Ezekiel 16:9

Then washed I thee with water; yea, I throughly washed away thy blood from thee, and I anointed thee with oil.

Then washed {H7364} I thee with water {H4325}; yea, I throughly washed away {H7857} thy blood {H1818} from thee, and I anointed {H5480} thee with oil {H8081}.

Then I bathed you in water, washed the blood off you, and anointed you with oil.

Then I bathed you with water, rinsed off your blood, and anointed you with oil.

Then washed I thee with water; yea, I thoroughly washed away thy blood from thee, and I anointed thee with oil.

Commentary

Commentary on Ezekiel 16:9 (KJV)

Ezekiel 16:9 is a poignant verse from a powerful prophetic parable where God describes His relationship with Jerusalem, personified as an abandoned infant. This verse highlights God's compassionate and transformative actions towards His chosen people, rescuing them from a state of utter defilement and destitution.

Context

In Ezekiel chapter 16, the prophet Ezekiel delivers a vivid allegory depicting Jerusalem's spiritual history. God finds Jerusalem as a newborn baby, cast out into the open field, unwashed, and left to die in her own "blood" – a graphic image of her helpless, impure, and utterly defiled state at birth. This initial scene, detailed in Ezekiel 16:1-8, sets the stage for God's merciful intervention. Verse 9 then describes the immediate, life-giving care God provides:

  • "Then washed I thee with water": This signifies a thorough cleansing, removing the defilement of birth.
  • "yea, I throughly washed away thy blood from thee": The repetition emphasizes the completeness and necessity of this purification from a state of uncleanness.
  • "and I anointed thee with oil": This act of anointing was multifaceted. It symbolized care, healing, consecration, and preparation for beauty or dignity, often associated with royalty or priestly service in ancient cultures.

Key Themes

  • Divine Cleansing and Purification: The washing with water and the thorough removal of blood symbolize God's initiative in purifying His people from their inherent uncleanness and defilement. This act is essential for their salvation and transformation, echoing themes of spiritual rebirth and new life. It foreshadows the washing of regeneration found in the New Testament.
  • God's Compassion and Initiative: The verse powerfully illustrates God's profound pity and unconditional love for Jerusalem. He did not wait for her to be worthy; He intervened in her most vulnerable and repulsive state, demonstrating His sovereign grace and redemptive purpose. This speaks to God's character as a deliverer and caregiver, taking the initiative to save.
  • Consecration and Blessing: The act of anointing with oil elevates Jerusalem from a state of abandonment to one of special care and honor. It signifies God's blessing, setting her apart for a unique relationship with Him, and preparing her for the beauty and glory that God would later bestow upon her, as described in subsequent verses of the chapter. This act of anointing is often seen as a symbol of divine favor and empowerment, as seen in Psalm 23:5.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "washed" (Χ¨ΦΈΧ—Φ·Χ₯, rachats) conveys a thorough and complete cleansing, often used in ritual contexts for purification. The phrase "throughly washed away thy blood" intensifies this, emphasizing the removal of all traces of defilement. The "oil" (שׁ֢מ֢ן, shemen) was a vital commodity in ancient Israel, used for healing, cosmetics, and sacred anointing, signifying health, beauty, and consecration.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 16:9 offers profound spiritual lessons for believers today. Just as God rescued and cleansed Jerusalem in her helpless state, He extends His grace to all humanity. We are all born into a state of spiritual defilement, unable to cleanse ourselves. This verse beautifully portrays God's readiness to intervene, cleanse us from our sins through the sacrifice of Christ, and consecrate us for His purposes. It reminds us that our spiritual transformation begins with God's loving initiative, washing us clean and anointing us with His Spirit, preparing us for a life of purpose and intimacy with Him. This act of divine cleansing and anointing marks the beginning of a new relationship, much like God's covenant with Israel.

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Cross-References

  • Ruth 3:3

    Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: [but] make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking.

  • Psalms 23:5

    Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

  • 1 Corinthians 6:11

    And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

  • 1 John 5:8

    And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

  • 1 John 2:27

    But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

  • Ezekiel 36:25

    ΒΆ Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.

  • Isaiah 4:4

    When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.