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Ezekiel 23:37 For they have committed adultery, and blood is on their hands. They have committed adultery with their idols. They have even sacrificed their children, whom they bore to Me, in the fire as food for their idols.

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They committed adultery with their idols; they even sacrificed their children, whom they bore to me, as food for them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/23.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />They have committed both adultery and murder&#8212;adultery by worshiping idols and murder by burning as sacrifices the children they bore to me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ezekiel/23.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For they have committed adultery, and blood is on their hands. With their idols they have committed adultery, and they have even offered up to them for food the children whom they had borne to me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />For they have committed adultery, and blood is on their hands. They have committed adultery with their idols. They have even sacrificed their children, whom they bore to Me, in the fire as food for their idols.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/23.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />That they have committed adultery, and blood <i>is</i> in their hands, and with their idols have they committed adultery, and have also caused their sons, whom they bare unto me, to pass for them through <i>the fire</i>, to devour <i>them</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ezekiel/23.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For they have committed adultery, and blood <i>is</i> on their hands. They have committed adultery with their idols, and even <i>sacrificed</i> their sons whom they bore to Me, passing them through <i>the fire,</i> to devour <i>them.</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ezekiel/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For they have committed adultery, and blood is on their hands. So they have committed adultery with their idols, and even made their sons, whom they bore to Me, pass through <i>the fire</i> to them as food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/23.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220For they have committed adultery, and blood is on their hands. Thus they have committed adultery with their idols and even caused their sons, whom they bore to Me, to pass through the fire to them as food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ezekiel/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />&#8220;For they have committed adultery, and blood is on their hands. Thus they have committed adultery with their idols and even caused their sons, whom they bore to Me, to pass through <i>the fire</i> to them as food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ezekiel/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For they have committed adultery, and blood is on their hands. Thus they have committed adultery with their idols and even caused their sons, whom they bore to Me, to pass through <i>the fire</i> to them as food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ezekiel/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For they have committed adultery, and blood is on their hands. They have committed adultery [against Me] with their idols and have even forced their sons, whom they bore to Me, to pass through the fire as [an offering of] food to them (idols).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ezekiel/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For they have committed adultery, and blood is on their hands; they have committed adultery with their idols. And the children they bore to me they have sacrificed in the fire as food for the idols.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ezekiel/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For they have committed adultery, and blood is on their hands; they have committed adultery with their idols. They have even made the children they bore to Me pass through the fire as food for the idols.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ezekiel/23.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For they have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands; and with their idols have they committed adultery; and they have also caused their sons, whom they bare unto me, to pass through the fire unto them to be devoured.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ezekiel/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />They have been unfaithful by worshiping idols, and they have committed murder by sacrificing my own children as offerings to idols. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ezekiel/23.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For they have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands, and with their idols have they committed adultery; and they have also caused their sons, whom they bare unto me, to pass through the fire unto them to be devoured.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ezekiel/23.htm">GOD'S WORD&reg; Translation</a></span><br />They have committed adultery. Their hands are covered with blood. They commit adultery with their idols. They have sacrificed the children they gave birth to for me as burnt offerings to idols.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ezekiel/23.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />They have committed adultery and murder--adultery with idols and murder of the children they bore me. They sacrificed my children to their idols. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ezekiel/23.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />because they've committed adultery, and blood covers their hands. They've also committed adultery with their idols, making their sons born to me to pass through the fire as an offering to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ezekiel/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />For they have committed adultery, and blood is on their hands. They have committed adultery with their idols. They have even sacrificed their children, whom they bore to Me, in the fire as food for their idols.