Ezekiel 23:32

Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou shalt drink of thy sister's cup deep and large: thou shalt be laughed to scorn and had in derision; it containeth much.

Thus saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}; Thou shalt drink {H8354} of thy sister's {H269} cup {H3563} deep {H6013} and large {H7342}: thou shalt be laughed to scorn {H6712} and had in derision {H3933}; it containeth {H3557} much {H4767}.

Adonai ELOHIM says: 'You will drink from your sister's cup, a cup both deep and wide, full right up to the brim with scorn and derision,

This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘You will drink your sister’s cup, a cup deep and wide. It will bring scorn and derision, for it holds so much.

Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Thou shalt drink of thy sister’s cup, which is deep and large; thou shalt be laughed to scorn and had in derision; it containeth much.

Ezekiel 23:32 delivers a powerful and somber prophecy from the Lord GOD to Oholibah, a symbolic representation of Jerusalem and the kingdom of Judah. This verse condemns Jerusalem's spiritual infidelity and warns of the severe divine judgment she is about to face, mirroring and even exceeding the fate of her "sister," Oholah (Samaria/Israel).

Context

Chapter 23 of Ezekiel uses an elaborate allegory of two sisters, Oholah (Samaria) and Oholibah (Jerusalem), to depict the spiritual harlotry of the northern and southern kingdoms of Israel. Both sisters engaged in idolatry, forming illicit alliances with foreign powers and adopting their pagan worship practices, effectively abandoning their covenant with God. Oholah had already suffered God's judgment, falling to the Assyrians (722 BC), yet Oholibah (Judah) failed to learn from this historical lesson and continued in even greater unfaithfulness. The "cup" in this verse symbolizes the full measure of God's wrath and punishment, which Jerusalem is now commanded to drink.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Retribution: The verse highlights God's unwavering justice against spiritual unfaithfulness and idolatry. The "cup" is a common biblical metaphor for divine wrath, signifying a predetermined and inescapable punishment.
  • Consequences of Spiritual Adultery: Jerusalem's deep and extensive sin, likened to prostitution, leads directly to a comprehensive and humiliating judgment. Her actions have brought about her own downfall.
  • Shared and Exacerbated Fate: Jerusalem is forced to "drink of thy sister's cup," indicating that she will experience a similar, perhaps even more intense, judgment than Samaria. This underscores the principle that ignoring past warnings leads to greater reckoning.
  • Humiliation and Derision: The phrase "laughed to scorn and had in derision" emphasizes the public shame and contempt that will accompany Jerusalem's downfall, a significant aspect of ancient punishment and disgrace.
  • Fullness of Wrath: "It containeth much" signifies the overwhelming and complete nature of the judgment. The cup of suffering will be deep and full, leaving no part of the punishment untasted. This stark warning emphasizes the unchanging nature of God's righteous judgment against ungodliness and unrighteousness.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "cup" is kos (כּוֹס), which frequently appears in prophetic literature as a symbol of destiny, suffering, or divine wrath. For example, Jeremiah 25:15 also speaks of the "wine cup of this fury." The imagery is vivid, portraying an inescapable and bitter fate that God Himself administers. The phrase "deep and large" (עָמֹק וְרָחָב, amōq v'raḥav) further emphasizes the profound and extensive nature of the suffering that awaits Jerusalem.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 23:32 serves as a timeless warning about the dangers of spiritual compromise and the consequences of ignoring divine warnings. It reminds us that:

  • God's Justice is Unwavering: Even for those who have been uniquely blessed, persistent unfaithfulness and idolatry will inevitably lead to judgment.
  • Lessons from History are Crucial: We are called to learn from the mistakes and consequences experienced by others, both in biblical history and in our own times, to avoid repeating similar errors.
  • The Seriousness of Spiritual Adultery: Any act that compromises our devotion to God—whether it be worshipping idols (material or spiritual), seeking security in worldly alliances over divine trust, or pursuing sinful desires—is a form of spiritual unfaithfulness that carries significant repercussions. This passage underscores the call to wholehearted repentance and devotion to 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.

  • Psalms 60:3

    Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment.

  • Isaiah 51:17

    ¶ Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the hand of the LORD the cup of his fury; thou hast drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling, [and] wrung [them] out.

  • Ezekiel 22:4

    Thou art become guilty in thy blood that thou hast shed; and hast defiled thyself in thine idols which thou hast made; and thou hast caused thy days to draw near, and art come [even] unto thy years: therefore have I made thee a reproach unto the heathen, and a mocking to all countries.

  • Ezekiel 22:5

    [Those that be] near, and [those that be] far from thee, shall mock thee, [which art] infamous [and] much vexed.

  • Micah 7:8

    Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD [shall be] a light unto me.

  • Psalms 79:3

    Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; and [there was] none to bury [them].

  • Lamentations 2:15

    All that pass by clap [their] hands at thee; they hiss and wag their head at the daughter of Jerusalem, [saying, Is] this the city that [men] call The perfection of beauty, The joy of the whole earth?

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