Ezekiel 16:8-14

B. The Marriage and Adornment 16:8-14

TRANSLATION

(8) Now when I passed by You, and saw You, behold, your time was the time of love; and I spread My skirt over You, and covered your nakedness; and I swore to you, and entered into a covenant with you (oracle of the Lord GOD), and you became Mine. (9) And I washed you with water, and cleansed your blood from upon you, and I anointed you with oil. (10) And I clothed you with woven work, and I shod you with sealskin, and I bound you with fine linen, and I covered you with silk. (11) And I adorned you with ornaments, and I put bracelets upon your hands, and a chain upon your neck. (12) And I put a ring upon your nose, and earrings upon your ears, and a beautiful turban upon your head. (13) And you were decked with gold and silver, and your garments were of fine linen, silk, and woven work; and you ate fine flour, honey and oil; and you became more and more beautiful until you achieved royal rank. (14) And your reputation went forth among the nations for your beauty for it was perfect through My splendor which I put upon you (oracle of the Lord GOD).

COMMENTS

The relationship between God and Israel is frequently depicted under the metaphor of marriage. So it is here that the divine Rescuer noticed that the young nation had reached the time of love, i.e., marriageable age. He therefore spread His skirt over her, a gesture which was, apparently, part of the ancient marriage ceremony (cf. Ruth 3:9). God thereby covered the nakedness of his bride, i.e., He provided for Israel's needs. He entered into a marriage covenant with the maiden nation (cf. Exodus 24:8) and thereby Israel became the bride of God (Ezekiel 16:8).

God treated His young bride most tenderly. He first washed her with water. This no doubt is an allusion to ritual purification of a bride before marriage (cf. Ruth 3:3).[318] He then anointed her with oil (Ezekiel 16:9). He clothed her with the finest garments from head to toe (Ezekiel 16:10) and placed jewelry upon her wrists, neck (Ezekiel 16:11), nose and ears. As befitting her queenly position, a beautiful crown was placed on her head (Ezekiel 16:12). She ate the finest foods and became ever more beautiful until she finally attained to royal rank during the days of David (Ezekiel 16:13). The beauty the power and prosperity of the nation was spoken of among other nations. But whatever greatness was achieved by Israel was not self-earned, it was bestowed by her divine husband. She reflected the splendor of God (Ezekiel 16:14).

[318] The reference may be to the purification of the Israelites before the revelation from Mt. Sinai (Exodus 19:10).