Ezekiel 16:7

7 I will increase your numbers just like plants growing in the field." And you did increase, you developed, you reached puberty, your breasts appeared, and your hair grew long; but you were naked and exposed.

Ezekiel 16:7 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 16:7

I have caused thee to multiply as the bud of the field
Or, "made thee millions" F13; like the spires of grass in the field. This refers to the multiplication of the children of Israel in Egypt, especially after the death of Joseph, and even while they were sorely afflicted, and likewise in later times. Jacob went down to Egypt with seventy five persons only, but when his posterity returned from thence, they were above six hundred thousand that were able to go forth to war, ( Genesis 46:27 ) ( Numbers 1:46 ) ; see ( Exodus 1:7 Exodus 1:12 ) ; and thou hast increased and waxed great;
and became large families, kindreds, and tribes, as the Targum interprets it; as a child grows up, and becomes adult: and thou art come to excellent ornaments;
or, "ornament of ornaments" {n}; as a young woman, when she is grown up, comes to wear better and finer clothes than in infancy; perhaps there is an allusion to the jewels the Israelites brought out of Egypt with them: this may be applied to the laws, statutes, and ordinances given them, which were an "ornament of grace" unto them, ( Proverbs 1:9 ) ; [thy] breasts are fashioned;
swelled and stood out; were come to a proper size and shape, as in persons grown and marriageable; see ( Song of Solomon 8:10 ) ; and thine hair is grown;
an euphemism, expressive of puberty, which in females was at twelve years of age: whereas thou [wast] naked and bare;
in a state of infancy. Jarchi and Kimchi interpret this of the Israelites being without the commandments. The whole of what is here said, may be applied to quickened and converted persons, who grow in grace, and increase in spiritual knowledge; and are adorned with the ornaments of grace and good works; and attend to the word and ordinances, which are the church's breasts; who, while in their nature state, were naked and destitute of righteousness and grace.


FOOTNOTES:

F13 (hbbr) "millia dedi", Pagninus, Montanus; "in multa millia", Tigurine version; "in myriadem te auxi", Piscator; so Ben Melech.
F14 (Myyde yde) "ornamenta ornamentorum", Pagninus, Montanus; "in ornamentum ornamentorum", Calvin; "pulchritudinem pulchritudiuum", Starckius; so Ben Melech; "elegantiam elegantiarum", Cocceius.

Ezekiel 16:7 In-Context

5 No one seeing you had enough pity on you to do any of these things for you - no one had any compassion on you. Instead, you were thrown into an open field in your own filth on the day you were born.
6 "'I passed by and saw you there, wallowing in your own blood; and as you lay in your blood I said to you, "Live!" Yes, I said to you, as you lay in your blood, "Live!
7 I will increase your numbers just like plants growing in the field." And you did increase, you developed, you reached puberty, your breasts appeared, and your hair grew long; but you were naked and exposed.
8 "'Again I passed by you, looked at you and saw that your time had come, the time for love. So I spread my cloak over you to cover your private parts and entered into a covenant with you,' says Adonai ELOHIM, 'and you became mine.
9 Then I bathed you in water, washed the blood off you, and anointed you with oil.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.