Ezekiel 16:12

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

Ezekiel 16:12 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
12 And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and earrings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thine head.
English Standard Version (ESV)
12 And I put a ring on your nose and earrings in your ears and a beautiful crown on your head.
New Living Translation (NLT)
12 a ring for your nose, earrings for your ears, and a lovely crown for your head.
The Message Bible (MSG)
12 emerald rings, sapphire earrings, and a diamond tiara.
American Standard Version (ASV)
12 And I put a ring upon thy nose, and ear-rings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thy head.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
12 I put a ring in your nose, earrings on your ears, and a beautiful crown on your head.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
12 I put a ring in your nose, earrings on your ears, and a beautiful tiara on your head.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
12 I put rings on your nose and ears. And I gave you a beautiful crown for your head.

Ezekiel 16:12 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 16:12

And I put a jewel on thy forehead
The same with the nose jewel, which was hung upon the forehead, and reached down to the nose and mouth; and, however disagreeable it may seem to us, was reckoned very ornamental in the eastern countries, ( Isaiah 3:21 ) ( Genesis 24:22 Genesis 24:47 ) ; and where now, as in Persia, as well as in all the Levant, the women put rings through their noses, which they pierce with needles, as Monsieur Thevenot F26 relates; so Dr. Shaw F1 says that nose jewels are used still by the Levant Arabs. The Targum applies it to the ark, thus,

``and I put the ark of my covenant among you;''
but may be better applied a public profession of religion, which every good man ought to make, and take up from principles of grace received; this is bearing the name of Christ and the name of his Father in their foreheads; which is very ornamental to the believer, and well pleasing to Christ, ( Romans 10:9 Romans 10:10 ) ( Revelation 14:1 ) ( Matthew 10:32 ) ; and earrings in thine ears.
The Targum is,
``and the clouds of my glory overshadowed you;''
but it may be better interpreted of the spiritual ears God gives his people in conversion; by which they hear his word, so as to understand it; hear the voice of Christ, so as to distinguish it from the voice of a stranger; and hear his Gospel, so as to believe and receive it, approve of it, and love it, and act in conformity to it: and a beautiful crown upon thine head.
The Targum paraphrases it thus,
``and an angel, sent from before me, led at the head of you:''
referring to ( Exodus 23:20 ) ; with which Jarchi compares ( Micah 2:13 ) but may be better illustrated by the beautiful crown of twelve stars, the doctrine of the twelve apostles of Christ, said to he upon the head of the church; and is upon the head of every believer that holds the mystery of the faith in pure conscience; that holds fast the faithful word, and will not let it go, that so no man may take away his crown, ( Revelation 12:1 ) ( 3:11 ) .
FOOTNOTES:

F26 Travels, par. 2. B. 2. c. 9. p. 94.
F1 Travels, p. 241. Ed. 2.

Ezekiel 16:12 In-Context

10 I clothed you with an embroidered dress and put sandals of fine leather on you. I dressed you in fine linen and covered you with costly garments.
11 I adorned you with jewelry: I put bracelets on your arms and a necklace around your neck,
12 and I put a ring on your nose, earrings on your ears and a beautiful crown on your head.
13 So you were adorned with gold and silver; your clothes were of fine linen and costly fabric and embroidered cloth. Your food was honey, olive oil and the finest flour. You became very beautiful and rose to be a queen.
14 And your fame spread among the nations on account of your beauty, because the splendor I had given you made your beauty perfect, declares the Sovereign LORD.

Cross References 4

  • 1. Isaiah 3:21
  • 2. S Genesis 35:4
  • 3. S Isaiah 28:5; S Jeremiah 13:18
  • 4. Proverbs 1:9; S Isaiah 3:19
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.