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 16:43KJV
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Ezekiel 16:43 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 16:43 mean?

Ezekiel 16:43 means that because Jerusalem did not remember its early devotion to God and instead provoked Him with its actions, God declares He will let the consequences of those choices fall back on the people. The verse ends with a warning that this pattern of wrongdoing will not continue unchecked.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to Jerusalem, comparing the city to someone who has forgotten their past and acted unfaithfully. The language points to a history of neglecting God’s kindness ("the days of thy youth") and choosing actions that have angered Him ("fretted me in all these things"). God’s response is to let Jerusalem experience the results of its own behavior, making it clear that their actions have real consequences.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 16:43

  • "remembered" (זָכַר, zakhar): This word means to recall or bring to mind. Here, it highlights Jerusalem’s failure to keep in mind its early relationship with God, which is central to the accusation.
  • "fretted" (רָגַז, ragaz): This word often means to provoke or anger. It shows that Jerusalem’s actions were not just mistakes but things that stirred up God’s anger.
  • "recompense" (נָתַן, natan): This word means to give or to pay back. In this context, it underlines that God is not acting arbitrarily but is letting the people face the results of their own choices.
  • "lewdness" (זִמָּה, zimmah): This word refers to outrageous or shameful behavior. It points to the seriousness of Jerusalem’s actions, which go beyond ordinary wrongdoing.

Why Ezekiel 16:43 matters

  • This verse clarifies that God’s response is not random punishment but a direct result of the people’s own choices, emphasizing personal responsibility.
  • The mention of "the days of thy youth" connects the present judgment to a forgotten history of grace and relationship, showing that the problem is not just recent actions but a long-term neglect.
  • Ezekiel 16:43 fits into a larger passage where Jerusalem is described in vivid, personal terms, helping readers see the depth of betrayal and the seriousness of turning away from God’s past kindness.

Where else these words appear

“behold” Hebrew H1887 · used in 2 verses

  • Genesis 47:23 Then Joseph said unto the people, Behold, I have bought you this day and your land for Pharaoh: lo, here is seed for you, and ye shall sow the land.

“lewdness” Hebrew H2154 · used in 27 verses

  • Leviticus 18:17 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter, neither shalt thou take her son's daughter, or her daughter's daughter, to uncover her nakedness; for they are her near kinswomen: it is wickedness.
  • Proverbs 10:23 It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.
  • Ezekiel 23:21 Thus thou calledst to remembrance the lewdness of thy youth, in bruising thy teats by the Egyptians for the paps of thy youth.

“fretted” Hebrew H7264 · used in 40 verses

  • Genesis 45:24 So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them, See that ye fall not out by the way.
  • Psalms 4:4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
  • Isaiah 32:10 Many days and years shall ye be troubled, ye careless women: for the vintage shall fail, the gathering shall not come.

“youth” Hebrew H5271 · used in 46 verses

  • Genesis 8:21 And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.
  • Psalms 127:4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
  • Jeremiah 32:30 For the children of Israel and the children of Judah have only done evil before me from their youth: for the children of Israel have only provoked me to anger with the work of their hands, saith the LORD.