Ezekiel 16:13

Thus wast thou decked with gold and silver; and thy raiment [was of] fine linen, and silk, and broidered work; thou didst eat fine flour, and honey, and oil: and thou wast exceeding beautiful, and thou didst prosper into a kingdom.

Thus wast thou decked {H5710} with gold {H2091} and silver {H3701}; and thy raiment {H4403} was of fine linen {H8336}{H8336}, and silk {H4897}, and broidered work {H7553}; thou didst eat {H398} fine flour {H5560}, and honey {H1706}, and oil {H8081}: and thou wast exceeding {H3966} beautiful {H3302}, and thou didst prosper {H6743} into a kingdom {H4410}.

Thus you were decked out in gold and silver; your clothing was of fine linen, silk and richly embroidered cloth; you ate the finest flour, honey and olive oil. You grew increasingly beautiful - you were fit to be queen.

So you were adorned with gold and silver, and your clothing was made of fine linen, silk, and embroidered cloth. You ate fine flour, honey, and oil. You became very beautiful and rose to be queen.

Thus wast thou decked with gold and silver; and thy raiment was of fine linen, and silk, and broidered work; thou didst eat fine flour, and honey, and oil; and thou wast exceeding beautiful, and thou didst prosper unto royal estate.

Commentary

Ezekiel 16:13 is part of a powerful and extended allegory where God describes His relationship with Jerusalem (representing Israel) as that of a foundling child rescued, raised, and adorned by Him. This verse vividly portrays the immense blessings and lavish provisions God bestowed upon Jerusalem, elevating her from utter destitution to a state of unparalleled beauty and prosperity.

Context

Chapter 16 of Ezekiel is a dramatic parable illustrating God's covenant love for Israel, His transformation of her from an abandoned infant (as depicted in Ezekiel 16:6) into a glorious queen, and her subsequent betrayal through idolatry. Verses 10-14 detail the specific "dressing up" of Jerusalem, with verse 13 specifically highlighting the luxurious materials and rich sustenance provided by God, signifying her peak of flourishing under divine favor. This prosperity was not earned but was a gift of God's grace and covenant faithfulness (see Ezekiel 16:8).

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Provision and Grace: The verse emphasizes God's boundless generosity. He provided "gold and silver," "fine linen, and silk, and broidered work," and the finest "fine flour, and honey, and oil." These are symbols of luxury, sustenance, and royal status, all freely given by God.
  • Beauty and Exaltation: Jerusalem was made "exceeding beautiful" by God's hand. This speaks to the glory and honor God intended for His chosen people among the nations (Deuteronomy 28:1-14).
  • Prosperity into a Kingdom: The phrase "thou didst prosper into a kingdom" signifies that God elevated Israel to a position of power, influence, and sovereignty, making her a prominent nation in the ancient world, especially during periods like the reign of King Solomon (1 Kings 4:25).

Linguistic Insights

  • The mention of "gold and silver," "fine linen," "silk," and "broidered work" collectively represents the pinnacle of ancient luxury and royal attire. "Fine linen" (Hebrew: shesh) was often associated with priestly garments and royalty, while "silk" (Hebrew: meshi) was a rare and valuable import.
  • "Fine flour" (Hebrew: solet), "honey" (Hebrew: devash), and "oil" (Hebrew: shemen) were staple, yet highly valued, foods in ancient Israel, symbolizing a rich and abundant diet, far from the meager provisions of an abandoned child.
  • The emphasis on "exceeding beautiful" (Hebrew: yaphah me'od) highlights the extraordinary transformation and divine aesthetic bestowed upon Jerusalem, making her a wonder to behold.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 16:13 serves as a profound reminder of God's immense grace and His desire to bless and elevate His people.

  • Remember the Source: This verse calls us to remember that all true beauty, prosperity, and blessings come from God. It warns against the human tendency to forget the divine source of our blessings and to take credit for what God has freely given, a theme starkly contrasted in subsequent verses of this chapter (Ezekiel 16:15).
  • God's Transformative Power: It illustrates God's power to transform the desolate and lowly into something magnificent and glorious. This principle applies to individuals and communities, showing God's capacity to bring beauty out of brokenness.
  • Responsibility with Blessing: While not explicitly stated in this verse, the broader context of Ezekiel 16 implies that great blessings come with great responsibility. Israel's failure to live up to her covenant responsibilities, despite God's lavish provision, led to severe consequences. This serves as a timeless lesson for all who receive God's favor.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 32:13

    He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock;

  • Deuteronomy 32:14

    Butter of kine, and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs, and rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, with the fat of kidneys of wheat; and thou didst drink the pure blood of the grape.

  • Psalms 50:2

    Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.

  • 1 Kings 4:21

    And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life.

  • Psalms 48:2

    Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, [is] mount Zion, [on] the sides of the north, the city of the great King.

  • Psalms 45:13

    The king's daughter [is] all glorious within: her clothing [is] of wrought gold.

  • Psalms 45:14

    She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.