Ezekiel 16:4

KJV

And [as for] thy nativity, in the day thou wast born thy navel was not cut, neither wast thou washed in water to supple [thee]; thou wast not salted at all, nor swaddled at all.

KJV (with Strong's)

And as for thy nativity {H4138}, in the day {H3117} thou wast born {H3205} thy navel {H8270} was not cut {H3772}, neither wast thou washed {H7364} in water {H4325} to supple {H4935} thee; thou wast not salted {H4414} at all {H4414}, nor swaddled {H2853} at all {H2853}.

Complete Jewish Bible

As for your birth - on the day you were born nobody cut your umbilical cord, washed you in water to clean you off, rubbed salt on you or wrapped you in cloth.

Berean Standard Bible

On the day of your birth your cord was not cut, nor were you washed with water for cleansing. You were not rubbed with salt or wrapped in cloths.

American Standard Version

And as for thy nativity, in the day thou wast born thy navel was not cut, neither wast thou washed in water to cleanse thee; thou wast not salted at all, nor swaddled at all.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 16:4 vividly portrays Jerusalem, personified as a newborn infant, abandoned and utterly neglected at birth. This graphic imagery underscores the nation of Israel's initial state of profound helplessness, destitution, and lack of inherent merit, setting a stark contrast against the backdrop of God's subsequent, unmerited act of finding, cleansing, and covenanting with her. The verse emphatically communicates that Israel's origins were not glorious or self-sufficient, but rather marked by a desperate need for divine intervention and sovereign grace.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel chapter 16 unfolds as an extended and deeply symbolic allegory, where the prophet Ezekiel delivers a scathing indictment against Jerusalem, representing the nation of Israel, for her spiritual harlotry and idolatry. The chapter commences by depicting Jerusalem as a foundling child, cast out and left to perish at birth, which forms the immediate backdrop for [Ezekiel 16:4](/ezekiel/16-4 "Ezekiel 16:4 - Jerusalem's Abandoned Birth"). This initial portrayal of utter destitution serves as a powerful narrative device, establishing the profound depth of Israel's unworthiness and magnifying the astonishing nature of God's compassionate intervention. The subsequent narrative details God's merciful discovery of the child, His raising her to maturity, His covenant with her, and her eventual egregious betrayal through alliances with pagan nations and the adoption of their idolatrous practices. The shocking and graphic nature of the imagery in this verse intensifies the reader's understanding of Jerusalem's initial plight and highlights the immeasurable depth of God's unmerited love in choosing and caring for such a desolate entity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The practices described in [Ezekiel 16:4](/ezekiel/16-4 "Ezekiel 16:4 - Jerusalem's Abandoned Birth")—the cutting of the umbilical cord, washing, salting, and swaddling a newborn—were not merely customs but essential, life-sustaining rituals in the ancient Near East. The deliberate omission of any of these steps would have been universally understood as an act of extreme abandonment, tantamount to a death sentence for an infant. Newborns were typically washed immediately after birth to cleanse them of fluids, then often rubbed with salt, a practice believed to firm the skin, cleanse, and perhaps act as an antiseptic, potentially preventing rashes or infections. Finally, infants were tightly swaddled in cloths for warmth, security, and to promote proper limb development. The complete absence of these fundamental care rituals in the verse paints a horrifying picture of extreme cruelty and neglect, serving as a potent metaphor for the spiritual state of Jerusalem as perceived by God—a nation that, in its very origins, had no inherent claim to divine favor and was, in fact, spiritually dead, exposed, and utterly helpless.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, while depicting profound neglect, is foundational to several pivotal themes developed throughout [Ezekiel 16](/ezekiel/16 "Ezekiel 16 - The Allegory of the Foundling Child") and the broader prophetic book. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the theme of **Divine Grace and Unmerited Favor**. Jerusalem's initial state of utter helplessness dramatically magnifies God's compassionate initiative in choosing and caring for her, not based on her worthiness or any pre-existing merit, but solely on His sovereign love and mercy. This echoes the profound truth found in passages like [Deuteronomy 7:7-8](/deuteronomy/7-7-8 "Deuteronomy 7:7-8 - God's Unmerited Choice of Israel"), which emphasizes God's choice of Israel was not due to their greatness. Secondly, it highlights **Human Helplessness and Spiritual Depravity**. The vivid imagery of an unwashed, unsalted, unswaddled infant powerfully conveys humanity's inherent inability to prepare or save itself, emphasizing a state of spiritual death and exposure apart from God's intervention. This concept of human inability and need for divine rescue is a recurring motif in biblical theology, as seen in [Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned"). Finally, the verse introduces the crucial theme of **Covenant and Betrayal**, setting the stage for Jerusalem's subsequent unfaithfulness and spiritual harlotry despite God's lavish and undeserved care, a central message woven throughout [Ezekiel's prophecies](/ezekiel/20 "Ezekiel 20 - Israel's Rebellious History").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Nativity (Hebrew, _môwledeth'_):** From H4138, meaning "nativity (plural birth-place); by implication, lineage, native country; also offspring, family." In [Ezekiel 16:4](/ezekiel/16-4 "Ezekiel 16:4 - Jerusalem's Abandoned Birth"), this word refers to Jerusalem's very origin or "birth," emphasizing her foundational state. It points not to a glorious or chosen lineage, but to a humble, even destitute, beginning, highlighting the complete lack of inherent merit or advantageous circumstances at her inception as a nation in God's eyes.
* **Salted (Hebrew, _mâlach'_):** From H4414, meaning "to rub to pieces or pulverize; intransitively, to disappear as dust; to salt whether internally (to season with salt) or externally (to rub with salt)." The practice of rubbing a newborn with salt was a common ancient Near Eastern custom, believed to firm the skin, cleanse, and perhaps act as an antiseptic. Its emphatic omission here, "thou wast not salted at all," signifies a complete and utter neglect, a deliberate refusal of a basic, life-preserving ritual, underscoring the severity of the abandonment.
* **Swaddled (Hebrew, _châthal'_):** From H2853, meaning "to swathe; [idiom] at all, swaddle." Swaddling involved tightly wrapping an infant in cloths to provide warmth, security, and to help limbs grow straight. The phrase "nor swaddled at all" completes the horrifying picture of total neglect, leaving the infant exposed, vulnerable, and without the fundamental care necessary for survival and proper development. This highlights the absolute helplessness and exposure of Jerusalem at her spiritual "birth."

