Ezekiel 16:7

KJV

I have caused thee to multiply as the bud of the field, and thou hast increased and waxen great, and thou art come to excellent ornaments: [thy] breasts are fashioned, and thine hair is grown, whereas thou [wast] naked and bare.

KJV (with Strong's)

I have caused {H5414} thee to multiply {H7233} as the bud {H6780} of the field {H7704}, and thou hast increased {H7235} and waxen great {H1431}, and thou art come {H935} to excellent {H5716} ornaments {H5716}: thy breasts {H7699} are fashioned {H3559}, and thine hair {H8181} is grown {H6779}, whereas thou wast naked {H5903} and bare {H6181}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I will increase your numbers just like plants growing in the field." And you did increase, you developed, you reached puberty, your breasts appeared, and your hair grew long; but you were naked and exposed.

Berean Standard Bible

I made you thrive like a plant of the field. You grew up and matured and became very beautiful. Your breasts were formed and your hair grew, but you were naked and bare.

American Standard Version

I caused thee to multiply as that which groweth in the field, and thou didst increase and wax great, and thou attainedst to excellent ornament; thy breasts were fashioned, and thy hair was grown; yet thou wast naked and bare.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 16:7 continues the Lord's extended allegory of Jerusalem as an abandoned infant, depicting His profound and providential care for the nascent nation of Israel. This verse specifically details the stage of physical growth and maturation that God sovereignly brought about in the "foundling," preparing her from a state of utter helplessness and nakedness to one of readiness and potential, thereby setting the stage for the glorious adornment and covenant relationship that would follow.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 16 unfolds as a powerful and graphic parable, where Yahweh addresses Jerusalem (representing the nation of Israel) as a child born to Amorite and Hittite parents, abandoned at birth, unwashed, and left to die in the open field. The preceding verses, particularly [Ezekiel 16:4-6](/ezekiel/16-4 "Ezekiel 16:4-6 - Jerusalem's Desolate Birth"), vividly portray her initial state of utter destitution and vulnerability. Verse 7 marks a pivotal shift, detailing the Lord's active, life-giving intervention. It describes her miraculous physical development under divine care, moving her from a state of infancy and exposure to one of youthful maturity, a necessary prelude to the covenant described in [Ezekiel 16:8](/ezekiel/16-8 "Ezekiel 16:8 - The Covenant of Marriage"). This progression underscores God's initiative in rescuing and nurturing His chosen people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The allegory draws on the common ancient Near Eastern practice of abandoning unwanted infants, particularly those with deformities or from illicit unions, to die by exposure. Such a child would be "naked and bare," utterly helpless. God's act of finding, cleansing, and nurturing this child would have resonated deeply with the audience in Babylonian exile, reminding them of their origins not in strength or nobility, but in God's undeserved grace. The imagery of physical maturation, including the development of "breasts" and "hair," signifies entry into puberty and readiness for marriage, a crucial cultural transition. This prepares the ground for the subsequent metaphor of God entering a marriage covenant with Israel, a common biblical theme found in books like [Hosea](/hosea/1 "The Book of Hosea") and [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/2 "Jeremiah 2 - Israel's Early Devotion").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Ezekiel 16 and the broader prophetic message. It highlights **Divine Providence and Nurturing**, emphasizing God's direct and meticulous involvement in Israel's development from nothingness. He "caused thee to multiply" and "increased and waxen great," demonstrating His sovereign power over life and growth, a theme echoed in [Deuteronomy 32:10](/deuteronomy/32-10 "Deuteronomy 32:10 - God's Care in the Wilderness"). The transition from "naked and bare" to physical maturity signifies **Growth and Maturation**, moving the nation from infancy to a state of readiness for adulthood and responsibility. Furthermore, the phrase "thou art come to excellent ornaments" foreshadows **Preparation for Glory and Covenant**, indicating that this growth was not random but part of a divine purpose to make Israel glorious among the nations, as further detailed in [Ezekiel 16:10-14](/ezekiel/16-10 "Ezekiel 16:10-14 - God's Adornment of Israel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **great (Hebrew, _gâdal'_):** This primitive root signifies not merely growth in size but also in prominence, influence, and importance. When applied to Israel, it speaks of their increase in population and their rise to a position of significance among nations, all attributed to God's active hand. It encompasses the idea of becoming "large" in various senses—body, mind, estate, or honor, implying a divinely orchestrated advancement and promotion.
* **fashioned (Hebrew, _kûwn'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to be erect" or "to stand perpendicular," this word implies setting up, establishing, fixing, or preparing. In the context of "breasts are fashioned," it conveys the idea of being properly formed, made ready, or firmly established. It speaks to the precise and purposeful work of God in bringing about the physical development of the nation, making her complete and suitable for her intended purpose.
* **excellent (Hebrew, _ʻădîy'_):** This term refers to finery, an outfit, or specifically an ornament. The repetition of the word in the KJV ("excellent ornaments") emphasizes the quality and preciousness of the adornment. It foreshadows the lavish spiritual and material blessings God would bestow upon Israel, transforming her from a state of destitution to one of beauty and splendor, indicative of her unique status as God's chosen people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I have caused thee to multiply as the bud of the field":** This clause highlights God's direct agency ("I have caused") in Israel's rapid and abundant population growth. The simile "as the bud of the field" evokes imagery of natural, vigorous, and widespread proliferation, suggesting an organic, divinely blessed expansion from a small, vulnerable beginning.
* **"and thou hast increased and waxen great":** This continues to emphasize the nation's remarkable development. "Increased" (râbâh) points to numerical and quantitative growth, while "waxen great" (gâdal) signifies qualitative growth, indicating a rise in stature, strength, and prominence, all still under God's sovereign hand.
* **"and thou art come to excellent ornaments":** This phrase marks a transition from mere physical growth to a state of readiness for adornment and honor. The "excellent ornaments" are symbolic of the blessings, beauty, and elevated status God intended to bestow upon Israel, preparing her for the covenant relationship.
* **"thy breasts are fashioned, and thine hair is grown":** These specific physical details use anthropomorphic language to personify the nation's maturation. The development of breasts and hair signifies the onset of puberty, marking the transition from helpless infancy to a stage of youthful womanhood, ready for marriage. This imagery underscores the completeness and readiness of the nation for the subsequent covenant.
* **"whereas thou wast naked and bare":** This concluding phrase serves as a stark contrast, powerfully reminding the audience of Israel's original, utterly destitute, and vulnerable state. It magnifies the extent of God's transformative work, highlighting His grace in bringing her from nothingness to a state of maturity and potential.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 16:7 is rich in **Allegory**, as the entire chapter uses the metaphor of an abandoned infant girl to represent the nation of Israel. This verse specifically employs **Personification**, attributing human physical development ("breasts are fashioned, and thine hair is grown") to the abstract entity of a nation. The phrase "as the bud of the field" is a **Simile**, vividly comparing Israel's growth to the rapid, abundant, and natural proliferation of plants in a fertile environment. The overall narrative structure of the verse, moving from destitution to maturity, utilizes **Contrast** to emphasize the magnitude of God's transformative work. The explicit details of physical maturation serve as powerful **Imagery**, painting a clear picture of the nation's transition from vulnerability to readiness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 16:7 profoundly illustrates God's sovereign grace and meticulous providence. It reveals that Israel's very existence, growth, and eventual prominence were not due to her own merit or strength, but entirely to Yahweh's compassionate intervention and nurturing care. This divine initiative in rescuing and developing a helpless entity sets the stage for the covenant, underscoring that God's relationship with His people is always rooted in His unmerited favor, transforming the vulnerable into a vessel for His glory. This truth resonates deeply, reminding believers that spiritual growth and transformation are fundamentally a work of God's grace, not human effort.

* [Deuteronomy 32:10](/deuteronomy/32-10 "Deuteronomy 32:10 - God Finds Israel in the Wilderness")
* [Psalm 139:13-16](/psalm/139-13 "Psalm 139:13-16 - God's Formation of Individuals")
* [Hosea 11:1](/hosea/11-1 "Hosea 11:1 - God's Love for Israel as a Child")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 16:7 offers a profound mirror for personal and communal reflection on God's unwavering care. It assures us that no matter how desolate or helpless our beginnings, or how vulnerable our current state, God sees us, rescues us, and actively participates in our growth. Just as He nurtured Israel from "naked and bare" infancy to maturity, He is committed to our spiritual development, providing the necessary environment and means for us to "increase and wax great" in faith, character, and purpose. This verse encourages us to trust in His ongoing, transformative work in our lives, recognizing that our true strength and beauty are derived from His providential hand, preparing us for His divine purposes and glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel "naked and bare," vulnerable or lacking, and how does Ezekiel 16:7 encourage you to trust in God's providential care for those areas?**
* **How does understanding God's active role in Israel's growth (causing them to "multiply" and "wax great") shape your perspective on your own spiritual growth and the growth of the church?**
* **What "excellent ornaments" or blessings has God bestowed upon you or your community, transforming you from a previous state of helplessness?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "bud of the field" imagery?**

Answer: The imagery of "the bud of the field" (Hebrew: *tsemach ha-sadeh*) signifies rapid, abundant, and vigorous natural growth. In this context, it emphasizes that God's blessing facilitated a swift and significant increase in the population and strength of the nascent nation of Israel. It suggests a flourishing, organic expansion that was divinely orchestrated, contrasting sharply with their initial state of abandonment described in [Ezekiel 16:4-5](/ezekiel/16-4 "Ezekiel 16:4-5 - Israel's Desolate Origins").

**Why does the verse focus on physical details like "breasts are fashioned, and thine hair is grown"?**

Answer: These specific physical details are crucial to the **personification** of Israel as a young girl. The development of "breasts" and "hair" symbolizes the onset of puberty and the transition from helpless infancy to youthful maturity. In ancient cultures, this signified readiness for marriage. This imagery prepares the reader for the subsequent verse, [Ezekiel 16:8](/ezekiel/16-8 "Ezekiel 16:8 - God's Covenant with Israel"), where God "spread his skirt" over her, a symbolic act of taking her as His bride, establishing a covenant relationship. It vividly portrays the nation's emergence into a state of readiness for a deeper relationship with God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 16:7, with its depiction of God transforming a helpless, abandoned infant into a mature and adorned young woman, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as God rescued Israel from destitution, Christ rescues humanity from spiritual nakedness and utter helplessness, a state of being "dead in trespasses and sins" ([Ephesians 2:1](/ephesians/2-1 "Ephesians 2:1 - Dead in Sins")). Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ takes away our spiritual nakedness, clothing us in His righteousness ([Isaiah 61:10](/isaiah/61-10 "Isaiah 61:10 - Garments of Salvation"); [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Righteousness in Christ")). The "excellent ornaments" and maturation described in Ezekiel foreshadow the spiritual adornment of the Church, the Bride of Christ, who is being prepared and made beautiful by Him, "without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and blameless" ([Ephesians 5:27](/ephesians/5-27 "Ephesians 5:27 - Christ's Love for the Church")). Our spiritual growth, from infancy in faith to maturity in Christ, is entirely a work of God's grace, empowered by the Spirit, enabling us to "grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ" ([Ephesians 4:15](/ephesians/4-15 "Ephesians 4:15 - Growing Up in Christ")). Thus, Ezekiel 16:7 points forward to the ultimate divine rescue and transformation enacted through the Gospel, where believers are brought from spiritual death to life and adorned for eternal union with their Savior.

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

Exodus 1:7

And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.

Deuteronomy 1:10

The LORD your God hath multiplied you, and, behold, ye [are] this day as the stars of heaven for multitude.

Isaiah 62:3

Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.

Ezekiel 16:10

I clothed thee also with broidered work, and shod thee with badgers' skin, and I girded thee about with fine linen, and I covered thee with silk.

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.

Ezekiel 16:22

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.

Ezekiel 16:16

And of thy garments thou didst take, and deckedst thy high places with divers colours, and playedst the harlot thereupon: [the like things] shall not come, neither shall it be [so].