Ezekiel 16 63

Ezekiel 16:63 kjv

That thou mayest remember, and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more because of thy shame, when I am pacified toward thee for all that thou hast done, saith the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 16:63 nkjv

that you may remember and be ashamed, and never open your mouth anymore because of your shame, when I provide you an atonement for all you have done," says the Lord GOD.' "

Ezekiel 16:63 niv

Then, when I make atonement for you for all you have done, you will remember and be ashamed and never again open your mouth because of your humiliation, declares the Sovereign LORD.'?"

Ezekiel 16:63 esv

that you may remember and be confounded, and never open your mouth again because of your shame, when I atone for you for all that you have done, declares the Lord GOD."

Ezekiel 16:63 nlt

You will remember your sins and cover your mouth in silent shame when I forgive you of all that you have done. I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken!"

Ezekiel 16 verses

Ezekiel 16 63 Meaning

Ezekiel 16:63 pronounces that through God's sovereign act of atonement for Israel's pervasive unfaithfulness, they will be brought to a profound and vivid remembrance of their past sins. This recollection will evoke such deep shame and humiliation that they will forever be silenced, unable to justify themselves, boast, or speak arrogantly again, realizing the immense contrast between their wicked deeds and God's undeserved grace.

Ezekiel 16 63 Context

Ezekiel chapter 16 presents a vivid and graphic allegory depicting Jerusalem's (and by extension, Israel's) spiritual adultery and betrayal of its covenant with God. God recounts how He found Jerusalem as an abandoned, defiled infant, took pity on her, cleansed her, raised her, and entered into a marriage covenant with her, lavishing her with rich blessings and splendor. Despite this immeasurable grace, Jerusalem then shamelessly prostituted herself to every passing idol and nation, using God's gifts for idolatrous worship and even child sacrifice. The chapter reaches its climax with God pronouncing judgment, but surprisingly, after comparing Jerusalem's sin as worse than Sodom's and Samaria's, He declares His intention to restore the covenant. Verse 63 is the culmination of this shocking grace: the realization of God's unilateral atonement, despite Israel's unworthiness, will evoke such profound shame that they will be silenced forever. It portrays a people who previously had no shame in their wickedness now being overcome by shame by the very magnitude of God's undeserved mercy. This context highlights the absolute sovereignty of God's grace and His relentless commitment to His covenant, ultimately leading to genuine, shame-filled repentance and humility in His people.

Ezekiel 16 63 Word analysis

• that you may remember (לְמַעַן תִּזְכְּרִי, lema'an tizkeri): The verb "remember" (זָכַר, zakhar) here implies more than mere recall; it's a deep, introspective reflection and active recognition of past covenant breaches, betrayals, and actions. It's a recollection designed to cut to the core, forcing Israel to confront the totality of their sin in light of God's previous kindness and their current state.

• and be confounded (וְנִכְלַמְתְּ, venikhlamt): From the root כָּלַם (kalam), meaning to be shamed, disgraced, humiliated, or confounded. This is an intense, internal sense of moral and spiritual disgrace, distinct from mere embarrassment. It's the profound regret and self-condemnation that arises when one fully grasps their utter unworthiness in the face of immense grace. It highlights a divinely induced, transformative shame.

• and never open your mouth again (וְלֹא יִהְיֶה לָךְ עוֹד פֶּה פָּתוּחַ, velo yihyeh lakh 'od peh patuakh): Literally "and there will not be to you anymore an open mouth." This signifies an absolute, self-imposed silence born out of profound shame. An "open mouth" in biblical context can imply justification, self-defense, boasting, accusation, or making excuses. Its cessation means Israel will be utterly speechless, with no arguments, no boasts, no self-righteous claims left, having fully internalized their guilt and God's undeserved mercy.

• because of your shame (מִפְּנֵי כִּלְמָתֵךְ, mippeney kilmatekh): This explicitly states the reason for their perpetual silence. The overwhelming feeling of disgrace, humiliation, and moral defilement (from the same root as "confounded") will prevent them from speaking. It is the weight of their own recognized guilt and the stark contrast with God's goodness that silences them.

