Ezekiel 16:22
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.
Original Language Analysis
וְאֵ֤ת
H853
וְאֵ֤ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
1 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
2 of 15
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
תּוֹעֲבֹתַ֙יִךְ֙
And in all thine abominations
H8441
תּוֹעֲבֹתַ֙יִךְ֙
And in all thine abominations
Strong's:
H8441
Word #:
3 of 15
properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol
וְתַזְנֻתַ֔יִךְ
and thy whoredoms
H8457
וְתַזְנֻתַ֔יִךְ
and thy whoredoms
Strong's:
H8457
Word #:
4 of 15
harlotry, i.e., (figuratively) idolatry
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
זָכַ֖רְתְּי
thou hast not remembered
H2142
זָכַ֖רְתְּי
thou hast not remembered
Strong's:
H2142
Word #:
6 of 15
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְמֵ֣י
the days
H3117
יְמֵ֣י
the days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
8 of 15
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
נְעוּרָ֑יִךְ
of thy youth
H5271
נְעוּרָ֑יִךְ
of thy youth
Strong's:
H5271
Word #:
9 of 15
(only in plural collective or emphatic form) youth, the state (juvenility) or the persons (young people)
בִּֽהְיוֹתֵךְ֙
H1961
בִּֽהְיוֹתֵךְ֙
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
10 of 15
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
מִתְבּוֹסֶ֥סֶת
and wast polluted
H947
מִתְבּוֹסֶ֥סֶת
and wast polluted
Strong's:
H947
Word #:
13 of 15
to trample (literally or figuratively)
Cross References
Jeremiah 2:2Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown.Ezekiel 16:43Because 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.Hosea 11:1When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.
Historical Context
This verse climaxes the indictment begun in verse 1, where Ezekiel was commanded to 'cause Jerusalem to know her abominations.' The prophet's audience—exiles in Babylon (593-571 BC)—needed to understand that Jerusalem's fall wasn't divine failure but covenant judgment for sustained rebellion spanning generations.
Questions for Reflection
- Do you regularly remember your spiritual 'nakedness and pollution' before God saved you, or has grace become presumption?
- How does forgetting God's past faithfulness lead to present unfaithfulness in your walk with Him?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Thou hast not remembered the days of thy youth—The Hebrew zakar (זָכַר, to remember) means more than mental recall; it implies covenant faithfulness and obedient response. Jerusalem forgot her origins: when thou wast naked and bare, and wast polluted in thy blood (verse 6)—exposed at birth, helpless, without status or beauty. God's covenant love (hesed) rescued her.
In all thine abominations and thy whoredoms—to'evoth (תּוֹעֵבוֹת, abominations) and taznuth (תַּזְנוּת, whoredoms) form a devastating pair: detestable acts combined with covenant betrayal. Amnesia of grace produces arrogance and ingratitude. Jesus rebuked the forgiven debtor who forgot his own debt (Matthew 18:23-35). Covenant keeping requires remembering redemption—Israel's failure and ours.