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Ezekiel 16:28

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Thou hast played the whore also with the Assyrians, because thou wast unsatiable; yea, thou hast played the harlot with them, and yet couldest not be satisfied.

Thou hast played the whore {H2181} also with the Assyrians {H1121}{H804}, because {H1115} thou wast unsatiable {H7646}; yea, thou hast played the harlot {H2181} with them, and yet couldest not be satisfied {H7654}.

"'Still unsatisfied, you acted like a whore also with the people of Ashur; yes, you fornicated with them and were still not satisfied.

Then you prostituted yourself with the Assyrians, because you were not yet satisfied. Even after that, you were still not satisfied.

Thou hast played the harlot also with the Assyrians, because thou wast insatiable; yea, thou hast played the harlot with them, and yet thou wast not satisfied.

Commentary

Ezekiel 16:28 is part of a vivid and extended allegory in which God describes Jerusalem (representing the nation of Israel) as a foundling child He raised, who then became an unfaithful wife, prostituting herself with various foreign nations and their idolatrous practices.

Context

In Ezekiel chapter 16, the prophet Ezekiel delivers a powerful and often shocking parable detailing Jerusalem's history of spiritual unfaithfulness. God recounts His gracious covenant with Israel, likening it to a husband rescuing and adorning a neglected child. However, the city, instead of remaining loyal, turned to idolatry and sought alliances with powerful foreign empires, betraying her divine Husband. This "playing the whore" or "harlotry" is a metaphor for spiritual adultery and political apostasy.

Verse 28 specifically names the Assyrians, one of the dominant powers of the ancient Near East. Prior verses mention Egypt (Ezekiel 16:26) and the Philistines (Ezekiel 16:27), illustrating Jerusalem's continuous pattern of turning away from God for security and satisfaction in worldly alliances. The phrase "because thou wast unsatiable" underscores the endless, futile nature of these illicit pursuits and highlights the depth of Jerusalem's spiritual rebellion.

Key Themes

  • Spiritual Adultery and Idolatry: The primary theme is Israel's profound unfaithfulness to God, depicted as a wife's infidelity. This involved worshipping foreign gods and relying on political treaties rather than divine providence. This powerful metaphor highlights God's expectation of exclusive devotion from His covenant people.
  • Insatiable Desire and Futility of Sin: The repeated phrase "unsatiable" and "yet couldest not be satisfied" emphasizes that seeking fulfillment outside of God leads to an endless, unquenchable craving. Sin promises satisfaction but delivers only emptiness and a deeper thirst, a stark contrast to the living water Christ offers.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: While this verse focuses on the act of unfaithfulness, it implicitly sets the stage for the severe judgments God would bring upon Jerusalem for her persistent rebellion, which are detailed later in the chapter and book of Ezekiel.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated as "played the whore" or "played the harlot" is zanah (זָנָה). While it literally refers to physical prostitution, in the Old Testament, it is overwhelmingly used metaphorically to describe spiritual unfaithfulness, particularly the worship of other gods or engaging in illicit political alliances that demonstrate a lack of trust in Yahweh. The repetition of the phrase highlights the pervasive and persistent nature of Jerusalem's sin. The term "unsatiable" powerfully conveys the endless and fruitless quest for satisfaction apart from God, a poignant commentary on the human condition when separated from divine grace.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 16:28 serves as a timeless warning against spiritual idolatry and seeking satisfaction in the wrong places. For believers today, this verse reminds us:

  • Examine Our Allegiances: Are we relying on worldly systems, possessions, or relationships more than on God? Is our ultimate satisfaction found in Him alone, or do we have "unsatiable" cravings for things that cannot truly fulfill?
  • The Deceptive Nature of Sin: Sin promises freedom and fulfillment but ultimately leads to deeper bondage and an unending void. True satisfaction and peace come from finding delight in God's presence and His will.
  • God's Expectation of Exclusive Devotion: Just as a husband expects faithfulness from his wife, God desires our complete and undivided devotion. Any pursuit that takes His rightful place in our hearts is a form of spiritual "harlotry," reminding us of the importance of a pure heart and undivided loyalty to Him.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 16:7 (5 votes)

    So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, saying, I [am] thy servant and thy son: come up, and save me out of the hand of the king of Syria, and out of the hand of the king of Israel, which rise up against me.

  • Jeremiah 2:36 (4 votes)

    Why gaddest thou about so much to change thy way? thou also shalt be ashamed of Egypt, as thou wast ashamed of Assyria.

  • Hosea 10:6 (4 votes)

    It shall be also carried unto Assyria [for] a present to king Jareb: Ephraim shall receive shame, and Israel shall be ashamed of his own counsel.

  • 2 Kings 16:10 (4 votes)

    ¶ And king Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, and saw an altar that [was] at Damascus: and king Ahaz sent to Urijah the priest the fashion of the altar, and the pattern of it, according to all the workmanship thereof.

  • 2 Kings 16:18 (4 votes)

    And the covert for the sabbath that they had built in the house, and the king's entry without, turned he from the house of the LORD for the king of Assyria.

  • Jeremiah 2:18 (4 votes)

    And now what hast thou to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor? or what hast thou to do in the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the river?

  • 2 Chronicles 28:23 (3 votes)

    For he sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which smote him: and he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, [therefore] will I sacrifice to them, that they may help me. But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel.