Ezekiel 16:2
Ezekiel 16:2 in Multiple Translations
“Son of man, confront Jerusalem with her abominations
Son of man, cause Jerusalem to know her abominations,
Son of man, cause Jerusalem to know her abominations;
Son of man, make clear to Jerusalem her disgusting ways,
“Son of man, challenge Jerusalem over her disgusting practices.
Sonne of man, cause Ierusalem to knowe her abominations,
'Son of man, cause Jerusalem to know her abominations, and thou hast said:
“Son of man, cause Jerusalem to know her abominations;
Son of man, cause Jerusalem to know her abominations,
Son of man, make known to Jerusalem her abominations.
“You human, cause the people of Jerusalem to think about their detestable behavior.
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 16:2
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 16:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
בֶּן
אָדָ֕ם
הוֹדַ֥ע
אֶת
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם
אֶת
תּוֹעֲבֹתֶֽי/הָ
בֶּן
bên
H1121
son
N-ms
אָדָ֕ם
ʼâdâm
H120
the man (Adam)
N-ms
הוֹדַ֥ע
yâdaʻ
H3045
to know
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם
Yᵉrûwshâlaim
H3389
Jerusalem
N-proper
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
תּוֹעֲבֹתֶֽי/הָ
tôwʻêbah
H8441
abomination
N-fp | 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 16:2
בֶּן
bên
H1121
"son"
N-ms
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
אָדָ֕ם
ʼâdâm
H120
"the man (Adam)"
N-ms
Adam was the first human, created by God and mentioned in Genesis 2:19, who married Eve and had sons including Cain, Abel, and Seth.
Definition: The first named man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.2.19; married to Eve (H2332); father of: Cain (H7014B), Abel (H1893) and Seth (H8352); also translated "man" at Gen.2.19,21,23; 3.8,9,20; 5.2; "mankind" at Deu.32.8; "others" at Job.31.33; Another spelling of a.dam (אָדָם "Adam" H0121) man, human being
Usage: Occurs in 526 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person. See also: Genesis 1:26; Judges 18:7; Psalms 8:5.
הוֹדַ֥ע
yâdaʻ
H3045
"to know"
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms
The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to know 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to know 1a1a) to know, learn to know 1a1b) to perceive 1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern 1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish 1a1e) to know by experience 1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess 1a1g) to consider 1a2) to know, be acquainted with 1a3) to know (a person carnally) 1a4) to know how, be skilful in 1a5) to have knowledge, be wise 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed 1b2) to make oneself known 1b3) to be perceived 1b4) to be instructed 1c) (Piel) to cause to know 1d) (Poal) to cause to know 1e) (Pual) 1e1) to be known 1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle) 1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare 1g) (Hophal) to be made known 1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)
Usage: Occurs in 874 OT verses. KJV: acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot. See also: Genesis 3:5; Leviticus 5:4; Judges 21:12.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם
Yᵉrûwshâlaim
H3389
"Jerusalem"
N-proper
Jerusalem is the capital city of Palestine, also known as the city of peace. It was the chief city of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split.
Definition: § Jerusalem = "teaching of peace" the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split
Usage: Occurs in 600 OT verses. KJV: Jerusalem. See also: Joshua 10:1; 2 Kings 22:14; 2 Chronicles 24:6.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
תּוֹעֲבֹתֶֽי/הָ
tôwʻêbah
H8441
"abomination"
N-fp | Suff
The Hebrew word for abomination refers to something disgusting, like idolatry or unclean food, and is often used to describe wickedness in the Bible.
Definition: 1) a disgusting thing, abomination, abominable 1a) in ritual sense (of unclean food, idols, mixed marriages) 1b) in ethical sense (of wickedness etc)
Usage: Occurs in 112 OT verses. KJV: abominable (custom, thing), abomination. See also: Genesis 43:32; Proverbs 26:25; Psalms 88:9.
Study Notes — Ezekiel 16:2
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Ezekiel 16:2 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 16:2
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 16:2
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:2
- Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:2
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:2
- Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 16:2
- Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:2
- Sermons on Ezekiel 16:2
Context — Jerusalem’s Unfaithfulness
1Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
2“Son of man, confront Jerusalem with her abominations
3and tell her that this is what the Lord GOD says to Jerusalem: Your origin and your birth were in the land of the Canaanites. Your father was an Amorite and your mother a Hittite. 4On the day of your birth your cord was not cut, nor were you washed with water for cleansing. You were not rubbed with salt or wrapped in cloths.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezekiel 22:2 | “As for you, son of man, will you judge her? Will you pass judgment on the city of bloodshed? Then confront her with all her abominations |
| 2 | Ezekiel 20:4 | Will you judge them, will you judge them, son of man? Confront them with the abominations of their fathers |
| 3 | Isaiah 58:1 | “Cry aloud, do not hold back! Raise your voice like a ram’s horn. Declare to My people their transgression and to the house of Jacob their sins. |
| 4 | Ezekiel 33:7–9 | As for you, O son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word from My mouth and give them the warning from Me. If I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you will surely die,’ but you do not speak out to dissuade him from his way, then that wicked man will die in his iniquity, yet I will hold you accountable for his blood. But if you warn the wicked man to turn from his way, and he does not turn from it, he will die in his iniquity, but you will have saved your life. |
| 5 | Ezekiel 8:9–17 | Then He said to me, “Go in and see the wicked abominations they are committing here.” So I went in and looked, and engraved all around the wall was every kind of crawling creature and detestable beast, along with all the idols of the house of Israel. Before them stood seventy elders of the house of Israel, with Jaazaniah son of Shaphan standing among them. Each had a censer in his hand, and a fragrant cloud of incense was rising. “Son of man,” He said to me, “do you see what the elders of the house of Israel are doing in the darkness, each at the shrine of his own idol? For they are saying, ‘The LORD does not see us; the LORD has forsaken the land.’” Again, He told me, “You will see them committing even greater abominations.” Then He brought me to the entrance of the north gate of the house of the LORD, and I saw women sitting there, weeping for Tammuz. “Son of man,” He said to me, “do you see this? Yet you will see even greater abominations than these.” So He brought me to the inner court of the house of the LORD, and there at the entrance to the temple of the LORD, between the portico and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs to the temple of the LORD and their faces toward the east; and they were bowing to the east in worship of the sun. “Son of man,” He said to me, “do you see this? Is it not enough for the house of Judah to commit the abominations they are practicing here, that they must also fill the land with violence and continually provoke Me to anger? Look, they are even putting the branch to their nose! |
| 6 | Ezekiel 23:36 | Then the LORD said to me: “Son of man, will you pass judgment against Oholah and Oholibah? Then declare to them their abominations. |
| 7 | Hosea 8:1 | Put the ram’s horn to your lips! An eagle looms over the house of the LORD, because the people have transgressed My covenant and rebelled against My law. |
Ezekiel 16:2 Summary
This verse is about God telling the prophet Ezekiel to talk to the city of Jerusalem about all the wrong things they have done. It's like when a parent corrects a child, not to be mean, but to help them understand what they did wrong and how to do better, as in Proverbs 3:12. God wants His people to know when they are sinning and to turn back to Him, just like in Luke 15:11-32. By studying this verse, we can learn the importance of being honest about our own sins and seeking to repent and turn to God, just as the people of Jerusalem were called to do.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does God instruct Ezekiel to confront Jerusalem with her abominations?
God wants Ezekiel to expose the sins of Jerusalem, just as He instructed other prophets to do, such as in Jeremiah 1:10, so that the people might repent and turn back to Him.
What are the abominations that Ezekiel is supposed to confront Jerusalem with?
The specific abominations are not listed in this verse, but in the context of Ezekiel 16, they likely refer to the idolatrous practices and sins of the people, similar to those mentioned in Deuteronomy 18:9-12 and Leviticus 18:3.
Is this verse only relevant to the historical context of Ezekiel's time?
While the verse is addressed to Jerusalem in Ezekiel's time, the principle of confronting sin and calling people to repentance is still relevant today, as seen in passages like Matthew 28:18-20 and 2 Corinthians 5:20.
How can we apply this verse to our own lives?
We can apply this verse by being honest with ourselves and others about our own sins, and seeking to repent and turn to God, just as the prophet Ezekiel was instructed to call the people of Jerusalem to do, as in 1 John 1:9.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can be more aware of the sins in my own life, and how can I take steps to repent and turn to God?