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ezekiel/23.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />For they have committed adultery and blood is on their hands. They have committed adultery with their idols, and their sons, whom they bore to me, they have passed through the fire as food to their idols.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ezekiel/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For they have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands; and with their idols have they committed adultery; and they have also caused their sons, whom they bore to me, to pass through the fire to them to be devoured.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ezekiel/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />That they have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands, and with their idols have they committed adultery, and have also caused their sons, whom they bore to me, to pass for them through the fire, to devour them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ezekiel/23.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For they have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands. They have committed adultery with their idols. They have also caused their sons, whom they bore to me, to pass through the fire to them to be devoured. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ezekiel/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />For they have committed adultery, "" And blood [is] in their hands, "" They committed adultery with their idols, "" And also their sons whom they bore to Me, "" They caused to pass over to them for food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ezekiel/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> For they have committed adultery, And blood is in their hands, With their idols they committed adultery, And also their sons whom they bore to Me, They caused to pass over to them for food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ezekiel/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For they committed adultery, and blood is in their hands; and with their blocks they committed adultery, and also their sons whom they brought forth to me they caused to pass through for them for consuming.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ezekiel/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Because they have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands, and they have committed fornication with their idols: moreover also their children, whom they bore to me, they have offered to them to be devoured. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ezekiel/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />For they are adulteresses, and blood is in their hands, and they have fornicated with their idols. Moreover, they have offered even their children, whom they bore for me, to them to be devoured.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ezekiel/23.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />For they committed adultery, and blood covers their hands. They committed adultery with their idols; even the children they bore for me they burnt as food for them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ezekiel/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />For they have committed adultery, and blood is on their hands; with their idols they have committed adultery; and they have even offered up to them for food the children whom they had borne to me.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ezekiel/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For they have committed adultery, and blood is on their hands, and with their idols they have committed adultery and have also caused their sons, whom they bore to me, to be consumed in the fire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ezekiel/23.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />For they have committed adultery and blood is on their hands, and they have committed adultery with their idols, and their sons whom they have borne to me they have burned in fire<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ezekiel/23.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />For they have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands, and with their idols have they committed adultery; and their sons, whom they bore unto Me, they have also set apart unto them to be devoured.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ezekiel/23.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />For they have committed adultery, and blood was in their hands, they committed adultery with their devices, and they passed through the fire to them their children which they bore to me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ezekiel/23-37.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vET3Gmwku4s?start=6739" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/23.htm">Judgment on Both Sisters</a></span><br><span class="reftext">36</span>Then the LORD said to me: &#8220;Son of man, will you pass judgment against Oholah and Oholibah? Then declare to them their abominations. <span class="reftext">37</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: k&#238; (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">For</a> <a href="/hebrew/5003.htm" title="5003: ni&#183;&#8217;&#234;&#183;p&#772;&#363; (V-Piel-Perf-3cp) -- To commit adultery. A primitive root; to commit adultery; figuratively, to apostatize.">they have committed adultery,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1818.htm" title="1818: w&#601;&#183;&#7695;&#257;m (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Blood. From damam; blood of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively bloodshed.">and blood</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: b&#238;&#183;&#7695;&#234;&#183;hen (Prep-b:: N-fdc:: 3fp) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">is on their hands.</a> <a href="/hebrew/854.htm" title="854: w&#601;&#183;&#8217;e&#7791;- (Conj-w:: Prep) -- With (denoting proximity). Probably from 'anah; properly, nearness, near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5003.htm" title="5003: ni&#183;&#8217;&#234;&#183;p&#772;&#363; (V-Piel-Perf-3cp) -- To commit adultery. A primitive root; to commit adultery; figuratively, to apostatize.">They have committed adultery</a> <a href="/hebrew/1544.htm" title="1544: gil&#183;l&#363;&#183;l&#234;&#183;hen (N-mpc:: 3fp) -- An idol. Or gillul; from galal; properly, a log; by implication, an idol.">with their idols.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: w&#601;&#183;&#7713;am (Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. ">They have even</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: &#8217;e&#7791;- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: b&#601;&#183;n&#234;&#183;hen (N-mpc:: 3fp) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">sacrificed their children,</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: &#8217;a&#774;&#183;&#353;er (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">whom</a> <a href="/hebrew/3205.htm" title="3205: y&#257;&#183;l&#601;&#183;&#7695;&#363;- (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- A primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage.">they bore</a> <a href="/hebrew/l&#238; (Prep:: 1cs) -- ">to Me,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5674.htm" title="5674: he&#183;&#8216;&#277;&#183;&#7687;&#238;&#183;r&#363; (V-Hifil-Perf-3cp) -- To pass over, through, or by, pass on. A primitive root; to cross over; used very widely of any transition; specifically, to cover.">in the fire</a> <a href="/hebrew/402.htm" title="402: l&#601;&#183;&#8217;&#257;&#7733;&#183;l&#257;h (Prep-l:: N-fs) -- Food, eating. Feminine of 'Ukal; food.">as food</a> <a href="/hebrew/l&#257;&#183;hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- ">for their idols.</a> </span><span class="reftext">38</span>They have also done this to Me: On that very same day, they defiled My sanctuary and profaned My Sabbaths.&#8230;<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> &middot; <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/3-9.htm">Jeremiah 3:9</a></span><br />Indifferent to her own infidelity, Israel had defiled the land and committed adultery with stones and trees.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/2-2.htm">Hosea 2:2</a></span><br />Rebuke your mother, rebuke her, for she is not My wife, and I am not her husband. Let her remove the adultery from her face and the unfaithfulness from between her breasts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/17-1.htm">Revelation 17:1-2</a></span><br />Then one of the seven angels with the seven bowls came and said to me, &#8220;Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters. / The kings of the earth were immoral with her, and those who dwell on the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her immorality.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/2-20.htm">Jeremiah 2:20</a></span><br />&#8220;For long ago you broke your yoke and tore off your chains, saying, &#8216;I will not serve!&#8217; Indeed, on every high hill and under every green tree you lay down as a prostitute.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/4-12.htm">Hosea 4:12-13</a></span><br />My people consult their wooden idols, and their divining rods inform them. For a spirit of prostitution leads them astray and they have played the harlot against their God. / They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because their shade is pleasant. And so your daughters turn to prostitution and your daughters-in-law to adultery.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/18-3.htm">Revelation 18:3</a></span><br />All the nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her immorality. The kings of the earth were immoral with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown wealthy from the extravagance of her luxury.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/57-3.htm">Isaiah 57:3-5</a></span><br />&#8220;But come here, you sons of a sorceress, you offspring of adulterers and prostitutes! / Whom are you mocking? At whom do you sneer and stick out your tongue? Are you not children of transgression, offspring of deceit, / who burn with lust among the oaks, under every luxuriant tree, who slaughter your children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/4-4.htm">James 4:4</a></span><br />You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/13-27.htm">Jeremiah 13:27</a></span><br />Your adulteries and lustful neighings, your shameless prostitution on the hills and in the fields&#8212;I have seen your detestable acts. Woe to you, O Jerusalem! How long will you remain unclean?&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/1-2.htm">Hosea 1:2</a></span><br />When the LORD first spoke through Hosea, He told him, &#8220;Go, take a prostitute as your wife and have children of adultery, because this land is flagrantly prostituting itself by departing from the LORD.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/2-20.htm">Revelation 2:20-22</a></span><br />But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads My servants to be sexually immoral and to eat food sacrificed to idols. / Even though I have given her time to repent of her immorality, she is unwilling. / Behold, I will cast her onto a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her will suffer great tribulation unless they repent of her deeds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/20-5.htm">Leviticus 20:5</a></span><br />then I will set My face against that man and his family and cut off from among their people both him and all who follow him in prostituting themselves with Molech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/17-17.htm">2 Kings 17:17</a></span><br />They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire and practiced divination and soothsaying. They devoted themselves to doing evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/6-15.htm">1 Corinthians 6:15-16</a></span><br />Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! / Or don&#8217;t you know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, &#8220;The two will become one flesh.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/7-31.htm">Jeremiah 7:31</a></span><br />They have built the high places of Topheth in the Valley of Ben-hinnom so they could burn their sons and daughters in the fire&#8212;something I never commanded, nor did it even enter My mind.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">That they have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands, and with their idols have they committed adultery, and have also caused their sons, whom they bore to me, to pass for them through the fire, to devour them.</p><p class="hdg">they have</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/23-5.htm">Ezekiel 23:5</a></b></br> And Aholah played the harlot when she was mine; and she doted on her lovers, on the Assyrians <i>her</i> neighbours,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/16-32.htm">Ezekiel 16:32</a></b></br> <i>But as</i> a wife that committeth adultery, <i>which</i> taketh strangers instead of her husband!</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hosea/1-2.htm">Hosea 1:2</a></b></br> The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, <i>departing</i> from the LORD.</p><p class="hdg">and blood</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/23-39.htm">Ezekiel 23:39,45</a></b></br> For when they had slain their children to their idols, then they came the same day into my sanctuary to profane it; and, lo, thus have they done in the midst of mine house&#8230; </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/16-36.htm">Ezekiel 16:36,38</a></b></br> Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thy filthiness was poured out, and thy nakedness discovered through thy whoredoms with thy lovers, and with all the idols of thy abominations, and by the blood of thy children, which thou didst give unto them; &#8230; </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/22-2.htm">Ezekiel 22:2-4</a></b></br> Now, thou son of man, wilt thou judge, wilt thou judge the bloody city? yea, thou shalt shew her all her abominations&#8230; </p><p class="hdg">have also</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/23-4.htm">Ezekiel 23:4</a></b></br> And the names of them <i>were</i> Aholah the elder, and Aholibah her sister: and they were mine, and they bare sons and daughters. Thus <i>were</i> their names; Samaria <i>is</i> Aholah, and Jerusalem Aholibah.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/16-20.htm">Ezekiel 16:20,21,36,45</a></b></br> Moreover thou hast taken thy sons and thy daughters, whom thou hast borne unto me, and these hast thou sacrificed unto them to be devoured. <i>Is this</i> of thy whoredoms a small matter, &#8230; </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/20-26.htm">Ezekiel 20:26,31</a></b></br> And I polluted them in their own gifts, in that they caused to pass through <i>the fire</i> all that openeth the womb, that I might make them desolate, to the end that they might know that I <i>am</i> the LORD&#8230; </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezekiel/23-27.htm">Adultery</a> <a href="/ezekiel/22-10.htm">Apart</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-29.htm">Bare</a> <a href="/ezekiel/22-27.htm">Blood</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-4.htm">Bore</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-58.htm">Borne</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-47.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/ezekiel/22-26.htm">Caused</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-7.htm">Committed</a> <a href="/ezekiel/22-25.htm">Devour</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-25.htm">Devoured</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-29.htm">False.</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-25.htm">Fire</a> <a href="/ezekiel/22-27.htm">Food</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-28.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-30.htm">Idols</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-30.htm">Images</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-28.htm">Offered</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-25.htm">Passed</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-21.htm">Sacrificed</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-30.htm">Untrue</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezekiel/23-43.htm">Adultery</a> <a href="/ezekiel/39-14.htm">Apart</a> <a href="/ezekiel/24-7.htm">Bare</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-45.htm">Blood</a> <a href="/hosea/1-3.htm">Bore</a> <a href="/ezekiel/32-24.htm">Borne</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-47.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-48.htm">Caused</a> <a href="/ezekiel/33-13.htm">Committed</a> <a href="/ezekiel/28-18.htm">Devour</a> <a href="/ezekiel/28-18.htm">Devoured</a> <a href="/ezekiel/30-13.htm">False.</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-47.htm">Fire</a> <a href="/ezekiel/24-17.htm">Food</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-42.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-39.htm">Idols</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-39.htm">Images</a> <a href="/ezekiel/43-22.htm">Offered</a> <a href="/ezekiel/36-34.htm">Passed</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-39.htm">Sacrificed</a> <a href="/hosea/2-5.htm">Untrue</a><div class="vheading2">Ezekiel 23</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/23-1.htm">The unfaithfulness of Aholah and Aholibah</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/23-23.htm">Aholibah is to be plagued by her lovers</a></span><br><span class="reftext">36. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/23-36.htm">The prophet reproves the adulteries of them both</a></span><br><span class="reftext">45. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/23-45.htm">and shows their judgments</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezekiel/23.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezekiel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book&nbsp;&#9702;</a>&nbsp;<a href="/study/chapters/ezekiel/23.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter&nbsp;</a></tr></table></div><b>For they have committed adultery, and blood is on their hands.</b><br>In biblical terms, adultery often symbolizes unfaithfulness to God, particularly in the context of idolatry. The Israelites are depicted as having broken their covenant with God by turning to other deities, akin to a spouse being unfaithful. The phrase "blood is on their hands" indicates guilt for acts of violence and murder, possibly referring to the shedding of innocent blood through unjust practices or sacrifices. This imagery is consistent with the prophetic literature where spiritual adultery and bloodshed are linked (e.g., <a href="/hosea/4-2.htm">Hosea 4:2</a>).<p><b>They have committed adultery with their idols.</b><br>Idolatry is equated with spiritual adultery, as the Israelites were meant to be in a covenant relationship with God alone. The worship of idols, often associated with the surrounding pagan cultures, was a direct violation of the first two commandments (<a href="/exodus/20-3.htm">Exodus 20:3-4</a>). This phrase underscores the severity of their sin, as idols are lifeless and powerless, yet the people chose them over the living God. The prophets frequently condemned this practice, highlighting its futility and the betrayal it represented (<a href="/jeremiah/2-11.htm">Jeremiah 2:11-13</a>).<p><b>They have even sacrificed their children, whom they bore to Me, in the fire as food for their idols.</b><br>Child sacrifice, particularly to deities like Molech, was a heinous practice adopted from neighboring cultures such as the Ammonites. This act was strictly forbidden in the Mosaic Law (<a href="/leviticus/18-21.htm">Leviticus 18:21</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/12-31.htm">Deuteronomy 12:31</a>) and was considered an abomination. The phrase "whom they bore to Me" emphasizes that these children were gifts from God, meant to be raised in His ways, not offered to false gods. This practice not only violated God's commandments but also desecrated the sanctity of life. The imagery of fire as a means of sacrifice highlights the brutality and inhumanity of the act. This sin was one of the reasons for the severe judgment pronounced upon Israel, as it represented the ultimate rejection of God's sovereignty and love.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/e/ezekiel.htm">Ezekiel</a></b><br>A prophet of God who ministered to the exiles in Babylon. He is known for his vivid visions and symbolic actions.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/o/oholah_and_oholibah.htm">Oholah and Oholibah</a></b><br>Symbolic names for Samaria and Jerusalem, representing the Northern and Southern Kingdoms of Israel, respectively. They are depicted as sisters who have committed spiritual adultery.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/idols.htm">Idols</a></b><br>Represent false gods that Israel pursued, leading them away from the worship of the one true God.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/c/child_sacrifice.htm">Child Sacrifice</a></b><br>A heinous practice adopted from surrounding pagan cultures, where children were offered as sacrifices to idols.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/b/babylonian_exile.htm">Babylonian Exile</a></b><br>The context in which Ezekiel prophesied, a period of judgment and reflection for the Israelites due to their unfaithfulness.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_adultery.htm">Spiritual Adultery</a></b><br>Just as physical adultery breaks the covenant of marriage, spiritual adultery breaks our covenant with God. We must guard our hearts against anything that takes precedence over our relationship with Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_idolatry.htm">The Consequences of Idolatry</a></b><br>Idolatry leads to destructive behaviors and consequences. We must examine our lives for modern-day idols that may lead us away from God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_sanctity_of_life.htm">The Sanctity of Life</a></b><br>The practice of child sacrifice in ancient times is a stark reminder of the value God places on human life. We are called to protect and cherish life in all its forms.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_restoration.htm">Repentance and Restoration</a></b><br>Despite Israel's unfaithfulness, God's desire is for repentance and restoration. We are encouraged to turn back to God, no matter how far we have strayed.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_covenant.htm">Faithfulness in Covenant</a></b><br>Our relationship with God is a covenant that requires faithfulness. We are called to live in a way that honors this sacred bond.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ezekiel_23.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 23</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/diligent_or_slothful_at_work.htm">What does the Bible teach about the nature of evil?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_spiritual_adultery_mean.htm">What does spiritual adultery mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_are_samaria_and_jerusalem_immoral.htm">Why does Ezekiel 23:4 personify Samaria and Jerusalem as immoral sisters, and is there historical or archeological evidence to support these specific accusations?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_ezekiel_23's_imagery_reconciled.htm">How can the graphic sexual imagery in Ezekiel 23:3 and 20 be reconciled with the holiness and purity usually attributed to Scripture?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ezekiel/23-37.