King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 16:14 Mean?

Ezekiel 16:14 in the King James Version says “And thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty: for it was perfect through my comeliness, which I had put up...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty: for it was perfect through my comeliness, which I had put upon thee, saith the Lord GOD.”

Ezekiel 16:14 · KJV

Context

12

And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and earrings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thine head. forehead: Heb. nose

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.

14

And thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty: for it was perfect through my comeliness, which I had put upon thee, saith the Lord GOD.

15

But thou didst trust in thine own beauty, and playedst the harlot because of thy renown, and pouredst out thy fornications on every one that passed by; his it was.

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.

Read Ezekiel 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty: for it was perfect through my comeliness, which I had put upon thee, saith the Lord GOD. This verse acknowledges international recognition of Israel glory while attributing all beauty entirely to God work. The nation reputation derived completely from divine grace, not inherent merit—a crucial truth they would soon forget.

Thy renown went forth among the heathen indicates Israel fame spread internationally. Other nations recognized Israel unique status, prosperity, and wisdom (1 Kings 4:34, 10:1-13). This fulfilled Abrahamic covenant promise that Israel would be blessing to nations (Genesis 12:2-3) and demonstrate God glory to the world.

For thy beauty: for it was perfect provides reason for the fame—incomparable beauty and excellence. Perfect indicates completeness, wholeness, lacking nothing. Yet this perfection is immediately qualified: through my comeliness, which I had put upon thee. The beauty is entirely derivative. God comeliness (glory, splendor, beauty) transferred to Israel makes them beautiful. Saith the Lord GOD adds divine authority to this interpretation.

From Reformed perspective, this demonstrates the doctrine of alien righteousness. Believers have no intrinsic beauty or merit; all our acceptability before God derives from Christ righteousness imputed to us (2 Corinthians 5:21, Philippians 3:9). Any spiritual beauty we possess comes from Him who makes us beautiful through His glory.

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Historical & Cultural Context

During Solomon reign, Israel indeed achieved international renown. The Queen of Sheba traveled great distance to witness his wisdom and wealth (1 Kings 10). Other nations sought alliance and trade. Israel unique possession of divine revelation, law, and wisdom tradition gave them distinctive status among ancient Near Eastern peoples.

However, this renown was completely dependent on God covenant faithfulness, not Israelite intrinsic superiority. Deuteronomy repeatedly warned against pride (8:17-18, 9:4-6). God chose Israel not because they were greater or more righteous than others but according to His sovereign grace and covenant promise to Abraham.

Archaeological evidence confirms Israel prominence during united monarchy period. Hebrew became known trade language; Solomon administrative wisdom was recognized; the temple became architectural wonder. Yet this was brief golden age; subsequent division and apostasy led to decline.

The verse sets up tragic irony. Israel renown should have led to humble gratitude acknowledging God as source. Instead, it produced pride and idolatry, as subsequent verses describe. They forgot the beauty was God gift and imagined it was their own achievement.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does attribution of all beauty to God comeliness teach about the source of spiritual merit?
  2. How does international renown become stumbling block when divorced from humble gratitude?
  3. In what ways do believers today claim credit for spiritual blessings that are entirely God work?
  4. What is the danger of forgetting that all we have comes from divine grace?
  5. How does Christ perfect beauty (Song of Solomon 5:16) become ours through union with Him?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וַיֵּ֨צֵא1 of 15

“went forth”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

לָ֥ךְ2 of 15
H0
שֵׁ֛ם3 of 15

“And thy renown”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

בַּגּוֹיִ֖ם4 of 15

“among the heathen”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

בְּיָפְיֵ֑ךְ5 of 15

“for thy beauty”

H3308

beauty

כִּ֣י׀6 of 15
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

כָּלִ֣יל7 of 15

“for it was perfect”

H3632

complete; as noun, the whole (specifically, a sacrifice entirely consumed); as adverb, fully

ה֗וּא8 of 15
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

בַּֽהֲדָרִי֙9 of 15

“through my comeliness”

H1926

magnificence, i.e., ornament or splendor

אֲשֶׁר10 of 15
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

שַׂ֣מְתִּי11 of 15

“which I had put”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

עָלַ֔יִךְ12 of 15
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

נְאֻ֖ם13 of 15

“upon thee saith”

H5002

an oracle

אֲדֹנָ֥י14 of 15

“the Lord”

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִֽה׃15 of 15
H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 16:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 16:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Lamentations 2:151 Kings 10:241 Corinthians 4:7Deuteronomy 4:6-8Joshua 2:9-112 Chronicles 2:11-12

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