Ezekiel 16 is the sixteenth chapter of the Book of Ezekiel in the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. This book contains prophecies attributed to the prophet/priest Ezekiel, and is one of the Books of the Prophets. Biblical scholar R. E. Clements calls this chapter "an Old Testament parable of the prodigal daughter", describing a shocking illustration of ungrateful Jerusalem in contrast to God's enduring love to her.[1] This chapter is often linked to Ezekiel 23, which deals with two daughters, symbolizing the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah.[2]
Ezekiel 16 | |
---|---|
Book | Book of Ezekiel |
Hebrew Bible part | Nevi'im |
Order in the Hebrew part | 7 |
Category | Latter Prophets |
Christian Bible part | Old Testament |
Order in the Christian part | 26 |
The original text was written in the Hebrew language. This chapter is divided into 63 verses.
Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter in Hebrew are of the Masoretic Text tradition, which includes the Codex Cairensis (895), the Petersburg Codex of the Prophets (916), Aleppo Codex (10th century), and Codex Leningradensis (1008).[3] Fragments containing parts of this chapter in Hebrew were found among the Dead Sea Scrolls, that is, 3Q1 (3QEzek; 50 BCE–50 CE) with extant verses 31–33.[4][5][6][7]
There is also a translation into Koine Greek known as the Septuagint, made in the last few centuries BC. Extant ancient manuscripts of the Septuagint version include Codex Vaticanus (B; B; 4th century), Codex Alexandrinus (A; A; 5th century) and Codex Marchalianus (Q; Q; 6th century).[8][a]
God "commands Ezekiel to inform Jerusalem of the accusation brought against her, and in verses 3—34 provides a 'biography' for his bride".[15] The assimilation of Israel with those former residents [of the land of Israel] led to apostasy.[16]
Chaldea: "the land of the trader" or "the land of merchants".[22] The King James Version lacks the wording which describes Chaldea as a trading nation.[17]
An unfavourable comparison of Jerusalem to Samaria and Sodom.[15]
God promises at last to forgive Jerusalem.[15]
God's remembrance of God's covenant with the patriarchs of Israel was anticipated in Leviticus 26:43–45.[16]