Ezekiel 16:8
New International Version
“’Later I passed by, and when I looked at you and saw that you were old enough for love, I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your naked body. I gave you my solemn oath and entered into a covenant with you, declares the Sovereign LORD, and you became mine.

New Living Translation
And when I passed by again, I saw that you were old enough for love. So I wrapped my cloak around you to cover your nakedness and declared my marriage vows. I made a covenant with you, says the Sovereign LORD, and you became mine.

English Standard Version
“When I passed by you again and saw you, behold, you were at the age for love, and I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your nakedness; I made my vow to you and entered into a covenant with you, declares the Lord GOD, and you became mine.

Berean Standard Bible
Then I passed by and saw you, and you were indeed old enough for love. So I spread My cloak over you and covered your nakedness. I pledged Myself to you, entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine, declares the Lord GOD.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
“When I passed by you again and looked upon you, indeed your time was the time of love; so I spread My wing over you and covered your nakedness. Yes, I swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine,” says the Lord GOD.

New American Standard Bible
“Then I passed by you and saw you, and behold, you were at the time for love; so I spread My garment over you and covered your nakedness. I also swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you so that you became Mine,” declares the Lord GOD.

NASB 1995
“Then I passed by you and saw you, and behold, you were at the time for love; so I spread My skirt over you and covered your nakedness. I also swore to you and entered into a covenant with you so that you became Mine,” declares the Lord GOD.

NASB 1977
“Then I passed by you and saw you, and behold, you were at the time for love; so I spread My skirt over you and covered your nakedness. I also swore to you and entered into a covenant with you so that you became Mine,” declares the Lord GOD.

Legacy Standard Bible
“Then I passed by you and saw you, and behold, you were at the time for love; so I spread My skirt over you and covered your nakedness. I also swore to you and entered into a covenant with you so that you became Mine,” declares Lord Yahweh.

Amplified Bible
“Then I passed by you [again] and looked on you; behold, you were maturing and at the time for love, and I spread My skirt over you and covered your nakedness. Yes, I swore [an oath] to you and entered into a covenant with you,” says the Lord GOD, “and you became Mine.”

Christian Standard Bible
“ ‘Then I passed by you and saw you, and you were indeed at the age for love. So I spread the edge of my garment over you and covered your nakedness. I pledged myself to you, entered into a covenant with you—this is the declaration of the Lord GOD—and you became mine.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then I passed by you and saw you, and you were indeed at the age for love. So I spread the edge of My garment over you and covered your nakedness. I pledged Myself to you, entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine.” This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.”

American Standard Version
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 Jehovah, and thou becamest mine.

Contemporary English Version
When I saw you again, you were old enough to have sex. So I covered your naked body with my own robe. Then I solemnly promised that you would belong to me and that I, the LORD God, would take care of you.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
" 'I went by you again and looked at you. You were old enough to make love to. So I spread my robe over you, and covered your naked body. I promised to love you, and I exchanged marriage vows with you. You became mine, declares the Almighty LORD.

Good News Translation
"As I passed by again, I saw that the time had come for you to fall in love. I covered your naked body with my coat and promised to love you. Yes, I made a marriage covenant with you, and you became mine." This is what the Sovereign LORD says.

International Standard Version
"When I passed by you again, I looked at you, and noticed that it was your proper time for love. I spread my cloak over you to cover your nakedness. I made a solemn promise to you and entered into a covenant with you," declares the Lord GOD. "You belong to me.

Majority Standard Bible
Then I passed by and saw you, and you were indeed old enough for love. So I spread My cloak over you and covered your nakedness. I pledged Myself to you, entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine, declares the Lord GOD.

NET Bible
"'Then I passed by you and watched you, noticing that you had reached the age for love. I spread my cloak over you and covered your nakedness. I swore a solemn oath to you and entered into a marriage covenant with you, declares the sovereign LORD, and you became mine.

New Heart English Bible
"'Now when I passed by you, and looked at you, look, your time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over you, and covered your nakedness: yes, I swore to you, and entered into a covenant with you,' says the Lord GOD, 'and you became mine.

Webster's Bible Translation
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: yes, I swore to thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord GOD, and thou becamest mine.

World English Bible
“‘“Now when I passed by you, and looked at you, behold, your time was the time of love; and I spread my garment over you and covered your nakedness. Yes, I pledged myself to you and entered into a covenant with you,” says the Lord Yahweh, “and you became mine.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And I pass over by you, and I see you, "" And behold, your time [is] a time of loves, "" And I spread My skirt over you, "" And I cover your nakedness, "" And I swear to you, and come into a covenant with you, "" A declaration of Lord YHWH, "" And you become Mine.

Young's Literal Translation
And I pass over by thee, and I see thee, And lo, thy time is a time of loves, And I spread My skirt over thee, And I cover thy nakedness, And I swear to thee, and come in to a covenant with thee, An affirmation of the Lord Jehovah, And thou dost become Mine.

Smith's Literal Translation
And I shall pass by thee and see thee, and behold, thy time the time of loves; and I shall spread my wing over thee and cover thy nakedness: and I shall swear to thee, and come into covenant with thee, says the Lord Jehovah, and thou shalt be to me.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And I passed by thee, and saw thee: and behold thy time was the time of lovers : and I spread my garment over thee, and covered thy ignominy. And I swore to thee, and I entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord God: and thou becamest mine.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And I passed by you and saw you. And behold, your time was the time of lovers. And I spread my garment over you, and I covered your disgrace. And I swore to you, and I entered into a covenant with you, says the Lord God, and you became mine.

New American Bible
I passed by you again and saw that you were now old enough for love. So I spread the corner of my cloak over you to cover your nakedness; I swore an oath to you and entered into covenant with you—oracle of the Lord GOD—and you became mine.

New Revised Standard Version
I passed by you again and looked on you; you were at the age for love. I spread the edge of my cloak over you, and covered your nakedness: I pledged myself to you and entered into a covenant with you, says the Lord GOD, and you became mine.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Now when I passed by you and looked upon you, behold, you had reached the marriage age; and I spread my hand over you and covered your nakedness; yea, I swore to you and entered into a covenant with you, says the LORD God, and you became mine.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And I passed by over you, and I saw you and I saw your time, the time of marriageable age, and I spread my hand over you and I covered your nakedness, and I vowed to you and I entered into covenant with you, says THE LORD OF LORDS, and you are mine
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, and, behold, thy time was the time of love, I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness; yea, I swore unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord GOD, and thou becamest Mine.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And I passed by thee and saw thee, and, behold, it was thy time and a time of resting; and I spread my wings over thee, and covered thy shame, and swear to thee: and I entered into covenant with thee, saith the Lord, and thou becamest mine.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jerusalem's Unfaithfulness
7I made you thrive like a plant of the field. You grew up and matured and became very beautiful. Your breasts were formed and your hair grew, but you were naked and bare. 8Then I passed by and saw you, and you were indeed old enough for love. So I spread My cloak over you and covered your nakedness. I pledged Myself to you, entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine, declares the Lord GOD. 9Then I bathed you with water, rinsed off your blood, and anointed you with oil.…

Cross References
Jeremiah 2:2
“Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem that this is what the LORD says: ‘I remember the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride, how you followed Me in the wilderness, in a land not sown.

Hosea 2:19-20
So I will betroth you to Me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in loving devotion and compassion. / And I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will know the LORD.”

Isaiah 54:5-6
For your husband is your Maker—the LORD of Hosts is His name—the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; He is called the God of all the earth. / For the LORD has called you back, like a wife deserted and wounded in spirit, like the rejected wife of one’s youth,” says your God.

Deuteronomy 7:6-8
For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession out of all peoples on the face of the earth. / The LORD did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than the other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. / But because the LORD loved you and kept the oath He swore to your fathers, He brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

2 Corinthians 11:2
I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. For I promised you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.

Revelation 19:7-8
Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him the glory. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. / She was given clothing of fine linen, bright and pure.” For the fine linen she wears is the righteous acts of the saints.

Psalm 45:10-11
Listen, O daughter! Consider and incline your ear: Forget your people and your father’s house, / and the king will desire your beauty; bow to him, for he is your lord.

Jeremiah 31:32
It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant they broke, though I was a husband to them,” declares the LORD.

