Ezekiel 16:39 kjv
And I will also give thee into their hand, and they shall throw down thine eminent place, and shall break down thy high places: they shall strip thee also of thy clothes, and shall take thy fair jewels, and leave thee naked and bare.
Ezekiel 16:39 nkjv
I will also give you into their hand, and they shall throw down your shrines and break down your high places. They shall also strip you of your clothes, take your beautiful jewelry, and leave you naked and bare.
Ezekiel 16:39 niv
Then I will deliver you into the hands of your lovers, and they will tear down your mounds and destroy your lofty shrines. They will strip you of your clothes and take your fine jewelry and leave you stark naked.
Ezekiel 16:39 esv
And I will give you into their hands, and they shall throw down your vaulted chamber and break down your lofty places. They shall strip you of your clothes and take your beautiful jewels and leave you naked and bare.
Ezekiel 16:39 nlt
Then I will give you to these many nations who are your lovers, and they will destroy you. They will knock down your pagan shrines and the altars to your idols. They will strip you and take your beautiful jewels, leaving you stark naked.
Ezekiel 16 39 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 16:39 | And they shall strike you with the stones of the hand, and fell you with their swords. | Judgment against Jerusalem |
| Jeremiah 22:9 | and they will say, ‘Because they abandoned the covenant of the LORD their God and worshiped other gods. | Consequence of idolatry |
| Isaiah 3:18-26 | Describes the humiliation and punishment of proud women of Jerusalem. | Shame and disgrace |
| Lamentations 1:8 | Jerusalem has sinned greatly; therefore she is turned away. | Sin leads to exile |
| Lamentations 4:13 | Because of the sins of her prophets and the iniquities of her priests, who shed in the midst of her the blood of the righteous. | Cause of fall |
| Hosea 2:10 | And now I will uncover her lewdness in the sight of her lovers, and no one shall deliver her from my hand. | Public exposure |
| Hosea 4:11-14 | Describes punishment for sexual immorality and idolatry. | Immorality punished |
| Micah 3:11 | The heads give judgment for a bribe, and the priests teach for a price, and the prophets divine for money. | Corrupt leadership |
| Zechariah 5:3-4 | A curse on thieves and liars, symbolizing judgment. | Divine curse |
| Matthew 21:43 | Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation producing its fruits. | Kingdom taken away |
| Luke 21:20-24 | Jesus' prophecy of Jerusalem's destruction and scattering. | Jerusalem's destruction |
| Romans 2:5-8 | Those who are stubborn and unrepentant store up wrath for themselves. | Stubbornness leads to wrath |
| 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10 | God’s righteous judgment on those who oppress and cause affliction. | Vengeance on oppressors |
| Revelation 18:5-8 | Babylon (representing corrupted systems) will be punished with destruction and burning. | Punishment of corruption |
| Deuteronomy 28:15-68 | The curses for disobedience to the covenant. | Curses of disobedience |
| Jeremiah 25:12-14 | Judgment on Babylon and its subsequent judgment. | Babylonian captivity |
| Jeremiah 50:21 | God commands judgment against Babylon. | Judgment against oppressors |
| Joel 2:2-3 | A description of invasion and destruction, like a consuming fire. | Devastating invasion |
| Amos 3:11 | Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Invasion shall come, surrounded by enemies. | Surrounded by enemies |
| Nahum 3:4-5 | Condemnation of Nineveh for its wickedness and prostitution. | Judgment on wickedness |
Ezekiel 16 verses
Ezekiel 16 39 Meaning
This verse describes a severe consequence for Jerusalem's infidelity. They will be stripped bare, exposed publicly, and judged for their impurity, leading to their humiliation and subjugation. The destruction and scattering are presented as a righteous act by God.
Ezekiel 16 39 Context
Ezekiel 16 is a long and allegorical prophecy against Jerusalem, depicted as an unfaithful wife or harlot. The chapter details Jerusalem's history from its abandonment and rescue to its subsequent defilement through idolatry and sin, comparing it to sexual promiscuity. This specific verse, Ezekiel 16:39, follows vivid descriptions of Jerusalem's illicit relationships with foreign nations and its adornments. It marks a turning point in the allegory where God declares the final judgment and punishment that will befall the city. The historical context is during the Babylonian exile, a time when Judah had already been largely conquered and its people taken captive, with Jerusalem's destruction imminent or recently occurred, emphasizing God's unwavering judgment on their covenant betrayal.
Ezekiel 16 39 Word Analysis
- וְשָׁפְט֥וּךְ (veshaphtuch) - "And they shall judge you" or "And they shall deal with you." This verb comes from the root שָׁפַט (shapat), meaning to judge, decide, administer justice, or even to contend with. In this context, it implies a decisive and punitive action against Jerusalem. It speaks of the nations being God's instrument of judgment.
- אַבְנֵי֙ (avney) - "stones of" (construct state of אֶבֶן - even). This refers to stones, but specifically the type used in weapons like slings or hammers. It signifies a violent and deadly form of retribution.
- יָדְךָ֙ (yadecha) - "your hand" or "your handiwork." It's possible it refers to the stones of violence or even their own handiwork being used against them in judgment. Given the context, it's most likely referring to weapons of stone.
- וְהִפְּלוּ֙ (vehiflu) - "and they shall make you fall" or "and they shall cast you down." From the root נָפַל (naphal), meaning to fall. The Hiphil causative form indicates causing something to fall. This emphasizes the complete overthrow and destruction.
- בְּחַרְבֹּ֣ותֵיהֶ֔ם (becharboteyhem) - "with their swords." From the masculine plural noun חֶרֶב (cherev), meaning sword. This points to a brutal, physical confrontation and the ultimate consequence of war and conquest.
- Groups of words: "And they shall strike you with the stones of the hand, and fell you with their swords" conveys the complete and violent destruction meted out by the enemy nations. It highlights the physical manifestation of God's judgment for Jerusalem's spiritual fornication and idolatry.
Ezekiel 16 39 Bonus Section
The imagery of being "struck with stones" and "felled with swords" highlights the brutality of the judgment. This isn't just a spiritual condemnation but a physical dismantling. The verse emphasizes that the instrument of judgment comes from outside – the nations. This reinforces the idea that God uses human agency, specifically the surrounding pagan nations, to carry out His decree against His chosen people when they deviate so drastically from the covenant. This theme of judgment by surrounding nations for covenant unfaithfulness is a recurring motif throughout the Old Testament.
Ezekiel 16 39 Commentary
This verse signifies the inevitable consequence of rebellion against God's covenant. Jerusalem, symbolized as an unfaithful spouse, will be met with violent judgment by the nations, acting as instruments of divine wrath. The stripping away of their former glory, their public exposure, and their subjugation by enemies represent the tangible outcome of their spiritual whoredom. It’s a powerful image of retributive justice, demonstrating that sin carries profound and destructive consequences. This verse underscores that God's love is also expressed through His righteousness, which necessitates the punishment of persistent unfaithfulness.