Ezekiel 16:60

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Nevertheless I will remember {H2142} my covenant {H1285} with thee in the days {H3117} of thy youth {H5271}, and I will establish {H6965} unto thee an everlasting {H5769} covenant {H1285}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Nevertheless, I will remember the covenant I made with you when you were a girl and will establish an everlasting covenant with you.

Berean Standard Bible

But I will remember the covenant I made with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 16:60 marks a pivotal moment in God's elaborate allegory of Jerusalem as an unfaithful bride, shifting dramatically from a detailed indictment of her spiritual prostitution and idolatry to a profound declaration of divine grace. Despite Jerusalem's egregious betrayal and the severe judgment she incurred, this verse reveals God's unwavering commitment to His foundational covenant promises. It signifies that God, in His sovereign faithfulness, will not abandon His people but will actively remember the initial covenant established in their formative years and, more remarkably, will unilaterally establish a new, unbreakable, and everlasting covenant, demonstrating His redemptive purpose that transcends human failure and ensures ultimate restoration.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 16 presents one of the most vivid and extended allegories in the Old Testament, portraying Jerusalem (symbolizing Judah and Israel) as a foundling child rescued, nurtured, adorned, and married by Yahweh, only to become a promiscuous prostitute who commits spiritual adultery with every passing nation and idol. The preceding verses, [Ezekiel 16:1-59](/ezekiel/16-1-59 "Ezekiel 16:1-59 - Jerusalem's Unfaithfulness and Judgment"), meticulously detail Jerusalem's humble origins, God's lavish provision, her subsequent profound unfaithfulness, and the severe judgment she justly deserves and will receive. The language employed is intentionally graphic and shocking, designed to convey the depth of her apostasy and the gravity of her sin against a faithful God. Verse 60, however, introduces a dramatic and unexpected shift. Following the pronouncement of judgment and the apparent finality of condemnation, God declares His intention to "remember" and "establish" a new covenant, fundamentally altering the trajectory of the narrative from one of despair and punishment to a stunning promise of future restoration and grace, setting the theological stage for the subsequent verses that elaborate on this covenant renewal.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Ezekiel ministered during the tumultuous period of the Babylonian exile (c. 593-571 BC), a time of immense despair, national humiliation, and profound theological crisis for the Jewish people. Jerusalem had fallen, the Temple—the very symbol of God's presence—was destroyed, and the people questioned God's faithfulness, their identity, and their future. In ancient Near Eastern culture, covenants were foundational to all significant relationships, whether between individuals, tribes, or powerful nations, often involving elaborate rituals, sworn oaths, and severe curses for their violation. The concept of "youth" in this verse likely refers to the early days of Israel's nationhood, particularly the covenant established at [Mount Sinai](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - The Covenant at Sinai"), which laid the groundwork for their unique relationship with God. The people's persistent unfaithfulness was a direct violation of this Mosaic covenant, leading to the curses outlined in the Law, including the devastating exile. Against this backdrop of brokenness, despair, and divine judgment, God's unilateral promise to remember and establish an "everlasting covenant" would have been a radical, deeply hopeful, and counter-intuitive message, challenging their understanding of divine justice and mercy.
* **Key Themes:** This verse encapsulates several critical theological themes prevalent throughout Ezekiel's prophecy and the broader prophetic tradition. Firstly, it powerfully underscores **God's Unilateral Faithfulness and Initiative**, demonstrating that His covenant commitment is not ultimately contingent on human performance or merit but on His own unchanging character and sovereign redemptive purpose. Even in the face of profound human unfaithfulness and rebellion, God initiates reconciliation and restoration. Secondly, the theme of **Divine Memory** is prominent; God "remembers" His covenant, not in the human sense of recalling something previously forgotten, but as an active, purposeful engagement with His past promises and purposes, particularly those established in Israel's "youth" (e.g., the Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants, as seen in [Genesis 17:7](/genesis/17-7 "Genesis 17:7 - The Everlasting Covenant with Abraham") and [Exodus 19:5](/exodus/19-5 "Exodus 19:5 - God's Covenant with Israel at Sinai")). This memory signifies His resolve to act on behalf of His covenant people. Thirdly, the promise of an **Everlasting Covenant** signals a progression in God's redemptive plan, moving beyond the conditional and breakable nature of the Mosaic Covenant, which Israel repeatedly violated, towards a new, permanent, and unbreakable covenant (foreshadowing the New Covenant described in [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The Promise of a New Covenant")). This highlights God's ultimate intention to restore and redeem His people, ensuring their future security and an enduring relationship with Him.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **remember (Hebrew, _zâkar'_):** From H2142. This primitive root properly means "to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention." In a theological context, particularly when applied to God, "remembering" is not a cognitive act of recalling something previously forgotten, but rather an active, purposeful engagement with His past promises and commitments. It signifies His intention to act decisively on behalf of His covenant people, bringing His redemptive purposes to fruition. Here, it denotes God's resolute determination to uphold His prior covenant relationship despite Israel's profound and repeated unfaithfulness, leading to renewed action.
* **covenant (Hebrew, _bᵉrîyth'_):** From H1285. This term signifies "a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh); confederacy, (con-)feder(-ate), covenant, league." It refers to a binding agreement or solemn pact, often established through an oath and involving mutual obligations. However, in the case of God's covenants, they are frequently initiated unilaterally by Him, demonstrating His sovereign grace. The repetition of "covenant" in this verse emphasizes both the continuity of God's relationship with Israel and the radical renewal of that relationship, transitioning from a broken past agreement to a future, enduring one.
* **everlasting (Hebrew, _ʻôwlâm'_):** From H5769. Properly, "concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial (especially with prepositional prefix) always." When applied to God's covenant, it conveys the profound sense of perpetuity, permanence, and an unending duration. It signifies that this new covenant will not be subject to the limitations, conditions, or human failures that plagued previous covenants, ensuring its unbreakable nature, eternal validity, and ultimate fulfillment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Nevertheless I will remember my covenant with thee in the days of thy youth":** This clause initiates a dramatic and unexpected reversal in the narrative, powerfully signaled by the adversative "Nevertheless." Despite the preceding detailed indictment of Jerusalem's profound unfaithfulness and rebellion, God declares His sovereign intention to recall and actively engage with His original covenant with Israel. "The days of thy youth" refers to the formative period of Israel's nationhood, specifically the covenant established at [Mount Sinai](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - The Covenant at Sinai"), where Israel first entered into a unique and special relationship with Yahweh. God's "remembering" is not a passive recollection but an active commitment to His past promises, demonstrating His enduring faithfulness and His resolve to act on their behalf, despite His people's repeated failures and covenant violations.
* **"and I will establish unto thee an everlasting covenant.":** This second clause moves beyond mere remembrance to a future, proactive, and decisive divine action. God promises to "establish" (Hebrew: `qûwm`, meaning to raise, confirm, make stand, or fulfill) a new, permanent covenant. The term "everlasting" (`ʻôwlâm`) emphasizes its eternal, unbreakable nature, standing in stark contrast to the conditional Mosaic covenant that Israel had repeatedly violated and broken. This declaration points forward to a new, unconditional covenant that will secure the relationship between God and His people forever, ensuring their restoration, future blessing, and an enduring bond not based on their merit or obedience, but solely on God's sovereign grace and initiative.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 16:60 employs several powerful **Literary Devices** that amplify its theological impact. The entire chapter operates as an extended **Allegory**, where Jerusalem is personified first as a foundling, then a cherished bride, and finally an unfaithful prostitute. Verse 60 marks a crucial and dramatic turning point within this allegory, shifting abruptly from the narrative of betrayal and judgment to one of profound divine grace and restoration. There is a strong **Contrast** evident: the profound depths of Jerusalem's sin and God's just wrath are powerfully juxtaposed with His unfathomable mercy and unwavering faithfulness. This dramatic shift highlights the unilateral nature of God's grace, which is extended despite overwhelming unworthiness. The phrase "I will remember my covenant" is an example of **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human-like memory to God. However, in theological terms, it signifies God's active commitment to His promises and His intention to intervene on behalf of His people, rather than implying that He literally forgets or recalls. Finally, the verse functions as a powerful **Prophecy** and **Promise**, looking forward to a future, permanent covenant that will rectify the failures of the past, offering profound hope for ultimate restoration and an unbreakable relationship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 16:60 stands as a monumental declaration of God's sovereign grace and enduring faithfulness, even in the face of profound human apostasy and covenant breaking. It underscores the truth that God's covenant promises are ultimately grounded in His own unchanging character and redemptive purpose, not in the fluctuating obedience or merit of His people. This verse reveals a progression in God's redemptive plan, moving beyond the conditional Mosaic covenant, which Israel repeatedly broke, to the promise of an unconditional, everlasting covenant. This "everlasting covenant" is not merely a restoration of the old, but a new, permanent arrangement that guarantees God's presence and blessing among His people, ensuring their future security and an intimate relationship with Him. It speaks to the depth of divine love that pursues reconciliation even when it is utterly undeserved, offering hope for restoration where only judgment seemed possible, thereby illuminating the very heart of God's redemptive nature.

* [Isaiah 55:3](/isaiah/55-3 "Isaiah 55:3 - An Everlasting Covenant of Sure Mercies")
* [Jeremiah 32:40](/jeremiah/32-40 "Jeremiah 32:40 - God's Everlasting Covenant with His People")
* [Hebrews 8:8-13](/hebrews/8-8 "Hebrews 8:8-13 - The Superiority of the New Covenant")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 16:60 offers profound comfort and a challenging call to humility for believers today. In a world where relationships are often conditional, trust is fragile, and commitments are easily broken, this verse powerfully reminds us of God's unwavering faithfulness. It teaches us that even when we have been unfaithful, strayed far from His path, or broken our commitments to Him, God's nature is to remember His promises and extend boundless grace. This is not an invitation to presumptuous sin, but rather a powerful assurance of His steadfast love and His unyielding commitment to His redemptive purposes for His people. It calls us to profound humility, acknowledging our own capacity for spiritual adultery and our desperate need for His mercy, and to deep gratitude for a God who does not abandon us in our failures but actively works to establish an unbreakable bond. This verse invites us to trust implicitly in God's sovereign initiative for our salvation and sanctification, knowing that His covenant love is eternal and His promises are absolutely sure.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's act of "remembering" His covenant, despite Israel's profound unfaithfulness, challenge your understanding of divine justice and mercy?**
* **In what specific ways might you, like ancient Israel, have been unfaithful in your covenant relationship with God, and how does the promise of an "everlasting covenant" offer you profound hope and security?**
* **What practical steps can you take to live in greater awareness of God's unilateral faithfulness in your daily life, especially during seasons when you feel like you've failed Him or fallen short?**
* **How does the concept of an "everlasting covenant" shape your view of the future, God's ultimate plan for humanity, and your personal hope in Christ?**

