Ezekiel 23:35

KJV

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast forgotten me, and cast me behind thy back, therefore bear thou also thy lewdness and thy whoredoms.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore thus saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}; Because thou hast forgotten {H7911} me, and cast {H7993} me behind {H310} thy back {H1458}, therefore bear {H5375} thou also thy lewdness {H2154} and thy whoredoms {H8457}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Therefore this is what Adonai ELOHIM says: 'Because you forgot me and flung me behind your back, you will bear the guilt of your lewdness and whoring.'"

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Because you have forgotten Me and have cast Me behind your back, you must bear the consequences of your indecency and prostitution.’”

American Standard Version

Therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Because thou hast forgotten me, and cast me behind thy back, therefore bear thou also thy lewdness and thy whoredoms.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 23:35 delivers a potent divine judgment against Judah and Israel, personified as the unfaithful sisters Oholah and Oholibah. This verse climactically declares the inevitable consequences of their profound spiritual infidelity, specifically their deliberate rejection of Yahweh, their covenant God, and their embrace of idolatry and illicit foreign alliances. It underscores the severe principle that forgetting God and casting Him aside directly leads to bearing the full, painful weight of one's own depravity and spiritual prostitution.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel chapter 23 continues the prophet's extended and often graphic use of allegorical imagery to expose the spiritual adultery of the Northern Kingdom of Israel (represented by Oholah, Samaria) and the Southern Kingdom of Judah (represented by Oholibah, Jerusalem). Building upon the detailed indictment of Jerusalem's unfaithfulness in [Ezekiel 16](/ezekiel/16 "Ezekiel 16 - Jerusalem's Spiritual Adultery"), this chapter intensifies the metaphor of prostitution to describe their escalating depravity. The narrative meticulously chronicles their illicit political and religious alliances with powerful foreign empires—Assyria, Babylon, and Egypt—and their adoption of pagan worship practices. These acts are portrayed as a profound betrayal of their covenant vows to Yahweh, their divine husband. Verse 35 marks a critical turning point in this extended indictment, serving as a definitive pronouncement of judgment. It signals the exhaustion of God's forbearance and the commencement of their just recompense, flowing logically and severely from the detailed accounts of their "whoredoms" in the preceding verses.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Ezekiel's prophecy is the turbulent period leading up to and during the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE). Both the Northern Kingdom (Samaria, fallen in 722 BCE) and the Southern Kingdom (Jerusalem, facing imminent destruction) repeatedly sought security through political and military alliances with dominant regional powers like Assyria, Egypt, and Babylon, rather than placing their trust solely in the Lord. This strategic maneuvering was invariably accompanied by the adoption of the foreign nations' gods, cultic practices, and idolatrous rituals, a direct and egregious violation of the Mosaic covenant's fundamental command for exclusive worship of Yahweh (e.g., [Exodus 20:3-5](/exodus/20-3-5 "Exodus 20:3-5 - The First Commandment")). The "whoredoms" described in the text are primarily spiritual, symbolizing Israel's and Judah's idolatry and their abandonment of the covenant relationship with God. In the ancient Near East, covenants were frequently conceptualized using marriage imagery, making spiritual infidelity a profound betrayal, akin to adultery in a human marriage, and thus deserving of severe societal and divine punishment. Ezekiel's audience, intimately familiar with both covenant theology and the societal disgrace associated with prostitution, would have powerfully understood the depth of the accusation.

* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 23:35 encapsulates several major theological and narrative themes that permeate the book of Ezekiel and the broader prophetic literature. A central theme is **Divine Judgment for Spiritual Adultery**, where God's righteous wrath is unleashed against His covenant people for their persistent idolatry and unfaithfulness. This is a recurring motif, powerfully echoed in other prophetic books such as [Hosea 1-3](/hosea/1 "Hosea 1-3 - God's Faithfulness to Unfaithful Israel"), where Israel's unfaithfulness is similarly depicted as harlotry. Another crucial theme highlighted is the **Consequences of Forgetting God**. The phrase "Because thou hast forgotten me" identifies the root sin: a deliberate and active disregard for God's commands, His past acts of deliverance, and His very existence as the supreme authority in their national life. This spiritual amnesia leads inevitably to severe penalties, a warning found throughout the Torah (e.g., [Deuteronomy 8:11](/deuteronomy/8-11 "Deuteronomy 8:11 - Do Not Forget the Lord")). Furthermore, the command "therefore bear thou also thy lewdness and thy whoredoms" emphasizes the principle of **Bearing One's Own Sins** and individual and corporate accountability, signifying that the nations will face the full, unmitigated weight of the consequences of their own sinful choices. They will reap what they have sown, a principle clearly articulated in [Ezekiel 18:20](/ezekiel/18-20 "Ezekiel 18:20 - Individual Responsibility for Sin"). Finally, the verse powerfully affirms **God's Sovereignty and Justice**, demonstrating that despite His people's rebellion, God remains in control, executing justice according to His holy character, ensuring His judgments are not arbitrary but a direct and just response to their actions.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **forgotten (Hebrew, _shâkach'_):** From H7911, this term signifies more than a mere lapse of memory. It implies a deliberate disregard or neglect, a turning away from what one should remember, honor, and obey. In this context, it speaks to a profound spiritual amnesia and an active rejection of God's covenant, His commands, and His past acts of deliverance and provision. It is a willful act of ignoring God's rightful place and authority in their lives.
* **cast (Hebrew, _shâlak'_):** From H7993, this primitive root means "to throw out, down or away" (literally or figuratively). When paired with "behind thy back," it forms a powerful idiom. It conveys an act of profound contempt, disdain, and utter rejection. To "cast me behind thy back" means to treat God's laws, His presence, and His covenant as worthless, irrelevant, and something to be discarded without a second thought, indicative of profound rebellion and disrespect.
* **lewdness (Hebrew, _zimmâh'_):** From H2154, this word denotes a plan, especially a bad one; a heinous crime, mischief, or wicked device. While it can be associated with sexual immorality, here it is applied to the spiritual perversion and idolatry of Israel and Judah. It speaks to the corrupt nature of their actions, not merely as isolated sins but as a deliberate, calculated pattern of evil thought and behavior, demonstrating a depraved mind.
* **whoredoms (Hebrew, _taznûwth'_):** From H8457, this term directly means "harlotry" or "fornication." In the prophetic books, it is consistently used figuratively to describe spiritual infidelity, idolatry, and the breaking of the covenant with God by seeking alliances with foreign gods and nations. It underscores the depth of their betrayal, likening their spiritual unfaithfulness to the most debased and shameful form of human betrayal and moral corruption.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD;":** This opening phrase powerfully establishes the divine authority and unwavering certainty of the pronouncement that follows. It is not a human opinion or a prophetic lament but a direct, authoritative word from Yahweh (H3069), the sovereign Lord (H136, H559), indicating that what follows is an unalterable decree of judgment from the ultimate judge of all the earth.
* **"Because thou hast forgotten me,":** This clause identifies the foundational sin: a profound and willful spiritual amnesia. Israel and Judah had deliberately chosen to disregard God, His covenant, His commands, and His past acts of faithfulness and provision towards them. This "forgetting" is not accidental but an active turning away from their divine relationship, a conscious neglect of their covenant obligations.
* **"and cast me behind thy back,":** This idiomatic expression intensifies the previous charge, signifying utter contempt and defiant rejection. To cast God behind one's back (H310, H1458) is to treat Him as inconsequential, to dismiss His authority and presence, and to turn one's attention fully towards other, forbidden pursuits. It speaks to a deliberate and defiant act of spiritual abandonment, demonstrating a complete lack of reverence and respect for the Holy One of Israel.
* **"therefore bear thou also thy lewdness and thy whoredoms.":** This final clause pronounces the just and inescapable consequence (H5375, *nâsâʼ*). Because of their deliberate forgetting and contemptuous rejection of God, they will now be forced to "bear" the full weight and responsibility of their own wicked schemes ("lewdness," H2154) and spiritual prostitution ("whoredoms," H8457). This is a declaration of divine retribution, where the punishment directly fits the crime, emphasizing their accountability and the inevitability of reaping the bitter harvest of their own sinful choices.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 23:35 is rich in **Allegory** and **Symbolism**, as the entire chapter employs the extended metaphor of two sisters, Oholah and Oholibah, as wives to God who commit "whoredoms" (spiritual adultery). This verse brings the allegorical judgment to a climactic declaration. The phrase "cast me behind thy back" is a powerful **Idiom**, conveying profound contempt and rejection through a vivid physical action, illustrating the nations' disdain for God's covenant. The verse also employs a striking form of **Parallelism** in its structure, first stating the cause ("Because thou hast forgotten me, and cast me behind thy back") and then the direct, unavoidable effect ("therefore bear thou also thy lewdness and thy whoredoms"), reinforcing the direct and just link between sin and its consequences. The use of the divine title "Lord GOD" (**Adonai Yahweh**) is a form of **Divine Epithet**, emphasizing God's absolute sovereignty, authority, and covenant faithfulness in delivering this righteous judgment. The stark, direct language and the culmination of the preceding narrative create a powerful sense of **Climax** within the chapter's unfolding narrative of escalating sin and impending divine retribution.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 23:35 powerfully articulates the unwavering principle of divine justice and accountability within the covenant relationship. It underscores that God's covenant with His people was not one-sided; it demanded exclusive devotion, loyalty, and obedience. When Israel and Judah repeatedly violated this covenant through spiritual idolatry, reliance on foreign powers, and the adoption of pagan practices, they effectively "forgot" God and "cast Him behind their back." This verse reveals that such deliberate and contemptuous unfaithfulness inevitably leads to bearing the full, painful consequences of one's own sin. God, in His righteousness and holiness, does not allow sin to go unpunished, especially when it involves a profound betrayal of His steadfast love and covenant faithfulness. This judgment serves not only as retribution but also as a stark lesson on the severity of spiritual compromise and the sanctity of the divine-human relationship, highlighting the non-negotiable nature of exclusive worship and obedience to Yahweh.

* [Deuteronomy 8:11](/deuteronomy/8-11 "Warning Against Forgetting God")
* [Ezekiel 18:20](/ezekiel/18-20 "The Soul Who Sins Shall Die")
* [Hosea 4:12](/hosea/4-12 "Spiritual Harlotry and Idolatry")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 23:35 serves as a timeless and profoundly sobering warning for all who claim to be in covenant with God, whether ancient Israel or contemporary believers. In a world brimming with distractions, competing allegiances, and subtle temptations, it is alarmingly easy to "forget" God—not necessarily by denying His existence, but by neglecting His presence, His commands, His Word, and His rightful place as the supreme authority and object of our devotion. We "cast Him behind our back" when we prioritize personal desires, worldly success, fleeting pleasures, human approval, or even legitimate relationships above our wholehearted devotion to Him. This verse calls us to a radical self-examination, prompting us to identify any "lewdness" (wicked schemes, corrupt desires, or self-serving plans) or "whoredoms" (spiritual idolatry, compromise with worldly values, or seeking security apart from God) that might be subtly eroding our faithfulness. The consequence is clear: we will bear the fruit of our choices. While believers in Christ are liberated from the eternal penalty of sin through His atonement, a life of deliberate spiritual unfaithfulness can still lead to divine discipline, a diminished experience of God's presence, broken fellowship, and the painful natural consequences of our actions in this life. This verse compels us to cultivate a vibrant, active memory of God, to continually choose Him above all else, and to live in faithful obedience, understanding that true freedom, joy, and blessing come only from wholehearted devotion to Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what practical ways might I be "forgetting" God or "casting Him behind my back" in my daily life or decision-making?**
* **What are the modern-day "lewdness" (corrupt thoughts/plans) or "whoredoms" (spiritual idolatry/compromises) that tempt me to dilute my exclusive devotion to God?**
* **How can I actively cultivate a deeper, more consistent remembrance of God's presence, commands, and past faithfulness to avoid spiritual complacency?**
* **What consequences, if any, am I currently experiencing that might be linked to past or present spiritual unfaithfulness, and how can I respond in repentance and renewed devotion?**

### FAQ
**What does "forgotten me" mean in this context?**

Answer: In Ezekiel 23:35, the phrase "forgotten me" (Hebrew: *shâkach*) goes far beyond a simple lapse of memory. It signifies a deliberate and active disregard, a willful turning away from God, His covenant, and His commands. It implies that Israel and Judah consciously chose to ignore their divine relationship and the obligations that came with it, instead pursuing their own desires and illicit alliances with foreign powers and their gods. This "forgetting" is an act of spiritual rebellion, indicative of a profound rejection of God's authority, His love, and His past acts of deliverance, as seen in other warnings against spiritual amnesia throughout Scripture, such as in [Deuteronomy 6:12](/deuteronomy/6-12 "Deuteronomy 6:12 - Do Not Forget the Lord").

**What is the significance of "lewdness and whoredoms" in this verse?**

Answer: In Ezekiel 23:35, "lewdness" (Hebrew: *zimmâh*) refers to wicked schemes, depraved thoughts, or heinous crimes, while "whoredoms" (Hebrew: *taznûwth*) is an allegorical term for spiritual prostitution or idolatry. These terms are not primarily about literal sexual immorality in this context, but rather describe Israel and Judah's profound spiritual infidelity to God. Their pursuit of political and religious alliances with foreign nations and their eager adoption of pagan gods and practices are depicted as acts of betrayal against their covenant "marriage" with Yahweh. The use of such strong, vivid language emphasizes the depth of their sin and the abhorrence with which God views their unfaithfulness, likening it to the most debased forms of human betrayal and moral corruption, as also powerfully portrayed in [Jeremiah 3:8](/jeremiah/3-8 "Jeremiah 3:8 - Israel's Unfaithfulness and Judah's Treachery").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 23:35, with its stark declaration of judgment for sin and the imperative for the unfaithful to "bear thy lewdness and thy whoredoms," finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound resolution in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament consistently highlights humanity's inherent inability to bear the full weight of its sin and survive God's righteous judgment. The very "lewdness" and "whoredoms"—the spiritual rebellion, idolatry, unfaithfulness, and moral depravity—that Israel and Judah were condemned to bear are the same sins that plague all humanity, separating us from a holy God. However, the glorious good news of the Gospel is that Christ, the sinless [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), stepped in to bear what we could not. He became the ultimate sin-bearer, taking upon Himself the full wrath and just consequences of our spiritual infidelity and moral depravity. As [Isaiah 53:6](/isaiah/53-6 "Isaiah 53:6 - All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray") prophesied, "The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all." Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Jesus bore our "lewdness" and "whoredoms," enduring the separation from God that our sin deserved, so that we might not have to. [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us") powerfully declares that "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." Thus, while Ezekiel 23:35 pronounces a divine sentence of bearing one's own sin, Christ offers a glorious substitution, inviting us to find forgiveness, freedom, and reconciliation from that crushing burden by trusting in the One who bore it all for us, thereby fulfilling the just demands of God's holiness and extending His boundless grace.

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

1 Kings 14:9

But hast done evil above all that were before thee: for thou hast gone and made thee other gods, and molten images, to provoke me to anger, and hast cast me behind thy back:

Ezekiel 22:12

In thee have they taken gifts to shed blood; thou hast taken usury and increase, and thou hast greedily gained of thy neighbours by extortion, and hast forgotten me, saith the Lord GOD.

Jeremiah 3:21

A voice was heard upon the high places, weeping [and] supplications of the children of Israel: for they have perverted their way, [and] they have forgotten the LORD their God.

Isaiah 17:10

Because thou hast forgotten the God of thy salvation, and hast not been mindful of the rock of thy strength, therefore shalt thou plant pleasant plants, and shalt set it with strange slips:

Jeremiah 32:33

And they have turned unto me the back, and not the face: though I taught them, rising up early and teaching [them], yet they have not hearkened to receive instruction.

Numbers 14:34

After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, [even] forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, [even] forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise.

Hosea 8:14

For Israel hath forgotten his Maker, and buildeth temples; and Judah hath multiplied fenced cities: but I will send a fire upon his cities, and it shall devour the palaces thereof.