Ezekiel 23:20

KJV

For she doted upon their paramours, whose flesh [is as] the flesh of asses, and whose issue [is like] the issue of horses.

KJV (with Strong's)

For she doted {H5689} upon their paramours {H6370}, whose flesh {H1320} is as the flesh {H1320} of asses {H2543}, and whose issue {H2231} is like the issue {H2231} of horses {H5483}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yes, she lusted after their male prostitutes, whose members are like those of donkeys and who ejaculate like stallions.

Berean Standard Bible

and lusted after their lovers, whose genitals were like those of donkeys and whose emission was like that of stallions.

American Standard Version

And she doted upon their paramours, whose flesh is as the flesh of asses, and whose issue is like the issue of horses.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 23:20 vividly portrays Jerusalem's (Aholibah's) extreme spiritual idolatry and unfaithfulness to God through crude, animalistic imagery. The verse depicts her insatiable and depraved lust for foreign alliances and pagan practices, underscoring the profound depth of her moral degradation. This graphic description serves to highlight the intensity of God's revulsion and to justify the severe divine judgment awaiting His rebellious people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 23 is a continuation of the prophet's extended allegory of two sisters, Aholah (Samaria/Israel) and Aholibah (Jerusalem/Judah), as prostitutes who have abandoned their covenant with God for illicit relationships with foreign nations. This chapter intensifies the theme of spiritual harlotry introduced earlier in [Ezekiel 16](/ezekiel/16 "Ezekiel 16 - Jerusalem's Unfaithfulness and Restoration"), depicting Judah as even more depraved than her sister. Verse 20 specifically focuses on Aholibah's particularly egregious and depraved pursuit of foreign alliances and their associated idolatries, building on the narrative of her earlier infatuations with Assyrians and Babylonians. The graphic language here serves to amplify the shock and disgust, setting the stage for the severe judgment detailed in the latter half of the chapter, where God declares His intention to bring these very "lovers" against her.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** During Ezekiel's prophetic ministry, Judah was caught between powerful empires: Assyria, Egypt, and later Babylon. Instead of trusting in Yahweh, successive kings of Judah sought political and military alliances with these nations, often adopting their gods and idolatrous practices. This was a direct violation of the covenant, which demanded exclusive worship of God and reliance on Him alone. The imagery of prostitution was a common prophetic metaphor for idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness in the ancient Near East, where cultic prostitution was also practiced in some pagan religions. The explicit sexual imagery, while shocking to modern sensibilities, was intended to convey the profound betrayal and moral degradation in terms understandable to an ancient audience familiar with the animalistic depictions of fertility cults and the crude realities of prostitution.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Ezekiel. Firstly, **Spiritual Adultery and Idolatry** is paramount, illustrating Judah's profound breach of her covenant with God by pursuing illicit relationships with foreign powers and their pagan deities, a direct violation of the [first commandment](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment"). Secondly, the theme of **Divine Disgust and Impending Judgment** is vividly portrayed, as the graphic language reflects God's utter revulsion at His people's actions, justifying the severe punishment that is to come. Lastly, the verse underscores the **Consequences of Unfaithfulness**, demonstrating how spiritual and political compromises lead to moral degradation and ultimately, destruction, a pattern seen throughout Israel's history, as highlighted in passages like [Jeremiah 2:13](/jeremiah/2-13 "Jeremiah 2:13 - Forsaking the Fountain of Living Waters").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **doted (Hebrew, _ʻăgab'_):** From the primitive root H5689, this word signifies to "breathe after," or to "love sensually." In this context, it denotes an intense, obsessive, and illicit desire, indicating Jerusalem's profound and perverse infatuation with foreign entities, moving beyond mere political alliance into a passionate, spiritual betrayal.
* **paramours (Hebrew, _pîylegesh'_):** Derived from H6370, this term refers to a concubine or, in masculine form, a paramour. Here, it metaphorically represents the foreign nations (Assyria, Babylon) with whom Judah formed unholy alliances, treating them as illicit lovers rather than remaining faithful to her divine Husband, Yahweh.
* **issue (Hebrew, _zirmâh'_):** From H2231, this feminine noun describes "a gushing of fluid," specifically semen. Its use here, in conjunction with "horses," is deliberately crude and shocking, emphasizing the unrestrained, animalistic, and utterly depraved nature of Jerusalem's spiritual and political lust, stripping away any pretense of dignity or moral restraint.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For she doted upon their paramours,"** This clause establishes the central accusation: Jerusalem (Aholibah) has developed an intense, illicit, and obsessive desire for her "paramours," metaphorically representing the foreign nations and their idolatrous practices. The word "doted" (from `ʻăgab`) conveys a passionate, sensual longing, highlighting the depth of her spiritual infidelity and the emotional intensity of her betrayal of God.
* **"whose flesh [is as] the flesh of asses,"** This graphic simile describes the physical attributes of these "paramours" in a crude and demeaning way. The "flesh of asses" (H1320 `bâsâr` and H2543 `chămôwr`) refers to the large, prominent sexual organs of donkeys, known for their strong sexual drive. This imagery is intended to shock and underscore the base, animalistic, and utterly perverse nature of Jerusalem's lustful pursuit of these foreign alliances and their associated paganism. It strips away any perceived glory or strength from these nations, reducing them to objects of crude, carnal desire.
* **"and whose issue [is like] the issue of horses."** Continuing the vulgar imagery, this clause further emphasizes the unrestrained and potent sexual vitality of the "paramours," comparing their "issue" (H2231 `zirmâh`, semen) to that of horses (H5483 `çûwç`), animals renowned for their vigorous sexual activity. This metaphor amplifies the idea of Jerusalem's insatiable and depraved spiritual appetite, suggesting a boundless and uncontrolled lust that mirrors the unbridled sexual drive of these animals. It highlights the extent of her degradation and the intensity of her spiritual harlotry, which has become as uninhibited and offensive as animalistic coupling.