### FAQ

**What does "the covenant of thy youth" refer to?**

Answer: "The covenant of thy youth" primarily refers to the Mosaic Covenant established at [Mount Sinai](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - The Covenant at Sinai"), which marked the beginning of Israel's national identity and their unique covenant relationship with Yahweh. It was the foundational agreement where God formally adopted Israel as His people, providing them with laws and promises, and they, in turn, pledged their obedience. While Israel repeatedly broke this covenant through idolatry and disobedience, God's declaration in [Ezekiel 16:60](/ezekiel/16-60 "Ezekiel 16:60 - God Remembers and Establishes an Everlasting Covenant") signifies that He remembers His original commitment and will act on it, not to reinstate the broken covenant, but to establish a new, superior one based on His grace.

**Does God "forget" His covenants, and then "remember" them?**

Answer: No, God does not forget in the human sense of cognitive lapse or memory failure. When the Bible states that God "remembers" His covenant (e.g., [Genesis 9:16](/genesis/9-16 "Genesis 9:16 - God Remembers His Covenant with Noah") or [Psalm 105:8](/psalms/105-8 "Psalm 105:8 - God Remembers His Covenant Forever")), it is an anthropomorphism, attributing a human characteristic to God to help us understand His actions. Theologically, God "remembering" means He is actively bringing His past promises, purposes, and commitments to fruition. It signifies His unwavering faithfulness and His sovereign decision to intervene on behalf of His covenant people, even when they are undeserving, to fulfill His redemptive plan and demonstrate His steadfast love.

**How does this "everlasting covenant" relate to the New Covenant in the New Testament?**

Answer: The "everlasting covenant" promised in [Ezekiel 16:60](/ezekiel/16-60 "Ezekiel 16:60 - God Remembers and Establishes an Everlasting Covenant") is a clear prophetic foreshadowing and Old Testament anticipation of the New Covenant, which is ultimately established and fully realized through Jesus Christ. The Old Testament prophets, including Jeremiah ([Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The Promise of a New Covenant")) and Ezekiel ([Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - New Heart and Spirit")), spoke of a future covenant that would be internal, unbreakable, and characterized by God's Spirit enabling true obedience. The New Testament explicitly identifies Jesus as the mediator of this superior, everlasting covenant, sealed by His blood ([Hebrews 8:6-13](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6-13 - Christ, Mediator of a Better Covenant"); [Hebrews 13:20](/hebrews/13-20 "Hebrews 13:20 - The God of Peace and the Everlasting Covenant")). This new covenant fulfills and transcends the old, offering complete forgiveness of sins and a permanent, intimate relationship with God based entirely on grace, not on human performance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 16:60, with its stunning promise of an "everlasting covenant" established by God's unilateral grace, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The broken covenant of Israel's "youth," repeatedly violated by their unfaithfulness and inability to keep God's law, pointed to the desperate need for a new and better covenant that human sin could not annul or break. Jesus, as the perfect Lamb of God and the faithful Son, became the mediator of this [New Covenant](/hebrews/9-15 "Hebrews 9:15 - Christ, Mediator of the New Covenant"), sealing it with His own precious blood on the cross ([Luke 22:20](/luke/22-20 "Luke 22:20 - The New Covenant in My Blood")). Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ perfectly fulfilled the righteous demands of the old covenant and triumphantly inaugurated the everlasting one, guaranteeing complete forgiveness of sins, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and a permanent, intimate relationship with God for all who believe ([Hebrews 12:24](/hebrews/12-24 "Hebrews 12:24 - Jesus, the Mediator of the New Covenant")). The "everlasting" nature of this covenant means that it is not dependent on fluctuating human performance but on Christ's perfect obedience and once-for-all sacrifice, ensuring that God's people will never again be cast off due to their failures, but will be eternally secured in His unfailing love and sovereign grace. This divine initiative, remembering His promise and establishing a covenant of pure grace, is the very heart of the Gospel, revealing God's unwavering commitment to redeem and restore humanity through His Son.

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 2:19

And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies.

Hosea 2:20

I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD.

Hebrews 8:10

For this [is] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

Hebrews 12:24

And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than [that of] Abel.

Ezekiel 16:8

Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time [was] the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord GOD, and thou becamest mine.

Jeremiah 50:5

They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, [saying], Come, and let us join ourselves to the LORD in a perpetual covenant [that] shall not be forgotten.

Jeremiah 31:31

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: