Ezekiel 16:15

Afrikaans 2020 (Die Bybel 2020-vertaling)

“ ‘ “ Maar toe het jy op jou skoonheid staatgemaak en het jy gehoereer, omdat jy beroemd was. Jy het jou hoerery uitgestort op elke verbyganger; aan hom het jou skoonheid behoort.

What Does This Mean?

This verse is part of a message from God, speaking through the prophet Ezekiel. It describes how Jerusalem, personified as a woman, relied on her beauty and reputation to attract others, leading her to commit adultery. The message is about the city's betrayal of God through its sinful actions.

Explained for Children

Imagine a beautiful girl who thinks she is so pretty that she starts to act in ways that make her parents sad. Instead of being kind and respectful, she uses her looks to get attention from others. That's what this verse is talking about, but it's about a city named Jerusalem, not a person.

Historical Background

Ezekiel wrote this prophecy around 593 BCE, during the Babylonian exile. The audience was the Jewish people who were taken captive by the Babylonians. The cultural setting was one of religious and moral decline, with the people straying from God's commandments.

Living It Out Today

Today, we can apply this verse to situations where people use their talents or good looks to gain attention or advantage, often at the cost of moral integrity. For example, a popular athlete who cheats to win might be similar to Jerusalem relying on beauty and reputation to attract others.

Topics

• adultery
• punishment
• faithfulness
• metaphor
• prophetic literature
• moral decline

Related Verses

• Jeremiah 3:6-9
• Hosea 1-3
• Isaiah 1:21-23
• Romans 1:24-27
• 1 Corinthians 6:15-20

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main message of Ezekiel 16:15?

The main message is about the betrayal of God by Jerusalem, using its beauty and reputation to commit sinful actions, symbolizing a departure from faithfulness.

How does Ezekiel 16:15 relate to other prophetic books?

It shares themes with other prophetic books like Jeremiah and Hosea, where God uses metaphors of marriage and adultery to illustrate Israel's relationship with God.

Why is Jerusalem personified as a woman in this verse?

Jerusalem is personified as a woman to highlight its covenant relationship with God, emphasizing the betrayal and moral decline in a personal and poignant way.

What does this verse teach us about pride?

This verse teaches us that pride, when it leads to the neglect of moral and spiritual duties, can result in serious consequences and a loss of God's favor.