What does Ezekiel 16:39 mean?
"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." - Ezekiel 16:39
Ezekiel 16:39 in the King James Version of the Bible reads: "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."
The book of Ezekiel is a prophetic book in the Old Testament that contains the visions and prophecies of the prophet Ezekiel. In this particular verse, Ezekiel is speaking on behalf of God to the people of Jerusalem, using the metaphor of a faithless wife to illustrate the unfaithfulness of the people to God.
In the preceding verses of Ezekiel 16, God speaks through Ezekiel to address Jerusalem as an unfaithful wife who has played the harlot and committed abominations. Despite all the blessings and prosperity that God has bestowed upon Jerusalem, the people have turned away from Him and worshipped false idols and engaged in immoral acts.
In verse 39, God declares that as a consequence of Jerusalem's unfaithfulness, He will deliver them into the hands of their enemies. The "eminent place" and "high places" refer to the places of worship and prominence that the people of Jerusalem had built to honor their false gods. These would be destroyed and desecrated as a judgment against the people.
The stripping of clothes and taking of fair jewels symbolize the humiliation and loss of prosperity that the people would experience. In ancient times, being stripped naked was a sign of shame and vulnerability, while the taking of jewels indicated a loss of wealth and prestige. The nakedness and bareness of Jerusalem represent their spiritual and moral nakedness as they are exposed in their sin and stripped of all the blessings that God had previously bestowed upon them.
This verse speaks to the theme of judgment and consequences of unfaithfulness. The people of Jerusalem had been given every opportunity to repent and turn back to God, but they continued in their unfaithfulness and rebellion. As a result, they brought judgment upon themselves and would face the consequences of their actions.
The context of this verse is important in understanding its significance. The book of Ezekiel was written during a time of great upheaval and destruction for the people of Israel. The prophet Ezekiel was living in exile in Babylon along with many other Israelites, and he prophesied against Jerusalem, warning them of the impending judgment and destruction that would come upon them if they did not repent.
The symbolism in this verse serves as a powerful and vivid picture of the consequences of unfaithfulness and disobedience to God. It illustrates the severity of the judgment that would come upon the people of Jerusalem due to their unrepentant sin. It also serves as a warning to all who would read it, reminding them of the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God.
In conclusion, Ezekiel 16:39 in the King James Version of the Bible serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of unfaithfulness and disobedience to God. It is a stark and vivid portrayal of the judgment that would come upon the people of Jerusalem due to their unrepentant sin. The themes of judgment, consequences, and the symbolism of stripping and nakedness all serve to emphasize the severity of the situation and the importance of faithfulness to God. This verse stands as a powerful warning to all who would hear it, urging them to turn back to God and walk in faithfulness and obedience.
Have questions about Ezekiel 16:39?
Dive deeper into this scripture with Bible Chat — an AI-powered tool for exploring God's Word through conversation. Ask questions, get context, and grow in your understanding of the Bible.
Get Our Apps
Ezekiel 16:39 Artwork
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."
Ezekiel 16:39 (KJVA) 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.
Ezekiel 16:39 (KJVA) 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.
"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." - Ezekiel 16:39
Ezekiel 39:16 - "And also the name of the city shall be Hamonah. Thus shall they cleanse the land."
"And also the name of the city shall be Hamonah. Thus shall they cleanse the land." - Ezekiel 39:16
Ezekiel 39:11
Ezekiel 39:11
Ezekiel 39:12 - "And seven months shall the house of Israel be burying of them, that they may cleanse the land."
Ezekiel 39:8 - "¶ Behold, it is come, and it is done, saith the Lord GOD; this is the day whereof I have spoken."
Ezekiel 39:22 - "So the house of Israel shall know that I am the LORD their God from that day and forward."
Ezekiel 39:5 - "Thou shalt fall upon the open field: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD."
Ezekiel 39:11 Valley of Hamongog east of the dead sea in Israel
Ezekiel 39:6 - "And I will send a fire on Magog, and among them that dwell carelessly in the isles: and they shall know that I am the LORD."
Ezekiel 39:24 - "According to their uncleanness and according to their transgressions have I done unto them, and hid my face from them."
Acts 16:39 - "And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city."
Genesis 39:16 - "And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home."
Ezekiel 39:3 - "And I will smite thy bow out of thy left hand, and will cause thine arrows to fall out of thy right hand."
Ezekiel 39:20 - "Thus ye shall be filled at my table with horses and chariots, with mighty men, and with all men of war, saith the Lord GOD."
1 Chronicles 16:39 - "And Zadok the priest, and his brethren the priests, before the tabernacle of the LORD in the high place that was at Gibeon,"
Ezekiel 39:13 - "Yea, all the people of the land shall bury them; and it shall be to them a renown the day that I shall be glorified, saith the Lord GOD."
Ezekiel 40:39 - "¶ And in the porch of the gate were two tables on this side, and two tables on that side, to slay thereon the burnt offering and the sin offering and the trespass offering."
Exodus 39:16 - "And they made two ouches of gold, and two gold rings; and put the two rings in the two ends of the breastplate."
Ezekiel 23:39 - "For when they had slain their children to their idols, then they came the same day into my sanctuary to profane it; and, lo, thus have they done in the midst of mine house."
Job 39:16 - "She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not hers: her labour is in vain without fear;"
Ezekiel 39:19 - "And ye shall eat fat till ye be full, and drink blood till ye be drunken, of my sacrifice which I have sacrificed for you."
Ezekiel 39:27 - "When I have brought them again from the people, and gathered them out of their enemies' lands, and am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations;"
Ezekiel 39:26 - "After that they have borne their shame, and all their trespasses whereby they have trespassed against me, when they dwelt safely in their land, and none made them afraid."
Ezekiel 39:2 - "And I will turn thee back, and leave but the sixth part of thee, and will cause thee to come up from the north parts, and will bring thee upon the mountains of Israel:"
Ezekiel 39:15 - "And the passengers that pass through the land, when any seeth a man's bone, then shall he set up a sign by it, till the buriers have buried it in the valley of Hamon-gog."