King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 16:43 Mean?

Ezekiel 16:43 in the King James Version says “Because thou hast not remembered the days of thy youth, but hast fretted me in all these things; behold, therefore I als... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Because thou hast not remembered the days of thy youth, but hast fretted me in all these things; behold, therefore I also will recompense thy way upon thine head, saith the Lord GOD: and thou shalt not commit this lewdness above all thine abominations.

Ezekiel 16:43 · KJV


Context

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.

42

So will I make my fury toward thee to rest, and my jealousy shall depart from thee, and I will be quiet, and will be no more angry.

43

Because thou hast not remembered the days of thy youth, but hast fretted me in all these things; behold, therefore I also will recompense thy way upon thine head, saith the Lord GOD: and thou shalt not commit this lewdness above all thine abominations.

44

Behold, every one that useth proverbs shall use this proverb against thee, saying, As is the mother, so is her daughter.

45

Thou art thy mother's daughter, that lotheth her husband and her children; and thou art the sister of thy sisters, which lothed their husbands and their children: your mother was an Hittite, and your father an Amorite.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Because thou hast not remembered the days of thy youth (לֹא זָכַרְתְּ אֶת־יְמֵי נְעוּרָיִךְ)—the Hebrew zakar (remember) implies not mere recollection but covenant faithfulness and grateful response. Jerusalem failed to remember God's gracious deliverance when she was abandoned and vulnerable. Fretted me (רָגַז, ragaz) means to provoke to trembling anger—God's response to covenant betrayal.

I also will recompense thy way upon thine head employs the Hebrew principle of lex talionis (measure-for-measure justice). The very lewdness (זִמָּה, zimmah)—premeditated wickedness or sexual depravity—that Jerusalem committed will return upon her. This verse transitions from the extended marriage metaphor to explicit pronouncement of judgment, establishing that divine wrath is neither arbitrary nor excessive but proportionate response to ingratitude and betrayal.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Written circa 593-571 BC during the Babylonian exile, this oracle recalls Jerusalem's history from her Canaanite origins through David's conquest and Solomon's glory. The 'days of thy youth' references God's foundational acts of redemption in the Exodus and wilderness period, establishing the covenant relationship Jerusalem violated through syncretistic worship and political alliances with Egypt and Babylon.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does spiritual amnesia—forgetting God's past faithfulness—lead to present unfaithfulness in your life?
  2. What does the principle of recompense 'upon thine head' reveal about the self-destructive nature of sin?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
יַ֗עַן1 of 27
H3282

properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause

אֲשֶׁ֤ר2 of 27
H834

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

לֹֽא3 of 27
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

זָכַרְתְּ֙י4 of 27

Because thou hast not remembered

H2142

properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male

אֶת5 of 27
H853

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

יְמֵ֣י6 of 27

the days

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

נְעוּרַ֔יִךְ7 of 27

of thy youth

H5271

(only in plural collective or emphatic form) youth, the state (juvenility) or the persons (young people)

וַתִּרְגְּזִי8 of 27

but hast fretted

H7264

to quiver (with any violent emotion, especially anger or fear)

לִ֖י9 of 27
H0
בְּכָל10 of 27
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֵ֑לֶּה11 of 27
H428

these or those

וְגַם12 of 27
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

אֲנִ֨י13 of 27
H589

i

הֵ֜א14 of 27

me in all these things behold

H1887

lo!

דַּרְכֵּ֣ךְ׀15 of 27

thy way

H1870

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

בְּרֹ֣אשׁ16 of 27

upon thine head

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

נָתַ֗תִּי17 of 27

therefore I also will recompense

H5414

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

נְאֻם֙18 of 27

saith

H5002

an oracle

אֲדֹנָ֣י19 of 27

the Lord

H136

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

יְהוִ֔ה20 of 27

GOD

H3069

god

וְלֹ֤א21 of 27
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

עָשִׂית֙י22 of 27

and thou shalt not commit

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

אֶת23 of 27
H853

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

הַזִּמָּ֔ה24 of 27

this lewdness

H2154

a plan, especially a bad one

עַ֖ל25 of 27
H5921

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

כָּל26 of 27
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

תּוֹעֲבֹתָֽיִךְ׃27 of 27

above all thine abominations

H8441

properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol


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 16:43 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 16:43 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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