What Does Ezekiel 16:57 Mean in the King James?

Before thy wickedness was discovered, as at the time of thy reproach of the daughters of Syria, and all that are round about her, the daughters of the Philistines, which despise thee round about.

Ezekiel 16:57 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

The Hebrew word for “discovered” also carries the sense of being uncovered, and, in another form, sent into exile.

THE MEANING

Your wrongdoing comes into view while reproach from those around you is already present. The verse holds your exposure and their contempt together without making them the same thing.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The verse undoes the belief that exposure is what first brings disgrace: reproach surrounds you before your wickedness is discovered.

THE ROOT

תִּגָּלֶה

tiggaleh

GROWS FROM

גלה

galah

To uncover or reveal; in a causative form, to carry away into exile.

The word rendered “discovered” pictures a covering removed, making what was hidden visible. The same root also gives a word for exile, linking uncovering with what can no longer remain hidden in its former place.

ALSO GROWS

galuy: Exposed, revealed

גָּלוּי

This branch makes the verse’s discovery an unveiling: the wrongdoing is brought into view.

golah: Exile, captivity

גּוֹלָה

This branch carries the same root into displacement, adding the sense that what is uncovered may also be removed from its former place.

THE PATTERN

What is covered can come into view, while the judgment surrounding its exposure gathers in the open.

Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.

Proverbs 26:26 · KJVHidden hatred is brought into public view, just as concealed wrongdoing becomes exposed in Ezekiel.

For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.

Luke 12:2 · KJVThe verse states plainly that what is concealed comes to light.

Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

1 Corinthians 4:5 · KJVWhat is hidden in darkness and in the heart is made visible.

THE THREAD

And now will I discover her lewdness in the sight of her lovers, and none shall deliver her out of mine hand.

Hosea 2:10 · KJV

“Discover” here also comes from ⁨גלה⁩ (galah), “to uncover, reveal.” The shared root makes exposure the hinge in both verses: what was hidden becomes visible before others.

Read the SDV Bible.

Every verse has a Deep Dive in the app.

Get Selah Verse

The iPhone Bible app with the Selah Decoded Version.

Does something in this reading look wrong? Tell us