Ezekiel 23:31

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

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

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

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

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

Ezekiel 23:31 (KJV) presents a solemn declaration of divine judgment against Jerusalem (represented as Aholibah), stating, "Thou hast walked in the way of thy sister; therefore will I give her cup into thine hand." This verse is a direct consequence of the spiritual adultery and idolatry detailed throughout Ezekiel chapter 23, where God uses the allegory of two sisters to illustrate the unfaithfulness of Israel and Judah.

Context of the Verse

Ezekiel chapter 23 vividly portrays the spiritual harlotry of Samaria (the Northern Kingdom of Israel, personified as Aholah) and Jerusalem (the Southern Kingdom of Judah, personified as Aholibah). Both sisters entered into a covenant relationship with God but then engaged in egregious idolatry, forming illicit political and religious alliances with pagan nations like Assyria, Babylon, and Egypt. Aholah, representing Israel, was judged first and carried into captivity. Ezekiel 23:31 specifically addresses Aholibah (Judah/Jerusalem), condemning her for not learning from her sister's fate but instead intensifying her wicked practices. Judah's actions mirrored, and even surpassed, the sins that led to Israel's destruction, as seen in historical accounts such as 2 Kings 17:18 concerning Israel's exile.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Consequences of Spiritual Adultery and Idolatry: The primary message is that turning away from God through idolatry, symbolized as spiritual prostitution, inevitably leads to severe divine judgment. Both Israel and Judah broke their covenant with God, and this verse emphasizes that Judah's continued rebellion would bring about the same, if not worse, punishment as Israel's.
  • The Cup of Divine Wrath: The "cup" is a powerful and recurring biblical metaphor for experiencing God's full measure of judgment, suffering, and affliction due to sin. By stating "I will give her cup into thine hand," God declares that Judah will be forced to drink the same bitter cup of punishment and exile that Israel had already consumed. This imagery is consistent with other prophetic warnings, such as the "cup of fury" mentioned in Isaiah 51:17 and the "wine of the wrath of God" found in Revelation 14:10.
  • Impartial Justice: God's justice is impartial. Despite Judah being the remaining kingdom and the bearer of the Davidic covenant, their persistent unfaithfulness meant they would not escape the consequences of their actions. God holds all His people accountable for their fidelity to Him.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "cup" is kos (כּוֹס), which in biblical literature often symbolizes one's portion or destiny. While it can represent blessing, as in Psalm 23:5, it more frequently denotes a measure of suffering or divine judgment when associated with God's wrath, especially in prophetic contexts. The phrase "walked in the way" signifies adopting the practices, customs, and moral standards of another, highlighting Judah's deliberate imitation of Israel's sinful path.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 23:31 serves as a timeless warning against spiritual complacency and the danger of adopting the sinful ways of the world. For believers today, it underscores the seriousness of spiritual compromise and idolatry, which can manifest as placing anything above God—be it wealth, status, entertainment, or even political ideologies. Just as ancient Judah was judged for mimicking the idolatry of Israel, Christians are called to be distinct from the world and to live a holy life, understanding that we reap what we sow. This verse reminds us that God's justice is unwavering, and His warnings should be heeded to avoid the painful consequences of disobedience.

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.

  • 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,

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