King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 16:39 Mean?

Ezekiel 16:39 in the King James Version says “And I will also give thee into their hand, and they shall throw down thine eminent place, and shall break down thy high ...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And I will also give thee into their hand, and they shall throw down thine eminent place, and shall break down thy high places: they shall strip thee also of thy clothes, and shall take thy fair jewels, and leave thee naked and bare. thy fair: Heb. instruments of thine ornament”

Ezekiel 16:39 · KJV

Context

37

Behold, therefore I will gather all thy lovers, with whom thou hast taken pleasure, and all them that thou hast loved, with all them that thou hast hated; I will even gather them round about against thee, and will discover thy nakedness unto them, that they may see all thy nakedness.

38

And I will judge thee, as women that break wedlock and shed blood are judged; and I will give thee blood in fury and jealousy. as: Heb. with judgments of

39

And I will also give thee into their hand, and they shall throw down thine eminent place, and shall break down thy high places: they shall strip thee also of thy clothes, and shall take thy fair jewels, and leave thee naked and bare. thy fair: Heb. instruments of thine ornament

40

They shall also bring up a company against thee, and they shall stone thee with stones, and thrust thee through with their swords.

41

And they shall burn thine houses with fire, and execute judgments upon thee in the sight of many women: and I will cause thee to cease from playing the harlot, and thou also shalt give no hire any more.

Read Ezekiel 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse continues Ezekiel's shocking allegory of Jerusalem as an unfaithful wife facing judgment. The phrase וְנָתַתִּי אוֹתָךְ בְּיָדָם (venatatti otakh beyadam, 'And I will give you into their hand') shows God actively delivering Jerusalem to her enemies—not passive permission but deliberate judgment. The verb וְהָרְסוּ (veharsu, 'they shall throw down') means violent demolition, complete destruction. The term גַּבֵּךְ (gabeikh, 'eminent place') refers to pagan high places or shrines built for idolatrous worship—Israel's spiritual adultery made physical in architecture.

The phrase וְנִתְּצוּ רָמֹתַיִךְ (venittsu ramotayikh, 'and break down your high places') uses רָמָה (ramah), elevated worship sites explicitly forbidden by the Law. Most striking is the humiliation: וְהִפְשִׁיטוּ אוֹתָךְ בְּגָדַיִךְ (vehifshitu otakh begadayikh, 'they shall strip you of your clothes') and וְלָקְחוּ כְּלֵי תִפְאַרְתֵּךְ (velaqchu khelei tif'arteikh, 'take your beautiful jewels'). The final image וְהִנִּיחוּךְ עֵירֹם וְעֶרְיָה (vehinichuakh eirom ve'eryah, 'and leave you naked and bare') represents total shame and vulnerability—the opposite of God's initial clothing of her (16:10). The double expression for nakedness intensifies the disgrace.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ezekiel 16 is one of Scripture's most extended and graphic allegories, comparing Jerusalem to an abandoned infant whom God rescued, raised, beautified, and married—who then became a prostitute with many lovers (representing political alliances and idolatry). This prophecy dates to around 593-571 BC, during the Babylonian exile. The 'lovers' who would strip and destroy Jerusalem include Babylon and other nations God would use as judgment instruments. The reference to 'eminent places' and 'high places' describes the actual shrines and altars Jerusalem built for Baal, Asherah, Molech, and other deities. Archaeological evidence confirms these high places throughout Israel and Judah. The stripping imagery reflects ancient Near Eastern practice where defeated cities were plundered and humiliated. This judgment was fulfilled in 586 BC when Babylon destroyed Jerusalem, burned the temple, and carried survivors to exile.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the allegory of unfaithful marriage help us understand Israel's idolatry?
  2. What does it mean that God Himself gives Jerusalem to her enemies—how is this justice?
  3. How do the 'eminent places' and 'high places' represent Israel's spiritual adultery?
  4. What is the significance of stripping away the clothes and jewels God had given?
  5. How should this severe judgment inform our understanding of God's holiness and covenant faithfulness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וְנָתַתִּ֨י1 of 16

“And I will also give”

H5414

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

אוֹתָ֜ךְ2 of 16
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בְּיָדָ֗ם3 of 16

“thee into their 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

וְהָרְס֤וּ4 of 16

“and they shall throw down”

H2040

to pull down or in pieces, break, destroy

גַבֵּךְ֙5 of 16

“thine eminent place”

H1354

the back (as rounded); by analogy, the top or rim, a boss, a vault, arch of eye, bulwarks, etc

וְנִתְּצ֣וּ6 of 16

“and shall break down”

H5422

to tear down

רָמֹתַ֔יִךְ7 of 16

“thy high places”

H7413

a height (as a seat of idolatry)

וְהִפְשִׁ֤יטוּ8 of 16

“they shall strip”

H6584

to spread out (i.e., deploy in hostile array); by analogy, to strip (i.e., unclothe, plunder, flay, etc.)

אוֹתָךְ֙9 of 16
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בְּגָדַ֔יִךְ10 of 16

“thee also of thy clothes”

H899

a covering, i.e., clothing

וְלָקְח֖וּ11 of 16

“and shall take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

כְּלֵ֣י12 of 16

“jewels”

H3627

something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)

תִפְאַרְתֵּ֑ךְ13 of 16

“thy fair”

H8597

ornament (abstractly or concretely, literally or figuratively)

וְהִנִּיח֖וּךְ14 of 16

“and leave”

H3240

to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay

עֵירֹ֥ם15 of 16

“thee naked”

H5903

nudity

וְעֶרְיָֽה׃16 of 16

“and bare”

H6181

nudity

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 16:39 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 16:39 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 23:26Hosea 2:3Ezekiel 16:24-25Hosea 2:9-13Isaiah 3:16-24Isaiah 27:9

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