Ezekiel 23:31

KJV

Thou hast walked in the way of thy sister; therefore will I give her cup into thine hand.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou hast walked {H1980} in the way {H1870} of thy sister {H269}; therefore will I give {H5414} her cup {H3563} into thine hand {H3027}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You walked down your sister's path, so I will put her cup in your hand.'

Berean Standard Bible

Because you have followed the path of your sister, I will put her cup into your hand.’

American Standard Version

Thou hast walked in the way of thy sister; therefore will I give her cup into thy hand.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 23:31 delivers a stark divine pronouncement against Jerusalem (Aholibah), condemning her for replicating and intensifying the spiritual apostasy of her sister, Samaria (Aholah). This verse declares that because Judah has persisted in idolatry and unfaithfulness, she will inevitably experience the same, if not greater, measure of divine judgment and suffering that had already befallen the Northern Kingdom of Israel, symbolized by being forced to drink from the very "cup" of wrath previously consumed by her sibling.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel chapter 23 employs an extended and graphic allegory of two sisters, Aholah (Samaria, representing the Northern Kingdom of Israel) and Aholibah (Jerusalem, representing the Southern Kingdom of Judah), to vividly illustrate the spiritual harlotry and idolatry of God's covenant people. The preceding verses detail Aholibah's escalating promiscuity with foreign nations, surpassing Aholah's wickedness. Ezekiel 23:31 acts as a pivotal declaration of consequence, directly linking Aholibah's sinful "walk" to the impending judgment. It follows a detailed indictment of her alliances with Assyria, Babylon, and Egypt, which are depicted as illicit lovers, and sets the stage for the specific punishments outlined in the subsequent verses, including desolation and shame. This verse underscores the principle that Judah, despite witnessing Israel's downfall, refused to learn and instead intensified her rebellion.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the period leading up to and during the Babylonian exile (late 7th to early 6th century BCE). Both Israel and Judah, as God's covenant people, were meant to be distinct from the surrounding pagan nations. However, they repeatedly engaged in idolatry, adopting the worship practices of their neighbors, and formed political alliances with powerful empires like Assyria, Egypt, and Babylon, rather than trusting solely in Yahweh. This spiritual and political syncretism is metaphorically depicted as prostitution. Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom, fell to Assyria in 722 BCE, leading to the exile of Israel. Judah, though witnessing this judgment, continued its idolatrous ways, aligning with various powers in a desperate attempt to maintain independence from Babylon, ultimately leading to Jerusalem's destruction in 586 BCE. The "cup" imagery was a common ancient Near Eastern metaphor for one's destiny or portion, often associated with divine judgment or blessing.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Ezekiel and the broader prophetic literature. It highlights the **consequences of spiritual apostasy and idolatry**, demonstrating that turning away from God's covenant through illicit spiritual and political alliances inevitably leads to severe divine judgment. The imagery of the "cup" is a potent symbol of **divine wrath and impartial justice**, emphasizing that God's justice is unwavering and applies equally to all who violate His covenant, regardless of their privileged status. Judah's failure to learn from Israel's fate underscores the theme of **accountability and the danger of unheeded warnings**, a concept echoed throughout the prophets (e.g., [Jeremiah 3:8-10](/jeremiah/3-8 "Jeremiah 3:8-10 - Judah's Unfaithfulness Compared to Israel's")). The narrative of the two sisters also reinforces the theme of **God's long-suffering patience contrasted with human stubbornness**, ultimately leading to the painful but just execution of His judgment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **walked (Hebrew, _hâlak'_):** From a primitive root meaning "to walk," this term is used with great latitude, both literally and figuratively. Here, it signifies a course of life or mode of action, indicating Judah's deliberate adoption of the sinful practices and behaviors of her sister, Israel. It implies a persistent and chosen way of living, not merely an accidental deviation.
* **way (Hebrew, _derek'_):** This word refers to a road or path, but figuratively, it denotes a course of life, a manner of conduct, or a moral direction. When combined with "walked," it emphasizes the chosen path of Judah's spiritual and moral conduct, which mirrored the idolatrous and unfaithful "way" of Samaria.
* **cup (Hebrew, _kôwç'_):** Literally a container, "cup" is frequently used figuratively in biblical literature to represent one's portion or destiny. In prophetic contexts, especially when associated with divine judgment, it symbolizes the full measure of suffering, wrath, and affliction that God pours out upon the wicked. Here, it specifically refers to the bitter experience of judgment and exile that Israel had already endured.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou hast walked in the way of thy sister;":** This clause directly accuses Jerusalem (Aholibah) of adopting and following the sinful course of action previously taken by Samaria (Aholah). It highlights Judah's conscious imitation of Israel's idolatry, political alliances with pagan nations, and general unfaithfulness to God, despite having witnessed the devastating consequences that befell the Northern Kingdom. The phrase emphasizes the deliberate nature of Judah's rebellion.
* **"therefore will I give her cup into thine hand.":** This is the divine pronouncement of judgment, directly linking Judah's actions to its inevitable punishment. The "cup" symbolizes the full measure of God's wrath and the suffering of exile and desolation that Israel had already experienced. By placing this cup "into thine hand," God declares that Judah will be forced to drink from the same bitter portion of divine retribution, signifying that her rebellion will lead to a similar, if not more severe, fate.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 23:31 is rich in literary devices that amplify its message of judgment. The most prominent is **Allegory**, where the entire chapter uses the extended metaphor of two sisters, Aholah and Aholibah, to represent the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah, respectively. This personification allows for a vivid and emotionally charged depiction of their spiritual harlotry. The phrase "walked in the way of thy sister" employs **Metonymy**, where "way" stands for the entire course of life, including the sinful practices and idolatry. Furthermore, the "cup" serves as a powerful **Metaphor** for divine judgment and suffering. This metaphor is not unique to Ezekiel but is a recurring motif in prophetic literature, signifying a predetermined portion of affliction. The direct address "Thou hast walked" and "I will give" also employs **Direct Address**, making the divine accusation and pronouncement intensely personal and unavoidable for the accused Judah.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 23:31 profoundly underscores the theological principle of divine justice and the dire consequences of covenant infidelity. God's covenant with Israel and Judah demanded exclusive loyalty, yet both kingdoms repeatedly engaged in spiritual adultery through idolatry and reliance on foreign powers. This verse reveals that God's justice is not arbitrary but is a righteous response to persistent rebellion. Judah's failure to learn from Israel's judgment meant that she would inevitably share in a similar fate, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to uphold His holiness and the integrity of His covenant. The "cup" imagery connects this specific judgment to a broader biblical theme of divine wrath against sin, emphasizing that all unrighteousness will ultimately face God's just retribution.

* [Psalm 75:8](/psalms/75-8 "Psalm 75:8 - The Cup of God's Wrath")
* [Jeremiah 25:15-16](/jeremiah/25-15 "Jeremiah 25:15-16 - The Cup of Fury for the Nations")
* [Revelation 14:10](/revelation/14-10 "Revelation 14:10 - The Wine of God's Wrath")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 23:31 serves as a timeless and sobering reminder that spiritual complacency and the adoption of worldly ways have profound consequences. For believers today, this verse challenges us to examine our own lives for any subtle forms of idolatry—anything that takes precedence over our devotion to God. This could manifest as placing trust in wealth, seeking validation from human approval, or allowing cultural norms to dictate our moral compass rather than biblical truth. Just as Judah was held accountable for mimicking Israel's unfaithfulness, we are called to be distinct, to live lives of holiness, and to learn from the warnings of scripture and history. God's justice remains unwavering, and His call to faithfulness is constant. We are encouraged to heed His warnings, repent of any compromise, and walk diligently in His ways, lest we, too, experience the painful consequences of spiritual drift.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be "walking in the way of my sister" (or the world) in my own life, adopting values or practices that compromise my faith?**
* **What are the "cups" of consequence or discipline that God might allow in my life if I persist in spiritual unfaithfulness?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper awareness of God's warnings and a greater willingness to learn from the past failures of others, both biblical and contemporary?**

### FAQ
**What does the "cup" symbolize in this verse and other biblical passages?**
Answer: In Ezekiel 23:31 and many other biblical passages, the "cup" is a powerful metaphor that primarily symbolizes a portion or destiny. While it can occasionally represent blessing (e.g., [Psalm 23:5](/psalms/23-5 "Psalm 23:5 - My Cup Overflows")), in prophetic and judgment contexts like this one, it overwhelmingly signifies the full measure of divine wrath, suffering, and affliction that God pours out upon those who have rebelled against Him. It represents the bitter experience of judgment, desolation, and exile, as seen in passages like [Isaiah 51:17](/isaiah/51-17 "Isaiah 51:17 - The Cup of Trembling") and [Jeremiah 25:15](/jeremiah/25-15 "Jeremiah 25:15 - The Cup of Fury").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 23:31, with its imagery of a "cup" of judgment, finds its ultimate and profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Testament. While Judah was forced to drink the cup of God's wrath due to her own sin, Jesus Christ, the spotless [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), willingly drank the cup of divine fury on behalf of humanity. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will" ([Matthew 26:39](/matthew/26-39 "Matthew 26:39 - Jesus Prays in Gethsemane")). This "cup" was not merely physical suffering, but the full, concentrated wrath of God against all human sin, a judgment that we, like Judah, deserved. By drinking this cup, Jesus absorbed the penalty for our spiritual adultery and rebellion, offering a way for us to escape the judgment described in Ezekiel. Through His sacrifice, those who trust in Him are no longer destined to drink the cup of wrath but are offered a [cup of salvation](/psalms/116-13 "Psalm 116:13 - The Cup of Salvation") and a share in His eternal life, walking in His new and living way, rather than the way of sin and death (cf. [Hebrews 10:20](/hebrews/10-20 "Hebrews 10:20 - The New and Living Way")).

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

2 Kings 21:13

And I will stretch over Jerusalem the line of Samaria, and the plummet of the house of Ahab: and I will wipe Jerusalem as [a man] wipeth a dish, wiping [it], and turning [it] upside down.

Jeremiah 7:14

Therefore will I do unto [this] house, which is called by my name, wherein ye trust, and unto the place which I gave to you and to your fathers, as I have done to Shiloh.

Jeremiah 7:15

And I will cast you out of my sight, as I have cast out all your brethren, [even] the whole seed of Ephraim.

Jeremiah 25:15

¶ For thus saith the LORD God of Israel unto me; Take the wine cup of this fury at my hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send thee, to drink it.

Ezekiel 16:47

Yet hast thou not walked after their ways, nor done after their abominations: but, as [if that were] a very little [thing], thou wast corrupted more than they in all thy ways.

Ezekiel 16:51

Neither hath Samaria committed half of thy sins; but thou hast multiplied thine abominations more than they, and hast justified thy sisters in all thine abominations which thou hast done.

Ezekiel 23:13

Then I saw that she was defiled, [that] they [took] both one way,