#### Literary Devices
The verse is replete with powerful literary devices designed to convey the profound spiritual degradation of Jerusalem. **Allegory** is central to Ezekiel 23, with Aholibah personifying Jerusalem as a harlot, making her spiritual unfaithfulness tangible and relatable. The graphic descriptions employ vivid **Imagery** and **Metaphor**, comparing the "flesh of asses" and "issue of horses" to the foreign nations. This is not a literal description but a highly charged **Symbolism** of their perceived virility and Jerusalem's perverse attraction to them. The language is deliberately **Hyperbolic** and shocking, using crude and animalistic terms to emphasize the extreme depth of Jerusalem's spiritual depravity and God's utter revulsion. This use of **Shock Value** aims to strip away any pretense of dignity from their actions, exposing their sin in its most offensive form and justifying the severity of the impending divine judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 23:20 profoundly underscores the gravity of covenant unfaithfulness and idolatry. The graphic imagery serves to highlight the intensity of God's jealousy and righteous anger when His people abandon Him for other gods or worldly alliances. The theological message is clear: God demands exclusive devotion, and any deviation, especially one driven by such base desires as depicted, constitutes spiritual adultery. This verse reveals the corrupting nature of sin, showing how a relationship meant to be holy and exclusive can devolve into utter depravity, leading inevitably to divine judgment. It is a stark reminder that trusting in human power or worldly systems over God's sovereignty is not merely a political misstep but a profound spiritual betrayal.

* [Hosea 4:12](/hosea/4-12 "Hosea 4:12 - Spiritual Prostitution")
* [Jeremiah 3:1-2](/jeremiah/3-1 "Jeremiah 3:1-2 - Israel's Harlotry")
* [Revelation 17:1-6](/revelation/17-1 "Revelation 17:1-6 - The Great Harlot")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the explicit language of Ezekiel 23:20 is specific to its historical context, its underlying spiritual principles resonate deeply with contemporary believers. This verse compels us to honestly examine the objects of our deepest affections and allegiances. Are we, like ancient Jerusalem, "doting" on anything that subtly or overtly competes with our devotion to God? This could manifest as an excessive pursuit of wealth, status, comfort, or even intellectual ideologies that subtly displace God from His rightful place of supreme authority in our lives. The "paramours" in our modern context might be anything that promises security, satisfaction, or identity apart from Christ, leading us into spiritual compromise. The shocking imagery serves as a potent warning against the insidious nature of idolatry, reminding us that even seemingly benign attachments can, if unchecked, lead to a profound spiritual degradation and separation from God's intended path for us. It challenges us to cultivate a pure, undivided heart, ensuring that our primary loyalty and trust remain firmly rooted in the Lord.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "paramours" or worldly attractions might be subtly competing for my ultimate devotion to God today?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to seek security or satisfaction from worldly systems rather than trusting fully in God's provision and guidance?**
* **How does the graphic imagery of this verse challenge my understanding of the seriousness of spiritual unfaithfulness?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a more undivided heart and deepen my exclusive devotion to Christ?**

