Back to Ezekiel 16

Ezekiel 16:10-13

I clothed you also with embroidered work, and put sealskin sandals on you. I dressed you with fine linen and covered you with silk. I decked you with ornaments, put bracelets on your hands, and put a chain on your neck. I put a ring on your nose, and earrings in your ears, and a beautiful crown on your head. Thus you were decked with gold and silver. Your clothing was of fine linen, silk, and embroidered work. You ate fine flour, honey, and oil. You were exceedingly beautiful, and you prospered to royal estate.

World English Bible · Public Domain
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Ezekiel 16:10-13 sits inside this longer paragraph.

“ ‘ “Then washed I you with water. Yes, I thoroughly washed away your blood from you, and I anointed you with oil. I clothed you also with embroidered work, and put sealskin sandals on you. I dressed you with fine linen and covered you with silk. I decked you with ornaments, put bracelets on your hands, and put a chain on your neck. I put a ring on your nose, and earrings in your ears, and a beautiful crown on your head. Thus you were decked with gold and silver. Your clothing was of fine linen, silk, and embroidered work. You ate fine flour, honey, and oil. You were exceedingly beautiful, and you prospered to royal estate. Your renown went out among the nations for your beauty; for it was perfect, through my majesty which I had put on you,” says the Lord Yahweh.

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Parallel Translations

  • WEB World English Bible

    I clothed you also with embroidered work, and put sealskin sandals on you. I dressed you with fine linen and covered you with silk.

    I decked you with ornaments, put bracelets on your hands, and put a chain on your neck.

    I put a ring on your nose, and earrings in your ears, and a beautiful crown on your head.

    Thus you were decked with gold and silver. Your clothing was of fine linen, silk, and embroidered work. You ate fine flour, honey, and oil. You were exceedingly beautiful, and you prospered to royal estate.

  • KJV King James Version

    I clothed thee also with broidered work, and shod thee with badgers’ skin, and I girded thee about with fine linen, and I covered thee with silk.

    I decked thee also with ornaments, and I put bracelets upon thy hands, and a chain on thy neck.

    And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and earrings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thine head.

    Thus wast thou decked with gold and silver; and thy raiment was of fine linen, and silk, and broidered work; thou didst eat fine flour, and honey, and oil: and thou wast exceeding beautiful, and thou didst prosper into a kingdom.

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  • JPS JPS Tanakh (1917)

    I clothed thee also with richly woven work, and shod thee with sealskin, and I wound fine linen about thy head, and covered thee with silk.

    I decked thee also with ornaments, and I put bracelets upon thy hands, and a chain on thy neck.

    And I put a ring upon thy nose, and earrings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thy head.

    Thus wast thou decked with gold and silver; and thy raiment was of fine linen, and silk, and richly woven work; thou didst eat fine flour, and honey, and oil; and thou didst wax exceeding beautiful, and thou wast meet for royal estate.

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Cross-references (74)

