Ezekiel 23:48

Thus will I cause lewdness to cease out of the land, that all women may be taught not to do after your lewdness.

Thus will I cause lewdness {H2154} to cease {H7673} out of the land {H776}, that all women {H802} may be taught {H3256} not to do {H6213} after your lewdness {H2154}.

"'Thus I will put an end to lewdness in the land, so that all women may be taught not to imitate your lewdness.

So I will put an end to indecency in the land, and all the women will be admonished not to imitate your behavior.

Thus will I cause lewdness to cease out of the land, that all women may be taught not to do after your lewdness.

Context of Ezekiel 23:48

Ezekiel 23 presents one of the Bible's most graphic and extended allegories, depicting the spiritual harlotry of Samaria (Oholah) and Jerusalem (Oholibah). These two sisters represent the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, respectively, who engaged in rampant idolatry and sought alliances with foreign nations (Egypt, Assyria, Babylon) instead of remaining faithful to God. Throughout the chapter, their "lewdness" is described in vivid, often shocking, detail, symbolizing their spiritual adultery and defilement. Verse 48 serves as a summary statement of God's decisive judgment against them. This verse concludes the severe judgment pronounced upon Jerusalem (Oholibah) and Samaria (Oholah) in the extended allegory of the two sisters.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment and Purification: The primary message is God's unwavering commitment to justice. He will actively intervene to cleanse His land of profound wickedness. The judgment is not merely punitive but also purificatory.
  • Consequences of Spiritual Unfaithfulness: The "lewdness" of Israel and Judah was their abandonment of God for foreign gods and alliances, which is repeatedly condemned as spiritual adultery. This verse underscores the principle that sin has dire consequences and God will not tolerate persistent rebellion.
  • Deterrence and Instruction: A crucial aspect of this judgment is its didactic purpose. God's act of purging "lewdness" is intended to "teach all women" (representing future generations or other nations) not to follow in the footsteps of Israel and Judah's unfaithfulness. It serves as a stark warning and a lesson in divine justice.
  • God's Holiness: This drastic action highlights God's absolute holiness and intolerance for sin, particularly the sin of idolatry which breaks the covenant relationship.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "lewdness" is zimmah (זִמָּה). This term is very strong, denoting depravity, wickedness, and often refers specifically to morally outrageous acts, including sexual immorality and spiritual prostitution (idolatry). Its repeated use throughout Ezekiel 23 emphasizes the extreme nature of Israel and Judah's spiritual rebellion. The phrase "that all women may be taught" uses the Hebrew verb yādac (יָדַע), which means "to know" or "to learn." Here, it implies learning through observation and the experience of others' consequences, serving as a cautionary tale.

Practical Application

While the allegory of Oholah and Oholibah is specific to ancient Israel, the principles of Ezekiel 23:48 remain highly relevant.

  • Seriousness of Idolatry: The verse reminds us that anything that replaces God in our ultimate devotion – whether materialism, self-worship, or false ideologies – is a form of spiritual "lewdness" in God's eyes and carries serious consequences.
  • God's Desire for Purity: God still desires purity and faithfulness from His people. He calls us to be set apart and devoted solely to Him, as highlighted in passages about fleeing from defilement.
  • Learning from Consequences: We are encouraged to learn not only from our own mistakes but also from the historical examples of others' disobedience and its outcomes. God's actions in history serve as powerful lessons for all generations. This aligns with the New Testament's admonition to learn from the experiences of Israel (1 Corinthians 10:11).
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.

  • 2 Peter 2:6

    And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned [them] with an overthrow, making [them] an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;

  • Ezekiel 23:27

    Thus will I make thy lewdness to cease from thee, and thy whoredom [brought] from the land of Egypt: so that thou shalt not lift up thine eyes unto them, nor remember Egypt any more.

  • Ezekiel 16:41

    And they shall burn thine houses with fire, and execute judgments upon thee in the sight of many women: and I will cause thee to cease from playing the harlot, and thou also shalt give no hire any more.

  • Ezekiel 6:6

    In all your dwellingplaces the cities shall be laid waste, and the high places shall be desolate; that your altars may be laid waste and made desolate, and your idols may be broken and cease, and your images may be cut down, and your works may be abolished.

  • Ezekiel 5:15

    So it shall be a reproach and a taunt, an instruction and an astonishment unto the nations that [are] round about thee, when I shall execute judgments in thee in anger and in fury and in furious rebukes. I the LORD have spoken [it].

  • Ezekiel 22:15

    And I will scatter thee among the heathen, and disperse thee in the countries, and will consume thy filthiness out of thee.

  • Zephaniah 1:3

    I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumblingblocks with the wicked; and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the LORD.

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