King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 16:27 Mean?

Ezekiel 16:27 in the King James Version says “Behold, therefore I have stretched out my hand over thee, and have diminished thine ordinary food, and delivered thee un...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Behold, therefore I have stretched out my hand over thee, and have diminished thine ordinary food, and delivered thee unto the will of them that hate thee, the daughters of the Philistines, which are ashamed of thy lewd way. daughters: or, cities”

Ezekiel 16:27 · KJV

Salvation

Context

25

Thou hast built thy high place at every head of the way, and hast made thy beauty to be abhorred, and hast opened thy feet to every one that passed by, and multiplied thy whoredoms.

26

Thou hast also committed fornication with the Egyptians thy neighbours, great of flesh; and hast increased thy whoredoms, to provoke me to anger.

27

Behold, therefore I have stretched out my hand over thee, and have diminished thine ordinary food, and delivered thee unto the will of them that hate thee, the daughters of the Philistines, which are ashamed of thy lewd way. daughters: or, cities

28

Thou hast played the whore also with the Assyrians , because thou wast unsatiable; yea, thou hast played the harlot with them, and yet couldest not be satisfied.

29

Thou hast moreover multiplied thy fornication in the land of Canaan unto Chaldea; and yet thou wast not satisfied herewith.

Read Ezekiel 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
I have stretched out my hand over thee, and have diminished thine ordinary food—The Hebrew natah yad (נָטָה יָד, stretched out hand) signals covenant judgment. God's hand stretched out in blessing becomes outstretched in discipline. Diminished thine ordinary food (chok, חֹק, appointed portion) refers to reducing Jerusalem's territorial holdings and economic prosperity.

Delivered thee unto the will of them that hate thee, the daughters of the Philistines, which are ashamed of thy lewd way—Devastating irony: even pagans were scandalized by Jerusalem's apostasy. The Philistines (benoth Pelishtim, בְּנוֹת פְּלִשְׁתִּים, daughters of Philistines) represent Israel's ancient enemies, yet they exhibit more moral shame than covenant Jerusalem. When the world is shocked by the church's sin, judgment is imminent (1 Peter 4:17-18).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This likely refers to Philistine invasions during Ahaz's reign (2 Chronicles 28:18), when Judah lost territory and tribute. The Philistines, traditional enemies since Judges, seized Judean cities. That pagan nations found Israel's religious syncretism shameful highlights the depth of Judah's corruption—worse than surrounding idolaters.

Reflection Questions

  1. Has your witness become so compromised that even non-Christians are scandalized by your behavior or the church's actions?
  2. What does it reveal about church culture when secular society exhibits more moral outrage over injustice than believers?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וְהִנֵּ֨ה1 of 14
H2009

lo!

נָטִ֤יתִי2 of 14

“Behold therefore I have stretched out”

H5186

to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)

יָדִי֙3 of 14

“my hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

עָלַ֔יִךְ4 of 14
H5921

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

וָאֶגְרַ֖ע5 of 14

“over thee and have diminished”

H1639

to scrape off; by implication, to shave, remove, lessen, withhold

חֻקֵּ֑ךְ6 of 14

“thine ordinary”

H2706

an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)

וָאֶתְּנֵ֞ךְ7 of 14

“food and delivered”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

בְּנֶ֤פֶשׁ8 of 14

“thee unto the will”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

שֹׂנְאוֹתַ֙יִךְ֙9 of 14

“of them that hate”

H8130

to hate (personally)

בְּנ֣וֹת10 of 14

“thee the daughters”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים11 of 14

“of the Philistines”

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

הַנִּכְלָמ֖וֹת12 of 14

“which are ashamed”

H3637

properly, to wound; but only figuratively, to taunt or insult

מִדַּרְכֵּ֥ךְ13 of 14

“way”

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

זִמָּֽה׃14 of 14

“of thy lewd”

H2154

a plan, especially a bad one

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 16:27 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 16:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 9:12Ezekiel 16:57Ezekiel 16:37Ezekiel 23:22Revelation 17:16Ezekiel 5:6-7

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