Ezekiel 23:27

KJV

Thus will I make thy lewdness to cease from thee, and thy whoredom [brought] from the land of Egypt: so that thou shalt not lift up thine eyes unto them, nor remember Egypt any more.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thus will I make thy lewdness {H2154} to cease {H7673} from thee, and thy whoredom {H2184} brought from the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}: so that thou shalt not lift up {H5375} thine eyes {H5869} unto them, nor remember {H2142} Egypt {H4714} any more.

Complete Jewish Bible

Thus I will put an end to your lewdness and your fornication brought from the land of Egypt, so that you will no longer raise your eyes toward them or remember Egypt any more.'

Berean Standard Bible

So I will put an end to your indecency and prostitution, which began in the land of Egypt, and you will not lift your eyes to them or remember Egypt anymore.’

American Standard Version

Thus will I make thy lewdness to cease from thee, and thy whoredom brought from the land of Egypt; so that thou shalt not lift up thine eyes unto them, nor remember Egypt any more.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 23:27 serves as a climactic declaration of divine judgment and purification within the extended allegory of Aholah and Oholibah, representing Samaria and Jerusalem. This verse pronounces God's decisive intervention to forcefully end the spiritual "lewdness" and "whoredom" of His people, which symbolize their pervasive idolatry and treacherous political alliances. It signifies a complete and divinely enforced severance from their past reliance on foreign powers, particularly Egypt, ensuring that their eyes and hearts would no longer turn to such unfaithful associations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the culmination of a lengthy and graphic prophetic allegory in [Ezekiel 23](/ezekiel/23 "Ezekiel 23 - The Allegory of Aholah and Oholibah"), where God uses the vivid metaphor of two sisters, Aholah (Samaria, representing Israel) and Oholibah (Jerusalem, representing Judah), to expose their spiritual infidelity. The chapter details their escalating acts of "whoredom" and "lewdness" – symbolic of their idolatry and unholy political alliances with nations like Assyria, Babylon, and Egypt. These actions are portrayed as a profound betrayal of their covenant relationship with Yahweh. Verse 27 marks a pivotal moment where the divine judgment, previously described in terms of suffering and destruction (e.g., [Ezekiel 23:22-26](/ezekiel/23-22 "Ezekiel 23:22-26 - God's Judgment on Oholibah")), transitions into a declaration of purification and a forced cessation of their sinful patterns. It signals the end of their period of unbridled rebellion and the beginning of a divinely imposed separation from their idolatrous past.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Historically, both the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Samaria) and the Southern Kingdom of Judah (Jerusalem) engaged in a pattern of seeking political and military alliances with powerful regional empires rather than trusting in God's covenant protection. Egypt, a dominant power throughout the ancient Near East, frequently served as a tempting, yet ultimately unreliable, ally. The prophet Isaiah, for example, often condemned reliance on [Egypt's chariots and horses](/isaiah/31-1 "Isaiah 31:1 - Woe to Those Who Go Down to Egypt for Help"). Culturally, "whoredom" and "lewdness" were potent metaphors for spiritual infidelity, as the covenant relationship between God and Israel was often depicted as a marriage. Engaging in idolatry or forming unholy alliances was seen as spiritual adultery, a direct violation of the exclusive devotion owed to God. The geographical proximity and historical ties to Egypt, dating back to the Exodus, made the temptation to return to or rely on Egypt a recurring theme of unfaithfulness in Israel's history, highlighting a deep-seated spiritual problem that God sought to eradicate.

* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 23:27 powerfully encapsulates several core themes prevalent throughout Ezekiel's prophecy and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Judgment and Purification**, emphasizing that God Himself is the active agent who will bring an end to Israel's pervasive sin, even if through severe means. This is not merely punishment but a purifying act intended to restore holiness. Secondly, the verse highlights the **Cessation of Idolatry and Unfaithfulness**. The "lewdness" (Hebrew: *zimmâh*, premeditated wickedness) and "whoredom" (Hebrew: *zᵉnûwth*, spiritual prostitution) represent the deep-seated spiritual depravity and reliance on foreign gods and powers. God's judgment is designed to eradicate these practices, removing the very inclination to stray. Finally, it speaks to a **Complete Severance from Past Sins and Misplaced Trust**. The declaration "so that thou shalt not lift up thine eyes unto them, nor remember Egypt any more" signifies a divinely enforced break from their longing for and trust in worldly alliances. This echoes God's promise to give His people a [new heart and a new spirit](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26 - A New Heart and New Spirit") in the future, where the inclination to sin is removed, and true devotion is fostered.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Lewdness (Hebrew, _zimmâh'_):** From H2154, this term signifies "a plan, especially a bad one; heinous crime, lewd(-ly, -ness), mischief, purpose, thought, wicked (device, mind, -ness)." In this context, it refers to the premeditated wickedness and depravity of Israel's spiritual infidelity, encompassing their calculated acts of idolatry and their treacherous political strategies that violated their covenant with God. It denotes a deep-seated, intentional moral corruption.
* **Whoredom (Hebrew, _zᵉnûwth'_):** From H2184, meaning "adultery, i.e. (figuratively) infidelity, idolatry; whoredom." This term directly translates to prostitution and is used metaphorically to describe Israel and Judah's spiritual unfaithfulness to God. It underscores the illicit, promiscuous, and unholy nature of their relationship with other gods and nations, likening it to a betrayal of a marital covenant.
* **Cease (Hebrew, _shâbath'_):** From H7673, this primitive root means "to repose, i.e. desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causative, figurative or specific); (cause to, let, make to) cease, celebrate, cause (make) to fail, keep (sabbath), suffer to be lacking, leave, put away (down), (make to) rest, rid, still, take away." Here, it emphasizes God's active and forceful intervention to bring a definitive end to their sinful practices, not merely a passive stopping but a divine removal or eradication of their unfaithfulness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thus will I make thy lewdness to cease from thee,"**: This clause declares God's sovereign and active role in ending Israel's spiritual depravity. The "lewdness" (H2154, *zimmâh*) refers to their wicked schemes and premeditated idolatry. God is not merely observing but is directly intervening to remove this deep-seated sin from His people, indicating a forceful purification rather than a gentle persuasion.
* **"and thy whoredom [brought] from the land of Egypt:"**: This specifies the nature and origin of a significant part of their "whoredom" (H2184, *zᵉnûwth*). Their spiritual infidelity was deeply intertwined with their historical and ongoing reliance on Egypt (H4714, *Mitsrayim*) for protection and alliances, which represented a turning away from God. This highlights the specific historical pattern of seeking security in worldly powers rather than in their divine covenant partner.
* **"so that thou shalt not lift up thine eyes unto them,"**: This describes the immediate consequence and divine purpose of the cessation. "Lifting up eyes" (H5375, *nâsâʼ* and H5869, *ʻayin*) signifies looking with desire, longing, or reliance. The judgment is designed to break their inclination to gaze upon or seek help from these foreign entities, particularly Egypt, which had been a source of temptation and misplaced trust.
* **"nor remember Egypt any more."**: This final phrase emphasizes the completeness and permanence of the separation. To "remember" (H2142, *zâkar*) in a biblical sense is not just cognitive recall but also to act upon, to give heed to, or to long for. God's intention is to eradicate any lingering desire, trust, or inclination towards their past idolatrous ways and worldly alliances, ensuring a profound and lasting detachment from their former objects of unfaithfulness.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 23:27, within its broader chapter, is rich in **Allegory** and **Metaphor**. The entire chapter uses the elaborate **Allegory** of two sisters, Aholah and Oholibah, to represent the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Within this allegory, their "lewdness" and "whoredom" are powerful **Metaphors** for spiritual idolatry and unholy political alliances, transforming abstract theological concepts into vivid, tangible imagery of betrayal and infidelity. The phrase "lift up thine eyes unto them" employs **Synecdoche**, where "eyes" represent the entire person's desire, attention, and reliance. The declaration that they will "not remember Egypt any more" uses **Hyperbole** to emphasize the absolute and divinely enforced cessation of their former ways, signifying a complete break from their past patterns of sin and misplaced trust, even if the memory of Egypt itself would not be literally erased from their minds. The verse is also a strong example of **Divine Agency**, as God explicitly states, "Thus will I make thy lewdness to cease," highlighting His sovereign power and active involvement in the purification and judgment of His people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 23:27 is a stark reminder of God's unwavering commitment to the purity and exclusive devotion of His covenant people. It highlights the severe consequences of spiritual infidelity, where turning to worldly powers or false gods is depicted as a heinous betrayal of the divine marriage covenant. The verse underscores God's active role in judging sin, not merely for punishment, but for the ultimate purpose of purification and restoration. This divine intervention, though painful, is designed to sever the deep-seated attachments to anything that competes with God for ultimate allegiance, ensuring that His people will no longer look to or rely on anything other than Him. It foreshadows a future where God Himself will perform a radical work of transformation, removing the very inclination to stray.

