King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 16:7 Mean?

Ezekiel 16:7 in the King James Version says “I have caused thee to multiply as the bud of the field, and thou hast increased and waxen great, and thou art come to ex...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Ezekiel 16:7 · KJV

Context

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

8

Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord GOD, and thou becamest mine.

9

Then washed I thee with water; yea, I throughly washed away thy blood from thee, and I anointed thee with oil. blood: Heb. bloods

Read Ezekiel 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse presents Multiplied as bud of field in Ezekiel's extended allegory of Jerusalem as God's bride. God's gracious providential growth, 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.

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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. God's gracious providential growth 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 Multiplied as bud of 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 · 16 words
רְבָבָ֗ה1 of 16

“thee to multiply”

H7233

abundance (in number), i.e., (specifically) a myriad (whether definite or indefinite)

כְּצֶ֤מַח2 of 16

“as the bud”

H6780

a sprout (usually concrete), literal or figurative

הַשָּׂדֶה֙3 of 16

“of the field”

H7704

a field (as flat)

נְתַתִּ֔יךְ4 of 16

“I have caused”

H5414

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

וַתִּרְבִּי֙5 of 16

“and thou hast increased”

H7235

to increase (in whatever respect)

וַֽתִּגְדְּלִ֔י6 of 16

“and waxen great”

H1431

to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride)

וַתָּבֹ֖אִי7 of 16

“and thou art come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

בַּעֲדִ֣י8 of 16
H1157

in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc

עֲדָיִ֑ים9 of 16

“to excellent ornaments”

H5716

finery; generally an outfit; specifically, a headstall

שָׁדַ֤יִם10 of 16

“thy breasts”

H7699

the breast of a woman or animal (as bulging)

נָכֹ֙נוּ֙11 of 16

“are fashioned”

H3559

properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,

וּשְׂעָרֵ֣ךְ12 of 16

“and thine hair”

H8181

hair (as if tossed or bristling)

צִמֵּ֔חַ13 of 16

“is grown”

H6779

to sprout (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative)

וְאַ֖תְּ14 of 16
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

עֵרֹ֥ם15 of 16

“whereas thou wast 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 16:7 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 16:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 1:7Deuteronomy 1:10Isaiah 62:3Ezekiel 16:10-13Psalms 135:4Exodus 3:22

Test Your Knowledge

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

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