New International Version“’Then I passed by and saw you kicking about in your blood, and as you lay there in your blood I said to you, “Live!”
New Living Translation“But I came by and saw you there, helplessly kicking about in your own blood. As you lay there, I said, ‘Live!’
English Standard Version“And when I passed by you and saw you wallowing in your blood, I said to you in your blood, ‘Live!’ I said to you in your blood, ‘Live!’
Berean Standard BibleThen I passed by and saw you wallowing in your blood, and as you lay there in your blood I said to you, ‘Live!’ There I said to you, ‘Live!’
King James BibleAnd 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.
New King James Version“And when I passed by you and saw you struggling in your own blood, I said to you in your blood, ‘Live!’ Yes, I said to you in your blood, ‘Live!’
New American Standard Bible“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!’
NASB 1995“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!’
NASB 1977“When I passed by you and saw you squirming in your blood, I said to you while you were in your blood, ‘Live!’ I said to you while you were in your blood, ‘Live!’
Legacy Standard Bible“Then I passed by you and saw you squirming in your blood. So I said to you while you were in your blood, ‘Live!’ Indeed I said to you while you were in your blood, ‘Live!’
Amplified Bible“When I passed by you and saw you squirming in your [newborn] blood, I said to you while you were there in your blood, ‘Live!’ Yes, I said to you while you were there in your blood, ‘Live!’
Christian Standard Bible“ ‘I passed by you and saw you thrashing around in your blood, and I said to you as you lay in your blood, “Live! ” Yes, I said to you as you lay in your blood, “Live! ”
Holman Christian Standard BibleI passed by you and saw you lying in your blood, and I said to you as you lay in your blood: Live! Yes, I said to you as you lay in your blood: Live!
American Standard VersionAnd when I passed by thee, and saw thee weltering in thy blood, I said unto thee, Though thou art in thy blood, live; yea, I said unto thee, Though thou art in thy blood, live.
Contemporary English VersionI saw you lying there, rolling around in your own blood, and I couldn't let you die.
English Revised VersionAnd when I passed by thee, and saw thee weltering in thy blood, I said unto thee, Though thou art in thy blood, live; yea, I said unto thee, Though thou art in thy blood, live.
GOD'S WORD® Translation" 'Then I went by you and saw you kicking around in your own blood. I said to you, "Live."
Good News Translation"Then I passed by and saw you squirming in your own blood. You were covered with blood, but I wouldn't let you die.
International Standard Version"'"When I passed by you, I saw you kicking around, covered in your own blood. That's when I told you, 'Live!'—while you were wallowing in your blood. I commanded you to live, even as you lay there in your own blood.
NET Bible"'I passed by you and saw you kicking around helplessly in your blood. I said to you as you lay there in your blood, "Live!" I said to you as you lay there in your blood, "Live!"
New Heart English Bible"'And I passed by you and saw you wallowing in your blood, and I said to you in your blood: 'Live.'
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thy own blood, I said to thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live; yes, I said to thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen I passed by and saw you wallowing in your blood, and as you lay there in your blood I said to you, ‘Live!’ There I said to you, ‘Live!’
World English Bible“‘“When I passed by you, and saw you wallowing in your blood, I said to you, ‘Though you are in your blood, live!’ Yes, I said to you, ‘Though you are in your blood, live!’ Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd I pass over by you, "" And I see you trodden down in your blood, "" And I say to you in your blood, Live! Indeed, I say to you in your blood, Live!
Young's Literal Translation And I do pass over by thee, And I see thee trodden down in thy blood, And I say to thee in thy blood, Live, And I say to thee in thy blood, Live.
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd I shall pass by thee and see thee being trodden under foot in thy bloods, and saying to thee in thy bloods, Live; and saying to thee in thy bloods, Live. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd passing by thee, I saw that thou wast trodden under foot in thy own blood. and I said to thee when thou wast in thy blood: Live: I have said to thee: Live in thy blood.
Catholic Public Domain VersionBut, passing by you, I saw that you were wallowing in your own blood. And I said to you, when you were in your blood: ‘Live.’ I tell you that I said to you, in your blood: ‘Live.’
New American BibleThen I passed by and saw you struggling in your blood, and I said to you in your blood, “Live!”
New Revised Standard VersionI passed by you, and saw you flailing about in your blood. As you lay in your blood, I said to you, “Live! Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd when I passed by you and saw you wallowing in your own blood, I said to you as you lay thus wallowing in your blood, Live,
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd I passed by over you and I saw you that you wallowed in your blood, and I said to you in your blood: “Live OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And when I passed by thee, and saw thee wallowing in thy blood, I said unto thee: In thy blood, live; yea, I said unto thee: In thy blood, live;
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd I passed by to thee, and saw thee polluted in thy blood; and I said to thee, Let there be life out of thy blood:
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Jerusalem's Unfaithfulness… 5No one cared enough for you to do even one of these things out of compassion for you. Instead, you were thrown out into the open field, because you were despised on the day of your birth. 6Then I passedbyand sawyou wallowingin your blood,and as you lay there in your bloodI saidto you,‘Live!’ThereI saidto you,‘Live!’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.…
Cross References Exodus 2:6When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the little boy was crying. So she had compassion on him and said, “This is one of the Hebrew children.”
