What Does Ezekiel 16:11 Mean in the King James?
I decked thee also with ornaments, and I put bracelets upon thy hands, and a chain on thy neck.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The adornment here is not self-made: the same voice that decks her gives and places each visible sign upon her.
THE MEANING
You are met as someone whose adornment is given with deliberate closeness: ornaments, bracelets on your hands, a chain at your neck. The care is tangible and specific, reaching the body rather than remaining a distant sentiment.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
This dissolves the belief that beauty must originate in your own effort: here, adornment is received and placed upon you.
THE ROOT
וָאֶעְדֵּךְ
vaʾedēkh
GROWS FROM
עדה
ʿ-d-h
to adorn, deck, or array
“decked” in this verse is vaʾedēkh. The Hebrew places the verb “I adorned you” beside the noun “ornament,” so the deed and its visible result echo the same seed. English gives the scene, while Hebrew lets the act itself become the adornment.
ALSO GROWS
ʿedi: ornament, jewelry
עֶדִי
This noun beside the verb makes the adornment itself the tangible result of the giver’s action.
taʿdeh: she adorns herself
תַּעְדֶּה
The same verb root appears in Isaiah’s image of a bride adorning herself with jewels.
וָאֶתְּנָה
vaʾettenah
GROWS FROM
נתן
n-t-n
to give, set, or place
“put” in this verse is vaʾettenah. The verse uses a verb that can mean give, set, or place; each item is presented as something the speaker places upon her. The adornment is handed over and made tangible at her hands and neck.
ALSO GROWS
natan: to give, set, or place
נָתַן
This is the verb translated “put,” carrying the sense of something given and positioned.
mattanah: gift
מַתָּנָה
This related noun makes visible the giving contained in the act of placing the ornaments.
צְמִידִים
tsemidim
GROWS FROM
צמד
ts-m-d
to join, fasten, or couple
“bracelets” in this verse is tsemidim. The bracelet word grows from a root of joining and fastening, so the ornament is fitted closely to the body. The image holds adornment and attachment together.
ALSO GROWS
tsamad: to join or fasten
צָמַד
This verb names the joining carried by the bracelet’s root.
tsemed: a pair or team
צֶמֶד
This related noun extends the root’s sense of things joined together.
THE PATTERN
Adornment becomes visible as something placed upon a recipient and given meaning through the one who provides it.
I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.THE THREAD
I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.Isaiah uses the same Hebrew adornment root, עדה, in the bride’s act of adorning herself. That echo lets the image hold both sides together: what is placed upon the recipient becomes the visible form of adornment.
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