Ezekiel 16:17
Ezekiel 16:17 in Multiple Translations
You also took the fine jewelry of gold and silver I had given you, and you made male idols with which to prostitute yourself.
Thou hast also taken thy fair jewels of my gold and of my silver, which I had given thee, and madest to thyself images of men, and didst commit whoredom with them,
Thou didst also take thy fair jewels of my gold and of my silver, which I had given thee, and madest for thee images of men, and didst play the harlot with them;
And you took the fair jewels, my silver and gold which I had given to you, and made for yourself male images, acting like a loose woman with them;
You also used the beautiful gold and silver jewelry I gave you to make male idols and you prostituted yourself with them.
Thou hast also taken thy faire iewels made of my golde and of my siluer, which I had giuen thee, and madest to thy selfe images of men, and didest commit whoredome with them,
And thou dost take thy beauteous vessels Of My gold and My silver that I gave to thee, And dost make to thee images of a male, And dost go a-whoring with them,
You also took your beautiful jewels of my gold and of my silver, which I had given you, and made for yourself images of men, and played the prostitute with them.
Thou hast also taken thy fair jewels of my gold and of my silver, which I had given thee, and hast made to thyself images of men, and hast committed lewdness with them.
And thou tookest thy beautiful vessels, of my gold, and my silver, which I gave thee, and thou madest thee images of men, and hast committed fornication with them.
You took the fine gold and silver jewelry that I gave you, and you made male idols for yourself, in order to have sex with them.
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 16:17
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Ezekiel 16:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/תִּקְחִ֞י
כְּלֵ֣י
תִפְאַרְתֵּ֗/ךְ
מִ/זְּהָבִ֤/י
וּ/מִ/כַּסְפִּ/י֙
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
נָתַ֣תִּי
לָ֔/ךְ
וַ/תַּעֲשִׂי
לָ֖/ךְ
צַלְמֵ֣י
זָכָ֑ר
וַ/תִּזְנִי
בָֽ/ם
וַ/תִּקְחִ֞י
lâqach
H3947
to take
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-2fs
כְּלֵ֣י
kᵉlîy
H3627
article/utensil
N-mp
תִפְאַרְתֵּ֗/ךְ
tiphʼârâh
H8597
beauty
N-fs | Suff
מִ/זְּהָבִ֤/י
zâhâb
H2091
gold
Prep | N-ms | Suff
וּ/מִ/כַּסְפִּ/י֙
keçeph
H3701
silver
Conj | Prep | N-ms | Suff
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
נָתַ֣תִּי
nâthan
H5414
to give
V-Qal-Perf-1cs
לָ֔/ךְ
Prep | Suff
וַ/תַּעֲשִׂי
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-2fs
לָ֖/ךְ
Prep | Suff
צַלְמֵ֣י
tselem
H6754
image
N-mp
זָכָ֑ר
zâkâr
H2145
male
Adj
וַ/תִּזְנִי
zânâh
H2181
to fornicate
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-2fs
בָֽ/ם
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 16:17
וַ/תִּקְחִ֞י
lâqach
H3947
"to take"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-2fs
This Hebrew word means to take or get something, and it is used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to take a wife, to take possession of something, or to receive a gift. For example, in Genesis 2:22, God takes a rib from Adam to create Eve.
Definition: : take 1) to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take, take in the hand 1a2) to take and carry along 1a3) to take from, take out of, take, carry away, take away 1a4) to take to or for a person, procure, get, take possession of, select, choose, take in marriage, receive, accept 1a5) to take up or upon, put upon 1a6) to fetch 1a7) to take, lead, conduct 1a8) to take, capture, seize 1a9) to take, carry off 1a10) to take (vengeance) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be captured 1b2) to be taken away, be removed 1b3) to be taken, brought unto 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be taken from or out of 1c2) to be stolen from 1c3) to be taken captive 1c4) to be taken away, be removed 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be taken unto, be brought unto 1d2) to be taken out of 1d3) to be taken away 1e) (Hithpael) 1e1) to take hold of oneself 1e2) to flash about (of lightning)
Usage: Occurs in 909 OT verses. KJV: accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. See also: Genesis 2:15; Genesis 34:17; Exodus 30:23.
כְּלֵ֣י
kᵉlîy
H3627
"article/utensil"
N-mp
This Hebrew word refers to any object or tool, like a utensil or a piece of furniture. It is used to describe a wide range of items, from musical instruments to weapons. It emphasizes the object's purpose or function.
Definition: 1) article, vessel, implement, utensil 1a) article, object (general) 1b) utensil, implement, apparatus, vessel 1b1) implement (of hunting or war) 1b2) implement (of music) 1b3) implement, tool (of labour) 1b4) equipment, yoke (of oxen) 1b5) utensils, furniture 1c) vessel, receptacle (general) 1d) vessels (boats) of paper-reed
Usage: Occurs in 276 OT verses. KJV: armour(-bearer), artillery, bag, carriage, [phrase] furnish, furniture, instrument, jewel, that is made of, [idiom] one from another, that which pertaineth, pot, [phrase] psaltery, sack, stuff, thing, tool, vessel, ware, weapon, [phrase] whatsoever. See also: Genesis 24:53; 1 Samuel 14:13; Ezra 8:26.
תִפְאַרְתֵּ֗/ךְ
tiphʼârâh
H8597
"beauty"
N-fs | Suff
This Hebrew word describes something beautiful or glorious, like a lovely garment or a person's honor. In the Bible, it is used to describe God's glory, as well as the beauty of creation and human achievements, as seen in Psalm and Isaiah.
Definition: 1) beauty, splendour, glory 1a) beauty, finery (of garments, jewels) 1b) glory 1b1) of rank, renown 1b2) as attribute of God 1c) honour (or nation Israel) 1d) glorying, boasting (of individual)
Usage: Occurs in 50 OT verses. KJV: beauty(-iful), bravery, comely, fair, glory(-ious), honour, majesty. See also: Exodus 28:2; Isaiah 28:4; Psalms 71:8.
מִ/זְּהָבִ֤/י
zâhâb
H2091
"gold"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
Gold is a valuable metal, also used to describe something yellow or brilliant, like oil or a clear sky. It is often mentioned in the Bible as a precious resource.
Definition: 1) gold 1a) as precious metal 1b) as a measure of weight 1c) of brilliance, splendour (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: de.hav (דְּהַב "gold" H1722)
Usage: Occurs in 336 OT verses. KJV: gold(-en), fair weather. See also: Genesis 2:11; Numbers 7:26; 1 Chronicles 28:17.
וּ/מִ/כַּסְפִּ/י֙
keçeph
H3701
"silver"
Conj | Prep | N-ms | Suff
Silver or money, often referring to payment or wealth, like the silver talents in Matthew 25. It can also describe silver as a valuable metal or ornament.
Definition: : money/payment/silver 1) silver, money 1a) silver 1a1) as metal 1a2) as ornament 1a3) as colour 1b) money, shekels, talents
Usage: Occurs in 343 OT verses. KJV: money, price, silver(-ling). See also: Genesis 13:2; Numbers 22:18; 2 Chronicles 1:17.
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
נָתַ֣תִּי
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
V-Qal-Perf-1cs
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
לָ֔/ךְ
""
Prep | Suff
וַ/תַּעֲשִׂי
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-2fs
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
לָ֖/ךְ
""
Prep | Suff
צַלְמֵ֣י
tselem
H6754
"image"
N-mp
This word means image or likeness, often referring to idols or illusions, and is used to describe the resemblance of something, as seen in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) image 1a) images (of tumours, mice, heathen gods) 1b) image, likeness (of resemblance) 1c) mere, empty, image, semblance (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: tse.lem (צְלֵם "image" H6755)
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: image, vain shew. See also: Genesis 1:26; 2 Kings 11:18; Psalms 39:7.
זָכָ֑ר
zâkâr
H2145
"male"
Adj
This word means male, referring to men or male animals, emphasizing their importance. It is used in the Bible to distinguish between males and females. The word is often translated as 'him' or 'male' in English.
Definition: 1) male (of humans and animals) adj 2) male (of humans)
Usage: Occurs in 80 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] him, male, man(child, -kind). See also: Genesis 1:27; Numbers 3:22; Isaiah 66:7.
וַ/תִּזְנִי
zânâh
H2181
"to fornicate"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-2fs
To fornicate means to commit adultery or be unfaithful, often used to describe idolatry in the Bible. It can also refer to a person being a cult prostitute or causing others to be unfaithful.
Definition: 1) to commit fornication, be a harlot, play the harlot 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be a harlot, act as a harlot, commit fornication 1a2) to commit adultery 1a3) to be a cult prostitute 1a4) to be unfaithful (to God) (fig.) 1b) (Pual) to play the harlot 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to commit adultery 1c2) to force into prostitution 1c3) to commit fornication
Usage: Occurs in 81 OT verses. KJV: (cause to) commit fornication, [idiom] continually, [idiom] great, (be an, play the) harlot, (cause to be, play the) whore, (commit, fall to) whoredom, (cause to) go a-whoring, whorish. See also: Genesis 34:31; Isaiah 57:3; Psalms 73:27.
בָֽ/ם
""
Prep | Suff
Study Notes — Ezekiel 16:17
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Ezekiel 16:17 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 16:17
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 16:17
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:17
- Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:17
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:17
- Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 16:17
- Barnes' Notes on Ezekiel 16:17
- Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:17
- Sermons on Ezekiel 16:17
Context — Jerusalem’s Unfaithfulness
15But because of your fame, you trusted in your beauty and played the harlot. You lavished your favors on everyone who passed by, and your beauty was theirs for the asking.
16You took some of your garments and made colorful high places for yourself, and on them you prostituted yourself. Such things should not have happened; never should they have occurred!
17You also took the fine jewelry of gold and silver I had given you, and you made male idols with which to prostitute yourself.
18You took your embroidered garments to cover them, and you set My oil and incense before them. 19And you set before them as a pleasing aroma the food I had given you—the fine flour, oil, and honey that I had fed you. That is what happened, declares the Lord GOD.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezekiel 23:14–21 | But Oholibah carried her prostitution even further. She saw the men portrayed on the wall, images of the Chaldeans, engraved in vermilion, wearing belts on their waists and flowing turbans on their heads; all of them looked like officers of the Babylonians in Chaldea, the land of their birth. At the sight of them, she lusted for them and sent messengers to them in Chaldea. Then the Babylonians came to her, to the bed of love, and in their lust they defiled her. But after she had been defiled by them, she turned away in disgust. When Oholibah openly prostituted herself and exposed her nakedness, I turned away from her in disgust, just as I had turned away from her sister. Yet she multiplied her promiscuity, remembering the days of her youth, when she had prostituted herself in the land of Egypt and lusted after their lovers, whose genitals were like those of donkeys and whose emission was like that of stallions. So you revisited the indecency of your youth, when the Egyptians caressed your bosom and pressed your young breasts. |
| 2 | Jeremiah 3:9 | Indifferent to her own infidelity, Israel had defiled the land and committed adultery with stones and trees. |
| 3 | Ezekiel 16:11 | I adorned you with jewelry, and I put bracelets on your wrists and a chain around your neck. |
| 4 | Isaiah 44:19–20 | And no one considers in his heart, no one has the knowledge or insight to say, “I burned half of it in the fire, and I baked bread on its coals; I roasted meat and I ate. Shall I make something detestable with the rest of it? Shall I bow down to a block of wood?” He feeds on ashes. His deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, “Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?” |
| 5 | Exodus 32:1–4 | Now when the people saw that Moses was delayed in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this Moses who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him!” So Aaron told them, “Take off the gold earrings that are on your wives and sons and daughters, and bring them to me.” Then all the people took off their gold earrings and brought them to Aaron. He took the gold from their hands, and with an engraving tool he fashioned it into a molten calf. And they said, “These, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” |
| 6 | Isaiah 57:7–8 | On a high and lofty hill you have made your bed, and there you went up to offer sacrifices. Behind the door and doorpost you have set up your memorial. Forsaking Me, you uncovered your bed; you climbed up and opened it wide. And you have made a pact with those whose bed you have loved; you have gazed upon their nakedness. |
| 7 | Jeremiah 2:27–28 | say to a tree, ‘You are my father,’ and to a stone, ‘You gave me birth.’ For they have turned their backs to Me and not their faces, yet in the time of trouble they beg, ‘Rise up and save us!’ But where are the gods you made for yourselves? Let them rise up in your time of trouble and save you if they can; for your gods are as numerous as your cities, O Judah. |
| 8 | Hosea 10:1 | Israel was a luxuriant vine, yielding fruit for himself. The more his fruit increased, the more he increased the altars. The better his land produced, the better he made the sacred pillars. |
| 9 | Hosea 2:13 | I will punish her for the days of the Baals when she burned incense to them, when she decked herself with rings and jewelry, and went after her lovers. But Me she forgot,” declares the LORD. |
| 10 | Ezekiel 7:19–20 | They will throw their silver into the streets, and their gold will seem unclean. Their silver and gold cannot save them in the day of the wrath of the LORD. They cannot satisfy their appetites or fill their stomachs with wealth, for it became the stumbling block that brought their iniquity. His beautiful ornaments they transformed into pride and used them to fashion their vile images and detestable idols. Therefore I will make these into something unclean for them. |
Ezekiel 16:17 Summary
[This verse is saying that God's people, Israel, took the beautiful gifts and treasures that God had given them and used them to make idols to worship instead of God. This is like taking a precious gift from a loved one and using it to buy something that is worthless or even hurtful to them. As seen in Exodus 20:3-5, God wants us to worship only Him and to use the gifts He gives us to bring glory to Him. By using God's gifts to make idols, Israel was essentially saying that they loved and valued these idols more than they loved and valued God.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'prostitute yourself' in Ezekiel 16:17?
In this context, to 'prostitute yourself' means to give one's heart and affections to something or someone other than God, just as a prostitute gives their body to someone for money, as seen in Hosea 1:2. This is a form of spiritual adultery, where one's loyalty and devotion are divided between God and idols.
Why did God give Israel fine jewelry of gold and silver if they were just going to use it for idols?
God gave Israel these gifts as a symbol of His love and covenant with them, just as He gave them the Promised Land, as seen in Deuteronomy 8:7-10. However, Israel misused these gifts, just as they misused the freedom and prosperity God gave them.
What is the significance of making 'male idols' in Ezekiel 16:17?
The making of male idols represents a deliberate and intentional rejection of God's sovereignty and Lordship, as seen in Romans 1:25. It shows a desire to replace God with something or someone else, which is a fundamental aspect of idolatry.
How does this verse relate to the concept of stewardship in the Bible?
This verse highlights the importance of being a faithful steward of the gifts and resources God has given us, as seen in Matthew 25:14-30. Israel was given many gifts and resources by God, but they used them for their own selfish desires rather than for God's glory.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I may be using the gifts and resources God has given me for my own selfish desires rather than for His glory?
- How can I ensure that my heart and affections are fully devoted to God, and not divided between Him and other things?
- What are some modern-day equivalents of 'male idols' that I may be tempted to worship or prioritize over God?
- In what ways can I use the gifts and resources God has given me to bring glory to Him and to further His kingdom?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 16:17
Thou hast also taken thy fair jewels of my gold, and of my silver, which I had given thee,.... Or "thy glorious vessels of gold and silver" (h); meaning either the vessels of gold and silver in the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 16:17
Thou hast also taken thy fair jewels of my gold and of my silver, which I had given thee, and madest to thyself images of men, and didst commit whoredom with them, Thou hast also taken thy fair
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:17
Thy fair jewels; she forgot the property was in God, she reckoned them her own. The word in Hebrew is of larger extent, and includes vessels, instruments, furniture of all sorts, with which, she was abundantly stored, even from their departure out of Egypt, when they spoiled the Egyptians, , where the selfsame phrase is used, and more since Solomon made gold and silver so common in Jerusalem, with which they made vessels for use, and furniture of all sorts for ornament. My gold: the greater was the sin of this harlot, her ingratitude, and her injustice, that she robbed God, committed sacrilege, that she might have idols with which to defile herself by her idolatry. I had given thee: had she received them of any other hand, the wrong had been the less; but she received them, every one of them, of the hand of God: lie gave her what the Egyptians lent, what David won from enemies, and what Solomon brought in by traffic; so Hosea 2 aggravates Israel’ s idolatry. Madest; brutish stupidity! to make an idol, and account it a god! Images; statues, molten and graven images; not one single image, but many; so idolatry, as adultery, is boundless. Of men: idolaters had male and female idols; and this idolatress here, as mostly they did, doted on male idols. It is not unlike to that , which see. And possibly the Egyptian idolatry with Osiris or Adonis may be noted, or some more lewd image or portrait of Priapus, which might be confirmed from 23:19,20. Didst commit whoredom with them; provoked by such representations to speculative uncleanness, and prepared for bodily uncleanness also, and proceeding to spiritual adultery with these shameful images.
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:17
Ezekiel 16:17 Thou hast also taken thy fair jewels of my gold and of my silver, which I had given thee, and madest to thyself images of men, and didst commit whoredom with them,Ver. 17. Images of men.] To be thy gallants, with whom thou mightest adulterise and idolise. Vah scelus! Surely he is a rare man that hath not some or other idol whereon he bestows pains and cost, "Little children, keep yourselves from idols."
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:17
Verse 17. And madest to thyself images of men] צלמי זכר tsalmey zachar, male images. Priapi are here meant, which were carried about in the ceremonies of Osiris, Bacchus, and Adonis; and were something like the lingam among the Hindoos. Herodotus, lib. ii, c. 48, 49, gives us an account of these male images: Πηχυαιααγαλματανευροσπαστα, ταπεριφορεουσικατακωμαςταιγυναικες, νευοντοαιδοιον, ουπολλῳτεῳελασσονεοντουαλλουσωματος. This was done at the worship of Bacchus in Egypt: and they who wish to see more may consult Herodotus as above. In this phallic worship the women were principally concerned.
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 16:17
17. Cf. Hosea 2:8, I multiplied unto her silver and gold, which they used for Baal. images of men] Jerusalem being an unfaithful wife the idols are “men.” The images were of gods; and this prophet probably saw little distinction between an image of Jehovah and that of any other deity. It is likely that, apart from the calf-images, the symbols of Jehovah as well as of the other gods were of the human form; cf. as to the Teraphim, 1 Samuel 19:13. The supposition hazarded by some that the “male images” (marg.) were representations of the Phallus has little to support it. It is true that Jerome considers the “gruesome object” set up by Maacah the mother of Asa to be simulacrum Priapi (2 Chronicles 15:16, cf. 1 Kings 15:13), but this is mere conjecture; and the passage Isaiah 57:8 is too obscure to be depended upon (cf. Prof. W. R. Smith, Rel. of Sem. p. 437). broidered … coveredst them] Cf.
Ezekiel 16:10; Ezekiel 16:13. The practice of clothing the idols is illustrated by Jeremiah 10:9, “There is silver beaten into plates … blue and purple for their clothing; they are all the work of cunning men.” hast set mine oil] didst set. The ref. is to the offerings made to the idols. The Lord calls it “mine” because due to him, or rather because given by him to Israel, Hosea 2:8, “she did not know that I gave her corn and wine and oil … I will take back my corn in the time thereof.”
Barnes' Notes on Ezekiel 16:17
Possibly an allusion to the custom of bearing about shrines. Compare Amos 5:26; Acts 7:43.
Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:17
17. Images of men — This does not refer to phallic worship (as Movers), but to images of Baalim (as Hosea 2:8; Hosea 2:13; compare 1 Kings 15:13).
Sermons on Ezekiel 16:17
| Sermon | Description | |
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Epistle 252 by George Fox | George Fox emphasizes the importance of humility, meekness, and purity for those who minister the gospel. He urges ministers to be examples in their conduct and to avoid ungracious |
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A Touch From God - Part 2 by David Wilkerson | This sermon emphasizes the importance of responding to God's call to come up and come out, using Moses as an example of someone who drew near to God and pursued a life of prayer. I |
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(Exodus) Exodus 32:15-25 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of Moses and the golden calf from the Bible. The people of Israel, feeling abandoned by Moses, turned to idol worship and created a |
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Worship That Calls for a Sword by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Moses and the Israelites in Exodus 32. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing the sound of victory and the need to look wit |
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When Things Don't Make Sense by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of worshiping God in the invisible, rather than relying on physical signs and experiences. He warns against seeking tangible |
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Nature of Revival - Part 2 by Richard Owen Roberts | In this sermon transcript, the preacher reflects on a past revival in Wales in 1945 and compares it to the current state of decline in the world. He emphasizes the need for a radic |
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(Divine Attributes) 15 Partakers of God's Divine Nature by Denny Kenaston | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of our view of God and how it impacts every aspect of our lives. He highlights three main points: understanding how all of God |