Ezekiel 16:43
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.
Original Language Analysis
יַ֗עַן
H3282
יַ֗עַן
Strong's:
H3282
Word #:
1 of 27
properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
2 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 27
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
זָכַרְתְּ֙י
Because thou hast not remembered
H2142
זָכַרְתְּ֙י
Because thou hast not remembered
Strong's:
H2142
Word #:
4 of 27
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 #:
5 of 27
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 #:
6 of 27
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
נְעוּרַ֔יִךְ
of thy youth
H5271
נְעוּרַ֔יִךְ
of thy youth
Strong's:
H5271
Word #:
7 of 27
(only in plural collective or emphatic form) youth, the state (juvenility) or the persons (young people)
וַתִּרְגְּזִי
but hast fretted
H7264
וַתִּרְגְּזִי
but hast fretted
Strong's:
H7264
Word #:
8 of 27
to quiver (with any violent emotion, especially anger or fear)
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
10 of 27
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
וְגַם
H1571
וְגַם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
12 of 27
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
דַּרְכֵּ֣ךְ׀
thy way
H1870
דַּרְכֵּ֣ךְ׀
thy way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
15 of 27
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
בְּרֹ֣אשׁ
upon thine head
H7218
בְּרֹ֣אשׁ
upon thine head
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
16 of 27
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
נָתַ֗תִּי
therefore I also will recompense
H5414
נָתַ֗תִּי
therefore I also will recompense
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
17 of 27
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
וְלֹ֤א
H3808
וְלֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
21 of 27
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
עָשִׂית֙י
and thou shalt not commit
H6213
עָשִׂית֙י
and thou shalt not commit
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
22 of 27
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
23 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עַ֖ל
H5921
עַ֖ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
25 of 27
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Ezekiel 16:22And 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.Psalms 78:42They remembered not his hand, nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy.Ezekiel 22:31Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord GOD.Ezekiel 11:21But as for them whose heart walketh after the heart of their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their way upon their own heads, saith the Lord GOD.Isaiah 63:10But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.Psalms 106:13They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel:Ezekiel 6:9And they that escape of you shall remember me among the nations whither they shall be carried captives, because I am broken with their whorish heart, which hath departed from me, and with their eyes, which go a whoring after their idols: and they shall lothe themselves for the evils which they have committed in all their abominations.
Historical Context
Written circa 593-571 BC during the Babylonian exile, this oracle recalls Jerusalem's history from her Canaanite origins through David's conquest and Solomon's glory. The 'days of thy youth' references God's foundational acts of redemption in the Exodus and wilderness period, establishing the covenant relationship Jerusalem violated through syncretistic worship and political alliances with Egypt and Babylon.
Questions for Reflection
- How does spiritual amnesia—forgetting God's past faithfulness—lead to present unfaithfulness in your life?
- What does the principle of recompense 'upon thine head' reveal about the self-destructive nature of sin?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Because thou hast not remembered the days of thy youth (לֹא זָכַרְתְּ אֶת־יְמֵי נְעוּרָיִךְ)—the Hebrew zakar (remember) implies not mere recollection but covenant faithfulness and grateful response. Jerusalem failed to remember God's gracious deliverance when she was abandoned and vulnerable. Fretted me (רָגַז, ragaz) means to provoke to trembling anger—God's response to covenant betrayal.
I also will recompense thy way upon thine head employs the Hebrew principle of lex talionis (measure-for-measure justice). The very lewdness (זִמָּה, zimmah)—premeditated wickedness or sexual depravity—that Jerusalem committed will return upon her. This verse transitions from the extended marriage metaphor to explicit pronouncement of judgment, establishing that divine wrath is neither arbitrary nor excessive but proportionate response to ingratitude and betrayal.