Ezekiel 16 43

Ezekiel 16:43 kjv

Because thou hast not remembered the days of thy youth, but hast fretted me in all these things; behold, therefore I also will recompense thy way upon thine head, saith the Lord GOD: and thou shalt not commit this lewdness above all thine abominations.

Ezekiel 16:43 nkjv

Because you did not remember the days of your youth, but agitated Me with all these things, surely I will also recompense your deeds on your own head," says the Lord GOD. "And you shall not commit lewdness in addition to all your abominations.

Ezekiel 16:43 niv

"?'Because you did not remember the days of your youth but enraged me with all these things, I will surely bring down on your head what you have done, declares the Sovereign LORD. Did you not add lewdness to all your other detestable practices?

Ezekiel 16:43 esv

Because you have not remembered the days of your youth, but have enraged me with all these things, therefore, behold, I have returned your deeds upon your head, declares the Lord GOD. Have you not committed lewdness in addition to all your abominations?

Ezekiel 16:43 nlt

But first, because you have not remembered your youth but have angered me by doing all these evil things, I will fully repay you for all of your sins, says the Sovereign LORD. For you have added lewd acts to all your detestable sins.

Ezekiel 16 verses

Ezekiel 16 43 Meaning

Ezekiel 16:43 conveys God's pronouncement of judgment against Jerusalem for her profound infidelity. It declares that because she failed to remember her humble beginnings and God's faithful care for her (the "days of your youth"), and instead provoked His anger through her extensive spiritual adultery and wickedness ("all these things"), God will consequently bring her own actions and their destructive consequences back upon her. This is a statement of divine retribution and justice for covenant disloyalty.

Ezekiel 16 43 Context

Ezekiel chapter 16 presents one of the most vivid and graphic allegories in the Bible, portraying Jerusalem (Judah) as a foundling child whom God rescued, nourished, adorned, and brought into a covenant relationship as His bride. God bestowed lavish love and provision upon her, making her beautiful and prosperous among nations. However, instead of remaining faithful, Jerusalem turned to spiritual adultery, prostituting herself to surrounding nations and their gods, engaging in abominable practices like child sacrifice, and exceeding even the wickedness of Samaria and Sodom. Verse 43 falls within God's impassioned declaration of judgment against her, following a lengthy description of her heinous sins and His decision to utterly destroy her through foreign invaders, who ironically, were her former lovers. Historically, this prophecy was given to the exiles in Babylon before Jerusalem's final fall, explaining why God's devastating judgment was both necessary and righteous due to Jerusalem's deep-seated covenant infidelity and outrageous sin.

Ezekiel 16 43 Word analysis

• Because you have not remembered (יַעַן לֹא־זָכַרְתְּ - ya’an lo’ zakart):
  • Because: (ya’an) Establishes a clear causal link, providing the reason for the impending judgment.
  • Not remembered: (lo’ zakart) From the Hebrew verb zakhar, which implies much more than mere cognitive recall. It denotes a proactive and intentional re-engagement with past events, covenants, and the associated obligations. Not remembering means failing to act on the memory, neglecting one's duty and commitments, effectively repudiating the covenant relationship. It points to a deliberate moral failing, a wilful forgetfulness that led to disloyalty.
• the days of your youth (יְמֵי נְעוּרַיִךְ - y'mê n'urayikh):
  • This phrase refers metaphorically to Jerusalem's nascent stages, when God first found her (like a neglected infant, Ezek 16:3-7) and established a covenant with her, notably at Mount Sinai. It evokes the early, formative period of Israel's history in the wilderness and the land, a time marked by God's unparalleled grace and the initial, albeit imperfect, devotion of the people. It contrasts with her later arrogance and rebellion, highlighting the depth of her ingratitude.
• but have enraged me (וַתַּרְגִּיזִי אֹתִי - vattargizi oti):
  • Enraged: (targizi) From the root ragaz, meaning "to shake, tremble," or to stir up strong emotions, often wrath or indignation. Here, it explicitly refers to causing God to experience profound and righteous anger.
  • This is not human emotion but divine indignation at profound injustice and covenant betrayal. God's anger is holy and just, a necessary response to persistent rebellion and abomination described throughout Ezekiel 16, particularly child sacrifice and idolatry.
• with all these things (בְּכָל־אֵלֶּה - b'khol-eleh):
  • A comprehensive summary term referring to the litany of sins detailed in the preceding verses of chapter 16: rampant idolatry, spiritual harlotry with numerous nations and false gods, child sacrifice, abuse of divine blessings for sinful ends, and surpassing the iniquities of even historically infamous cities like Sodom and Samaria. It underscores the overwhelming breadth and depth of Jerusalem's transgression.
• therefore, behold (לָכֵן הִנֵּה - lakhen hinneh):
  • Therefore: (lakhen) A crucial logical connector, indicating that what follows is the inevitable consequence of the stated causes. It emphasizes divine justice and the direct link between sin and judgment.
  • Behold: (hinneh) An emphatic interjection drawing immediate attention to the upcoming declaration, stressing its certainty and solemnity.
• I have returned your way upon your head (נָתַתִּי דַרְכֵּךְ בְּרֹאשֵׁךְ - natatty darkekh b'roshêkh):
  • Returned your way: (natatty darkekh) Literally "I have given your way." This is an idiom for divine retribution, signifying that Jerusalem will suffer the precise consequences dictated by her own choices and actions. Her sinful "way" or path of life, with all its corrupt practices, will "fall back" or "be put" upon her.
  • Upon your head: (b'roshêkh) A common biblical idiom that metaphorically represents bearing the full responsibility and experiencing the full force of a consequence or punishment directly. It underscores the personal accountability of Jerusalem.
• declares the Lord GOD (נְאֻם אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה - ne'um Adonai Yahweh):
  • Declares: (ne'um) A formal prophetic formula emphasizing that these words are not human but direct revelation from God Himself, signifying divine authority and certainty.
  • The Lord GOD: (Adonai Yahweh) A title combining Adonai (Lord, master) signifying God's sovereignty and authority, and Yahweh (the covenant name of God) emphasizing His personal relationship and faithfulness to His promises (even in judgment). This dual name underscores that the covenant-making, sovereign God is the one delivering this unchallengeable verdict.

Ezekiel 16 43 Commentary

Ezekiel 16:43 serves as a pivotal verse in the larger prophecy, consolidating God's grievance and declaring His just judgment. It articulates that Jerusalem's failure was fundamentally a failure of "remembering" God's grace and covenant (their spiritual "youth"). This profound spiritual amnesia led directly to "enraging" God through relentless idolatry and sin, fulfilling the allegory of a prostitute who dishonors her loving provider. The consequence is severe and absolute: God's "returning their way upon their head." This highlights the principle of lex talionis – divine justice ensures that the natural repercussions of unfaithfulness are brought to bear directly on the one who commits them. It is not arbitrary punishment, but a direct result of Jerusalem's chosen path. The explicit "declares the Lord GOD" authenticates this pronouncement as an undeniable divine decree, stemming from God's righteous character and His inviolable covenant. This verse also implicitly warns against spiritual complacency and ingratitude, as God's past merc