Hosea 2:3Otherwise, I will strip her naked and expose her like the day of her birth. I will make her like a desert and turn her into a parched land, and I will let her die of thirst.
Isaiah 64:6Each of us has become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind.
Jeremiah 30:17But I will restore your health and heal your wounds, declares the LORD, because they call you an outcast, Zion, for whom no one cares.”
Lamentations 2:19Arise, cry out in the night from the first watch of the night. Pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to Him for the lives of your children who are fainting from hunger on the corner of every street.
Deuteronomy 32:10He found him in a desert land, in a barren, howling wilderness; He surrounded him, He instructed him, He guarded him as the apple of His eye.
Psalm 72:12-14For he will deliver the needy who cry out and the afflicted who have no helper. / He will take pity on the poor and needy and save the lives of the oppressed. / He will redeem them from oppression and violence, for their blood is precious in his sight.
Isaiah 1:6From the sole of your foot to the top of your head, there is no soundness—only wounds and welts and festering sores neither cleansed nor bandaged nor soothed with oil.
Isaiah 41:14Do not fear, O Jacob, you worm, O few men of Israel. I will help you,” declares the LORD. “Your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.
Isaiah 43:1But now, this is what the LORD says—He who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine!
Isaiah 57:18I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will guide him and restore comfort to him and his mourners,
Luke 10:33-34But a Samaritan on a journey came upon him, and when he saw him, he had compassion. / He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
Luke 15:20So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still in the distance, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.
John 5:21For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom He wishes.
Romans 5:6For at just the right time, while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
Treasury of Scripture And when I passed by you, and saw you polluted in your own blood, I said to you when you were in your blood, Live; yes, I said to you when you were in your blood, Live. and saw Exodus 2:24,25 And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob… Exodus 3:7,8 And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people whichare in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; … Acts 7:34 I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send thee into Egypt. polluted. Isaiah 14:19 But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch,and as the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcase trodden under feet. Isaiah 51:23 But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee; which have said to thy soul, Bow down, that we may go over: and thou hast laid thy body as the ground, and as the street, to them that went over. Micah 7:10 Thenshe that is mine enemy shall seeit, and shame shall cover her which said unto me, Where is the LORD thy God? mine eyes shall behold her: now shall she be trodden down as the mire of the streets. Live Ezekiel 20:5-10 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, Iam the LORD your God; … Exodus 19:4-6 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, andhow I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself… Deuteronomy 9:4 Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee. Jump to Previous BloodKickingLifeLivePassedPastPollutedSquirmingStretchedTroddenWallowingWastWelteringJump to Next BloodKickingLifeLivePassedPastPollutedSquirmingStretchedTroddenWallowingWastWelteringEzekiel 16 1.Under the parable of a wretched infant is shown the natural state of Jerusalem6.God's extraordinary love toward her,15.Her grievous judgment35.Her sin, equal to her mother,46.and exceeding her sisters, Sodom and Samaria,59.calls for judgments60.Mercy is promised her in the endThen I passed by and saw you wallowing in your bloodThis phrase depicts God’s observation of Israel in a state of helplessness and abandonment, symbolized by a newborn left in its blood. Historically, this reflects Israel's condition in Egypt, where they were oppressed and without hope. The imagery of blood signifies both life and death, highlighting the dire situation. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, unwanted infants were sometimes left to die, emphasizing the severity of Israel's plight. This also parallels the spiritual state of humanity before divine intervention, as seen in Romans 5:6-8, where Christ died for the ungodly. and as you lay there in your blood I said to you, ‘Live!’
God’s command for Israel to "Live!" signifies divine intervention and grace. This act of mercy is reminiscent of God’s covenant promises, where He chooses to give life and blessing despite Israel’s unworthiness. Theologically, this reflects the theme of regeneration and new birth found in the New Testament, such as inJohn 3:3-7, where Jesus speaks of being born again. The repetition of "Live!" underscores the certainty and power of God’s word, which brings life from death, echoing the resurrection power seen in Christ’s victory over the grave. There I said to you, ‘Live!’