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And as for thy nativity, in the day thou wast born":** This opening clause immediately sets the scene, focusing on Jerusalem's very origins and the moment of her "birth" as a nation. The use of "nativity" (Hebrew _môwledeth_) emphasizes her initial state or lineage, which is presented not as one of privilege or divine selection from the outset, but as one of profound vulnerability and abandonment. It highlights that her existence began in a state of utter destitution.
* **"thy navel was not cut":** The umbilical cord, vital for sustaining life in the womb, was typically cut and tied immediately after birth to prevent infection and bleeding. Leaving it uncut would inevitably lead to infection, hemorrhage, and eventual death. This detail vividly portrays a complete lack of basic, life-saving care, symbolizing a state of spiritual uncleanness and a direct path towards demise.
* **"neither wast thou washed in water to supple [e]":** Newborns were routinely washed to cleanse them of birth fluids and to soften their skin, promoting hygiene and comfort. The absence of this fundamental hygienic practice signifies extreme neglect and a callous disregard for the infant's well-being, leaving her in a state of impurity and discomfort. The phrase "to supple [thee]" (Hebrew _mishʻîy_) suggests the additional benefit of softening the skin, which was also neglected.
* **"thou wast not salted at all":** This refers to the ancient practice of rubbing a newborn with salt, believed to firm the skin, cleanse, and act as a protective antiseptic. The emphatic "at all" underscores the absolute omission of this vital step, further emphasizing the complete and deliberate neglect, denying the child any protective or purifying treatment.
* **"nor swaddled at all":** Swaddling involved wrapping the infant tightly in cloths for warmth, security, and to ensure proper physical development. The complete absence of swaddling left the newborn exposed to the elements, vulnerable, and without the comfort or security necessary for survival. This final detail completes the horrifying picture of an infant left to perish without any care whatsoever, highlighting her utter helplessness.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in [Ezekiel 16:4](/ezekiel/16-4 "Ezekiel 16:4 - Jerusalem's Abandoned Birth") and throughout the chapter is **Allegory**. Jerusalem, representing the nation of Israel, is personified as a newborn infant. This extended allegory allows God to convey complex theological truths about Israel's history, His covenant relationship with them, and their subsequent unfaithfulness, in a deeply relatable and emotionally charged manner. The verse also employs potent **Vivid Imagery**, painting a visceral picture of an abandoned, unkempt newborn. The detailed description of omitted birthing rituals—the uncut navel, unwashed body, unsalted skin, and unswaddled state—evokes a strong sense of **Pathos** and horror, highlighting the extreme vulnerability and utter destitution of the allegorical infant. This graphic imagery serves to magnify the depth of Jerusalem's spiritual depravity and the profound extent of God's unmerited grace in choosing and rescuing her from such a desperate state. The cumulative effect of these omitted actions creates a powerful sense of **Negation** and absence, emphasizing what *was not* done, thereby stressing the severity of the neglect and the complete lack of care.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 16:4 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of God's grace and humanity's inherent spiritual condition. The graphic depiction of Jerusalem's "birth" as a neglected, abandoned infant powerfully illustrates that Israel's election and covenant relationship with God were not based on any pre-existing merit, inherent worth, or self-sufficiency. Instead, it was an act of pure, unadulterated divine compassion and initiative. This verse underscores the universal truth that humanity, in its fallen state, is spiritually helpless, exposed, and incapable of preparing itself for a relationship with a holy God. Our "spiritual birth" apart from God's intervention is one of destitution and death. Therefore, any spiritual life, cleansing, or security we experience is solely a result of God's sovereign love reaching down to us in our most vulnerable state, rescuing us, and bringing us into His covenant.