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">For</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1499;&#1468;&#1460;&#1443;&#1497;</span> <span class="translit">(k&#238;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they have committed adultery,</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1504;&#1460;&#1488;&#1461;&#1431;&#1508;&#1493;&#1468;</span> <span class="translit">(ni&#183;&#8217;&#234;&#183;p&#772;&#363;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5003.htm">Strong's 5003: </a> </span><span class="str2">To commit adultery, to apostatize</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and blood</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1493;&#1456;&#1491;&#1464;&#1501;&#1433;</span> <span class="translit">(w&#601;&#183;&#7695;&#257;m)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw &#124; Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1818.htm">Strong's 1818: </a> </span><span class="str2">Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is on their hands;</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1489;&#1468;&#1460;&#1469;&#1497;&#1491;&#1461;&#1497;&#1492;&#1462;&#1428;&#1503;</span> <span class="translit">(b&#238;&#183;&#7695;&#234;&#183;hen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b &#124; Noun - fdc &#124; third person feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they have committed adultery</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1504;&#1460;&#1488;&#1461;&#1425;&#1508;&#1493;&#1468;</span> <span class="translit">(ni&#183;&#8217;&#234;&#183;p&#772;&#363;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5003.htm">Strong's 5003: </a> </span><span class="str2">To commit adultery, to apostatize</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with their idols.</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1490;&#1468;&#1460;&#1500;&#1468;&#1469;&#1493;&#1468;&#1500;&#1461;&#1497;&#1492;&#1462;&#1430;&#1503;</span> <span class="translit">(gil&#183;l&#363;&#183;l&#234;&#183;hen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct &#124; third person feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1544.htm">Strong's 1544: </a> </span><span class="str2">A log, an idol</span><br /><br /><span class="word">They have even</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1493;&#1456;&#1490;&#1463;&#1444;&#1501;</span> <span class="translit">(w&#601;&#183;&#7713;am)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw &#124; Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1571.htm">Strong's 1571: </a> </span><span class="str2">Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sacrificed their children,</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1489;&#1468;&#1456;&#1504;&#1461;&#1497;&#1492;&#1462;&#1503;&#1433;</span> <span class="translit">(b&#601;&#183;n&#234;&#183;hen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct &#124; third person feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">whom</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1488;&#1458;&#1513;&#1473;&#1462;&#1443;&#1512;</span> <span class="translit">(&#8217;a&#774;&#183;&#353;er)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they bore</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1497;&#1464;&#1469;&#1500;&#1456;&#1491;&#1493;&#1468;&#1470;</span> <span class="translit">(y&#257;&#183;l&#601;&#183;&#7695;&#363;-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3205.htm">Strong's 3205: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to Me,</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1500;&#1460;&#1428;&#1497;</span> <span class="translit">(l&#238;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition &#124; first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the fire</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1492;&#1462;&#1506;&#1457;&#1489;&#1460;&#1445;&#1497;&#1512;&#1493;&#1468;</span> <span class="translit">(he&#183;&#8216;&#277;&#183;&#7687;&#238;&#183;r&#363;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5674.htm">Strong's 5674: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pass over, through, or by, pass on</span><br /><br /><span class="word">as food</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1500;&#1456;&#1488;&#1464;&#1499;&#1456;&#1500;&#1464;&#1469;&#1492;&#1475;</span> <span class="translit">(l&#601;&#183;&#8217;&#257;&#7733;&#183;l&#257;h)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l &#124; Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_402.htm">Strong's 402: </a> </span><span class="str2">Food, eating</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for their idols.</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1500;&#1464;&#1492;&#1462;&#1430;&#1501;</span> <span class="translit">(l&#257;&#183;hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition &#124; third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ezekiel/23-37.htm">Ezekiel 23:37 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/23-37.htm">Ezekiel 23:37 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ezekiel/23-37.htm">Ezekiel 23:37 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/23-37.htm">Ezekiel 23:37 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/23-37.htm">Ezekiel 23:37 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ezekiel/23-37.htm">Ezekiel 23:37 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ezekiel/23-37.htm">Ezekiel 23:37 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ezekiel/23-37.htm">Ezekiel 23:37 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ezekiel/23-37.htm">Ezekiel 23:37 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ezekiel/23-37.htm">Ezekiel 23:37 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ezekiel/23-37.htm">OT Prophets: Ezekiel 23:37 For they have committed adultery and blood (Ezek. Eze Ezk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ezekiel/23-36.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ezekiel 23:36"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 23:36" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ezekiel/23-38.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ezekiel 23:38"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 23:38" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>

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