King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 16:8 Mean?

Ezekiel 16:8 in the King James Version says “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,...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Ezekiel 16:8 · KJV

Love

Context

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

10

I clothed thee also with broidered work, and shod thee with badgers' skin, and I girded thee about with fine linen, and I covered thee with silk.

Read Ezekiel 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse presents Covered thy nakedness in Ezekiel's extended allegory of Jerusalem as God's bride. God's covenant covering and protection, 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 covenant covering and protection 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 Covered thy nakedness 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 · 22 words
וָאֶעֱבֹ֨ר1 of 22

“Now when I passed”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

עָלַ֜יִךְ2 of 22
H5921

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

וָאֶרְאֵ֗ךְ3 of 22

“by thee and looked”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

וְהִנֵּ֤ה4 of 22
H2009

lo!

עֵ֣ת5 of 22

“upon thee behold thy time”

H6256

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

עֵ֣ת6 of 22

“upon thee behold thy time”

H6256

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

דֹּדִ֔ים7 of 22

“of love”

H1730

(figuratively) to love; by implication, a love-token, lover, friend; specifically an uncle

וָאֶפְרֹ֤שׂ8 of 22

“and I spread”

H6566

to break apart, disperse, etc

כְּנָפִי֙9 of 22

“my skirt”

H3671

an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bedclothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinna

עָלַ֔יִךְ10 of 22
H5921

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

וָאֲכַסֶּ֖ה11 of 22

“over thee and covered”

H3680

properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)

עֶרְוָתֵ֑ךְ12 of 22

“thy nakedness”

H6172

nudity, literally (especially the pudenda) or figuratively (disgrace, blemish)

וָאֶשָּׁ֣בַֽע13 of 22

“yea I sware”

H7650

to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)

לָ֠ךְ14 of 22
H0
וָאָב֨וֹא15 of 22

“unto thee and entered”

H935

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

בִבְרִ֜ית16 of 22

“into a covenant”

H1285

a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)

אֹתָ֗ךְ17 of 22
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

נְאֻ֛ם18 of 22

“with thee saith”

H5002

an oracle

אֲדֹנָ֥י19 of 22

“the Lord”

H136

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

יְהוִ֖ה20 of 22

“GOD”

H3069

god

וַתִּֽהְיִי21 of 22
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לִֽי׃22 of 22
H0

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 16:8 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 16:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 2:2-3Ruth 3:9Romans 5:8Isaiah 43:4Exodus 32:13Hosea 11:1

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