Ezekiel 16 9

Ezekiel 16:9 kjv

Then washed I thee with water; yea, I throughly washed away thy blood from thee, and I anointed thee with oil.

Ezekiel 16:9 nkjv

"Then I washed you in water; yes, I thoroughly washed off your blood, and I anointed you with oil.

Ezekiel 16:9 niv

"?'I bathed you with water and washed the blood from you and put ointments on you.

Ezekiel 16:9 esv

Then I bathed you with water and washed off your blood from you and anointed you with oil.

Ezekiel 16:9 nlt

"Then I bathed you and washed off your blood, and I rubbed fragrant oils into your skin.

Ezekiel 16 verses

Ezekiel 16 9 Meaning

Ezekiel 16:9 vividly describes the Lord God's compassionate actions towards Jerusalem, portrayed as an abandoned infant. This verse details the second stage of divine care, moving beyond mere survival to a comprehensive act of cleansing, purification, and preparation. God meticulously washed away the infant's original state of defilement, removing the physical signs of abandonment and impurity ("rinsed your blood off you"), and then adorned her with dignity and blessing ("anointed you with oil"). This act signifies God's transforming grace, elevating her from disgrace and vulnerability to a state of acceptance, purity, and readiness for a divine relationship, specifically foreshadowing a covenant marriage.

Ezekiel 16 9 Context

Ezekiel chapter 16 is a powerful, extended allegory where God addresses Jerusalem (representing Israel/Judah) as an abandoned infant found by God, nurtured, and eventually exalted to great beauty and splendor. This verse (16:9) falls within the description of God's initial compassionate actions toward this helpless, newborn Jerusalem, contrasting sharply with her squalid origin (v. 4-5). God cleanses her thoroughly, moving her from a state of total neglect and defilement ("washed with water," "rinsed your blood off") to a state of cherished worthiness ("anointed with oil"). This passage details the merciful covenant relationship God initiated with Israel, setting the stage for subsequent descriptions of her elevation to a royal status, followed by her unfaithfulness, harlotry, and the eventual divine judgment and ultimate restoration. The historical context reflects God's intervention to form the nation of Israel out of slavery and the nations, showering upon them divine favor, laws, and protection. The initial acts depicted in verses 6-9 represent this foundational grace, preparing her for the covenant marriage.

Ezekiel 16 9 Word analysis

• Then (וָאֶרְחַץ, wa'erchatz): The prefix "wa" (וָ) functions as a consecutive conjunctive, linking this action directly to the preceding merciful act in v. 8 (spreading a skirt over her and entering a covenant). It signifies a logical and immediate next step in God's redemptive process.

• I washed you (רָחַצְתִּיךְ, rachatztiych): This is a verb in the Qal perfect, meaning "to wash, bathe, cleanse." It implies a thorough physical cleansing, distinct from the following "rinsed." In the context of the abandoned infant, it's a foundational act of hygiene and care, symbolic of initial purification from the inherent defilement of birth and abandonment. This contrasts with the ritual purity required later under the Law; here, it's basic, loving care.

• with water (בַמַּיִם, bammayim): The definite article "the" (ה) combined with "water" (מַּיִם, mayim) emphasizes the basic and essential nature of this cleansing. Water is a universal symbol of purification, life, and refreshment. Here, it cleanses the infant of the fluids of birth, highlighting God's meticulous attention to even the most rudimentary needs.

• moreover (וָאֶשְׁטֹף, va'eshtof): The "wa" again indicates a consecutive action. This word serves to intensify the preceding "washed."

• I rinsed your blood off you (וָאֶשְׁטֹפֵךְ מִדָּמַיִךְ, va'eshtofeckh middamayikh):

  • I rinsed (וָאֶשְׁטֹפֵךְ, va'eshtofeckh): From the verb שָׁטַף (shatap), meaning "to overflow, rinse off, scour clean." This is a more forceful and thorough cleansing than rachatz. It implies a washing away of specific, deeply embedded defilement.
  • your blood (מִדָּמַיִךְ, middamayikh): The preposition "min" (מִ) means "from" or "off." "Blood" (דָּמַיִךְ, damayikh, plural for emphasis or intensity) here signifies the raw, polluting substances associated with birth and the abject state of being newborn and abandoned, likely also encompassing the general filth. It represents total impurity, death, and social stigma. Rinsing this blood away removes the last vestiges of her abhorrent condition and prepares her for a new life. It strongly foreshadows the spiritual cleansing from the "blood" of sin.

• and anointed you (וָאֲסֻכֵּךְ, va'asuchech): The "wa" once more. The verb סוּךְ (suk), meaning "to anoint," implies a smearing or rubbing with oil. This act goes beyond mere cleanliness; it is an act of tenderness, care, beautification, and even medicinal application in ancient times. It provides protection, softens the skin, and makes one presentable and desirable.

• with oil (בְּשָׁמֶן, b'shemen): Oil (שָׁמֶן, shemen) was precious in the ancient world, used for cosmetics, healing, food, and religious anointing (consecration). Here, it signifies luxury, dignity, healing, and preparation for a special status—the infant is now cared for like royalty or a bride. It foreshadows the divine anointing of the Holy Spirit and the blessings God bestows on His chosen.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Then I washed you with water; moreover, I rinsed your blood off you": This phrase details a progression of purification. "Washed with water" suggests a general, initial clean. "Rinsed your blood off you" implies a deeper, more specific and forceful removal of profound defilement (the 'blood of birth'). Together, these actions depict a complete and thorough cleansing from a state of total abjection and ritual impurity, marking a transformation from filth to cleanliness.
  • "and anointed you with oil": This action elevates the state of the individual beyond mere cleanliness. Anointing with oil signifies blessing, comfort, healing, beautification, honor, and often preparation for a special role or marriage. It completes the transformation from a discarded, defiled state to one of dignity, value, and readiness for a cherished relationship with God.

Ezekiel 16 9 Bonus section

This verse carries strong polemical undertones. In an ancient world where child abandonment, especially of daughters, was common and where infant mortality was high due to lack of proper hygiene, God's detailed, personal, and thorough care for this "infant" stood in stark contrast to human practices. It showcased Him as the compassionate, life-giving God who cherishes life and brings purity out of squalor, a clear refutation of the indifference of human societies or the harshness of pagan deities who demanded sacrifices. Furthermore, the anointing with oil can be seen as a preparation for a divine wedding, making the chosen one beautiful and fragrant, setting the stage for the covenant as a marital bond (Eze 16:8), which Jerusalem later betrayed through idolatry. The emphasis on "blood" also reminds the audience of the Levitical laws concerning ritual impurity, where contact with blood (especially from birth or menstruation) rendered one unclean. God's cleansing removed this innate impurity.

Ezekiel 16 9 Commentary

Ezekiel 16:9 captures the meticulous and profound care of God for His people, embodied by Jerusalem. It highlights a deliberate transition from mere survival to a state of purified beauty and honored status. God doesn't just clean her; He deeply purifies her from her defiled origin ("blood"), demonstrating radical grace that addresses even the most abject conditions. The anointing with oil seals this transformation, moving her from being an outcast to someone precious, consecrated, and worthy of intimate relationship. This sequence reflects God's initiatory covenant love—He makes His people worthy through His own actions, not by their merit, setting the stage for their blessed future (and tragically, their later unfaithfulness). The cleansing foretells spiritual purification, and the anointing anticipates the Holy Spirit's consecration for God's purposes.