The repetition of the command "Live!" emphasizes God’s determination and the effectiveness of His word. It signifies a turning point, where God’s intervention transforms Israel’s fate. This mirrors the prophetic nature of God’s promises, as seen inEzekiel 37:1-14, where the dry bones are brought to life. Theologically, it points to the transformative power of God’s grace, which is central to the Christian message of salvation through Jesus Christ, who offers eternal life to all who believe, as stated inJohn 11:25-26. Persons / Places / Events 1. EzekielA prophet of God who ministered to the Israelites during their Babylonian exile. He is the author of the book of Ezekiel, which contains visions and messages from God. 2. JerusalemThe city symbolically represented in this passage. God uses the imagery of an abandoned child to describe Jerusalem's spiritual state and His compassion towards it. 3. GodThe speaker in this verse, who demonstrates His mercy and power by giving life to what was lifeless and abandoned. 4. IsraelThe nation symbolized by the abandoned child, representing their spiritual destitution and God's redemptive intervention. 5. Babylonian ExileThe historical context during which Ezekiel prophesied. The Israelites were in captivity, reflecting their spiritual and physical desolation. Teaching Points God's Sovereign GraceGod initiates salvation and life. Just as He commanded life to the abandoned child, He calls us to spiritual life through His grace, not because of our merit. Spiritual Desperation and Divine InterventionThe imagery of wallowing in blood signifies utter helplessness. Recognize our spiritual need and God's power to intervene and transform our lives. The Value of LifeGod values life and speaks life into situations of death and despair. We are called to value life and speak hope into the lives of others. God's Faithfulness to His PromisesDespite Israel's unfaithfulness, God remains faithful. Trust in God's promises and His ability to fulfill them in our lives. Repentance and RenewalAcknowledge our spiritual state and turn to God for renewal. His command to "Live!" is an invitation to repentance and a new beginning. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 16
How can I reconcile with God?
(Hebrews 13:20-21) How can this text's explanation of God's covenant through Jesus align with other biblical passages that present conflicting perspectives on atonement and redemption?
Why does Ezekiel 16:4-5 describe God allowing the abandonment of a newborn if He is portrayed elsewhere as compassionate and all-powerful?
What are the key themes in the Book of Revelation?(6) Live.--While they were in this condition, God took pity on them. He delivered them from their oppressors; He raised up a leader for them , He gave them a law and a Church, with its priesthood and its sacraments; He led them into the land of promise, delivered them from their enemies, and constituted them a nation under the most favourable circumstances for their growth and development in all righteousness. The sense is well expressed in our version; but the original does not contain the word when,nor words corresponding to the words in italics. The connection shows that "in thy blood" is to be taken with "I said," and not with "live;" it was while Israel was in its unclean and neglected condition that the gracious word "live" was spoken. The Chaldee paraphrast has adopted the other connection, and ingeniously explained, "I revealed myself that I might redeem you, because I saw that you were afflicted in your bondage; and I said unto you, In the blood of circumcision I will pity you. and I said unto you, In the blood of the passover I will redeem you." The word pollutedis better rendered by the margin, trodden under foot,referring to their oppressed condition in Egypt. Verse 6. - For polluted, read, with the Revised Version, weltering, the primary meaning of the verb being that of stamping or treading, and omit "when thou wast," as weakening the condensed force of the original. The marvel of that unlooked for pity is emphasized by the iteration of the word of mercy, Live. The commentary of the Chaldee Targum is sufficiently curious to be quoted: "And the memory of my covenant with your fathers came into my mind, and I was revealed that I might redeem you, because it was manifest to me that ye were afflicted in your bondage, and I said unto you, 'I will have compassion on you in the blood of circumcision,' and I said unto you, 'I will redeem you by the blood of the Passover'" (Rosenmuller). The thought underlying this strange interpretation is that blood might be the means of life as well as of pollution, and in that thought there is a significance at once poetical and profound, almost, as it were, anticipating the later thoughts that the blood of Jesus cleanseth from all sin ( 1 John 1:7; Revelation 1:5), that we make our robes white in the blood of the Lamb ( Revelation 7:14). There is no reason, however, for believing that such thoughts were present to the prophet's mind.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew Then I passedוָאֶעֱבֹ֤ר(wā·’e·‘ĕ·ḇōr)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5674:To pass over, through, or by, pass onbyעָלַ֙יִךְ֙(‘ā·la·yiḵ)Preposition | second person feminine singular
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againstyou and sawוָֽאֶרְאֵ֔ךְ(wā·’er·’êḵ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | second person feminine singular
Strong's 7200:To seeyou squirmingמִתְבּוֹסֶ֖סֶת(miṯ·bō·w·se·seṯ)Verb - Hitpael - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 947:To tread down, tramplein your blood,בְּדָמָ֑יִךְ(bə·ḏā·mā·yiḵ)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 1818:Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshedand as you lay there in your bloodבְּדָמַ֣יִךְ(bə·ḏā·ma·yiḵ)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 1818:Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshedI saidוָאֹ֤מַר(wā·’ō·mar)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 559:To utter, sayto you,לָךְ֙(lāḵ)Preposition | second person feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew“Live!”חֲיִ֔י(ḥă·yî)Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine singular
Strong's 2421:To live, to revive[There]בְּדָמַ֥יִךְ(bə·ḏā·ma·yiḵ)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 1818:Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshedI saidוָאֹ֥מַר(wā·’ō·mar)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 559:To utter, sayto you,לָ֖ךְ(lāḵ)Preposition | second person feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew“Live!”חֲיִֽי׃(ḥă·yî)Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine singular
Strong's 2421:To live, to revive
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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 16:6 When I passed by you and saw (Ezek. Eze Ezk) |