  • Genesis 24:22 (v11) As the camels had done drinking, the man took a golden ring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight…
  • Isaiah 3:19 (v11) the earrings, the bracelets, the veils,
  • Genesis 41:42 (vv10–11) Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand, and put it on Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in robes of fine linen, and put a gold chain…
  • Genesis 24:47 (v11) I asked her, and said, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.’ I put the ring…
  • Ezekiel 16:18 (v10) You took your embroidered garments, covered them, and set my oil and my incense before them.
Show all 70 cross-references
  • Deuteronomy 32:13-14 (v13) He made him ride on the high places of the earth. He ate the increase of the field. He caused him to suck honey out of the rock, oil out of…
  • 1 Kings 4:21 (v13) Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the River to the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt. They brought tribute and…
  • Psalms 50:2 (v13) Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines out.
  • Proverbs 1:9 (v11) for they will be a garland to grace your head, and chains around your neck.
  • Ezekiel 16:13 (v10) Thus you were decked with gold and silver. Your clothing was of fine linen, silk, and embroidered work. You ate fine flour, honey, and oil.…
  • Psalms 45:13-14 (vv10, 13) The princess inside is all glorious. Her clothing is interwoven with gold. She shall be led to the king in embroidered work. The virgins,…
  • Isaiah 3:21 (vv11–12) the signet rings, the nose rings,
  • Exodus 26:36 (v10) “You shall make a screen for the door of the Tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of the embroiderer.
  • Psalms 48:2 (v13) Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion, on the north sides, the city of the great King.
  • Isaiah 61:10 (v10) I will greatly rejoice in Yahweh! My soul will be joyful in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation. He has covered me…
  • Ezekiel 23:42 (v11) “The voice of a multitude being at ease was with her. With men of the common sort were brought drunkards from the wilderness; and they put…
  • Isaiah 28:5 (vv11–12) In that day, Yahweh of Armies will become a crown of glory and a diadem of beauty to the residue of his people,
  • Exodus 26:14 (v10) You shall make a covering for the tent of rams’ skins dyed red, and a covering of sea cow hides above.
  • Exodus 28:5 (v10) They shall use the gold, and the blue, and the purple, and the scarlet, and the fine linen.
  • Exodus 39:27-28 (v10) They made the tunics of fine linen of woven work for Aaron and for his sons, the turban of fine linen, the linen headbands of fine linen,…
  • Numbers 31:50 (v11) We have brought Yahweh’s offering, what every man found: gold ornaments, armlets, bracelets, signet rings, earrings, and necklaces, to make…
  • Isaiah 61:3 (v10) to provide for those who mourn in Zion, to give to them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the…
  • Ezekiel 16:19 (v13) My bread also which I gave you, fine flour, oil, and honey, with which I fed you, you even set it before them for a pleasant aroma; and so…
  • Ezekiel 27:16 (v10) “ ‘ “Syria was your merchant by reason of the multitude of your handiworks. They traded for your wares with emeralds, purple, embroidered…
  • Luke 15:22 (v10) “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe, and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand, and sandals on his feet.
  • Revelation 4:10 (v11) the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives forever and ever, and throw their crowns…
  • Revelation 19:8 (v10) It was given to her that she would array herself in bright, pure, fine linen: for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
  • Genesis 17:6 (v13) I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you. Kings will come out of you.
  • Genesis 24:53 (v11) The servant brought out jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and clothing, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious things to her…
  • Genesis 35:4 (v11) They gave to Jacob all the foreign gods which were in their hands, and the rings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak…
  • Exodus 25:5 (v10) rams’ skins dyed red, sea cow hides, acacia wood,
  • Exodus 32:2 (v11) Aaron said to them, “Take off the golden rings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them to…
  • Exodus 35:22 (v11) They came, both men and women, as many as were willing-hearted, and brought brooches, earrings, signet rings, and armlets, all jewels of…
  • Leviticus 8:9 (v11) He set the turban on his head. He set the golden plate, the holy crown, on the front of the turban, as Yahweh commanded Moses.
  • Deuteronomy 8:8 (v13) a land of wheat, barley, vines, fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of olive trees and honey;
  • Judges 8:24 (v11) Gideon said to them, “I do have a request: that you would each give me the earrings of his plunder.” (For they had golden earrings, because…
  • 1 Samuel 10:1 (v13) Then Samuel took the vial of oil, and poured it on his head, and kissed him, and said, “Hasn’t Yahweh anointed you to be prince over his…
  • 1 Samuel 12:12 (v13) “When you saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, you said to me, ‘No, but a king shall reign over us;’ when…
  • 2 Samuel 8:15 (v13) David reigned over all Israel; and David executed justice and righteousness for all his people.
  • Ezra 4:20 (v13) There have also been mighty kings over Jerusalem, who have ruled over all the country beyond the River; and tribute, custom, and toll, was…
  • Ezra 5:11 (v13) Thus they returned us answer, saying, “We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and are building the house that was built these…
  • Esther 2:17 (v11) The king loved Esther more than all the women, and she obtained favor and kindness in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set…
  • Job 42:11 (v11) Then came there to him all his brothers, and all his sisters, and all those who had been of his acquaintance before, and ate bread with him…
  • Psalms 81:16 (v13) But he would have also fed them with the finest of the wheat. I will satisfy you with honey out of the rock.”
  • Psalms 147:14 (v13) He makes peace in your borders. He fills you with the finest of the wheat.
  • Proverbs 4:9 (v11) She will give to your head a garland of grace. She will deliver a crown of splendor to you.”
  • Proverbs 25:12 (v11) As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.
  • Proverbs 31:22 (v10) She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
  • Song of Solomon 1:10 (v11) Your cheeks are beautiful with earrings, your neck with strings of jewels.
  • Song of Solomon 4:9 (v11) You have ravished my heart, my sister, my bride. You have ravished my heart with one of your eyes, with one chain of your neck.
  • Isaiah 64:11 (v13) Our holy and our beautiful house where our fathers praised you is burned with fire. All our pleasant places are laid waste.
  • Jeremiah 13:20 (v13) Lift up your eyes, and see those who come from the north. Where is the flock that was given to you, your beautiful flock?
  • Lamentations 2:15 (v13) All that pass by clap their hands at you. They hiss and wag their head at the daughter of Jerusalem, saying, “Is this the city that men…
  • Lamentations 5:16 (v11) The crown has fallen from our head. Woe to us, for we have sinned!
  • Ezekiel 16:7 (v10) I caused you to multiply as that which grows in the field, and you increased and grew great, and you attained to excellent ornament. Your…
  • Ezekiel 16:14-15 (v13) Your renown went out among the nations for your beauty; for it was perfect, through my majesty which I had put on you,” says the Lord…
  • Ezekiel 23:40 (v11) “Furthermore you sisters have sent for men who come from far away, to whom a messenger was sent, and behold, they came; for whom you washed…
  • Ezekiel 26:16 (v10) Then all the princes of the sea will come down from their thrones, and lay aside their robes, and strip off their embroidered garments.…
  • Ezekiel 27:7 (v10) Your sail was of fine linen with embroidered work from Egypt, that it might be to you for a banner. Blue and purple from the islands of…
  • Daniel 5:7 (v11) The king cried aloud to bring in the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. The king spoke and said to the wise men of Babylon,…
  • Daniel 5:16 (v11) But I have heard of you, that you can give interpretations, and dissolve doubts. Now if you can read the writing, and make known to me its…
  • Daniel 5:29 (v11) Then Belshazzar commanded, and they clothed Daniel with purple, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made proclamation concerning…
  • Hosea 2:5 (v13) For their mother has played the prostitute. She who conceived them has done shamefully; for she said, ‘I will go after my lovers, who give…
  • Hosea 2:13 (v11) I will visit on her the days of the Baals, to which she burned incense, when she decked herself with her earrings and her jewels, and went…
  • 1 Peter 3:3-4 (v10) Let your beauty be not just the outward adorning of braiding the hair, and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on fine clothing; but…
  • Revelation 2:10 (v11) Don’t be afraid of the things which you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be…
  • Revelation 4:4 (v11) Around the throne were twenty-four thrones. On the thrones were twenty-four elders sitting, dressed in white garments, with crowns of gold…
  • Revelation 7:9-14 (v10) After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude, which no man could count, out of every nation and of all tribes, peoples, and…
  • Revelation 18:12 (v10) merchandise of gold, silver, precious stones, pearls, fine linen, purple, silk, scarlet, all expensive wood, every vessel of ivory, every…
  • Revelation 21:2 (v10) I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband.

