Ezekiel 16:25

KJV

Thou hast built thy high place at every head of the way, and hast made thy beauty to be abhorred, and hast opened thy feet to every one that passed by, and multiplied thy whoredoms.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou hast built {H1129} thy high place {H7413} at every head {H7218} of the way {H1870}, and hast made thy beauty {H3308} to be abhorred {H8581}, and hast opened {H6589} thy feet {H7272} to every one that passed by {H5674}, and multiplied {H7235} thy whoredoms {H8457}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You built your high places at every streetcorner, turning your beauty into an abomination, spreading your legs for every passer-by, and multiplying your acts of fornication.

Berean Standard Bible

At the head of every street you built your lofty shrines and degraded your beauty. With increasing promiscuity, you spread your legs to all who passed by.

American Standard Version

Thou hast built thy lofty place at the head of every way, and hast made thy beauty an abomination, and hast opened thy feet to every one that passed by, and multiplied thy whoredom.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 16:25 vividly portrays Jerusalem's profound spiritual apostasy, using the graphic metaphor of a harlot. The verse indicts the city for its widespread and brazen idolatry, symbolized by building "high places" at every public intersection, thereby defiling its divinely bestowed beauty and openly engaging in spiritual promiscuity with foreign gods and nations. This act of unfaithfulness is depicted as multiplying "whoredoms," highlighting the depth of its betrayal against the covenant relationship with God, who had nurtured and adorned it from its humble beginnings.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 16 is an extended, powerful allegory detailing Jerusalem's history from its abandonment as an infant to its eventual betrayal of God. The chapter begins by recounting God's compassionate rescue, lavish provision, and covenantal betrothal to Jerusalem, likening it to a beautiful bride (vv. 1-14). However, Jerusalem, in its pride and prosperity, turned away from God, prostituting itself to foreign idols and nations. Verse 25 is a specific and damning indictment within this narrative of escalating unfaithfulness, following descriptions of God's immense grace and setting the stage for the severe judgment that their actions warrant, as seen in [Ezekiel 16:38](/ezekiel/16-38 "Ezekiel 16:38 - God's Judgment on Jerusalem"). The verse emphasizes the public and pervasive nature of Jerusalem's spiritual harlotry, moving beyond secret dalliances to open, widespread rebellion.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting is the period leading up to and during the Babylonian exile, a time when Judah had repeatedly turned away from Yahweh to worship the gods of surrounding nations. "High places" (Hebrew: *bamah*) were elevated altars or shrines, often associated with Canaanite fertility cults and other pagan worship practices, which Israel was commanded to destroy but instead adopted. The phrase "at every head of the way" indicates that these idolatrous practices were not hidden but were public, pervasive, and easily accessible, mirroring the brazenness of a prostitute. Jerusalem's alliances with powerful pagan empires like Egypt and Assyria, seeking security and prosperity from them rather than trusting in God, are interpreted as spiritual adultery, a betrayal of the covenant relationship. This verse reflects the deep syncretism and moral decay that characterized Judah's final decades before its destruction.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Ezekiel and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Spiritual Adultery and Idolatry**, portraying Jerusalem's deviation from its covenant with God as a profound act of unfaithfulness, where "whoredoms" symbolize the worship of foreign gods and reliance on pagan alliances rather than Yahweh. Secondly, it highlights **Profound Ingratitude and Betrayal**; despite being chosen, blessed, and adorned by God, as described in [Ezekiel 16:10-14](/ezekiel/16-10 "Ezekiel 16:10-14 - God's Adornment of Jerusalem"), Jerusalem engaged in acts that defiled its spiritual beauty and betrayed its divine spouse. Thirdly, the verse emphasizes **Public Shame and Abhorrence**, as by building "high places at every head of the way," Jerusalem made its sin overt and pervasive, turning its God-given beauty into something detestable in God's eyes. Finally, it speaks to **Covenant Breaking**, as the actions described are a direct violation of the exclusive covenant relationship God established with Israel, particularly the first two commandments against having other gods and making idols, as found in [Exodus 20:3-5](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3-5 - The First Commandments"). The imagery of "opening thy feet" is also used elsewhere to describe Israel's spiritual harlotry, such as in [Jeremiah 3:2](/jeremiah/3-2 "Jeremiah 3:2 - Israel's Harlotry").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **high place (Hebrew, _râmâh'_):** From a root meaning "to be high," this term refers to an elevated place, specifically a cultic site. In the Old Testament, "high places" were often illicit altars or shrines used for pagan worship, particularly of Baal and Asherah. Their construction "at every head of the way" signifies the widespread, public, and pervasive nature of Jerusalem's idolatry, indicating a complete abandonment of exclusive devotion to Yahweh for syncretistic practices.
* **beauty (Hebrew, _yŏphîy'_):** This word denotes physical attractiveness or splendor. In the context of Ezekiel 16, it refers to the spiritual glory and adornment that God had bestowed upon Jerusalem, making her a "perfect beauty" (Ezekiel 16:14). The phrase "made thy beauty to be abhorred" indicates that Jerusalem's actions of spiritual harlotry defiled this divine gift, transforming what was once pleasing to God into something utterly detestable and abominable in His sight.
* **whoredoms (Hebrew, _taznûwth'_):** Derived from the verb "to commit harlotry," this noun literally means "fornication" or "prostitution." Throughout the prophetic books, it is consistently used metaphorically to describe Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness to God, specifically through idolatry (worship of other gods) and seeking alliances with pagan nations (relying on human strength instead of divine protection). The multiplication of "whoredoms" signifies the escalating and pervasive nature of Jerusalem's apostasy.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou hast built thy high place at every head of the way":** This clause describes the physical manifestation of Jerusalem's spiritual unfaithfulness. "High places" were centers of idolatrous worship, and their construction "at every head of the way" (i.e., at every street corner, intersection, or public thoroughfare) emphasizes the brazen, public, and pervasive nature of Jerusalem's idolatry. It signifies that idolatry was not a hidden sin but an overt, easily accessible, and widespread practice, akin to a prostitute openly soliciting clients.
* **"and hast made thy beauty to be abhorred":** Jerusalem, once adorned by God with splendor and covenant blessings (Ezekiel 16:10-14), had through its actions of spiritual harlotry, rendered itself repulsive to God. What was once beautiful and pleasing in His sight became an abomination, a source of disgust and detestation, due to its profound defilement through idolatry and unfaithfulness.
* **"and hast opened thy feet to every one that passed by":** This is a vivid and explicit idiom for the posture of a prostitute, indicating an eager and indiscriminate readiness to engage in sexual activity. Metaphorically, it underscores Jerusalem's unrestrained and promiscuous pursuit of spiritual alliances with any "passing" pagan nation or idol, demonstrating a complete lack of fidelity to Yahweh and an insatiable appetite for foreign gods and human security.
* **"and multiplied thy whoredoms":** This final clause summarizes the cumulative effect of Jerusalem's actions, emphasizing the sheer volume and increasing intensity of its spiritual unfaithfulness. It signifies not just isolated acts of idolatry but a continuous, escalating pattern of spiritual prostitution, demonstrating a deep-seated rebellion and a complete abandonment of its covenant obligations to God.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 16:25 is rich in literary devices that amplify its powerful message. The entire chapter functions as an extended **Allegory**, where the city of Jerusalem is personified as a woman, illustrating its history and relationship with God. Within this, **Personification** is key, as Jerusalem is depicted with human attributes and actions, specifically those of a harlot. The verse employs strong **Metaphor** throughout: "high place" is a metaphor for idolatrous worship sites, "beauty" represents God's bestowed glory and covenant blessings, and "whoredoms" is a pervasive metaphor for spiritual unfaithfulness and idolatry. The phrase "opened thy feet" is a highly graphic and explicit **Idiom** that functions as a metaphor for promiscuity. The use of "every head of the way" and "every one that passed by" employs **Hyperbole** to emphasize the extreme, pervasive, and indiscriminate nature of Jerusalem's spiritual harlotry. The verse is also characterized by vivid and repulsive **Imagery**, evoking the public and shameful actions of a prostitute, thereby conveying the depth of God's disgust and the profound defilement of His chosen people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 16:25 is a stark theological statement on the nature of idolatry as spiritual adultery and the profound consequences of covenant unfaithfulness. It underscores God's absolute demand for exclusive devotion from His people, viewing any turning to other gods or reliance on human systems as a betrayal of the sacred marriage covenant. The verse highlights the tragic transformation of God's chosen and adorned people into an object of abhorrence due to their persistent sin, revealing the holiness of God who cannot tolerate such defilement. It serves as a powerful reminder that true beauty and purpose are found only in faithful relationship with the divine spouse, Yahweh, and that spiritual compromise inevitably leads to degradation and judgment.

