Ezekiel 23:43

KJV

Then said I unto [her that was] old in adulteries, Will they now commit whoredoms with her, and she [with them]?

KJV (with Strong's)

Then said {H559} I unto her that was old {H1087} in adulteries {H5004}, Will they now commit {H2181} whoredoms {H8457} with her, and she with them?

Complete Jewish Bible

I thought, 'That woman! She's worn out from all her adulteries, but they still go to fornicate with her!'

Berean Standard Bible

Then I said of her who had grown old in adulteries: ‘Now let them use her as a prostitute, for that is all she is!’

American Standard Version

Then said I of her that was old in adulteries, Now will they play the harlot with her, and she with them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 23:43 captures the Lord's profound dismay and rhetorical condemnation of Jerusalem (Oholibah), who is personified as a woman "old in adulteries." Despite witnessing the severe judgment meted out to her sister Samaria (Oholah) for similar spiritual harlotry and idolatry, Jerusalem brazenly persisted in her unfaithfulness to Yahweh, seeking illicit alliances with foreign nations and their gods. The verse expresses divine astonishment at her seemingly limitless depravity and her unrepentant determination to continue in sin, highlighting the chronic rebellion against the covenant relationship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 23 is a powerful allegorical chapter, building upon the themes of spiritual harlotry introduced in [Ezekiel 16](/ezekiel/16 "Ezekiel 16 - The Allegory of Jerusalem as an Unfaithful Wife"). In this chapter, God uses the vivid imagery of two sisters, Oholah (Samaria, representing the Northern Kingdom of Israel) and Oholibah (Jerusalem, representing the Southern Kingdom of Judah), to expose their persistent spiritual unfaithfulness. Both sisters, betrothed to Yahweh, engaged in promiscuous relationships with foreign nations and their pagan deities, abandoning their covenant. Oholah's judgment by Assyria is detailed in the first half of the chapter, serving as a stark warning. Ezekiel 23:43 comes at the climax of the chapter, immediately following a detailed description of Oholibah's escalating and more egregious "whoredoms" (verses 36-42). The rhetorical question in this verse underscores the shocking continuation of Jerusalem's sin, even after witnessing the devastating consequences that befell her sister, thereby intensifying the divine condemnation. The subsequent verses (44-49) then describe the full extent of the judgment that will fall upon Oholibah, mirroring and surpassing Oholah's fate.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop of Ezekiel 23 is the period leading up to and during the Babylonian exile. Both the Northern Kingdom (Israel/Samaria) and the Southern Kingdom (Judah/Jerusalem) had a long history of covenant unfaithfulness. The "adulteries" and "whoredoms" refer to Israel's idolatry and their reliance on foreign political alliances rather than trusting in God. Samaria fell to Assyria in 722 BC [2 Kings 17:6](/2_kings/17-6 "2 Kings 17:6 - The Fall of Samaria"), largely due to her flirtations with Assyrian and Egyptian powers and adoption of their gods. Judah, despite witnessing this, continued her own pattern of seeking alliances with Egypt, Assyria, and Babylon, and importing their idolatrous practices into the very temple of Jerusalem. The metaphor of marriage was deeply ingrained in the covenant relationship between Yahweh and Israel, established at [Mount Sinai](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - The Covenant at Mount Sinai"). Therefore, their spiritual infidelity was akin to a wife committing adultery, a grave offense in ancient Near Eastern culture, often punishable by death. The prophet's language would have resonated powerfully with an audience familiar with these cultural norms, emphasizing the severity of Israel's betrayal.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several key themes prevalent throughout Ezekiel and the prophetic literature. Firstly, **Persistent Unfaithfulness** is central; the phrase "old in adulteries" highlights Jerusalem's long-standing and deeply entrenched pattern of forsaking God for foreign alliances and pagan worship, demonstrating a chronic, unrepentant rebellion against their divine covenant. Secondly, **Divine Astonishment and Condemnation** are palpable in the rhetorical question, "Will they now commit whoredoms with her, and she [with them]?" This is not a request for information but an expression of God's profound dismay and lament over the seemingly limitless depth of Judah's depravity and their determination to continue in sin, even after experiencing or witnessing severe consequences. Thirdly, the theme of **Rejection of Warning** is implicit; Jerusalem's failure to learn from Samaria's downfall [Jeremiah 3:8](/jeremiah/3-8 "Jeremiah 3:8 - Judah's Unfaithfulness After Israel's Punishment") underscores a stubborn refusal to heed God's clear demonstrations of wrath against idolatry, choosing instead to persist in the very acts that brought ruin upon her sister. Finally, the verse contributes to the overarching theme of **Imminent Judgment**, as such unrepentant sin necessitates divine retribution, which is fully elaborated in the subsequent verses and chapters of Ezekiel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **old (Hebrew, _bâleh'_):** From the root H1087, meaning "worn out" or "old." In this context, applied to "adulteries," it signifies a long-standing, habitual, and deeply ingrained pattern of unfaithfulness. It's not a new or isolated incident but a chronic condition, suggesting a spiritual decrepitude and a hardened heart that has grown accustomed to sin over generations.
* **adulteries (Hebrew, _niʼuph'_):** From H5004, literally meaning "adultery." In the prophetic books, especially Ezekiel, this term is consistently used metaphorically to describe Israel's spiritual infidelity to God. It emphasizes the breach of their covenant relationship, likened to a marriage, where worshiping other gods or relying on foreign nations is seen as an act of unfaithfulness against their divine husband, Yahweh. The term underscores the betrayal of a sacred, exclusive bond.
* **commit whoredoms (Hebrew, _zânâh'_):** From H2181, a primitive root meaning "to commit adultery," often of the female, but also encompassing simple fornication, and figuratively, to commit idolatry. This word is crucial as it describes the *action* of spiritual harlotry. Its broad semantic range, including "harlot," "whore," and "go a-whoring," emphasizes the brazen, deliberate, and often public nature of Israel's unfaithfulness, portraying their pursuit of foreign gods and alliances as a wanton, promiscuous act.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then said I unto [her that was] old in adulteries":** This clause establishes the divine speaker ("I" referring to the Lord, through the prophet Ezekiel) addressing Jerusalem, personified as Oholibah. The phrase "old in adulteries" is a poignant and damning indictment, highlighting the deep-seated, long-standing, and habitual nature of Jerusalem's spiritual unfaithfulness. It implies a history of persistent rebellion, not merely isolated incidents, but a chronic condition that has become ingrained.
* **"Will they now commit whoredoms with her, and she [with them]?":** This is a powerful rhetorical question, expressing profound divine astonishment, lament, and condemnation. It's not a genuine inquiry but a statement of incredulity and disgust. "They" refers to the foreign nations and their idols with whom Jerusalem has been unfaithful. The question conveys the Lord's utter dismay that, despite all warnings, judgments, and the clear example of Samaria's destruction, Jerusalem would still continue in her brazen spiritual harlotry. It underscores the seemingly limitless depth of her depravity and her unrepentant determination to persist in sin.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 23:43 is rich with **Allegory**, as the entire chapter uses the extended metaphor of two sisters, Oholah and Oholibah, to represent the Northern and Southern Kingdoms of Israel. This allows for a vivid and impactful portrayal of their spiritual unfaithfulness as sexual promiscuity. The verse employs a powerful **Rhetorical Question** ("Will they now commit whoredoms with her, and she [with them]?"), which is not meant to elicit an answer but to express the Lord's profound dismay, condemnation, and incredulity at Jerusalem's persistent and unrepentant sin. This device amplifies the emotional weight of the divine judgment. Furthermore, the **Personification** of Jerusalem as a woman "old in adulteries" brings the abstract concept of national idolatry into a relatable and shocking human context, emphasizing the intimate and betrayed nature of the covenant relationship. Finally, the central **Metaphor** of "adulteries" and "whoredoms" for idolatry and foreign alliances is a pervasive theme throughout Ezekiel and other prophetic books, powerfully conveying the gravity of Israel's betrayal of their exclusive covenant with Yahweh, likening it to the ultimate marital infidelity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 23:43 powerfully underscores the gravity of covenant unfaithfulness and the divine response to persistent rebellion. The Lord, as the faithful covenant husband, expresses His profound grief and indignation over Israel's spiritual adultery. This verse highlights that God's patience, while vast, is not infinite, and unrepentant sin, especially after clear warnings and observed judgments, will inevitably lead to severe consequences. It speaks to the holiness of God, who cannot tolerate defilement within His covenant people, and His justice, which demands accountability for such egregious betrayal. The theological implication is that true worship demands exclusive devotion, and any deviation, whether through idolatry or reliance on worldly powers, constitutes a profound betrayal of the divine relationship.

* [Hosea 4:12](/hosea/4-12 "Hosea 4:12 - Israel's Spiritual Prostitution")
* [Jeremiah 3:6-10](/jeremiah/3-6-10 "Jeremiah 3:6-10 - Israel and Judah's Unfaithfulness")
* [Revelation 17:1-6](/revelation/17-1-6 "Revelation 17:1-6 - The Great Prostitute and Babylon")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 23:43 serves as a timeless and sobering warning for all generations, urging us to examine the nature of our own allegiances and devotions. Just as Judah failed to learn from Samaria's downfall, we are cautioned against spiritual complacency and the dangerous illusion that we are immune to the consequences of sin, especially when we ignore the lessons of history or the clear warnings from God's Word. While overt idol worship may be less common today, "adulteries" can manifest as anything that takes priority over God in our lives – whether it be wealth, power, pleasure, self-reliance, human relationships, or even intellectual pursuits. This verse challenges us to scrutinize where our ultimate allegiance truly lies and to recognize that any devotion that displaces God from His rightful place as supreme in our hearts constitutes a form of spiritual infidelity. It reminds us that God is patient and merciful, but persistent, unrepentant sin, particularly after clear warnings and examples of judgment, invites severe divine consequences. Therefore, this passage is a call to radical repentance, a renewed commitment to exclusive devotion to God, and a vigilant guarding of our hearts against anything that would usurp His rightful place.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be committing "spiritual adultery" by prioritizing something or someone over God?**
* **Am I learning from the warnings and consequences of sin, both in biblical narratives and in contemporary life, or am I prone to spiritual complacency?**
* **How does the concept of God as a faithful covenant husband challenge my understanding of His character and my responsibility in our relationship?**