- How can I balance the need to confront sin in others with the need to show them love and compassion, as seen in Matthew 22:37-40?
- In what ways can I be a part of calling my community or church to repentance and faithfulness to God, as in Ezekiel 16:2?
- What are some common 'abominations' or sins that are prevalent in our culture today, and how can we as Christians stand against them, as in Ephesians 5:11?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 16:2
Son of man, cause Jerusalem to know her abominations. That is, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, as the Targum; these are mentioned instead of the whole body of the people, because that Jerusalem was the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 16:2
Son of man, cause Jerusalem to know her abominations, Cause Jerusalem to know her abominations. Men often are so blind as not to perceive their guilt, which is patent to all. "Jerusalem" represents the whole kingdom of Judah.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:2
Declare to them that are with thee, and to them that are at Jerusalem, to these declare by letter, to those by word of mouth, what state theirs was in their infancy what I did for them, for the whole nation of the Jews, for so I take Jerusalem here to signify. Make them know: it was not in his power to give them understandings, and to enlighten their minds, but his declaring to them is here called making them to know, because it was sufficient to have brought it to their knowledge. Her abominations; her multiplied transgressions, which were increased beyond number, and her great, foul sins, called here abominations, her idolatries spiritual adulteries, and unexemplified folly in her lewdness, changing her God and Husband, .
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:2
Ezekiel 16:2 Son of man, cause Jerusalem to know her abominations,Ver. 2. Cause Jerusalem to know her abominations.] Which as yet she taketh no knowledge of. Rebuke her therefore sharply, that she may be sound in the faith, if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:2
Verse 2. Cause Jerusalem to know her abominations] And such a revelation of impurity never was seen before or since. Surely the state of the Jews, before the Babylonish captivity, was the most profligate and corrupt of all the nations of the earth. This chapter contains God's manifesto against this most abominable people; and although there are many metaphors here, yet all is not metaphorical. Where there was so much idolatry, there must have been adulteries, fornications, prostitutions, and lewdness of every description. The description of the prophet is sufficiently clear, except where there is a reference to ancient and obsolete customs. What a description of crimes! The sixth satire of Juvenal is its counterpart. General remarks are all that a commentator is justified in bestowing on this very long, very circumstantial, and caustic invective. For its key, see on the thirteenth and sixty-third verses.
See Clarke on Ezekiel 16:13; "Ezekiel 16:63".
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 16:2
2. cause Jerusalem to know] The object of the chapter is to impress on Israel the necessity of the Divine judgment because of her persistent idolatry through all her history (ch. Ezekiel 20:4, Ezekiel 22:2, Ezekiel 23:36). Jerusalem, which is spoken to throughout, represents the kingdom of Judah, and even the whole family of Israel in its early history.
Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:2
’S AND — THE ADOPTED CHILD-WIFE, Ezekiel 16:1-43.In chaps. 13-15 the prophet has shown how untrustworthy are all the Israelitish hopes that punishment will not fall upon them for their sins.
Sermons on Ezekiel 16:2
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Ye the Branches by Andrew Murray | The preacher delves into the meaning of 'asthenes,' which signifies a state of helplessness, both physically and spiritually. This term describes the incapacity to produce results |
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Homily 43 on the Acts of the Apostles by St. John Chrysostom | John Chrysostom preaches on the events in Acts 20:1-16, focusing on Paul's journey through Macedonia and Greece, emphasizing the importance of preaching and comforting believers am |
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A Great Apostasy by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of maintaining a childlike trust and confidence in God. He criticizes the modern methods and techniques used in churches and |
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God Seeks a Man of Prayer by Alan Redpath | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the lack of justice and salvation in the world, drawing parallels to historical events such as the Vietnam War, the tragedy of the boat peop |
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Christian Growth - Part 4 by Alan Redpath | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the state of the world and compares it to the biblical verses that describe a lack of justice and salvation. He specifically mentions the tr |
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Hatching Snake Eggs by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher addresses the issue of putting off seeking deliverance from sin and turning back to God. He calls on those who have been injured or run away from God t |
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Repairing the Breach by Alan Redpath | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes that the convention is not a time for religious entertainment, but rather a time for serious reflection on one's spiritual journey. The messa |