* [Deuteronomy 6:12](/deuteronomy/6-12 "Deuteronomy 6:12 - Do Not Forget the Lord")
* [Hosea 2:16-17](/hosea/2-16 "Hosea 2:16-17 - God's Restoration and New Covenant")
* [Revelation 18:4](/revelation/18-4 "Revelation 18:4 - Come Out of Her, My People")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 23:27 offers a profound challenge for believers today, urging us to examine the "Egypts" in our own lives—those things or systems we subtly or overtly rely on more than God. This could manifest as excessive trust in financial security, political ideologies, human strength, or even personal achievements, all of which can become idols that divert our wholehearted devotion. God's declaration to make "lewdness" and "whoredom" cease from His people serves as a powerful reminder that He is actively at work to purify us, even if that process involves the painful stripping away of our misplaced trusts and attachments. The divine desire is for a complete severance from anything that competes for our ultimate allegiance, ensuring our eyes are lifted solely to Him and our hearts remember only His faithfulness. This verse calls us to a radical self-examination, prompting us to identify and repent of any areas where we have sought security or satisfaction apart from the Lord, trusting that His refining fire leads to true freedom and unreserved devotion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Egypts" (sources of misplaced trust or security) might exist in my life today that distract me from wholehearted devotion to God?**
* **How might God be actively working to "make my lewdness to cease" or to purify me from hidden forms of spiritual infidelity?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure my eyes are lifted solely to God and that I do not "remember" (long for or rely on) worldly solutions more than Him?**
* **In what ways can I cultivate a deeper, more exclusive trust in God's provision and guidance, rather than seeking security in external circumstances or human efforts?**

### FAQ

**What does "lewdness" and "whoredom" mean in this context?**

Answer: In Ezekiel 23:27, "lewdness" (Hebrew: *zimmâh*) and "whoredom" (Hebrew: *zᵉnûwth*) are powerful metaphors for spiritual infidelity and idolatry. They do not refer to literal sexual acts by the nation, but rather to Israel and Judah's unfaithfulness to God's covenant. Their "lewdness" describes their wicked schemes and premeditated acts of turning away from God, while their "whoredom" specifically refers to their idolatry and their treacherous political alliances with foreign nations like Egypt, Assyria, and Babylon. These alliances were seen as "spiritual adultery" because they violated the exclusive devotion God commanded from His people, who were meant to rely solely on Him, as articulated in passages like [Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - No Other Gods Before Me").

**Why is Egypt specifically mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: Egypt is specifically mentioned because it represented a recurring and potent temptation for Israel and Judah throughout their history to seek security and alliances apart from God. From the time of the Exodus, God had delivered His people from Egyptian bondage, yet they often looked back to Egypt or sought its help in times of crisis, rather than trusting in the Lord. This reliance on Egypt symbolized a profound lack of faith and a return to the very source of their former oppression. The phrase "nor remember Egypt any more" signifies a complete and divinely enforced break from this historical pattern of misplaced trust and reliance on worldly powers, ensuring that their hearts and eyes would no longer be drawn to such unfaithful alliances. This echoes the warning in [Deuteronomy 17:16](/deuteronomy/17-16 "Deuteronomy 17:16 - King Not to Multiply Horses or Return to Egypt").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 23:27, with its declaration of God's forceful cessation of Israel's "lewdness" and "whoredom," finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the redemptive work of Jesus. While the Old Covenant revealed God's righteous judgment against sin and His desire for a pure people, it also demonstrated Israel's inability to truly "cease" their unfaithfulness on their own. The New Covenant, inaugurated by Christ, provides the means for this radical transformation. Jesus, as the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), takes away the sin of the world, offering forgiveness and a new heart that truly turns from spiritual idolatry. Through His atoning sacrifice, He deals decisively with the "lewdness" and "whoredom" of humanity, not merely by external judgment but by internal regeneration. The Holy Spirit, poured out through Christ, empowers believers to "not lift up their eyes" to the "Egypts" of this world—the systems, idols, and false securities that compete with God. Instead, our eyes are fixed on [Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Looking to Jesus"). In Christ, the old self, prone to spiritual adultery, is crucified, and a new creation emerges, no longer remembering the former ways of sin but living in faithful devotion to God, enabled by the power of the [Spirit who dwells within us](/romans/8-9 "Romans 8:9 - The Spirit of Christ"). This is the fulfillment of God's promise to give a new heart and to remove the heart of stone, replacing it with a heart of flesh that desires to follow His commands, as prophesied in [Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - A New Heart and Spirit").

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 16:41

And they shall burn thine houses with fire, and execute judgments upon thee in the sight of many women: and I will cause thee to cease from playing the harlot, and thou also shalt give no hire any more.

Ezekiel 23:3

And they committed whoredoms in Egypt; they committed whoredoms in their youth: there were their breasts pressed, and there they bruised the teats of their virginity.

Ezekiel 23:19

Yet she multiplied her whoredoms, in calling to remembrance the days of her youth, wherein she had played the harlot in the land of Egypt.

Zechariah 13:2

And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, [that] I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land.

Ezekiel 22:15

And I will scatter thee among the heathen, and disperse thee in the countries, and will consume thy filthiness out of thee.

Micah 5:10

And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD, that I will cut off thy horses out of the midst of thee, and I will destroy thy chariots:

Micah 5:14

And I will pluck up thy groves out of the midst of thee: so will I destroy thy cities.