Bible Strands
Ezekiel 16:27
Therefore I stretched out My hand against you and reduced your portion. I gave you over to the desire of those who hate you, the daughters of the Philistines, who were ashamed of your lewd conduct.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Yahweh addresses Jerusalem, depicted as an unfaithful wife, immediately after detailing her alliances with Egypt and Assyria. The declaration marks the judicial moment when divine protection is withdrawn in response to her provocation.
The words — נָטִיתִי (na.Ti.ti) literally means "I stretched out," describing direct divine action, while חֻקֵּךְ (chu.Ke/kh) translates as "your allotment," indicating the reduction of her standing.
The thread — The pattern of God surrendering a people to hostile neighbors recurs in Isaiah 9:12, where Philistia and Aram devour Israel, and reappears in Ezekiel 16:37 and 16:57 as part of the same covenant lawsuit.
Why it lands — The text states that political idolatry triggers the removal of divine restraint, leaving the nation to face the consequences of its chosen alliances. It requires the reader to acknowledge that seeking security outside covenant boundaries results in exposure to hostile forces.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Behold, therefore I have stretched out my hand over thee, and have diminished thine ordinary food, and delivered thee unto the will of them that hate thee, the daughters of the Philistines, which are ashamed of thy lewd way.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 9:12 Aram from the east and Philistia from the west have devoured Israel with open mouths. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised.
- Ezekiel 16:57 before your wickedness was uncovered? Even so, you are now scorned by the daughters of Edom and all those around her, and by the daughters of the Philistines—all those around you who despise you.
- Ezekiel 16:37 therefore I will surely gather all the lovers with whom you found pleasure, all those you loved and all those you hated. I will gather them against you from all around and expose you before them, and they will see you completely naked.
- Deuteronomy 28:48 you will serve your enemies the LORD will send against you in famine, thirst, nakedness, and destitution. He will place an iron yoke on your neck until He has destroyed you.
- 2 Kings 24:2 And the LORD sent Chaldean, Aramean, Moabite, and Ammonite raiders against Jehoiakim in order to destroy Judah, according to the word that the LORD had spoken through His servants the prophets.
- 2 Chronicles 28:18 The Philistines had also raided the cities of the foothills and the Negev of Judah, capturing and occupying Beth-shemesh, Aijalon, and Gederoth, as well as Soco, Timnah, and Gimzo with their villages.
- Psalms 106:41 He delivered them into the hand of the nations, and those who hated them ruled over them.
- Isaiah 3:1 For behold, the Lord GOD of Hosts is about to remove from Jerusalem and Judah both supply and support: the whole supply of food and water,
- Isaiah 5:25 Therefore the anger of the LORD burns against His people; His hand is raised against them to strike them down. The mountains quake, and the corpses lie like refuse in the streets. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised.
- Isaiah 9:17 Therefore the Lord takes no pleasure in their young men; He has no compassion on their fatherless and widows. For every one of them is godless and wicked, and every mouth speaks folly. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised.