidered: These materials were of high quality, suggesting extravagance and a focus on outward appearance, contrasting with God's intention for their use in His service or covenant.
Ezekiel 16 17 Bonus section
The imagery of embroidered fine linen is consistent throughout scripture with depictions of both the sacred priestly garments (Exodus 28) and the luxurious attire of royal and decadent figures (Isaiah 3, Revelation 18). In this context, Jerusalem's appropriation of these materials for her own promiscuous enticements directly contrasts with the purity and sacredness intended for them, emphasizing her profound spiritual prostitution. The beauty intended for the divine relationship is now being used for illicit affairs with foreign powers and idols.
Ezekiel 16 17 Commentary
The verse highlights Jerusalem's self-indulgence in worldly adornments. She took the exquisite materials, representing the blessings and capacities God provided, and fashioned them into items of personal splendor and vanity. This act signifies a perversion of God's provision, turning it towards self-glorification rather than fulfilling her intended purpose as God's devoted spouse. It's a picture of outward beauty masking inner unfaithfulness and a deviation from a divinely appointed path.