Ezekiel 16:45

Thou [art] thy mother's daughter, that lotheth her husband and her children; and thou [art] the sister of thy sisters, which lothed their husbands and their children: your mother [was] an Hittite, and your father an Amorite.

Thou art thy mother's {H517} daughter {H1323}, that lotheth {H1602} her husband {H376} and her children {H1121}; and thou art the sister {H269} of thy sisters {H269}, which lothed {H1602} their husbands {H582} and their children {H1121}: your mother {H517} was an Hittite {H2850}, and your father {H1} an Amorite {H567}.

Yes, you are your mother's daughter, who despises her husband and children; you are the sister of your sisters, who despise their husbands and children; your mother was a Hitti and your father an Emori.

You are the daughter of your mother, who despised her husband and children. You are the sister of your sisters, who despised their husbands and children. Your mother was a Hittite and your father an Amorite.

Thou art the daughter of thy mother, that loatheth her husband and her children; and thou art the sister of thy sisters, who loathed their husbands and their children: your mother was a Hittite, and your father an Amorite.

Ezekiel 16:45 is a powerful and scathing indictment against Jerusalem, presented as an allegory of a rebellious daughter. This verse continues God's vivid portrayal of Jerusalem's spiritual unfaithfulness, comparing her behavior to that of her "mother" and "sisters," highlighting her deep-seated corruption and idolatry.

Context of Ezekiel 16

Chapter 16 of Ezekiel is one of the most detailed and graphic allegories in the Old Testament, illustrating the history of Jerusalem. It begins by describing Jerusalem's humble and unpromising origins, left exposed and helpless, before God found her, cleaned her, adorned her, and entered into a covenant relationship with her, making her beautiful and glorious. However, Jerusalem then abused her beauty and renown, turning to spiritual prostitution by worshiping idols and forming alliances with pagan nations. The chapter progressively details her escalating treachery, culminating in this verse where her behavior is likened to that of her degenerate "mother" and "sisters."

Key Themes and Messages

  • Spiritual Adultery and Unfaithfulness: The core accusation is Jerusalem's betrayal of her covenant with God. The phrase "lotheth her husband and her children" vividly portrays a complete rejection of proper familial and covenantal duties, symbolizing Jerusalem's abandonment of God and her responsibilities as His chosen people. This concept of Israel as an unfaithful wife is a recurring theme in prophetic literature, as seen in books like Hosea and Jeremiah 3:20.
  • Degenerate Spiritual Lineage: The provocative statement "your mother [was] an Hittite, and your father an Amorite" is not meant to be a literal genealogical claim for the Israelite nation. Instead, it is a metaphorical assertion of Jerusalem's spiritual heritage. The Hittites and Amorites were prominent Canaanite peoples known for their idolatry and wickedness, whom Israel was commanded to dispossess (Deuteronomy 7:1-5). By claiming this pagan parentage, God emphasizes that Jerusalem had fully adopted the abominable practices of the land from which she was delivered, rather than living according to the divine standards of her true Father, the Lord. This highlights her profound departure from her divine calling.
  • Shared and Exceeded Guilt: Jerusalem is not only like her "mother" but also the "sister of thy sisters," specifically referring to Samaria (the capital of Israel to the north) and Sodom, who are introduced in the following verses as even more wicked examples (Ezekiel 16:46-56). This comparison underscores that Jerusalem's sins were not isolated but part of a pattern of unfaithfulness, and in some ways, her guilt was even greater due to the unique privileges and revelations she had received from God.

Linguistic Insights

The word translated "lotheth" (KJV) conveys a strong sense of disgust, contempt, and rejection. It indicates a profound aversion, which in this allegorical context, signifies Jerusalem's utter disdain for the covenant relationship and the divine laws that bound her to God. The metaphorical "mother" and "father" (Hittite and Amorite) are crucial to understanding the spiritual nature of the accusation. They represent not biological ancestry, but a chosen spiritual identity and adopted pagan practices that deeply offended God.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 16:45 serves as a powerful reminder for believers today:

  1. Beware of Spiritual Compromise: Just as Jerusalem adopted the ways of the surrounding pagan nations, we must be vigilant against the subtle influences of the world that can draw us away from our commitment to God. Our spiritual lineage is through faith in Christ, not through worldly customs.
  2. Examine Our "Roots": This verse challenges us to consider our spiritual foundations. Are we building our lives on the solid rock of God's Word, or are there hidden "Hittite" or "Amorite" influences—worldly values, self-reliance, or idolatrous affections—that subtly undermine our relationship with God?
  3. Recognize God's Grace and Judgment: The chapter highlights God's immense grace in choosing and caring for Jerusalem, followed by His righteous judgment when she repeatedly turned away. This reminds us of God's patience and His unwavering justice concerning unfaithfulness.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 1:4

    Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.

  • Zechariah 11:8

    Three shepherds also I cut off in one month; and my soul lothed them, and their soul also abhorred me.

  • Ezekiel 16:15

    ¶ But thou didst trust in thine own beauty, and playedst the harlot because of thy renown, and pouredst out thy fornications on every one that passed by; his it was.

  • Ezekiel 23:37

    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 bare unto me, to pass for them through [the fire], to devour [them].

  • Ezekiel 23:39

    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.

  • Ezekiel 23:2

    Son of man, there were two women, the daughters of one mother:

  • Ezekiel 16:8

    Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time [was] the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord GOD, and thou becamest mine.

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