### FAQ
**Why is the language in Ezekiel 23:20 so graphic and offensive?**

Answer: The language in Ezekiel 23:20 is deliberately graphic and offensive to convey the extreme depth of Jerusalem's spiritual depravity and God's profound revulsion at her actions. By comparing Jerusalem's idolatry and foreign alliances to the "flesh of asses" and "issue of horses," the prophet uses **hyperbole** and **shock value** to strip away any pretense of dignity or justification for her unfaithfulness. This crude imagery emphasizes the animalistic, unrestrained, and utterly base nature of her spiritual harlotry, making it clear that her actions were not merely political missteps but a profound and disgusting betrayal of her covenant with Yahweh. It serves to justify the severe judgment that is to come, as seen throughout the book of [Ezekiel](/ezekiel/1 "Ezekiel - The Prophet of Judgment and Restoration").

**What does "doting upon their paramours" mean in this context?**

Answer: "Doting upon their paramours" (from the Hebrew `ʻăgab` and `pîylegesh`) signifies an intense, obsessive, and illicit desire or infatuation. In the allegorical context of Ezekiel 23, Jerusalem (Aholibah) is depicted as a woman passionately pursuing illicit sexual relationships. Metaphorically, this refers to Judah's profound spiritual unfaithfulness to God, her divine Husband. Instead of relying solely on Yahweh and obeying His covenant, she developed an insatiable lust for alliances with powerful foreign nations (like Assyria and Babylon) and adopted their pagan gods and practices. This "doting" represents a passionate, spiritual betrayal, where her ultimate allegiance and trust were placed in these worldly powers rather than in the Lord, a theme also explored in [Isaiah 30:1-3](/isaiah/30-1 "Isaiah 30:1-3 - Woe to Rebellious Children").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 23:20, with its stark depiction of spiritual harlotry, powerfully highlights humanity's propensity for unfaithfulness and idolatry, a condition that finds its ultimate remedy in Christ. While Israel, as God's bride, repeatedly "doted upon paramours" and pursued illicit alliances, Jesus Christ stands as the perfectly faithful Bridegroom, who never wavered in His devotion to God and His mission. He came not to condemn the harlot, but to redeem her, offering cleansing for the very "issue" of sin that defiles humanity. The animalistic lust described in the verse points to the deep-seated corruption of the human heart, a corruption that only the atoning sacrifice of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") can truly purify. Through His death and resurrection, Christ establishes a new covenant, inviting a people once spiritually adulterous to become His pure and spotless [Bride](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ and the Church as Bride and Groom"). He calls us away from the empty promises of worldly "paramours" and towards a life of exclusive devotion, offering true satisfaction and security found only in Him. This fulfillment is beautifully expressed in the New Testament's vision of the Church as Christ's beloved, redeemed from all forms of spiritual harlotry to live in [faithful union with Him](/2_corinthians/11-2 "2 Corinthians 11:2 - Betrothed to One Husband").

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

Ezekiel 17:15

But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and much people. Shall he prosper? shall he escape that doeth such [things]? or shall he break the covenant, and be delivered?

Ezekiel 16:26

Thou hast also committed fornication with the Egyptians thy neighbours, great of flesh; and hast increased thy whoredoms, to provoke me to anger.

Ezekiel 16:20

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. [Is this] of thy whoredoms a small matter,

Jeremiah 5:8

They were [as] fed horses in the morning: every one neighed after his neighbour's wife.