King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 16:5 Mean?

Ezekiel 16:5 in the King James Version says “None eye pitied thee, to do any of these unto thee, to have compassion upon thee; but thou wast cast out in the open fie...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“None eye pitied thee, to do any of these unto thee, to have compassion upon thee; but thou wast cast out in the open field, to the lothing of thy person, in the day that thou wast born.”

Ezekiel 16:5 · KJV

Context

3

And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto Jerusalem; Thy birth and thy nativity is of the land of Canaan; thy father was an Amorite, and thy mother an Hittite. birth: Heb. cutting out, or, habitation

4

And as for thy nativity, in the day thou wast born thy navel was not cut, neither wast thou washed in water to supple thee; thou wast not salted at all, nor swaddled at all. to supple: or, when I looked upon thee

5

None eye pitied thee, to do any of these unto thee, to have compassion upon thee; but thou wast cast out in the open field, to the lothing of thy person, in the day that thou wast born.

6

And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live; yea, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live. polluted: or, trodden under foot

7

I have caused thee to multiply as the bud of the field, and thou hast increased and waxen great, and thou art come to excellent ornaments: thy breasts are fashioned, and thine hair is grown, whereas thou wast naked and bare. caused: Heb. made thee a million excellent: Heb. ornament of ornaments

Read Ezekiel 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse presents Cast out in open field in Ezekiel's extended allegory of Jerusalem as God's bride. Rejected and left to die, illustrating God's grace in choosing, rescuing, and elevating Israel from nothing to covenant partnership. The imagery depicts the foundational gospel pattern—God's initiative in salvation, not human merit or initiative. Israel contributed nothing to her election; God chose, rescued, cleansed, and covenanted with her purely from grace.

The allegory's power lies in contrasting God's gracious actions with Israel's subsequent unfaithfulness (developed later in the chapter). This establishes that Israel's judgment isn't arbitrary but betrayal of extraordinary grace. God lavished love on her, making her betrayal through idolatry (spiritual adultery) particularly heinous. The metaphor of marriage communicates covenant intimacy and the personal nature of sin against God.

From a Reformed perspective, this passage illustrates the doctrines of election and sovereign grace. God chose Israel not because of her attractiveness or merit but purely from divine love (Deuteronomy 7:7-8). Similarly, believers' salvation originates entirely in God's gracious choice and initiative (Ephesians 1:4-5, 2:1-5), not human worthiness or decision. This humbles pride and grounds assurance in God's character rather than our performance.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The chapter 16 allegory addresses Jerusalem's history from Canaanite origins (v. 3—'thy father was an Amorite, thy mother a Hittite') through David's conquest, Solomon's glory, and eventual spiritual prostitution through idolatry and alliances with pagan nations. Rejected and left to die within this historical retrospective explaining how a nation so blessed fell so far. The imagery would resonate with Ezekiel's audience, conveying both the magnitude of God's grace and the enormity of Jerusalem's ingratitude. Archaeological evidence confirms Jerusalem's Canaanite origins (the Jebusites) before David's conquest, supporting the allegory's historical foundation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Cast out in open field illustrate God's initiative in salvation versus human contribution?
  2. What does this allegory teach about the seriousness of spiritual unfaithfulness after experiencing God's grace?
  3. In what ways does understanding salvation's origin in divine grace shape Christian humility and assurance?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
לֹא1 of 19
H3808

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

חָ֨סָה2 of 19

“pitied”

H2347

properly, to cover, i.e., (figuratively) to compassionate

עָלַ֜יִךְ3 of 19
H5921

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

עַ֗יִן4 of 19

“None eye”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת5 of 19

“thee to do”

H6213

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

לָ֛ךְ6 of 19
H0
אַחַ֥ת7 of 19

“any”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

מֵאֵ֖לֶּה8 of 19
H428

these or those

לְחֻמְלָ֣ה9 of 19

“of these unto thee to have compassion”

H2550

to commiserate; by implication, to spare

עָלָ֑יִךְ10 of 19
H5921

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

וַֽתֻּשְׁלְכִ֞י11 of 19

“upon thee but thou wast cast out”

H7993

to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)

אֶל12 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

פְּנֵ֤י13 of 19

“in the open”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הַשָּׂדֶה֙14 of 19

“field”

H7704

a field (as flat)

בְּגֹ֣עַל15 of 19

“to the lothing”

H1604

abhorrence

נַפְשֵׁ֔ךְ16 of 19

“of thy person”

H5315

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

בְּי֖וֹם17 of 19

“in the day”

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

הֻלֶּ֥דֶת18 of 19

“that thou wast born”

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

אֹתָֽךְ׃19 of 19
H853

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

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 16:5 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 16:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 32:10Numbers 19:16Exodus 1:22Genesis 21:10Lamentations 4:3Isaiah 49:15

Test Your Knowledge

Ezekiel 16 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterEzekiel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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