* [Deuteronomy 7:7-8](/deuteronomy/7-7-8 "God's Unmerited Choice of Israel")
* [Ephesians 2:1-5](/ephesians/2-1-5 "Ephesians 2:1-5 - Dead in Sins, Made Alive in Christ")
* [Titus 3:5](/titus/3-5 "Titus 3:5 - Saved by His Mercy")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 16:4, though a stark and challenging passage, offers a profound mirror for personal spiritual reflection. It compels us to confront the reality of our own spiritual condition apart from God's grace. Just as Jerusalem had no inherent beauty, strength, or claim to God's favor at her "birth," so too are we, in our natural state, spiritually helpless, unholy, and utterly dependent on divine intervention. This verse calls us to a deeper appreciation of God's boundless love and mercy—a love that seeks us out not when we are cleaned up and presentable, but when we are most vulnerable, exposed, and spiritually destitute. It reminds us that our salvation, our cleansing, and our security in Christ are not earned but freely given, a testament to God's initiative and transformative power. This should cultivate profound humility, gratitude, and a renewed commitment to living in response to such an astonishing display of unmerited favor, recognizing that every spiritual blessing flows from His compassionate heart.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of the abandoned newborn challenge my assumptions about my own spiritual worthiness or self-sufficiency?**
* **In what ways have I experienced God's "washing," "salting," or "swaddling" in my own life, rescuing me from a state of spiritual helplessness?**
* **How can reflecting on God's unmerited grace in this verse deepen my gratitude and motivate my worship and service?**