* [Hosea 1:2](/hosea/1-2 "Hosea 1:2 - Hosea's Marriage as an Allegory of Israel's Harlotry")
* [Jeremiah 3:6-9](/jeremiah/3-6 "Jeremiah 3:6-9 - Judah's Unfaithfulness and Spiritual Prostitution")
* [Revelation 17:1-5](/revelation/17-1 "Revelation 17:1-5 - The Great Prostitute and Spiritual Corruption")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 16:25 offers a profound and challenging mirror for contemporary believers, urging us to examine the nature of our own devotion. While we may not build physical "high places" for pagan gods, the spiritual principle remains: anything that takes priority over God in our lives, anything we trust in or seek fulfillment from more than Him, becomes a modern idol. This could manifest as the relentless pursuit of wealth, status, pleasure, self-validation through social media, or even excessive reliance on human wisdom and strength rather than divine guidance. The "opening of feet to every one that passed by" can symbolize our willingness to compromise our spiritual integrity, to embrace worldly values, or to seek fleeting satisfaction from sources outside of God's covenant love. The passage calls us to an exclusive and unwavering devotion to Christ, reminding us that our spiritual beauty and purpose are maintained only through faithfulness and purity. It challenges us to identify and dismantle any "high places" in our hearts and lives, guarding against spiritual compromise that would make our God-given identity abhorrent in His sight.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "high places" or idols might I be building in my life that draw my devotion away from God?**
* **How might I be "opening my feet" to worldly influences or seeking validation from sources that compromise my spiritual integrity and exclusive devotion to Christ?**
* **In what specific ways can I cultivate a deeper, more exclusive, and unwavering devotion to God in my daily life, ensuring my "beauty" remains pleasing in His sight?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "high places" in this context?**

Answer: In Ezekiel 16:25, "high places" (Hebrew: *râmâh*) refer to elevated altars or shrines that were historically used for pagan worship, particularly of Canaanite deities like Baal and Asherah. While God commanded Israel to destroy these sites (e.g., [Deuteronomy 12:2](/deuteronomy/12-2 "Deuteronomy 12:2 - Destroying High Places")), they often adopted and incorporated such practices into their religious life. The phrase "at every head of the way" emphasizes that these idolatrous sites were not hidden but were constructed in public, prominent locations, signifying Jerusalem's blatant, widespread, and unashamed embrace of spiritual unfaithfulness. It illustrates a complete abandonment of exclusive devotion to Yahweh for open syncretism.

**How does "opened thy feet" relate to spiritual unfaithfulness?**

Answer: The phrase "opened thy feet" (Hebrew: *pâsaq regel*) is a vivid and explicit idiom for the posture of a prostitute, indicating an eager and indiscriminate readiness to engage in sexual activity. In the context of Ezekiel 16, it serves as a powerful metaphor for Jerusalem's spiritual unfaithfulness. It symbolizes the city's brazen, unrestrained, and promiscuous pursuit of foreign gods and alliances with pagan nations. Instead of trusting solely in God, Jerusalem eagerly "opened itself" to any "passing" idol or political power, betraying its covenant relationship with Yahweh. This imagery is also used in other prophetic books, such as [Jeremiah 3:2](/jeremiah/3-2 "Jeremiah 3:2 - Israel's Spiritual Harlotry"), to depict Israel's spiritual harlotry.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 16:25, with its graphic portrayal of Jerusalem's spiritual harlotry and God's abhorrence of it, finds its ultimate resolution and reversal in Jesus Christ. While ancient Israel, symbolized by Jerusalem, proved utterly unfaithful to its covenant spouse, God, Jesus embodies the perfectly faithful Israelite, fulfilling all righteousness and maintaining unwavering devotion to the Father. He is the true Bridegroom who comes not to condemn the harlot, but to redeem her. Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ takes upon Himself the "abhorred beauty" of humanity's sin and spiritual prostitution, cleansing us from our "whoredoms" and transforming us into a pure and spotless bride. The Church, as the [Bride of Christ](/ephesians/5-25 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ and the Church as Bride"), is called to a radical, exclusive devotion to Him, a stark contrast to the unfaithfulness of ancient Jerusalem. Where Israel multiplied its whoredoms, Christ's grace multiplies mercy, enabling believers to live in faithful communion, betrothed to [one husband](/2_corinthians/11-2 "2 Corinthians 11:2 - Betrothed to Christ"). The future vision of the [marriage supper of the Lamb](/revelation/19-7 "Revelation 19:7-9 - The Marriage Supper of the Lamb") celebrates this perfected union, where the redeemed bride, adorned in righteousness, stands pure and beautiful before her faithful Groom, Jesus Christ, forever free from the stain of spiritual harlotry.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 3:2

Lift up thine eyes unto the high places, and see where thou hast not been lien with. In the ways hast thou sat for them, as the Arabian in the wilderness; and thou hast polluted the land with thy whoredoms and with thy wickedness.

Ezekiel 16:31

In that thou buildest thine eminent place in the head of every way, and makest thine high place in every street; and hast not been as an harlot, in that thou scornest hire;

Revelation 17:16

And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.

Jeremiah 6:15

Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time [that] I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the LORD.

Proverbs 9:14

For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,

Proverbs 9:15

To call passengers who go right on their ways:

Genesis 38:14

And she put her widow's garments off from her, and covered her with a vail, and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place, which [is] by the way to Timnath; for she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given unto him to wife.