Ezekiel 16:22

KJV

And in all thine abominations and thy whoredoms thou hast not remembered the days of thy youth, when thou wast naked and bare, [and] wast polluted in thy blood.

KJV (with Strong's)

And in all thine abominations {H8441} and thy whoredoms {H8457} thou hast not remembered {H2142} the days {H3117} of thy youth {H5271}, when thou wast naked {H5903} and bare {H6181}, and wast polluted {H947} in thy blood {H1818}.

Complete Jewish Bible

In all your disgusting practices and fornications you never remembered the condition you were in when you were young - naked, exposed and wallowing in your own blood.

Berean Standard Bible

And in all your abominations and acts of prostitution, you did not remember the days of your youth when you were naked and bare, wallowing in your own blood.

American Standard Version

And in all thine abominations and thy whoredoms thou hast not remembered the days of thy youth, when thou wast naked and bare, and wast weltering in thy blood.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 16:22 serves as a poignant indictment against Jerusalem, personifying Israel as an unfaithful bride who has profoundly forgotten her origins and God's boundless grace. Despite God's miraculous rescue, cleansing, and elevation of her from a state of abject destitution and defilement, she engaged in "abominations and whoredoms"—metaphorical for idolatry and covenant betrayal. The verse underscores the tragic irony of her spiritual amnesia, failing to recall the desperate "days of thy youth" when she was utterly helpless and polluted, a stark contrast to the lavish grace she received.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 16 is an extended prophetic allegory, one of the most vivid and detailed in the Old Testament, portraying God's relationship with Jerusalem as a foundling child rescued and raised to become a beautiful bride. The chapter begins with God recounting Jerusalem's origins as an abandoned, defiled infant (verses 1-5), whom He lovingly cleansed, clothed, adorned, and entered into a covenant with (verses 6-14). This established a relationship of profound intimacy and blessing. Verse 22, however, marks a dramatic shift, serving as a pivotal point where the narrative moves from God's boundless grace to Jerusalem's egregious betrayal, setting the stage for the subsequent detailed descriptions of her spiritual harlotry and the resulting divine judgment (verses 23-58). It specifically recalls the imagery of her initial state from [Ezekiel 16:6](/ezekiel/16-6 "Ezekiel 16:6 - God's Compassion on Jerusalem's Desperate State"), emphasizing the depth of her ingratitude.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Ezekiel ministered during the Babylonian exile, addressing a people who had witnessed or were experiencing the consequences of Jerusalem's destruction and the temple's desecration. The "abominations and whoredoms" refer to the widespread idolatry and syncretistic practices that permeated Israelite society, particularly during the reigns of kings like Manasseh (see [2 Kings 21](/2_kings/21 "2 Kings 21 - Manasseh's Wicked Reign")). These practices often involved fertility cults, child sacrifice (e.g., to Molech), and alliances with foreign nations that led to the adoption of their gods and customs. The imagery of a "naked and bare" foundling would have resonated deeply with the societal norms of the ancient Near East, where abandoned infants were left to die, underscoring the utter hopelessness of Jerusalem's initial state and the extraordinary nature of God's intervention. The concept of a covenant as a marriage bond was also a well-understood metaphor for the relationship between a deity and a people.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Ezekiel and the broader prophetic literature. It highlights **Covenant Unfaithfulness**, portraying Israel's relationship with God as a broken marriage, where her "whoredoms" signify spiritual adultery against her divine Husband (a theme also prominent in [Hosea 2](/hosea/2 "Hosea 2 - Israel's Unfaithfulness and God's Restoration")). The theme of **Spiritual Amnesia** is central, as Jerusalem's failure to "remember the days of thy youth" demonstrates a profound lack of gratitude and a disregard for God's redemptive history with her. This forgetfulness is presented as the root cause of her descent into "abominations." Furthermore, the verse underscores the **Severity of Idolatry**, which is not merely a deviation but a detestable act of betrayal that pollutes the land and the people, leading to divine judgment. The contrast between Jerusalem's initial state of utter defilement and God's lavish beautification amplifies the heinousness of her subsequent rebellion, making her sin inexcusable.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Abominations (Hebrew, _tôwʻêbah'_):** This term (H8441) refers to something morally disgusting or an abhorrence, particularly in the context of idolatry or an idol itself. In Ezekiel 16:22, it signifies practices utterly detestable to God, such as pagan rituals, child sacrifice, and other acts that violate His holiness and the covenant. It encapsulates the profound moral corruption of Jerusalem's spiritual infidelity.
* **Remembered (Hebrew, _zâkar'_):** This primitive root (H2142) means "to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention." In this context, Jerusalem's failure to "remember" is not merely a lapse of memory but a deliberate act of forgetting or ignoring God's past grace and her own humble origins. It implies a conscious disregard for her history with God, leading to a profound lack of gratitude and loyalty.
* **Polluted (Hebrew, _bûwç'_):** This primitive root (H947) means "to trample (literally or figuratively); to loathe, tread (down, under (foot)), be polluted." The phrase "wast polluted in thy blood" vividly recalls Jerusalem's initial state of defilement and helplessness, as described in [Ezekiel 16:6](/ezekiel/16-6 "Ezekiel 16:6 - Jerusalem's State of Defilement"). Her "blood" here refers to the blood of birth, signifying her unclean and abandoned state. The use of "polluted" emphasizes the utter filth and unworthiness from which God rescued her, making her subsequent "abominations" even more egregious.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And in all thine abominations and thy whoredoms":** This clause directly accuses Jerusalem of pervasive and severe spiritual transgressions. "Abominations" (H8441) refers to detestable idolatrous practices, while "whoredoms" (H8457, _taznûwth'_) metaphorically describes her spiritual infidelity and harlotry against God through alliances with pagan nations and worship of their gods. These are not isolated acts but a comprehensive pattern of rebellion.
* **"thou hast not remembered the days of thy youth":** This highlights Jerusalem's profound spiritual amnesia and ingratitude. "Remembered" (H2142) implies a failure to recall and internalize God's past grace and her own desperate beginnings. "Days of thy youth" (H3117, H5271) refers to the time of her humble, helpless origins, when God first found and rescued her, as detailed in the earlier verses of the chapter.
* **"when thou wast naked and bare, [and] wast polluted in thy blood.":** This vivid imagery directly recalls the pitiable state from which God rescued Jerusalem. "Naked" (H5903, _ʻêyrôm'_) and "bare" (H6181, _ʻeryâh'_) emphasize her utter vulnerability, exposure, and lack of covering. "Polluted in thy blood" (H947, H1818, _dâm'_) refers to the defilement of birth, signifying her abandoned, unclean, and helpless condition before God's intervention. This stark reminder underscores the magnitude of God's grace and the inexcusable nature of her subsequent forgetfulness and rebellion.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 16:22 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Allegory** is the overarching device of the entire chapter, with Jerusalem personified as a foundling child and then a bride, allowing for a deeply personal and emotional portrayal of God's relationship with His people and their betrayal. The phrase "abominations and thy whoredoms" uses **Metaphor** to describe idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness as spiritual prostitution, vividly illustrating the betrayal of intimacy and loyalty. The repetition of imagery from earlier in the chapter, particularly the "naked and bare, [and] wast polluted in thy blood" phrase, is an example of **Recapitulation**, serving to emphasize the stark contrast between Jerusalem's initial destitution and her later ingratitude. This **Juxtaposition** of God's immense grace with Israel's profound forgetfulness amplifies the severity of her sin, highlighting the tragic irony of her spiritual amnesia.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 16:22 encapsulates the profound theological truth that divine grace, when forgotten or taken for granted, can lead to catastrophic spiritual decline. It underscores the covenantal nature of God's relationship with His people, where faithfulness is expected in response to His lavish love and deliverance. The "abominations and whoredoms" are not merely moral failures but acts of spiritual adultery, violating the exclusive devotion owed to the one true God. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that remembering our spiritual origins—our state of helplessness before God's intervention—is crucial for fostering gratitude, humility, and sustained faithfulness. Forgetting God's past acts of salvation inevitably opens the door to idolatry and spiritual compromise, as seen throughout Israel's history.

* [Deuteronomy 6:10-12](/deuteronomy/6-10 "Warning Against Forgetting God's Deliverance")
* [Jeremiah 2:32](/jeremiah/2-32 "Can a Virgin Forget Her Ornaments?")
* [Hosea 2:5-7](/hosea/2-5 "Israel's Pursuit of Lovers")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 16:22 stands as a timeless warning against spiritual amnesia, a condition that afflicts individuals and communities when they forget the depth of God's grace and their own desperate state before His intervention. For us today, this verse compels us to regularly recall our "days of youth"—our spiritual infancy, when we were "naked and bare" in our sin, utterly helpless and polluted, before Christ's redeeming work. This remembrance cultivates profound gratitude, humility, and a renewed commitment to faithfulness. It challenges us to examine our hearts for any "abominations" or "whoredoms"—anything that competes for God's supreme place in our lives, whether it be material possessions, worldly ambitions, or even seemingly good things that become idols. True faithfulness springs from a heart that continually remembers and cherishes the transformative grace of God, resisting the temptation to drift into spiritual complacency or compromise.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "days of your youth" (your spiritual origins) that you are prone to forget in your walk with God?**
* **In what ways might "abominations" or "whoredoms" (spiritual idols or unfaithfulness) manifest in your life today, drawing your devotion away from God?**
* **How can you intentionally cultivate a deeper remembrance of God's grace and your redemption story to foster greater gratitude and faithfulness?**
* **What practical steps can you take to guard against spiritual amnesia and prevent complacency in your relationship with Christ?**

### FAQ
**What does "naked and bare, and wast polluted in thy blood" mean in this context?**

Answer: This vivid phrase in [Ezekiel 16:22](/ezekiel/16-22 "Israel's Forgetfulness") is a direct callback to God's initial description of Jerusalem's (Israel's) pitiable state in [Ezekiel 16:6](/ezekiel/16-6 "Jerusalem's State of Defilement"). It refers to her abandoned, helpless, and utterly defiled condition at birth. "Naked and bare" emphasizes her vulnerability and lack of protection or dignity. "Polluted in thy blood" signifies the uncleanness associated with the blood of birth, as a newborn left unwashed and uncared for. This imagery underscores the depth of her destitution and the extraordinary, undeserved grace of God who found her in this state, cleansed her, and brought her into a covenant relationship. Her failure to remember this desperate beginning makes her subsequent unfaithfulness all the more egregious.

**Why is "forgetting" such a serious offense to God in this chapter?**

Answer: In the biblical worldview, "remembering" (Hebrew: _zâkar'_) is not merely a cognitive act but a moral and spiritual one, implying active recall, grateful acknowledgment, and faithful response. Conversely, "forgetting" is a profound act of rebellion and ingratitude. In [Ezekiel 16](/ezekiel/16 "The Allegory of the Unfaithful Wife"), Jerusalem's failure to "remember the days of thy youth" means she disregarded God's immense love, His covenant faithfulness, and the radical transformation He wrought in her life. This spiritual amnesia led directly to her "abominations and whoredoms"—her idolatry and spiritual adultery. It signifies a profound disrespect for the covenant and a betrayal of the One who rescued her, making her sin inexcusable and deserving of judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 16:22, with its stark portrayal of Israel's spiritual amnesia and unfaithfulness, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Israel, as a collective bride, failed to remember her covenant vows and her humble origins, turning to "abominations and whoredoms." Yet, in Christ, God's covenant faithfulness is perfectly upheld and eternally secured. We, like ancient Israel, were once "naked and bare, [and] polluted in thy blood" (spiritually dead in our trespasses and sins), utterly helpless and without hope, as described in [Ephesians 2:1-3](/ephesians/2-1 "Dead in Sins"). But God, in His rich mercy, "made us alive together with Christ" ([Ephesians 2:5](/ephesians/2-5 "Made Alive with Christ")), cleansing us not with water and oil, but with the precious blood of His Son ([1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18 "Redeemed by Christ's Blood")). The New Covenant, established through Christ's sacrifice, ensures that God's people will have His law written on their hearts, enabling them to "remember" and remain faithful ([Jeremiah 31:33-34](/jeremiah/31-33 "The New Covenant")). Jesus is the faithful Bridegroom who never forgets His covenant, and through His Spirit, He empowers His redeemed bride, the Church, to live in grateful remembrance and unwavering devotion, guarding against the spiritual amnesia and idolatry that plagued ancient Israel.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 2:2

Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land [that was] not sown.

Hosea 11:1

¶ When Israel [was] a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.

Ezekiel 16:43

Because thou hast not remembered the days of thy youth, but hast fretted me in all these [things]; behold, therefore I also will recompense thy way upon [thine] head, saith the Lord GOD: and thou shalt not commit this lewdness above all thine abominations.

Ezekiel 16:60

¶ Nevertheless I will remember my covenant with thee in the days of thy youth, and I will establish unto thee an everlasting covenant.

Ezekiel 16:63

That thou mayest remember, and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more because of thy shame, when I am pacified toward thee for all that thou hast done, saith the Lord GOD.

Hosea 2:3

Lest I strip her naked, and set her as in the day that she was born, and make her as a wilderness, and set her like a dry land, and slay her with thirst.

Ezekiel 16:3

And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto Jerusalem; Thy birth and thy nativity [is] of the land of Canaan; thy father [was] an Amorite, and thy mother an Hittite.