### FAQ
**What is the main purpose of the graphic imagery in Ezekiel 16:4?**

Answer: The graphic imagery in [Ezekiel 16:4](/ezekiel/16-4 "Ezekiel 16:4 - Jerusalem's Abandoned Birth") serves multiple crucial purposes within the larger allegory of [Ezekiel 16](/ezekiel/16 "Ezekiel 16 - The Allegory of the Foundling Child"). Primarily, it is designed to shock the audience and powerfully convey the utter destitution and lack of inherent merit in Jerusalem's (Israel's) origins. By depicting the city as an abandoned, uncared-for newborn left to die, God emphasizes that Israel's existence and eventual covenant relationship with Him were not due to any inherent greatness or worthiness on her part, but solely due to His unmerited compassion and initiative. This stark portrayal magnifies the depth of God's grace and highlights Israel's subsequent ingratitude and spiritual betrayal, making her sin appear even more heinous in light of such a merciful rescue.

**Does this passage imply that God chose Israel because they were "unworthy" or "unclean"?**

Answer: This passage strongly implies that God chose Israel not *because* they were unworthy or unclean, but *despite* their unworthiness and uncleanness. The imagery in [Ezekiel 16:4](/ezekiel/16-4 "Ezekiel 16:4 - Jerusalem's Abandoned Birth") emphasizes that Israel had no inherent qualities that would commend them to God. Their "birth" was one of abandonment and spiritual destitution, a state of profound uncleanness and helplessness. Therefore, God's choice and subsequent covenant with them were acts of pure, sovereign grace and love, not based on any merit or attractiveness in Israel herself. This aligns perfectly with other biblical passages, such as [Deuteronomy 7:7-8](/deuteronomy/7-7-8 "Deuteronomy 7:7-8 - God's Unmerited Choice of Israel"), which explicitly state that God chose Israel not because they were numerous or great, but because He loved them and was faithful to His oath.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 16:4, with its raw depiction of an abandoned, unwashed, and unswaddled infant, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Testament's portrayal of humanity's spiritual condition and God's redemptive work through Jesus. Just as Jerusalem was utterly helpless and without hope at her "birth," so too are all humanity "dead in trespasses and sins" ([Ephesians 2:1](/ephesians/2-1 "Ephesians 2:1 - Dead in Sins")). We are born into a state of spiritual neglect, unable to cleanse ourselves or prepare for fellowship with a holy God. However, the gospel reveals that God, in His boundless love and mercy, "made us alive together with Christ" ([Ephesians 2:5](/ephesians/2-5 "Ephesians 2:5 - Made Alive in Christ")). The "washing in water" that was absent for the allegorical infant finds its ultimate spiritual reality in the "washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit" ([Titus 3:5](/titus/3-5 "Titus 3:5 - Saved by His Mercy")), through which believers are cleansed from sin and given new life in Christ. The "swaddling" that was denied symbolizes the spiritual covering and security found in Christ, who wraps us in His righteousness and brings us into the warmth and safety of God's covenant family. Our spiritual "nativity" is not one of abandonment, but a glorious new birth "through the living and abiding word of God" ([1 Peter 1:23](/1_peter/1-23 "1 Peter 1:23 - Born Again Through the Word")), initiated by God's grace through the atoning work of the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Thus, Ezekiel 16:4 powerfully magnifies the depth of our desperate need and the immeasurable grace of God, who, through Christ, rescues us from spiritual death and brings us into abundant, eternal life.

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

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.

Genesis 15:13

And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land [that is] not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;

Joshua 24:2

And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, [even] Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods.

Deuteronomy 15:15

And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee: therefore I command thee this thing to day.

Exodus 5:16

There is no straw given unto thy servants, and they say to us, Make brick: and, behold, thy servants [are] beaten; but the fault [is] in thine own people.

Exodus 5:21

And they said unto them, The LORD look upon you, and judge; because ye have made our savour to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to slay us.

Luke 2:7

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.