Ezekiel 16:8

8 "Then I passed by you and saw you, and behold, you were at the time for love; so I 1spread My skirt over you and covered your nakedness. I also 2swore to you and 3entered into a covenant with you so that you 4became Mine," declares the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 16:8 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 16:8

Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee
Which the Targum refers to the Lord's appearance to Moses in the bush; (See Gill on Ezekiel 16:6); behold, thy time [was] the time of love;
which the Targum explains of the time of redemption of the people of Israel out of Egypt, which was an instance of the great love of God unto that people; and which time was fixed by him; and when it was come, at the exact and precise time, the redemption was wrought; see ( Genesis 15:13 Genesis 15:14 ) ( Exodus 12:40 Exodus 12:41 ) ; and so there is a set time for the calling and conversion of God's elect, who are therefore said to be called according to purpose; and, when that time comes, all means are made to concur to bring it about: and this is a time of love; for though the love of God to his people is before all time, yet it is manifested in time; and there are particular times in which it is expressed unto them; and the time of conversion is one of them; and indeed it is the first time that there is a manifestation and application of the love of God made to the souls of his people: and this is a "time of loves" F15; as it is in the original text; denoting the large abundance of it which is now shown forth; and the various acts of it now done; as bringing of them out of a most miserable condition, out of a horrible pit; plucking them as brands out of the burning; quickening them when dead in sin; speaking comfortably to them, and applying pardoning grace and mercy to their souls: and it may include both the love of God to his people, and their love to him; for now is the love of their espousals, and the kindness of their youth, ( Jeremiah 2:2 ) ; the grace of love is now implanted, to God and Christ, to his people, word, worship, and ordinances, which before had no place in them: and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness;
the Lord espoused the people of Israel to himself in the wilderness, after he had brought them out of Egypt, and took them under the wings of his protection; both which this phrase may be expressive of; see ( Ruth 3:9 ) . Some understand this of his giving them the spoils of the Egyptians, and also the law: it may very well be applied to the righteousness of Christ, which is often compared to a garment, for which the skirt, a part, is put; and this is put on as a garment, and answers all the purposes of one; and particularly covers the nakedness of men, which their own righteousness will not do; this the Lord spreads over his people, and covers them with; and being clothed with this, they shall not be found naked: yea, I sware unto thee;
to his love expressed to his people, and to his covenant he entered into with them, neither of which shall ever be removed; and this makes to their abundant comfort; see ( Psalms 89:3 Psalms 89:35 ) ( Isaiah 54:9 Isaiah 54:10 ) ( Hebrews 6:13-18 ) ; and entered into covenant with thee, saith the Lord God;
as he did with the people of Israel at Horeb, and which was a sort of a marriage contract with them; see ( Deuteronomy 29:1 ) ( Jeremiah 31:32 ) ; the covenant of grace was made from everlasting with Christ, and the elect in him; but is made manifest at conversion, when the Lord makes himself known unto them as their covenant God; leads them to Christ the Mediator of it; sends his Spirit down into their hearts, to make them partakers of the grace of it; and shows them their interest in the blessings and promises of it; all which may be meant by the phrase here used: and thou becamest mine;
as Israel did at the time before mentioned, became the Lord's peculiar people, and were avouched as such by him, ( Exodus 19:5 ) ; so, in conversion, those who before were secretly the Lord's by electing and redeeming grace, become openly his by calling and sanctifying grace.


FOOTNOTES:

F15 (Mydwd te) "tempus amorum", Pagninus, Montanus, Junius & Tremellius, Polanus, Piscator, Cocceius, Starckius.

Ezekiel 16:8 In-Context

6 "When I passed by you and saw you squirming in your blood, I said to you while you were in your blood, 'Live!' Yes, I said to you while you were in your blood, 'Live!'
7 "I made you numerous like plants of the field. Then you grew up, became tall and reached the age for fine ornaments; your breasts were formed and your hair had grown. Yet you were naked and bare.
8 "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.
9 "Then I bathed you with water, washed off your blood from you and anointed you with oil.
10 "I also clothed you with embroidered cloth and put sandals of porpoise skin on your feet; and I wrapped you with fine linen and covered you with silk.

Cross References 4

  • 1. Ruth 3:9; Jeremiah 2:2
  • 2. Genesis 22:16-18
  • 3. Exodus 24:7, 8
  • 4. Exodus 19:5; Ezekiel 20:5; Hosea 2:19, 20

Footnotes 1

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