Ezekiel 23:49

And they shall recompense your lewdness upon you, and ye shall bear the sins of your idols: and ye shall know that I [am] the Lord GOD.

And they shall recompense {H5414} your lewdness {H2154} upon you, and ye shall bear {H5375} the sins {H2399} of your idols {H1544}: and ye shall know {H3045} that I am the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}.

You will receive the punishment your lewdness deserves, and you will pay the penalty for your idolatries. Then you will know that I am Adonai ELOHIM.'"

They will repay you for your indecency, and you will bear the consequences of your sins of idolatry. Then you will know that I am the Lord GOD.’”

And they shall recompense your lewdness upon you, and ye shall bear the sins of your idols; and ye shall know that I am the Lord Jehovah.

Ezekiel 23:49 (KJV) concludes a powerful and sobering allegory, delivering the final judgment against Judah (represented by Aholibah, Jerusalem) for its spiritual infidelity and idolatry. The verse declares the inevitable consequences of their actions, emphasizing divine justice and the ultimate revelation of God's sovereignty.

Context of Ezekiel 23:49

Chapter 23 of Ezekiel is a vivid and graphic parable of two sisters, Aholah (Samaria, representing the Northern Kingdom of Israel) and Aholibah (Jerusalem, representing the Southern Kingdom of Judah). Both sisters are depicted as engaging in spiritual harlotry by forsaking their covenant with God and pursuing illicit alliances with foreign nations (Assyria, Babylon, Egypt) and adopting their pagan worship practices. God, as their husband, details their escalating unfaithfulness and announces a severe judgment. The nations with whom they committed these spiritual acts are paradoxically used as instruments of God's wrath to punish them. Verse 49 serves as the summary statement of this divine retribution upon Jerusalem, sealing their fate.

Meaning and Key Themes

  • Consequence of Sin and Judgment: The phrase "And they shall recompense your lewdness upon you" signifies that Jerusalem's immoral and idolatrous behavior will result in a just and severe punishment. The very nations they sought alliance with will be the agents of their destruction, a fitting divine irony. This highlights the principle that actions have consequences, especially when one defies the Almighty.
  • Idolatry and Unfaithfulness: "And ye shall bear the sins of your idols" directly links their suffering to their worship of false gods. The Israelites were meant to be exclusively devoted to the Lord, but their pursuit of foreign gods and political alliances constituted a profound breach of their covenant. They are held fully accountable for these spiritual transgressions.
  • The Sovereignty and Revelation of God: The recurring declaration, "and ye shall know that I [am] the Lord GOD," is a central theme throughout the book of Ezekiel. This phrase underscores that the purpose of God's judgment is not merely punitive but also revelatory. Through the unfolding of these devastating events, both Israel and the surrounding nations would ultimately be forced to acknowledge the unique power, justice, and faithfulness of the one true God. This recognition is often brought about through His mighty acts of judgment, as seen in Exodus 7:5 concerning Pharaoh.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "lewdness" here is zimmah (זִמָּה), which often carries the connotation of a premeditated, vile plan or wickedness, particularly in the context of sexual immorality or, as in this chapter, spiritual unfaithfulness and idolatry. It emphasizes the deliberate and egregious nature of their transgression. The title "Lord GOD" translates the Hebrew Adonai Yahweh (אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה), a powerful combination signifying God as the sovereign Master and the covenant-keeping, self-existent One.

Related Scriptures

The concept of reaping what one sows is clearly articulated here, echoing principles found in Galatians 6:7. The consequences of spiritual harlotry and breaking God's covenant are a consistent theme in the prophetic books, as seen in Jeremiah's lament over Judah's unfaithfulness (Jeremiah 3:8). The ultimate goal of God's judgment, that people would "know that I am the Lord," is a frequent refrain in Ezekiel, appearing over 70 times, emphasizing His unwavering purpose to reveal His true identity and authority, as also found in Ezekiel 6:7.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 23:49 serves as a timeless warning against spiritual compromise and idolatry. For believers today, it highlights the importance of exclusive devotion to God. Any pursuit that replaces God in our affections or trust, whether it be wealth, power, pleasure, or even human relationships, constitutes a form of modern idolatry. This verse reminds us that God is just and that there are inevitable consequences for turning away from Him. Ultimately, through both blessings and judgments, God's purpose is for humanity to truly "know" Him – to understand His character, His power, and His righteous demands, leading to repentance and a life of true worship and obedience.

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.

  • Ezekiel 7:4

    And mine eye shall not spare thee, neither will I have pity: but I will recompense thy ways upon thee, and thine abominations shall be in the midst of thee: and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.

  • Ezekiel 9:10

    And as for me also, mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity, [but] I will recompense their way upon their head.

  • Isaiah 59:18

    According to [their] deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence.

  • Ezekiel 7:9

    And mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: I will recompense thee according to thy ways and thine abominations [that] are in the midst of thee; and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD that smiteth.

  • Ezekiel 6:7

    And the slain shall fall in the midst of you, and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.

  • Ezekiel 20:38

    And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.

  • 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.

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