Isaiah 62:4-5
No longer will you be called Forsaken, nor your land named Desolate; but you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the LORD will take delight in you, and your land will be His bride. / For as a young man marries a young woman, so your sons will marry you; and as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so your God will rejoice over you.

Ephesians 5:25-27
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her / to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, / and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless.

Exodus 19:5-6
Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine. / And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to speak to the Israelites.”

Revelation 21:2
I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Hosea 1:2
When the LORD first spoke through Hosea, He told him, “Go, take a prostitute as your wife and have children of adultery, because this land is flagrantly prostituting itself by departing from the LORD.”

1 Peter 2:9-10
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. / Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Song of Solomon 2:16
My beloved is mine and I am his; he pastures his flock among the lilies.


Treasury of Scripture

Now when I passed by you, and looked on you, behold, your time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over you, and covered your nakedness: yes, I swore to you, and entered into a covenant with you, said the Lord GOD, and you became mine.

thy time

Ezekiel 16:6
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.

Deuteronomy 7:6-8
For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth…

Ruth 3:9
And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.

and I

Ruth 3:9
And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.

I sware

Ezekiel 20:5,6
And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day when I chose Israel, and lifted up mine hand unto the seed of the house of Jacob, and made myself known unto them in the land of Egypt, when I lifted up mine hand unto them, saying, I am the LORD your God; …

Exodus 19:4-8
Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself…

Exodus 24:1-8
And he said unto Moses, Come up unto the LORD, thou, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship ye afar off…

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Becamest Covenant Covered Entered Love Nakedness Passed Skirt Spread Sware Swore Time
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Becamest Covenant Covered Entered Love Nakedness Passed Skirt Spread Sware Swore Time
Ezekiel 16
1. Under the parable of a wretched infant is shown the natural state of Jerusalem
6. God's extraordinary love toward her,
15. Her grievous judgment
35. Her sin, equal to her mother,
46. and exceeding her sisters, Sodom and Samaria,
59. calls for judgments
60. Mercy is promised her in the end














Then I passed by you
This phrase signifies God's active involvement and initiative in the relationship with Israel. The imagery of God "passing by" suggests a moment of divine intervention and attention. In the Hebrew context, this reflects God's sovereignty and His deliberate choice to engage with His people. Historically, this can be seen as God's continuous presence and guidance throughout Israel's history, from the Exodus to the establishment in the Promised Land.

and saw you
The act of seeing here implies a deep, compassionate awareness. In Hebrew, the word for "saw" often conveys not just a visual observation but an understanding and acknowledgment of one's condition. This reflects God's intimate knowledge of Israel's state, both physically and spiritually. It is reminiscent of God's omniscience and His ability to perceive the needs and struggles of His people.

and behold, you were old enough for love
This phrase indicates a readiness for a covenant relationship. The imagery of being "old enough for love" suggests maturity and preparedness for a deeper commitment. In the historical context, this can be seen as Israel reaching a point where they could enter into a covenant with God, akin to a marriage. It reflects the idea of Israel being chosen and set apart for a special relationship with God.

So I spread My cloak over you
The spreading of a cloak is a powerful symbol of protection, provision, and betrothal. In ancient Near Eastern culture, this act signified a man's intention to take a woman under his care and protection, often as a marriage proposal. Scripturally, it represents God's covering and sanctification of Israel, marking them as His own and offering them His divine protection and love.

and covered your nakedness
Covering nakedness is a metaphor for removing shame and providing dignity. In the Hebrew tradition, nakedness often symbolized vulnerability and disgrace. God's act of covering Israel's nakedness signifies His grace and mercy, restoring honor and providing righteousness. It is a powerful image of redemption and transformation, where God takes away the shame of sin and clothes His people in His righteousness.

I pledged Myself to you
This phrase denotes a solemn commitment and covenant. The Hebrew concept of a pledge or oath is binding and sacred, reflecting God's unwavering faithfulness. Historically, this is seen in the covenants God made with Abraham, Moses, and David, where He promised to be their God and they His people. It underscores the depth of God's love and His commitment to His promises.

and entered into a covenant with you
The covenant is a central theme in the Bible, representing a formal agreement between God and His people. In the ancient world, covenants were serious, binding agreements, often sealed with rituals and sacrifices. This phrase highlights the seriousness of God's relationship with Israel, emphasizing His desire for a committed, exclusive relationship. It reflects the biblical narrative of God's unending pursuit of His people and His desire for their faithfulness.

declares the Lord GOD
This declaration affirms the authority and sovereignty of God. The use of "declares" in the Hebrew context is a prophetic assertion, emphasizing that what follows is a divine pronouncement. "The Lord GOD" is a translation of the Hebrew "Adonai Yahweh," underscoring God's supreme authority and covenantal faithfulness. It serves as a reminder of God's ultimate power and His role as the covenant-keeping God.

and you became Mine
This final phrase signifies possession and belonging. In the Hebrew context, becoming God's possession is a profound statement of identity and purpose. It reflects the idea of being chosen and cherished by God, set apart for His purposes. Historically, this is seen in Israel's unique role as God's chosen people, called to be a light to the nations. It is an inspirational reminder of the intimate relationship God desires with His people, where they are fully His, loved and protected under His care.

(8) Now when I passed by thee.--Here, as in Ezekiel 16:6, omit the when, and render, "and I passed by thee." Two separate visits are spoken of: the one in Israel's infancy in Egypt, when God blessed and multiplied her (Ezekiel 16:6); the other when she had become a nation, and God entered into covenant with her in the Exodus and at Sinai. The verse describes this covenant in terms of the marriage relation, a figure very frequent in Scripture. On the phrase "spread my skirt," comp. Ruth 3:9, and on "becamest mine," Ruth 4:10.

Verse 8. - The words point to the time of the love of the espousals of Jeremiah 2:2, interpreting the parable, when Israel had grown to the maturity of a nation's life, and gave promise, in spite of previous degradation, of capacities that would render it worthy of the love of the Divine Bridegroom. I spread my skirt over thee. Garments were often used as coverlets, and the act described was therefore, as in Ruth 3:9, the received symbol of a completed marriage (comp. Deuteronomy 22:30; Deuteronomy 27:20). The historical fact represented by the symbol here was probably the formal covenant between Jehovah and Israel (Exodus 24:6, 7). It was then that he became her God, and that she became his people.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then I passed
וָאֶעֱבֹ֨ר (wā·’e·‘ĕ·ḇōr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

by
עָלַ֜יִךְ (‘ā·la·yiḵ)
Preposition | second person feminine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

you and saw you,
וָאֶרְאֵ֗ךְ (wā·’er·’êḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | second person feminine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

and you were indeed
וְהִנֵּ֤ה (wə·hin·nêh)
Conjunctive waw | Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

old enough
עִתֵּךְ֙ (‘it·têḵ)
Noun - common singular construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 6256: Time, now, when

for love.
דֹּדִ֔ים (dō·ḏîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1730: To love, a love-token, lover, friend, an uncle

So I spread
וָאֶפְרֹ֤שׂ (wā·’ep̄·rōś)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6566: To break apart, disperse

My cloak
כְּנָפִי֙ (kə·nā·p̄î)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3671: An edge, extremity, a wing, a flap, a quarter, a pinnacle

over you
עָלַ֔יִךְ (‘ā·la·yiḵ)
Preposition | second person feminine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

and covered
וָאֲכַסֶּ֖ה (wā·’ă·ḵas·seh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3680: To plump, fill up hollows, to cover

your nakedness.
עֶרְוָתֵ֑ךְ (‘er·wā·ṯêḵ)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 6172: Nakedness

I pledged Myself to you,
וָאֶשָּׁ֣בַֽע (wā·’eš·šā·ḇa‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7650: To seven oneself, swear

entered
וָאָב֨וֹא (wā·’ā·ḇō·w)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

into a covenant
בִבְרִ֜ית (ḇiḇ·rîṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1285: A covenant

with you,
אֹתָ֗ךְ (’ō·ṯāḵ)
Preposition | second person feminine singular
Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among

and you became
וַתִּ֥הְיִי (wat·tih·yî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - second person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

Mine,
לִֽי׃ (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

declares
נְאֻ֛ם (nə·’um)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5002: An oracle

the Lord
אֲדֹנָ֥י (’ă·ḏō·nāy)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 136: The Lord

GOD.
יְהוִ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 16:8 Now when I passed by you (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 16:7
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