Ezekiel 22:10

In thee have they discovered their fathers' nakedness: in thee have they humbled her that was set apart for pollution.

In thee have they discovered {H1540} their fathers {H1}' nakedness {H6172}: in thee have they humbled {H6031} her that was set apart {H5079} for pollution {H2931}.

in you, they commit incest; in you, they force themselves on women during their menstrual impurity.

In you they have uncovered the nakedness of their fathers; in you they violate women during their menstrual impurity.

In thee have they uncovered their fathers’ nakedness; in thee have they humbled her that was unclean in her impurity.

Ezekiel 22:10 is a stark accusation against Jerusalem, detailing specific and egregious moral corruptions that contributed to God's severe judgment upon the city. This verse highlights two particularly heinous sexual sins.

Context

Chapter 22 of Ezekiel is often referred to as the "Indictment of Jerusalem," where the prophet lists a litany of transgressions committed by the city's leaders and inhabitants. God, speaking through Ezekiel, condemns Judah for its widespread idolatry, bloodshed, oppression, and moral decay. Verse 10 specifically points to the breakdown of fundamental societal and familial purity, demonstrating how deeply Jerusalem had become defiled by sin and turned away from God's covenant.

Key Themes

  • Profound Sexual Immorality: The phrase "discovered their fathers' nakedness" directly refers to incestuous relationships or other forbidden sexual acts within the family or close kinship, which were strictly prohibited by Mosaic Law. This indicates a complete disregard for sacred family boundaries and purity.
  • Disregard for Ritual Purity: "Humbled her that was set apart for pollution" refers to sexual intercourse with a woman during her menstrual period. According to Levitical law (Leviticus 15:24), a woman was considered ritually unclean during this time, and any sexual contact with her was forbidden, leading to defilement for both parties. This transgression underscores the city's contempt for God's laws concerning purity and holiness.
  • Spiritual Defilement and Covenant Breaking: These actions represent a profound rejection of the covenant God made with Israel. Such sins were not merely social improprieties but direct affronts to God's holiness, defiling the land and the people, and inviting divine wrath.

Linguistic Insights

  • The term "nakedness" (Hebrew: עֶרְוָה, ervah) in the Old Testament often signifies not just physical nudity, but the act of sexual intercourse, particularly forbidden or illicit sexual relations. To "discover nakedness" is a euphemism for engaging in sexual acts, often with emphasis on incestuous or otherwise unlawful unions as detailed in Leviticus 18.
  • "Set apart for pollution" comes from the Hebrew word נִדָּה (niddah), which refers to ritual impurity, specifically a woman's menstrual flow. Violating the purity laws associated with niddah was a serious offense, demonstrating a deep disrespect for God's ordained order of holiness and separation.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 22:10 serves as a powerful reminder that God's moral standards are timeless and immutable. The specific sins detailed here, though rooted in ancient Israelite context, speak to universal principles of purity, respect for human dignity, and adherence to divine law. For believers today, this verse emphasizes:

  • The importance of sexual purity and honoring God's design for relationships, as highlighted in the New Testament (e.g., 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5).
  • The serious consequences of societal and individual moral decay when God's commands are disregarded.
  • The call to live lives of holiness and integrity, recognizing that our actions have spiritual implications and reflect our reverence for God.
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.

  • Leviticus 18:19

    ¶ Also thou shalt not approach unto a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is put apart for her uncleanness.

  • Leviticus 20:11

    And the man that lieth with his father's wife hath uncovered his father's nakedness: both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood [shall be] upon them.

  • Ezekiel 18:6

    [And] hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, neither hath defiled his neighbour's wife, neither hath come near to a menstruous woman,

  • Leviticus 18:7

    The nakedness of thy father, or the nakedness of thy mother, shalt thou not uncover: she [is] thy mother; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.

  • Leviticus 18:8

    The nakedness of thy father's wife shalt thou not uncover: it [is] thy father's nakedness.

  • Leviticus 20:18

    And if a man shall lie with a woman having her sickness, and shall uncover her nakedness; he hath discovered her fountain, and she hath uncovered the fountain of her blood: and both of them shall be cut off from among their people.

  • 1 Corinthians 5:1

    ¶ It is reported commonly [that there is] fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.

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