Ezekiel 16:8
Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord GOD, and thou becamest mine.
Original Language Analysis
וָאֶעֱבֹ֨ר
Now when I passed
H5674
וָאֶעֱבֹ֨ר
Now when I passed
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
1 of 22
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
עָלַ֜יִךְ
H5921
עָלַ֜יִךְ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 22
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וָאֶרְאֵ֗ךְ
by thee and looked
H7200
וָאֶרְאֵ֗ךְ
by thee and looked
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
3 of 22
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
עֵ֣ת
upon thee behold thy time
H6256
עֵ֣ת
upon thee behold thy time
Strong's:
H6256
Word #:
5 of 22
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
עֵ֣ת
upon thee behold thy time
H6256
עֵ֣ת
upon thee behold thy time
Strong's:
H6256
Word #:
6 of 22
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
דֹּדִ֔ים
of love
H1730
דֹּדִ֔ים
of love
Strong's:
H1730
Word #:
7 of 22
(figuratively) to love; by implication, a love-token, lover, friend; specifically an uncle
כְּנָפִי֙
my skirt
H3671
כְּנָפִי֙
my skirt
Strong's:
H3671
Word #:
9 of 22
an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bedclothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinna
עָלַ֔יִךְ
H5921
עָלַ֔יִךְ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
10 of 22
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וָאֲכַסֶּ֖ה
over thee and covered
H3680
וָאֲכַסֶּ֖ה
over thee and covered
Strong's:
H3680
Word #:
11 of 22
properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)
עֶרְוָתֵ֑ךְ
thy nakedness
H6172
עֶרְוָתֵ֑ךְ
thy nakedness
Strong's:
H6172
Word #:
12 of 22
nudity, literally (especially the pudenda) or figuratively (disgrace, blemish)
וָאֶשָּׁ֣בַֽע
yea I sware
H7650
וָאֶשָּׁ֣בַֽע
yea I sware
Strong's:
H7650
Word #:
13 of 22
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
וָאָב֨וֹא
unto thee and entered
H935
וָאָב֨וֹא
unto thee and entered
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
15 of 22
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
בִבְרִ֜ית
into a covenant
H1285
בִבְרִ֜ית
into a covenant
Strong's:
H1285
Word #:
16 of 22
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
אֹתָ֗ךְ
H854
אֹתָ֗ךְ
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
17 of 22
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
Cross References
Isaiah 43:4Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.Ruth 3:9And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.Romans 5:8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.Ezekiel 16:6And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live; yea, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live.Exodus 32:13Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever.Deuteronomy 4:31(For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.Hosea 11:1When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.1 Samuel 12:22For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people.Jeremiah 31:3The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.Jeremiah 31:32Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:
Historical Context
The chapter 16 allegory addresses Jerusalem's history from Canaanite origins (v. 3—'thy father was an Amorite, thy mother a Hittite') through David's conquest, Solomon's glory, and eventual spiritual prostitution through idolatry and alliances with pagan nations. God's covenant covering and protection within this historical retrospective explaining how a nation so blessed fell so far. The imagery would resonate with Ezekiel's audience, conveying both the magnitude of God's grace and the enormity of Jerusalem's ingratitude. Archaeological evidence confirms Jerusalem's Canaanite origins (the Jebusites) before David's conquest, supporting the allegory's historical foundation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Covered thy nakedness illustrate God's initiative in salvation versus human contribution?
- What does this allegory teach about the seriousness of spiritual unfaithfulness after experiencing God's grace?
- In what ways does understanding salvation's origin in divine grace shape Christian humility and assurance?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This verse presents Covered thy nakedness in Ezekiel's extended allegory of Jerusalem as God's bride. God's covenant covering and protection, illustrating God's grace in choosing, rescuing, and elevating Israel from nothing to covenant partnership. The imagery depicts the foundational gospel pattern—God's initiative in salvation, not human merit or initiative. Israel contributed nothing to her election; God chose, rescued, cleansed, and covenanted with her purely from grace.
The allegory's power lies in contrasting God's gracious actions with Israel's subsequent unfaithfulness (developed later in the chapter). This establishes that Israel's judgment isn't arbitrary but betrayal of extraordinary grace. God lavished love on her, making her betrayal through idolatry (spiritual adultery) particularly heinous. The metaphor of marriage communicates covenant intimacy and the personal nature of sin against God.
From a Reformed perspective, this passage illustrates the doctrines of election and sovereign grace. God chose Israel not because of her attractiveness or merit but purely from divine love (Deuteronomy 7:7-8). Similarly, believers' salvation originates entirely in God's gracious choice and initiative (Ephesians 1:4-5, 2:1-5), not human worthiness or decision. This humbles pride and grounds assurance in God's character rather than our performance.