And in all thine abominations and thy whoredoms thou hast not remembered the days of thy youth, when thou wast naked and bare, and wast polluted in thy blood.

EZEKIEL 16:22KJV
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Ezekiel 16:22 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 16:22 mean?

Ezekiel 16:22 describes how Jerusalem, in the midst of its sinful actions and unfaithfulness, failed to remember its humble and vulnerable beginnings, when it was helpless and in need. The verse points out that even while committing serious wrongs, Jerusalem did not recall the time when it was weak and in desperate condition.

The prophet Ezekiel is speaking God’s words to the people of Jerusalem, using strong language to confront them about their idolatry and unfaithfulness. The verse refers back to earlier in the chapter, where Jerusalem’s early state is described as abandoned and struggling (“naked and bare”), and reminds the people that they have forgotten how God cared for them when they were at their lowest.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 16:22

  • "abominations" (תּוֹעֵבָה, toʿevah) refers to actions that are detestable or repulsive, often used for idolatry or severe moral failures. This word highlights the seriousness of Jerusalem’s sins.
  • "whoredoms" (תַּעֲבוּרָה, taʿavurah) is a strong term for unfaithfulness, especially in the sense of spiritual adultery—turning away from God to pursue other loyalties.
  • "remembered" (זָכַר, zakhar) means to call to mind or reflect on. The verse stresses that Jerusalem did not even think back to its vulnerable past.
  • "naked" (עֵרוֹם, ʿerom) and "bare" (עֶרְיָה, ʿeryah) both emphasize total exposure and helplessness, underlining how destitute Jerusalem once was.
  • "polluted" (גָּעַל, gaʿal) means to be defiled or made unclean, and "blood" (דָּם, dam) here points to a state of impurity or danger, recalling the city’s original, desperate condition.

Why Ezekiel 16:22 matters

  • This verse clarifies that God is not just condemning outward actions but also the people’s failure to remember their dependence on Him and their humble beginnings.
  • Ezekiel 16:22 connects to the larger metaphor in the chapter, where Jerusalem is pictured as an abandoned child rescued by God, making the people’s later unfaithfulness even more striking.
  • The verse challenges any sense of pride or self-sufficiency by reminding the audience of their original helplessness and God’s past mercy.

Where else these words appear

“bare” Hebrew H6181 · used in 6 verses

  • Ezekiel 16:7 I have caused thee to multiply as the bud of the field, and thou hast increased and waxen great, and thou art come to excellent ornaments: thy breasts are fashioned, and thine hair is grown, whereas thou wast naked and bare.
  • Ezekiel 16:39 And I will also give thee into their hand, and they shall throw down thine eminent place, and shall break down thy high places: they shall strip thee also of thy clothes, and shall take thy fair jewels, and leave thee naked and bare.
  • Micah 1:11 Pass ye away, thou inhabitant of Saphir, having thy shame naked: the inhabitant of Zaanan came not forth in the mourning of Bethezel; he shall receive of you his standing.

“naked” Hebrew H5903 · used in 10 verses

  • Genesis 3:7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
  • Deuteronomy 28:48 Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee.
  • Ezekiel 18:7 And hath not oppressed any, but hath restored to the debtor his pledge, hath spoiled none by violence, hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment;

“polluted” Hebrew H947 · used in 12 verses

  • Psalms 44:5 Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us.
  • Proverbs 27:7 The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
  • Isaiah 63:18 The people of thy holiness have possessed it but a little while: our adversaries have trodden down thy sanctuary.

“whoredoms” Hebrew H8457 · used in 19 verses

  • Ezekiel 16:15 But thou didst trust in thine own beauty, and playedst the harlot because of thy renown, and pouredst out thy fornications on every one that passed by; his it was.
  • Ezekiel 16:34 And the contrary is in thee from other women in thy whoredoms, whereas none followeth thee to commit whoredoms: and in that thou givest a reward, and no reward is given unto thee, therefore thou art contrary.
  • Ezekiel 23:17 And the Babylonians came to her into the bed of love, and they defiled her with their whoredom, and she was polluted with them, and her mind was alienated from them.