Ezekiel 23:45

And the righteous men, they shall judge them after the manner of adulteresses, and after the manner of women that shed blood; because they [are] adulteresses, and blood [is] in their hands.

And the righteous {H6662} men {H582}, they shall judge {H8199} them after the manner {H4941} of adulteresses {H5003}, and after the manner {H4941} of women that shed {H8210} blood {H1818}; because they are adulteresses {H5003}, and blood {H1818} is in their hands {H3027}.

Nevertheless, there are righteous men who will judge them as adulterers and murderers are supposed to be judged; because they are adulterers, and blood is dripping from their hands.

But righteous men will sentence them to the punishment of those who commit adultery and bloodshed, because they are adulteresses with blood on their hands.

And righteous men, they shall judge them with the judgment of adulteresses, and with the judgment of women that shed blood; because they are adulteresses, and blood is in their hands.

Ezekiel 23:45 (KJV) delivers a powerful and grim prophecy of judgment against the unfaithful cities of Samaria (Aholah) and Jerusalem (Aholibah), personified as two sisters who committed spiritual adultery and bloodshed against God.

Context

This verse concludes a lengthy and graphic allegory in Ezekiel chapter 23, where God uses the vivid imagery of two prostitutes, Aholah and Aholibah, to illustrate the deep spiritual unfaithfulness of the northern kingdom of Israel (Samaria) and the southern kingdom of Judah (Jerusalem) respectively. They had abandoned their covenant relationship with God, engaging in rampant idolatry and forming illicit alliances with foreign nations. The preceding verses detail their escalating harlotry, culminating in God's declaration of severe judgment. Verse 45 specifies the nature of this impending judgment, executed by "righteous men," referring to the instruments God would use – foreign armies, particularly the Assyrians against Samaria and the Babylonians against Jerusalem – who, in carrying out God's decree, act as agents of divine justice.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment for Unfaithfulness: The verse underscores God's righteous judgment against those who betray their covenant relationship. The sisters' actions of spiritual adultery and shedding innocent blood warrant a severe and fitting punishment.
  • Consequences of Idolatry: The primary sin depicted is idolatry, metaphorically described as spiritual adultery. This unfaithfulness to God, coupled with the shedding of innocent blood through practices like child sacrifice and violence, brings about their downfall.
  • Fitting Retribution: The judgment is described as being "after the manner of adulteresses, and after the manner of women that shed blood," indicating that the punishment will directly reflect the nature of their sins. This often involved public shame, stripping, and death, which were the legal consequences for adultery and murder in ancient Israelite law (Leviticus 20:10).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "adulteresses" (נֹאֲפוֹת, no'afot) and "shed blood" (דָּם, dam, meaning blood, often implying guilt or violence) are central to understanding the nature of the cities' profound sin. The phrase "after the manner of" (בְּמִשְׁפַּט, b'mishpat) implies a judgment according to the legal standard or custom for such offenses, highlighting the justice and precision of God's retribution.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 23:45 serves as a stark warning against spiritual compromise and unfaithfulness. While the direct context is Old Testament Israel and Judah, the principles remain relevant for believers today:

  • Beware of Spiritual Idolatry: Anything that takes the place of God in our lives—be it wealth, power, pleasure, or even self—can become an idol, leading to spiritual unfaithfulness and its consequences.
  • Accountability for Actions: The verse reminds us that there are serious consequences for sin, especially when it involves betraying our covenant relationship with God and harming others.
  • God's Justice: It affirms God's nature as a righteous judge who will ultimately bring justice for all unrighteousness, even if it is through seemingly unrighteous instruments. This also highlights the importance of leaving vengeance to God.

The harshness of this judgment emphasizes the gravity of Israel's departure from God and serves as a call to repentance and renewed devotion, reminding us that God's covenant demands exclusive loyalty.

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.

  • Leviticus 20:10

    ¶ And the man that committeth adultery with [another] man's wife, [even he] that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.

  • Ezekiel 23:36

    ¶ The LORD said moreover unto me; Son of man, wilt thou judge Aholah and Aholibah? yea, declare unto them their abominations;

  • Ezekiel 23:39

    For when they had slain their children to their idols, then they came the same day into my sanctuary to profane it; and, lo, thus have they done in the midst of mine house.

  • Hosea 6:5

    Therefore have I hewed [them] by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments [are as] the light [that] goeth forth.

  • Ezekiel 16:38

    And I will judge thee, as women that break wedlock and shed blood are judged; and I will give thee blood in fury and jealousy.

  • Ezekiel 16:43

    Because thou hast not remembered the days of thy youth, but hast fretted me in all these [things]; behold, therefore I also will recompense thy way upon [thine] head, saith the Lord GOD: and thou shalt not commit this lewdness above all thine abominations.

  • Zechariah 1:6

    But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.

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