Ezekiel 16 58

Ezekiel 16:58 kjv

Thou hast borne thy lewdness and thine abominations, saith the LORD.

Ezekiel 16:58 nkjv

You have paid for your lewdness and your abominations," says the LORD.

Ezekiel 16:58 niv

You will bear the consequences of your lewdness and your detestable practices, declares the LORD.

Ezekiel 16:58 esv

You bear the penalty of your lewdness and your abominations, declares the LORD.

Ezekiel 16:58 nlt

This is your punishment for all your lewdness and detestable sins, says the LORD.

Ezekiel 16 verses

Ezekiel 16 58 Meaning

Ezekiel 16:58 proclaims that Jerusalem (representing Judah/Israel) must directly experience and bear the full consequences—the shame, humiliation, and suffering—of her persistent spiritual promiscuity and abominable practices, such as idolatry and associated sinful acts. This divine pronouncement affirms the inevitable link between actions and their retributive outcomes, highlighting God's righteous judgment against her unfaithfulness.

Ezekiel 16 58 Context

Ezekiel chapter 16 presents a vivid and explicit allegory where Jerusalem is depicted as a foundling girl, raised by God's grace to a position of regal splendor and beauty, only to become a wanton prostitute who abuses His gifts by giving herself to every passing nation and idol. The chapter systematically outlines Jerusalem's humble beginnings, God's lavish love and covenant with her, her subsequent spiritual adultery, and the severe judgment she will face for her unparalleled betrayal. Verse 58 acts as a definitive statement summarizing the justification for this impending judgment, marking a transition point. Immediately after this verse, which firmly establishes Jerusalem's deserved punishment, the narrative surprisingly shifts to a declaration of God's covenant remembrance and the promise of future restoration, emphasizing His grace even in the face of deep-seated sin (vv. 60-63). Historically, the "lewdness" and "detestable practices" refer to Judah's extensive idolatry, alliances with foreign powers leading to pagan worship (including child sacrifice to Molech, cultic prostitution, and other Canaanite abominations), all of which constituted a severe breach of the covenant established with Yahweh.

Ezekiel 16 58 Word analysis

• You bear (אַתְּ נָשָׂאתְּ - at nāśāʾt): The verb נָשָׂא (nasa) means "to lift, carry, bear, suffer." Here, it implies bearing the full weight or burden of something, specifically the consequences or results. It conveys responsibility and experience of suffering due to one's actions. The active participation of "you" (emphatic second feminine singular, referring to Jerusalem) underscores direct accountability and personal experience of the impending hardship and shame.

• the penalty of your lewdness (זִמַּתֵךְ - zimmatēḵ): While many translations include "penalty" or "shame" for clarity, the Hebrew directly connects "bearing" to "your lewdness." Zimma signifies lewdness, depravity, or a wicked plan, often associated with sexual perversion (e.g., Lev 18:17; 20:14). In Ezekiel, it expands beyond physical sexual sin to encompass the spiritual "harlotry" and prostitution of Israel, referring to their idolatry and abandonment of God. The consequences are intrinsically linked to the nature of the sin itself.

• and your detestable practices (וְאֶת־תֹּועֲבֹתַיִךְ - wəʾeṯ-tôʿăvoṯayiḵ): To'evot are "abominations" or "detestable things." This term is used frequently in the Old Testament to describe practices utterly repugnant to God, particularly those associated with Canaanite religions and immorality, such as child sacrifice, cultic prostitution, and various forms of idolatry. These are not just "bad" things, but acts that pollute the land and violate God's holiness (Lev 18:27; Deut 12:31).

• declares the LORD (נְאֻם יְהוָה - neʾum Yahweh): This is a standard prophetic formula asserting divine authority. It signifies that the preceding statement is not merely the prophet's opinion but a direct, immutable declaration from Yahweh, the covenant God. It adds solemnity, certainty, and the force of ultimate judgment to the pronouncement.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "You bear the penalty of your lewdness and your detestable practices": This phrase emphasizes the direct correlation between Jerusalem's persistent, grievous sins (spiritual adultery and abominable idolatry) and the inevitable, personal suffering of their consequences. The punishment is not arbitrary but flows directly from their chosen path. The phrase underscores the profound theological truth that God holds His covenant people accountable for their actions.
  • "Your lewdness and your detestable practices": These two terms together form a comprehensive indictment of Jerusalem's comprehensive rebellion against God's covenant. "Lewdness" captures the unfaithfulness, betrayal, and spiritual prostitution, while "detestable practices" points to the specific, vile idolatrous rituals and moral corruption they embraced. This combination highlights both the covenant violation and the moral transgression.

Ezekiel 16 58 Bonus section

• The graphic sexual imagery used throughout Ezekiel 16, culminating in verses like 58, serves not merely to shock but to powerfully illustrate the gravity of Israel's betrayal against their divine "Husband," Yahweh. It emphasizes that idolatry is not just a wrong choice; it is an act of deep personal and covenantal infidelity.
• The verse sets the stage for God's redemptive work, making His eventual grace (starting in Ez 16:60-63) all the more astounding. For Jerusalem to be restored, she first had to truly "bear" her sin, experiencing the public shame and humility necessary for genuine repentance and for recognizing God's righteousness even in judgment.
• In contrast to her proud self-perception, this verse highlights the depth of Jerusalem's fall—a nation found guilty of far greater spiritual atrocities than even "Sodom and Samaria" (as noted in earlier verses of the chapter), thereby making her deserving of a similarly, or even greater, humiliating fate.
• The nature of "bearing the penalty" implies not merely being told off, but a deeply personal, public, and painful experience, consistent with the eventual Babylonian exile. This judgment was didactic, intended to teach both Israel and the nations about the one true God and His demand for exclusive loyalty.

Ezekiel 16 58 Commentary

Ezekiel 16:58 stands as a stark declaration of divine justice, encapsulating the entire preceding narrative of Jerusalem's profound betrayal. Having detailed her opulent upbringing by God and her subsequent descent into spiritual prostitution and abominable idolatry, the Lord unequivocally states that Jerusalem must personally and painfully suffer the full repercussions. The verb "bear" (NIV "bear the penalty") indicates an unavoidable enduring of shame, humiliation, and suffering that are the direct outcome of her own "lewdness" (spiritual harlotry, infidelity to God) and "detestable practices" (idolatry and associated abominations like child sacrifice). This isn't just about acknowledgment; it's about experiencing the severe, public consequences—the desolation, exile, and national disgrace. The authoritative phrase "declares the LORD" stamps this pronouncement with ultimate, undeniable certainty. It serves as a necessary prelude to any future hope or restoration, establishing the righteous basis of God's judgment and revealing the profound depth of Israel's covenant violation. It's a reminder that even when grace awaits, justice must first run its course to vindicate God's holy character.