Ezekiel 23:45

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 23:45 delivers a stark prophetic judgment against the unfaithful cities of Samaria (Aholah) and Jerusalem (Aholibah, personified as sisters who engaged in spiritual adultery and bloodshed. It declares that "righteous men" will execute divine justice upon them, inflicting punishment that precisely mirrors their transgressions, serving as a solemn warning against covenant infidelity and moral depravity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes the elaborate and graphic allegory of Ezekiel chapter 23, which portrays the spiritual harlotry of the northern kingdom of Israel (Samaria, named Aholah) and the southern kingdom of Judah (Jerusalem, named Aholibah). Following the detailed recounting of their escalating unfaithfulness, their illicit alliances with foreign powers (Egypt, Assyria, Babylon), and their rampant idolatry, God declares that He will gather their former lovers (the very nations they sought alliance with) to judge them. The preceding verses (Ezekiel 23:36-44) intensify the charges, accusing them of defiling God's sanctuary, profaning His Sabbaths, and even sacrificing their children to idols, thereby culminating in God's pronouncement of a severe and fitting retribution. Verse 45 specifically outlines the nature of this impending judgment, emphasizing its just and proportional character.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy of Ezekiel was delivered during the Babylonian exile, a period of profound national crisis for Judah. Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom, had already fallen to Assyria in 722 BC, and Jerusalem was facing its imminent destruction by Babylon. The "adultery" described is a powerful metaphor for Israel's covenant unfaithfulness, where their relationship with Yahweh was likened to a marriage. Engaging in idolatry (worshipping foreign gods) and forming political alliances with pagan nations (relying on human strength rather than divine protection) were considered acts of spiritual infidelity. The "shedding of blood" refers not only to the violence and injustice prevalent in society but also, and more horrifically, to the practice of child sacrifice to deities like Molech, which was an abomination in God's sight. The judgment "after the manner of adulteresses" refers to the prescribed legal penalties for adultery in ancient Near Eastern and Israelite law, which often included public shaming, stripping, stoning, and death, while "women that shed blood" would face capital punishment.
* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 23:45 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Ezekiel and the broader prophetic tradition. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment for Covenant Infidelity**. The vivid imagery of spiritual harlotry highlights the gravity of Israel's betrayal of their covenant with Yahweh, emphasizing that God's justice is unwavering against those who abandon Him for idols and foreign alliances, as seen throughout [Ezekiel's prophecies](/ezekiel/7 "Ezekiel 7 - The End Has Come"). Secondly, the verse reinforces the theme of **Retributive Justice**, where the punishment precisely fits the crime. The manner of judgment—like that of adulteresses and those who shed blood—directly reflects the nature of their sins, illustrating God's righteous principle of [just recompense](/jeremiah/2-19 "Jeremiah 2:19 - Your Own Wickedness Will Punish You"). Finally, it speaks to the **Sovereignty of God** even in judgment. The "righteous men" are not inherently righteous in their own character but are instruments through whom God executes His divine decree, demonstrating that even pagan nations serve as agents of His [sovereign will](/isaiah/10-5 "Isaiah 10:5 - Assyria, the Rod of God's Anger") to bring about His purposes.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Righteous (Hebrew, _tsaddîyq'_):** From H6662, meaning "just" or "lawful." In this context, it describes the "men" (H582, _ʼĕnôwsh_, referring to mortals in general, often used for collective humanity) who will execute the judgment. These are not necessarily morally upright individuals, but rather those who, by carrying out God's decreed punishment, act as instruments of His justice. Their "righteousness" lies in their unwitting fulfillment of God's righteous verdict against Israel and Judah.
* **Manner (Hebrew, _mishpâṭ'_):** From H4941, meaning "a verdict," "sentence," "law," or "custom." The phrase "after the manner of" signifies that the judgment will be executed according to the legal and customary penalties for the specific crimes committed. It emphasizes that the punishment is not arbitrary but is a just and precise application of divine law, reflecting the societal norms for dealing with such offenses.
* **Adulteresses (Hebrew, _nâʼaph'_):** From H5003, a primitive root meaning "to commit adultery" or, figuratively, "to apostatize." This term is central to the allegory, representing Israel and Judah's spiritual unfaithfulness to God through idolatry and illicit political alliances. The use of the feminine plural "adulteresses" vividly personifies the two cities as women who have broken their covenant vows.
* **Blood (Hebrew, _dâm'_):** From H1818, meaning "blood" (especially that which causes death when shed), or figuratively, "bloodshed" or "blood-guiltiness." This word highlights the second major transgression of Aholah and Aholibah: violence, injustice, and particularly the horrific practice of child sacrifice. The phrase "blood is in their hands" (H3027, _yâd_, meaning "hand," signifying power, responsibility, or action) is an idiom for being guilty of bloodshed, a grave offense against God and humanity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the righteous men, they shall judge them":** This clause identifies the agents of divine judgment. While the text refers to "righteous men," the broader context of Ezekiel 23 and historical events reveals these to be the foreign armies (Assyrians for Samaria, Babylonians for Jerusalem) whom God uses as His instruments. Their "righteousness" is not moral purity but their function as executors of God's just decree, bringing about the deserved consequences for Israel and Judah's sins.
* **"after the manner of adulteresses, and after the manner of women that shed blood":** This specifies the nature and severity of the judgment. The punishment will be proportional and fitting to the crimes. For "adulteresses," this implies public shame, stripping, exposure, and potentially death by stoning or burning, as was the legal consequence for adultery in ancient Israelite law (cf. [Leviticus 20:10](/leviticus/20-10 "Leviticus 20:10 - Punishment for Adultery")). For "women that shed blood," it refers to capital punishment, emphasizing the gravity of their violence and child sacrifice.
* **"because they [are] adulteresses, and blood [is] in their hands":** This final clause provides the divine justification for the severe judgment. It reiterates the two primary charges against Aholah and Aholibah: their spiritual infidelity (idolatry and covenant breaking) and their guilt for bloodshed (violence and child sacrifice). The repetition underscores the undeniable nature of their guilt and the absolute justice of the impending retribution.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 23:45, as part of a larger prophetic discourse, employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. The overarching device is **Allegory**, where the story of two sisters, Aholah and Aholibah, serves as an extended metaphor for the spiritual and political history of Israel and Judah. **Personification** is central, as the cities of Samaria and Jerusalem are given human characteristics and actions, allowing the prophet to vividly portray their unfaithfulness as personal betrayal. The primary **Metaphor** throughout the chapter, and culminating in this verse, is that of spiritual unfaithfulness as "adultery" or "harlotry," powerfully communicating the intimacy of the covenant relationship and the profound offense of its violation. Furthermore, the phrase "after the manner of" illustrates **Poetic Justice** or *lex talionis*, where the punishment directly mirrors the nature of the crime, emphasizing that the judgment is not arbitrary but a just and fitting consequence of their actions.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 23:45 profoundly illustrates God's unwavering commitment to justice and the severe consequences of covenant infidelity. It reveals that God, as the righteous Judge, will not tolerate persistent sin, particularly spiritual idolatry and bloodshed, which defile His holiness and break His covenant. The divine judgment, though executed through human instruments, is perfectly just and proportional, serving as a powerful demonstration of God's moral order in the world. This passage reminds us that while God is merciful and long-suffering, His patience has limits, and unrepentant sin will ultimately incur His righteous wrath.
* [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Curses for Disobedience") - Outlines the curses that will befall Israel for disobedience to the covenant, including foreign invasion and destruction, directly paralleling the judgment in Ezekiel.
* [Hosea 4:1-2](/hosea/4-1 "Hosea 4:1-2 - God's Case Against Israel") - Accuses Israel of spiritual harlotry, lack of truth, mercy, and knowledge of God, leading to "swearing, deception, murder, stealing, and adultery," and "bloodshed follows bloodshed."
* [Revelation 17:1-6](/revelation/17-1 "Revelation 17:1-6 - The Great Harlot") - Depicts "Babylon the Great, the mother of prostitutes and of the abominations of the earth," drunk with the blood of the saints, echoing the imagery of a harlot city guilty of bloodshed and judgment.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 23:45 serves as a potent reminder of the gravity of spiritual infidelity and the inevitability of divine justice. While the immediate context is ancient Israel, the principles resonate deeply for believers today. We are called to an exclusive and devoted relationship with God, free from the "adultery" of idolatry—whether it be the worship of material possessions, self-reliance, worldly approval, or anything that usurps God's rightful place in our hearts. This verse challenges us to examine our loyalties, ensuring that our devotion to Christ is undivided and that our lives reflect His righteousness, not the "blood" of injustice, apathy, or compromise with sin. It underscores the truth that our actions have consequences, and while God's grace is boundless for the repentant, His justice will ultimately prevail for the unrepentant. This should compel us to live in faithful obedience, recognizing that true freedom and flourishing are found only in unwavering allegiance to our Creator and Redeemer.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be committing "spiritual adultery" by prioritizing something or someone over God?**
* **How does the concept of "blood in their hands" challenge me to consider my own complicity (or lack thereof) in issues of injustice, violence, or apathy in the world?**
* **Given God's righteous judgment, what does this passage teach me about the importance of repentance and seeking His forgiveness for my own sins?**
* **How can understanding God's justice in the Old Testament deepen my appreciation for the grace offered through Christ in the New Testament?**

### FAQ
**Who are the "righteous men" mentioned in this verse, and why are they called "righteous"?**

Answer: The "righteous men" are not individuals of inherent moral righteousness, but rather the foreign nations and armies—specifically the Assyrians (who destroyed Samaria) and the Babylonians (who destroyed Jerusalem)—whom God sovereignly used as instruments of His judgment. They are called "righteous" because, in carrying out God's decreed punishment upon Aholah and Aholibah, they were, in that specific function, fulfilling God's righteous verdict. Their actions, though often brutal, were in alignment with divine justice for the profound spiritual adultery and bloodshed committed by Israel and Judah. This highlights God's ability to use even ungodly nations to accomplish His holy purposes, bringing about a just recompense for sin.

**What does it mean to be judged "after the manner of adulteresses, and after the manner of women that shed blood"?**

Answer: This phrase signifies that the punishment would precisely fit the crimes committed. In ancient Israelite and Near Eastern law, the "manner" or legal consequence for adultery often involved public humiliation, stripping, exposure, and ultimately, death by stoning or burning (see [Leviticus 20:10](/leviticus/20-10 "Leviticus 20:10 - Law on Adultery") and [Ezekiel 16:37-41](/ezekiel/16-37 "Ezekiel 16:37-41 - Jerusalem's Shame and Punishment")). For "women that shed blood"—referring to murder and especially child sacrifice—the penalty was capital punishment. Thus, the judgment would be severe, public, and directly proportional to the spiritual infidelity and violent practices of Aholah and Aholibah, demonstrating God's unwavering justice.

**How does this Old Testament judgment relate to God's character of love and mercy?**

Answer: While this verse emphasizes God's justice and severity against sin, it does not contradict His love and mercy. Rather, it reveals the depth of His holiness and the seriousness with which He views covenant breaking and moral depravity. God's judgment is a manifestation of His righteous character, which cannot tolerate unrepentant evil. His mercy is demonstrated in His long-suffering and repeated warnings through prophets like Ezekiel before judgment falls. For those who repent, His mercy is abundant. This passage underscores that true love also involves holding accountable those who persist in destructive rebellion, ultimately for the sake of His own glory and the moral order of His creation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 23:45, with its grim pronouncement of judgment against spiritual adultery and bloodshed, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in several profound ways. Firstly, Jesus Christ is the **Righteous Judge** (cf. [John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - The Father Judges No One, But Has Given All Judgment to the Son")), who will one day execute perfect justice upon all unrighteousness, including spiritual infidelity and the shedding of innocent blood. The judgment described in Ezekiel foreshadows the coming day when every hidden thing will be brought into the light, and all will be judged according to their deeds. Secondly, and paradoxically, Christ also stands as the one who bore the judgment for our spiritual adultery and blood-guiltiness. Humanity, like Aholah and Aholibah, has continually broken covenant with God and is stained with sin. Yet, the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), Jesus Christ, allowed His own innocent blood to be shed on the cross, taking upon Himself the "manner" of judgment that we deserved for our unfaithfulness and sin (cf. [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - He Was Pierced for Our Transgressions")). Through His sacrifice, He offers forgiveness and reconciliation, transforming those who were once "adulteresses" and "blood-stained" into His pure and faithful bride, the Church, cleansed by His atoning blood (cf. [Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ Loves the Church")). Thus, Ezekiel 23:45 not only warns of divine wrath but also implicitly points to the necessity and glory of Christ's redemptive work, which alone can satisfy the demands of God's justice and offer a path to true covenant fidelity.

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

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.