### FAQ
**What does "old in adulteries" mean in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "old in adulteries" (Hebrew: *bâleh niʼuph*) refers to Jerusalem's long-standing, habitual, and deeply ingrained pattern of spiritual unfaithfulness to God. It signifies that her idolatry and reliance on foreign alliances were not new or isolated incidents, but a chronic condition that had persisted for generations. It suggests a spiritual decrepitude and a hardened heart that had grown accustomed to betraying her covenant with Yahweh. This emphasizes the profound depth of her rebellion and her unrepentant nature, making her guilt all the greater in God's eyes.

**How does the prophet Ezekiel use the imagery of "whoredom" or "adultery" to describe Israel's sin?**

Answer: In Ezekiel, as in other prophetic books like [Hosea](/hosea/1 "Hosea 1 - The Prophet's Unfaithful Wife"), the imagery of "whoredom" or "adultery" is a powerful and shocking metaphor for Israel's spiritual infidelity to God. God had entered into a covenant relationship with Israel, often depicted as a marriage ([Jeremiah 31:32](/jeremiah/31-32 "Jeremiah 31:32 - The New Covenant")). Therefore, when Israel worshipped other gods (idolatry) or sought alliances with foreign nations instead of trusting in Yahweh, it was seen as a betrayal of this sacred, exclusive bond, akin to a wife committing adultery against her husband. This vivid imagery aims to convey the extreme gravity and personal offense of their sin against a loving and faithful God.

**What is the significance of the rhetorical question in Ezekiel 23:43?**

Answer: The question, "Will they now commit whoredoms with her, and she [with them]?", is a powerful **rhetorical question** that expresses the Lord's profound dismay, condemnation, and incredulity. It is not a genuine inquiry seeking information, but rather a statement of divine astonishment at Jerusalem's seemingly limitless depravity. Despite witnessing the devastating judgment that befell her sister Samaria for similar sins, Jerusalem brazenly continued and even intensified her spiritual harlotry. The question underscores the utter unreasonableness and stubbornness of her rebellion, highlighting God's lament over her unrepentant determination to persist in sin.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 23:43, with its stark portrayal of Israel's spiritual adultery and God's righteous indignation, foreshadows the ultimate solution to humanity's pervasive unfaithfulness found in Jesus Christ. The "old in adulteries" speaks to humanity's deep-seated rebellion and inability to keep the covenant with God, a condition that no amount of warning or judgment could rectify. This persistent unfaithfulness necessitated a new covenant, not based on human obedience, but on divine grace. Jesus, the faithful Bridegroom, came to establish this [new covenant through His blood](/luke/22-20 "Luke 22:20 - The New Covenant in Jesus' Blood"). He perfectly fulfilled the covenant that Israel continually broke, living a life of perfect obedience and exclusive devotion to God. Moreover, He bore the judgment for humanity's spiritual adultery and idolatry on the cross, becoming the ultimate sacrifice that atones for our unfaithfulness ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Through His death and resurrection, believers are cleansed from their "whoredoms" and brought into a pure, reconciled relationship with God, no longer defined by their past betrayals but by His perfect faithfulness. The New Testament church is presented as the [bride of Christ](/ephesians/5-27 "Ephesians 5:27 - Christ's Love for the Church"), called to a singular devotion to Him, reminding us that the longing for exclusive worship expressed in Ezekiel finds its ultimate satisfaction and realization in our union with Christ, who makes us faithful.

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

Jeremiah 13:23

Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? [then] may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.

Daniel 9:16

O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people [are become] a reproach to all [that are] about us.

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.

Ezra 9:7

Since the days of our fathers [have] we [been] in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, [and] our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as [it is] this day.

Psalms 106:6

¶ We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly.