Ezekiel 23:44
Yet they went in unto her, as they go in unto a woman that playeth the harlot: so went they in unto Aholah and unto Aholibah, the lewd women.
Yet they went in {H935} unto her, as they go in {H935} unto a woman {H802} that playeth the harlot {H2181}: so went they in {H935} unto Aholah {H170} and unto Aholibah {H172}, the lewd {H2154} women {H802}.
For every one went in to her; just as men go in to a prostitute, so they went in to Oholah and Oholivah, those debauched women.
And they slept with her as with a prostitute; they slept with Oholah and Oholibah, those lewd women.
And they went in unto her, as they go in unto a harlot: so went they in unto Oholah and unto Oholibah, the lewd women.
Cross-References
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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. -
Ezekiel 23:9
Wherefore I have delivered her into the hand of her lovers, into the hand of the Assyrians, upon whom she doted. -
Ezekiel 23:13
Then I saw that she was defiled, [that] they [took] both one way,
Commentary
Ezekiel 23:44 concludes a particularly vivid and disturbing allegorical narrative concerning the spiritual unfaithfulness of Israel and Judah, personified as two sisters, Aholah and Aholibah.
Context of Ezekiel 23:44
Chapter 23 of Ezekiel serves as a powerful and graphic indictment of the Northern Kingdom of Israel (represented by Aholah, Samaria) and the Southern Kingdom of Judah (represented by Aholibah, Jerusalem). God uses the allegory of two sisters who engage in spiritual prostitution by forming illicit alliances with foreign nations like Assyria, Egypt, and Babylon, and adopting their idolatrous practices. This was a direct violation of their covenant with the Lord, who was meant to be their exclusive God. Verse 44 specifically highlights the persistent and widespread nature of this unholy behavior, emphasizing that despite prior judgments and warnings, the people continued in their spiritual adultery.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word for "harlot" or "playeth the harlot" is zanah (ΧΦΈΧ ΦΈΧ), which signifies not only physical prostitution but also, and more importantly in this context, spiritual infidelity and idolatry. The term "lewd women" reinforces the moral depravity associated with their actions. The imagery is intentionally shocking to convey the extent of Israel and Judah's rebellion and how deeply offensive their idolatry was to God, likening it to the most degrading human behavior.
Related Scriptures
This allegorical style is also seen in other prophetic books. For a similar, though perhaps less graphic, depiction of Israel's unfaithfulness, refer to the book of Hosea, where the prophet is commanded to marry a harlot as a symbol of God's relationship with unfaithful Israel. Jeremiah 3:6-10 also speaks of Israel and Judah's spiritual harlotry. The theme of spiritual Babylon as a harlot appears later in Revelation 17:1.
Practical Application
While the immediate context is ancient Israel and Judah, the principles remain profoundly relevant. This verse serves as a powerful warning against spiritual idolatry in any form today. It challenges believers to examine where their ultimate devotion lies. Are we pursuing worldly pleasures, material possessions, or human approval at the expense of our relationship with God? The passage calls for exclusive loyalty to God, reminding us that any allegiance that competes with Him is a form of spiritual "harlotry." It encourages a life of faithfulness, reminding us of the consequences of straying from the Lord and the importance of a pure heart before Him, as urged in James 4:8.
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