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 16:7KJVWhat does Ezekiel 16:7 mean?
Ezekiel 16:7 uses the image of a young woman growing up and flourishing to describe how God helped Jerusalem multiply, prosper, and become beautiful, even though she started out vulnerable and exposed. The verse highlights a transformation from weakness and lack to maturity and abundance, using physical growth as a symbol for the city's development.
In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to Jerusalem, picturing the city as a person who has been cared for and allowed to thrive. The setting is a poetic retelling of Jerusalem's early history, showing how God caused the city to increase and become established, despite humble beginnings. The language is vivid and personal, emphasizing both growth and the special care given.
The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 16:7
- "Multiply" (רָבָה, rābāh) and "increased" (רָבָה, rābāh): Both words come from the same Hebrew root, stressing the idea of great increase and flourishing, not just in numbers but also in strength and influence.
- "Bud" (צִמָּח, tsimmaḥ): This word often refers to a fresh shoot or sprout, highlighting the idea of new, tender growth—Jerusalem was like a young plant, just beginning to thrive.
- "Excellent ornaments" (עֶדֶי, ʿedey): This phrase can mean beautiful jewelry or adornments, suggesting that Jerusalem reached a stage of beauty and honor, not just survival.
- "Naked" (עֵרוֹם, ʿêrôm) and "bare" (עֶרְיָה, ʿeryāh): These words underline Jerusalem’s original state of vulnerability and need, making the transformation to maturity and beauty even more striking.
Why Ezekiel 16:7 matters
- Ezekiel 16:7 clarifies that Jerusalem’s growth and prosperity were not accidental but the result of God’s direct action and care, countering any idea that the city’s success was self-made.
- The verse sets up a contrast for the rest of the chapter, where Jerusalem’s later unfaithfulness is made more serious by remembering how much God had done for her.
- The vivid, personal imagery helps readers see God’s relationship with Jerusalem as deeply invested and nurturing, not distant or impersonal.