• when I atone for you (בְּכַפְּרִי לָךְ, bekhapperî lakh): The Hebrew verb כָּפַר (kaphar) is central to the concept of atonement – to cover, expiate, cleanse, or purge away sin. Crucially, the subject is God ("I atone"). This is an act of divine, unmerited grace. The atonement is presented as a unilateral, sovereign act of God preceding and enabling their shame and repentance, not conditional upon it. It is the profound knowledge of God's undeserved grace and forgiveness that triggers their transformative shame.

• for all that you have done (אֵת כָּל אֲשֶׁר עָשִׂית, et kol asher 'asit): This refers to the entirety of Israel's infidelity and sin as detailed in chapter 16 – the idolatry, spiritual harlotry, breaking of the covenant, and abominable practices like child sacrifice. God's atonement is comprehensive, covering every single act of rebellion and unfaithfulness.

• declares the Lord GOD (נְאֻם אֲדֹנָי יְהוָה, ne'um Adonai YHVH): A common prophetic formula that lends absolute divine authority and certainty to the promise. It underscores that this future state is not a human initiative but a guaranteed decree from the sovereign God of the covenant, the one who keeps His word.

• Words-group analysis:

  • that you may remember and be confounded: This sequence reveals the divinely intended outcome: an active, painful recollection of their sinful past that directly leads to profound inner shame. God orchestrates this memory not for punishment in itself, but for a transformed heart.
  • and never open your mouth again because of your shame: The complete cessation of speech directly stems from the overwhelming sense of shame. This connects internal feeling to external behavior, signaling a permanent change from defiant boasting to humble silence before God.
  • when I atone for you for all that you have done: This phrase encapsulates the astounding paradox: their shame is not born from self-reproach alone but is primarily generated by God's gracious, unmerited atonement for all their past evil. The cause of their ultimate humility is God's grace, not their performance. This order reverses human expectations; God's grace makes true repentance possible.

Ezekiel 16 63 Bonus section

• This verse represents a profound reversal. Previously, Israel was unashamed in its sinful practices (Jer 6:15; 8:12). God's grace is so immense that it flips this on its head, causing them to be deeply ashamed, not by punishment, but by His overwhelming mercy and atonement.
• The silence is not punitive, but redemptive. It marks a transition from a people prone to rebellion and self-justification to a humble, repentant people fully reliant on God's grace. It signifies the end of self-defense and the beginning of genuine submission.
• The prophetic voice through Ezekiel suggests an eschatological hope – a future, full spiritual restoration for Israel where their heart of stone would be replaced with a heart of flesh, truly responsive to God's love (Ez 36:26-27). This future involves a complete internal transformation, where sin will be so repugnant that its very memory, set against the backdrop of God's atonement, brings perpetual humility.

Ezekiel 16 63 Commentary

Ezekiel 16:63 is a powerful and theologically profound verse that climaxes God's dramatic allegory of Israel's unfaithfulness and His surprising restoration. It unveils the transformative power of divine grace. Far from the natural consequence of being cleansed, which might be pride or relief, God intends for His unparalleled mercy to evoke an opposite reaction in His people: deep, lasting shame and utter silence. This silence is not of despair but of absolute humility, recognition of utter unworthiness, and the profound realization of grace's scandalous nature. They will remember their heinous acts—spiritual harlotry, idolatry, even child sacrifice—and understand that God’s decision to "atone for all that you have done" is entirely His own initiative, utterly unmerited. The phrase "never open your mouth again" signifies the eradication of any grounds for boasting, self-justification, or even casual speech about their righteousness. Their only appropriate response is humble, grateful, and perpetual silence before a God who loved them in their defilement and extended unmerited covenantal faithfulness. This anticipates the New Covenant reality where God's forgiveness is complete, bringing a new heart that truly laments its sin in light of such radical love, fostering true repentance and awe. It teaches that true humility and repentance flow not from striving, but from an overwhelming encounter with God's radical, cleansing grace.