70 distinct cross-references across this passage (74 total citations).

Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)

Explain this passage (18 sources)

Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.

John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain On vv10, 13 Here the Prophet, in a metaphor, relates other benefits…

Here the Prophet, in a metaphor, relates other benefits of God by which he liberally adorned his people; for we know that nothing has been omitted in God’s pouring forth the riches of his goodness on the people. And as to the explanations which some give of these female ornaments allegorically, I do not approve of it, as they fruitlessly conjecture many trifles which are at variance with each other. First of all, their conjectures may be refuted by the Prophet’s words: then, if we suffer the Prophet’s words to be turned and twisted, what these allegorical interpreters chatter with each other is entirely contrary in their meaning. Let us, therefore, be content with the genuine sense, that God was so generous towards the Israelites that he poured forth all his blessings in enriching them. Now, if one asks how the people were adorned? I answer, in two ways — first, God embraced them with his favor, and promised to be their God, and this was their chief honor; as Moses says they were naked, and their shame was discovered when they set up an idol in the place of God. He now adds a second kind of blessing, when God took care of them in the desert: he appeared by day in a cloud, and by night in a pillar of fire: the water flowed for them from the rock; daily food was given them from heaven, as if God with his own hands had placed it within their mouths: then in his strength they conquered their enemies, and entered the promised land; while he slew the nations for them, and gave them quiet possession and dominion there: then he blessed the land, so that it nourished them abundantly, and made it testify that it was no vain promise that the land should flow with milk and honey. (Exodus 3:17; Exodus 13:21, 22; Exodus 16:15,16; Exodus 17:6; Exodus 22:25; Numbers 20:11.) Ezekiel includes all these things under necklaces, bracelets, gold, silver, linen garments, broidered work, etc. As to the particular words I will not, accurately insist, unless I shortly touch on a point or two which may occasion doubt.

When he says that he clothed them, רקמה, rekmeh, this is in accordance with eastern customs: for they were accustomed to use clothing of different colors; as Benjamin wore a dress of this kind when he was a boy; and this was no royal splendor on his father’s part, who was a shepherd, but simply the usual custom. At this day, indeed, if any one among us wore a party colored garment, it would not be manly: nay, women who desire such variety in colors show themselves to have cast off all modesty. But among the Orientals, as I have said, this was the usual kind of dress. He afterwards adds, I shod thee with badgers’ skin. I know not why Jerome translates it violet-colored, and others hyacinth: it is sufficiently clear that it was a precious kind of skin. The word is often used by Moses when treating of the tabernacle; for the coverings were of violet-colored skin, and the whole tabernacle was covered with them. The badger was an animal unknown to us: but since he is here treating of shoes, there is no doubt that the skin was more elegant, and more highly esteemed by God. (Exodus 35:23; 36:19.) Afterwards he adds, I bound thee with fine linen. We know that linen garments were in more frequent use among that people than in Greece or in Italy, or in these parts: for linen was rarely used by the Romans even in their greatest luxury; but in the East they wore linen, as that region is very warm. But we know that linen is very fine, and that they were accustomed to weave transparent veils. Now this clothing was commonly worn by men in the East, though it is by no means manly: nay, in women it is scarcely tolerable. But the priests afterwards adopted the custom, and clothed themselves in linen while performing sacred rites. The Papal priests too — apes in all things — have imitated the custom; and although they do not wear fine linen, yet use linen robes, which they call surplices.

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He now adds, and I covered thee with silk, or silken garments, or silk cloth. He adds, that he placed bracelets upon the hands: barbarians call them armlets. This luxury was spread abroad almost everywhere; but the circular ornament which the Prophet adds to it was rejected by other nations. He puts a chain round the neck: chains were in common use as they are this day: nay, to necklaces were added looser chains — double, threefold, and fourfold; for this fault was too common. And what he afterwards adds of the ring was left to the Orientals, for they had jewels hanging from their nostrils: and I wonder why interpreters put earrings here, and then instead of earrings put nose-rings. But the Prophet here means a ring, whence a jewel was hung from the nose; and this with us is ridiculous and deforming: but in those barbarous regions both men and women have gems hanging from both their noses and ears. He adds, a crown on thy head. He does not mean a diadem or crown as a sign of royalty, but an ornament sufficiently common.

John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.

Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On v12 Hereby he showeth how he saved his Church, enriched…
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv10–13 Eze 16:10 I clothed thee also with broidered work,…
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv10–13 So miserably poor was this creature, that she had…
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv10–13 And I decked thee also with ornaments,.... The Targum…
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv10–11 Broidered - Rich and beautiful needle-work. Badgers skin -…
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv10, 12, 13 Verse 10. I clothed thee also with broidered work]…
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On v13 Eze 16:13-14. Thus wast thou decked with gold, &c.…
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv10, 12, 13 Badgers’ skin - Probably the skin of the dolphin…
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv10, 12, 13 Embroidery. Literally, "various colours." (Haydock) --- But this is…
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv10–13 eze 16:10Psa 45:13-14, similarly describes the Church (Israel, the…
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv12–13 12. A jewel on thy forehead — Literally, ring…
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv10–13 10. The costly clothing.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv10–12 (10) Badgers’ skin.—See Exo_25:5. The thing intended is a…
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv10–13 Broidered work; the "raiment of needlework" of Jud_1:5:30; Exo_35:35…
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On v10 I clothed thee also with broidered work.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v13 General Information:
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v11 16:11-14 She was adorned with jewelry and fed with…
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