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

This verse signifies that Jerusalem, despite its past greatness and spiritual heritage, will be judged for its extreme depravity and idolatry. The "former doings" refer to its sins and unfaithfulness, and the "latter" refers to the extent of its corrupt practices and enticement of others. The penalty will be proportionate to its extensive wickedness, implying severe consequences and shame.

Ezekiel 16 43 Context

Ezekiel 16 is a powerful allegory where Jerusalem is depicted as a foundling abandoned and then adopted by God. It chronicles Jerusalem's entire history, from its birth and adoption, through its periods of unfaithfulness, harlotry with surrounding nations and their idolatry, to its eventual severe judgment. Verse 43 specifically addresses the accumulated consequences of Jerusalem's sinfulness, which became worse than the sins of its neighbors. The chapter's context emphasizes God's sovereign choice and covenant faithfulness, but also the absolute certainty of judgment for unrepented sin, particularly apostasy and the corrupting influence Jerusalem had on others. The historical backdrop is the Babylonian exile, a direct result of Israel's repeated disobedience.

Ezekiel 16 43 Word Analysis

• And (וְ - ve): A conjunctive particle, linking the preceding actions to the consequences. It shows the cause-and-effect relationship.

• behold (הִנֵּה - hinneh): An interjection that draws attention, signaling the inevitability and undeniable nature of what follows. It amplifies the seriousness.

• thou (אַתְּ - at): Refers to Jerusalem, personified as a woman.

• shall (תַּעֲשִׂי - ta'asi): Future tense of asah (to do, to make), indicating a certainty of action.

• be (הֱיוֹת - heyot): To become, to exist. Here, it signifies the state or condition that Jerusalem will enter into.

• requited (תָּשִׁיב - tashiv): From shuv (to return, repay, recompense). It signifies rendering back to someone what is due to them, in this case, punishment for wrongdoing.

• thy (בַּעֲבוּר - ba'avur): For the sake of, because of. Connects the requital to the reason for it.

• former (רִאשׁוֹנָה - rishonah): First, former. Refers to past transgressions.

• works (מַעֲלָלַיִךְ - ma'alalayikh): Deeds, actions. Here, specifically negative actions, misdeeds.

• because (יַעַן - ya'an): Because, since. Introduces the reason for the requital.

• thy (הִתְעוֹלְלֹתַיִךְ - hit'olalotayikh): From alal (to act powerfully, often arrogantly or wickedly). Denotes insolent, rebellious, or wicked deeds.

• in (בִּי - bi): In, by.

• that (אֲשֶׁר - asher): Relative pronoun.

• thou (הִתְעֹלַלְתְּ - hit'olaleti): Past tense, feminine singular of alal, indicating Jerusalem's own rebellious acts.

• polluted (טִמְּאַת - tim'at): From tame' (to be unclean, defiled, polluted). Signifies spiritual and moral defilement, especially through idolatry.

• many (רַבּוֹת - rabot): Many, abundant.

• idols (גִּלּוּלַיִךְ - gilluleyikh): From gillul (an idol, typically made of wood or stone, associated with repulsive deities). Refers to the abominations of false gods.

• Words-Group Analysis:

  • "thou shalt be requited" (at ta'asi tashiv): Emphasizes the direct, personal accountability of Jerusalem. It's not an impersonal force but a deliberate response from God.
  • "for thy former works" (ba'avur rishonah ma'alalayikh): Highlights the continuous nature of Jerusalem's sin, stretching back over time, building up its culpability.
  • "because thine iniquities were so especial" (ya'an hit'olalotayikh...asher hit'olaleti): The word hit'olal suggests audacious, audacious sin that goes beyond mere transgression. The repetition points to the excessive and brazen nature of Jerusalem's rebellion.
  • "that thou pollutedst them with thy many idols" (tim'at...rabot gilluleyikh): This phrase identifies the core reason for the severity of the judgment – not just sin, but the defilement caused by embracing idolatry, leading others astray. The plurality of idols signifies pervasive polytheism.

Ezekiel 16 43 Bonus Section

The personification of Jerusalem as a woman throughout Ezekiel 16 provides a powerful literary device for illustrating spiritual adultery and the covenant relationship. Her "former works" and "latter doings" describe a descent from potential greatness, given God's initial care, to a state of utter degradation through idolatry. This imagery is echoed in the New Testament, particularly in the identification of the church with the bride of Christ, which can also fall into spiritual compromise if not vigilant. The concept of "polluting" by idols signifies a defilement that affects not just individual worship but the entire nation, turning holy ground into a place of abomination. The severity implied by the verse's assessment aligns with the teaching that much will be required of those to whom much is given, which applies to Israel as God's chosen nation.

Ezekiel 16 43 Commentary

This verse seals the fate of Jerusalem due to its deep-rooted and abundant sin. God's judgment is not arbitrary; it is a just recompense for Jerusalem's accumulated wicked deeds and its wholesale embrace of idolatry. The phrase "former works" indicates a long history of rebellion, while "thine iniquities were so especial" and "pollutedst them with thy many idols" points to the extreme degree and offensive nature of its apostasy. Jerusalem not only sinned but actively defiled itself and enticed others, making its sin particularly heinous. This sets the stage for the intense judgment that follows, described in the subsequent verses. The severity of the punishment will match the severity and extent of the sin.