Bible Commentary

Ezekiel 16:7

Ezekiel 16:7

John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible · John Gill (1697–1771) · Public Domain

I have caused thee to multiply as the bud of the field,.... Or, "made thee millions" ; like the spires of grass in the field. This refers to the multiplication of the children of Israel in Egypt, especially after the death of Joseph, and even while they were sorely afflicted, and likewise in later times.

Jacob went down to Egypt with seventy five persons only, but when his posterity returned from thence, they were above six hundred thousand that were able to go forth to war, ; see ;and thou hast increased and waxed great; and became large families, kindreds, and tribes, as the Targum interprets it; as a child grows up, and becomes adult:and thou art come to excellent ornaments; or, "ornament of ornaments" ; as a young woman, when she is grown up, comes to wear better and finer clothes than in infancy; perhaps there is an allusion to the jewels the Israelites brought out of Egypt with them: this may be applied to the laws, statutes, and ordinances given them, which were an "ornament of grace" unto them, Pr 1:9;[thy] breasts are fashioned; swelled and stood out; were come to a proper size and shape, as in persons grown and marriageable; see So 8:10;and thine hair is grown; an euphemism, expressive of puberty, which in females was at twelve years of age:whereas thou [wast] naked and bare; in a state of infancy.

Jarchi and Kimchi interpret this of the Israelites being without the commandments. The whole of what is here said, may be applied to quickened and converted persons, who grow in grace, and increase in spiritual knowledge; and are adorned with the ornaments of grace and good works; and attend to the word and ordinances, which are the church's breasts; who, while in their nature state, were naked and destitute of righteousness and grace.

hbbr "millia dedi", Pagninus, Montanus; "in multa millia", Tigurine version; "in myriadem te auxi", Piscator; so Ben Melech.

The Daily Devotional

One devotional. Every morning.

The full reading, the passage behind it, and where to go deeper — in your inbox before the day starts. No ads, ever.

We'll send one email to confirm it's really you. Unsubscribe in one tap, any time.

Continue tomorrow

Turn Bible study into a daily habit

Read today's devotional, save your progress, and receive a gentle daily reminder.

Recommended reading

More for Ezekiel 16:7

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

Ezekiel 16 — OverviewEzekiel 16 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleStill God is justifying himself in the desolations he is about to bring upon Jerusalem; and very largely, in this chapter, he shows the prophet, and orders him to show the people, that he did but punish them as…Ezekiel 16 — OverviewEzekiel 16 · Treasury of Scripture KnowledgeEzekiel 16:1, Under the similitude of a wretched infant is shewn the natural state of Jerusalem; Ezekiel 16:6, God’s extraordinary love towards her; Ezekiel 16:15, Her monstrous whoredom; Ezekiel 16:35, Her grievous…Ezekiel 16 — OverviewEzekiel 16 · John Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleIn this chapter the Jewish nation is represented under the simile of a female infant, whose birth, breeding, marriage, grandeur, and conduct, are described, in order to show the wickedness and ingratitude of, his…Ezekiel 16:1-14Ezekiel 16:1-14 · The Pulpit CommentarySuperhuman love. The main difficulty in producing a moral reformation among men is to convince them of their degradation—of the low level to which they have sunk. The first thing to be done is to hold up to their view…Ezekiel 16:1-15Ezekiel 16:1-15 · The Pulpit CommentaryA picture of human depravity and destitution, and of Divine condescension and favour. "Again the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, cause Jerusalem to know her abominations," etc. "We have here," says…Ezekiel 16:1-63Ezekiel 16:1-63 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION The section on which we now enter, with its companion picture in Ezekiel 23:1-49; forms the most terrible, one might almost say the most repellent, part of Ezekiel's prophetic utterances. We have, as it…