Ezekiel 16:5 Meaning and Explanation
“None eye pitied thee, to do any of these unto thee, to have compassion upon thee; but thou wast cast out in the open field, to the lothing of thy person, in the day that thou wast born.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →No one showed compassion to abandoned Jerusalem; she was rejected in an open field, despised and helpless.
The Context of Ezekiel 16:5
Jerusalem's rejection and abandonment in an open field is described.
What Does Ezekiel 16:5 Mean?
The verse emphasizes the utter loneliness of Jerusalem's state. Not a single person looked upon her with pity or performed even the most basic acts of care. Being cast out in an open field would have meant exposure to the elements and danger—a state of total vulnerability.
This metaphorical portrait of complete rejection and exposure sets the emotional foundation for understanding God's later compassion and covenant. The verse stresses that Jerusalem's situation was humanly hopeless, making God's subsequent grace the more remarkable and underscoring the relationship's foundation in divine choice rather than human merit.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ezekiel 16:5
What does Ezekiel 16:5 mean?
No one showed compassion to abandoned Jerusalem; she was rejected in an open field, despised and helpless.
What is the context of Ezekiel 16:5?
Jerusalem's rejection and abandonment in an open field is described.