Lexical Summary nedeh: Outcast, banished, driven away Original Word: נֵדֶה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance gifts From nadah in the sense of freely flinging money; a bounty (for prostitution) -- gifts. see HEBREW nadah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition a gift NASB Translation gifts (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs נֶ֑דֶה (so Baer Ginsb; van d. H. נֵ֑דֶה), noun masculine gift (on formation compare Ges§ 84a c Ol§ 144a Köii.1, 65 BaNB § 12a); — לְכָלזֹֿנוֺת יִתְּנוּנֶֿ֑דֶה Ezekiel 16:33 ("" נְדָבִים). Topical Lexicon Overviewנֵדֶה (nēdeh) appears only once in the Hebrew Scriptures (Ezekiel 16:33) and denotes a “gift” or “present.” Its lone occurrence is set within Ezekiel’s extended allegory of Jerusalem as an adulterous wife. Because the normal pattern in the ancient Near East was for men to pay prostitutes, the prophet highlights Jerusalem’s perversity by showing her paying her own “lovers.” Thus the word functions as a sharp rhetorical tool to expose covenant infidelity. Old Testament setting Ezekiel 16:33: “Men give gifts to all prostitutes, but you gave gifts to all your lovers; you bribed them to come to you from all around for your sexual favors.” The entire chapter recounts how the LORD rescued, adorned, and married Jerusalem, only to see her squander His blessings on foreign alliances and idolatry (Ezekiel 16:10-22, 26-29). The “gifts” Jerusalem dispenses represent the very treasures God had provided—silver, gold, fine garments, and fragrant oils—now being used to entice pagan nations and their gods. By placing נֵדֶה at this climactic point, Ezekiel underscores the utter reversal of moral order: the unfaithful wife is not merely receiving illicit wages; she is expending divine bounty to purchase her own corruption. Historical and cultural background 1. Prostitution economics: In most ancient cultures the payment flowed from client to prostitute. Ezekiel’s inversion would have struck his audience as shockingly unnatural. 2. Diplomatic tribute: “Lovers” often refers to nations with whom Judah courted political alliances (for example, Egypt in Ezekiel 23:3; Assyria in Hosea 7:11). The so-called gifts likely included temple treasures (2 Kings 16:8), taxes levied on the populace, and other resources drained to curry favor with foreign powers. 3. Idolatrous worship: Ezekiel earlier notes that Jerusalem “made for yourself male images and committed fornication with them” (Ezekiel 16:17). Thus נֵדֶה hints at lavish sacrificial offerings laid before false gods, reinforcing the link between political compromise and spiritual adultery. Theological significance 1. Covenant violation: The giving of נֵדֶה manifests a heart that has turned the blessings of Yahweh into tools of betrayal. The prophet Hosea makes the same point when Israel attributes its grain and oil to Baal (Hosea 2:8). 2. Reversal of grace: Whereas God’s gifts flow from His covenant love, Jerusalem’s “gifts” flow from unfaithfulness. The contrast magnifies God’s generosity and human corruption. 3. Divine justice: Ezekiel 16 concludes with the LORD stripping away the city’s adornments and exposing her shame (Ezekiel 16:39). The forfeiture of divine gifts fulfills the principle that misuse of grace invites righteous judgment. Related biblical themes • Spiritual adultery: Exodus 34:15-16; Jeremiah 3:6-10; Hosea 4:12. Ministry reflection 1. Stewardship: All resources—talents, finances, influence—originate with God (James 1:17). Misapplying them for self-gratification or idolatrous pursuits echoes Jerusalem’s נֵדֶה. 2. Discernment in alliances: Churches and believers must evaluate partnerships, remembering that compromise with worldly systems can become spiritual whoredom (2 Corinthians 6:14-17). 3. Call to repentance: Ezekiel’s audience was urged to “remember your ways and be ashamed” (Ezekiel 16:61). Modern readers are invited to similar contrition, trusting the Lord who “blots out your transgressions for My own sake” (Isaiah 43:25). Christological perspective The Messiah embodies the antithesis of נֵדֶה. Humanity, having squandered God’s gifts, could offer nothing sufficient to redeem itself. Instead, Christ “loved us and gave Himself up for us” (Ephesians 5:2). His self-gift replaces our corrupt offerings, reconciling the unfaithful bride to the Holy One (1 Peter 1:18-19). Practical application • Evaluate giving: Are offerings directed primarily toward God’s mission or toward self-advancement? Conclusion Though נֵדֶה surfaces only once, its placement in Ezekiel 16:33 spotlights a tragic misuse of divine generosity and stands as a solemn warning. Believers are summoned to faithful stewardship, covenant loyalty, and grateful dependence on the perfect gift of God’s Son, who alone can transform our misdirected “gifts” into instruments of worship and witness. Forms and Transliterations נֵ֑דֶה נדה nê·ḏeh Nedeh nêḏehLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezekiel 16:33 HEB: זֹנ֖וֹת יִתְּנוּ־ נֵ֑דֶה וְאַ֨תְּ נָתַ֤תְּ NAS: Men give gifts to all harlots, KJV: They give gifts to all whores: INT: harlots give gifts you give |
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