Ezekiel 23:49

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.'"

Berean Standard Bible

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.’”

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 23:49 delivers the climactic verdict against Judah, personified as Aholibah, for her egregious spiritual infidelity and idolatry. The verse pronounces the inescapable divine judgment, declaring that the very nations with whom she committed spiritual harlotry will be the instruments of her punishment, forcing her to bear the full weight of her transgressions. This severe recompense serves a higher revelatory purpose: to unequivocally demonstrate God's unwavering sovereignty, justice, and singular identity to both His people and the surrounding nations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 23 is a profound and graphic allegorical prophecy, portraying the northern kingdom of Israel (Samaria, Aholah) and the southern kingdom of Judah (Jerusalem, Aholibah) as two sisters who, despite being married to Yahweh, engaged in spiritual harlotry. This chapter builds upon the themes of covenant unfaithfulness and idolatry introduced earlier in Ezekiel, particularly in chapter 16, which depicts Jerusalem as an abandoned infant raised by God who then became a prostitute. Chapter 23 escalates the imagery, vividly detailing their escalating illicit alliances with foreign powers like Assyria, Babylon, and Egypt, and their adoption of pagan worship practices. The preceding verses in chapter 23 describe the severe judgment that will be meted out by these very foreign nations, who will act as God's instruments of wrath. Verse 49 serves as the definitive concluding statement of this judgment, sealing the fate of Judah and summarizing the consequences of her profound spiritual rebellion.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Ezekiel's prophecy is the Babylonian exile. Judah, particularly Jerusalem, had repeatedly entered into political and military alliances with powerful nations like Egypt and Assyria, rather than trusting in Yahweh's protection. These alliances often necessitated adopting the religious practices and idols of their partners, a direct violation of the Mosaic covenant's command for exclusive worship of God (e.g., [Exodus 20:3-5](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3-5 - No other gods before Me")). Culturally, the metaphor of marriage to describe the covenant relationship between God and Israel was well-understood (e.g., [Jeremiah 3:1](/jeremiah/3-1 "Jeremiah 3:1 - Israel's Unfaithfulness")). The "lewdness" and "harlotry" described were not merely symbolic of political alliances but also of literal engagement in Canaanite fertility cults and other pagan rituals, often involving temple prostitution and child sacrifice, which were abhorrent to God. The judgment described, where the lovers become the executioners, reflects a common ancient Near Eastern legal principle of poetic justice.

* **Key Themes:** The verse encapsulates several pervasive themes found throughout the book of Ezekiel. First, it powerfully underscores the theme of **divine judgment** as an inevitable consequence of sin, particularly idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness. The "recompense" and "bearing sins" highlight God's righteous justice and the principle that actions have consequences, a concept echoed in [Galatians 6:7](/galatians/6-7 "Galatians 6:7 - Sowing and Reaping"). Second, the verse emphasizes the **sovereignty of God**; even the pagan nations are merely instruments in His hands, fulfilling His divine purpose. Third, and most prominently, is the recurring theme, found over 70 times in Ezekiel, of God's ultimate purpose in judgment: "and ye shall know that I [am] the Lord GOD." This phrase signifies that the suffering and destruction are not arbitrary but are designed to bring about a profound, undeniable revelation of Yahweh's true identity, power, and authority to both Israel and the surrounding nations, leading to either repentance or acknowledgment of His supremacy, as seen in [Ezekiel 6:7](/ezekiel/6-7 "Ezekiel 6:7 - They will know I am the Lord").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **lewdness (Hebrew, _zimmâh'_):** From H2154, this term denotes a "plan, especially a bad one," or a "heinous crime." In the context of Ezekiel 23, it specifically refers to the premeditated, vile, and egregious spiritual and moral depravity of Judah. It encompasses not just casual sin but a deliberate and deeply ingrained wickedness, particularly in the context of spiritual harlotry and idolatry, emphasizing the calculated nature of their transgression against God's covenant.
* **idols (Hebrew, _gillûwl'_):** From H1544, this word literally means a "log (as round)" and by implication, an "idol." It is often used contemptuously in the Old Testament to refer to false gods, emphasizing their lifeless, worthless, and often grotesque nature. By calling them "logs," Ezekiel underscores their utter inability to help or save, highlighting the folly and futility of Judah's devotion to them.
* **know (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** From H3045, this primitive root signifies "to know" in a comprehensive sense, encompassing not just intellectual apprehension but also experiential knowledge, recognition, discernment, and even acknowledgment. In the phrase "ye shall know that I [am] the Lord GOD," it implies a forced, undeniable recognition of God's true identity, power, and authority, often brought about through His mighty acts of judgment, which reveal His character and sovereignty.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they shall recompense your lewdness upon you":** This clause declares that the very nations (the "they" referring to the Babylonians and other peoples mentioned earlier in the chapter) with whom Judah (Aholibah) had committed spiritual harlotry will be the instruments of divine retribution. The "recompense" signifies a just and proportionate repayment for their "lewdness" – their deliberate and heinous spiritual infidelity and idolatry. It highlights the principle of divine irony and poetic justice, where the source of their sin becomes the means of their punishment.
* **"and ye shall bear the sins of your idols":** This phrase further specifies the nature of the judgment. Judah will experience the full consequences and penalty associated with her worship of false gods. "Bearing sins" implies suffering the deserved punishment and the heavy burden of guilt and calamity that results directly from their idolatrous practices. It underscores their complete accountability for forsaking the one true God for worthless deities.
* **"and ye shall know that I [am] the Lord GOD":** This is the ultimate purpose and revelatory climax of the judgment. Through the devastating experience of punishment and exile, both Judah and the surrounding nations will be forced to acknowledge the unique, sovereign, and covenant-keeping identity of Yahweh. This "knowing" is not merely intellectual but an experiential, undeniable recognition of His power, justice, and faithfulness, demonstrating that He is the only true God, supreme over all other supposed deities.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 23:49, as the culmination of a lengthy allegorical prophecy, employs several potent literary devices. The overarching device is **Allegory**, where the story of two sisters, Aholah and Aholibah, serves as an extended metaphor for the spiritual harlotry of Samaria and Jerusalem. This allows for a vivid and emotionally charged depiction of their unfaithfulness. Within this, **Personification** is key, as the cities are given human attributes and actions, engaging in sexual promiscuity to represent their spiritual and political alliances with foreign nations. The verse itself exhibits **Irony**, as the "lovers" (foreign nations) become the instruments of judgment, turning their affections into instruments of destruction. This serves as a form of **Poetic Justice**. Finally, the concluding phrase, "and ye shall know that I [am] the Lord GOD," is a powerful example of **Repetition** (a leitmotif throughout Ezekiel), emphasizing the ultimate revelatory purpose behind all of God's judgments and actions, ensuring His identity and authority are undeniably established.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 23:49 powerfully articulates the theological principle that sin, particularly idolatry and spiritual unfaithfulness, inevitably leads to divine judgment. This is not merely punitive but serves a revelatory purpose, forcing humanity to acknowledge God's absolute sovereignty and unique identity. The consequences Judah faced for her "lewdness" and "sins of idols" underscore the seriousness of breaking covenant with God and the futility of seeking security or satisfaction outside of Him. This divine justice, while severe, is ultimately aimed at restoring a right understanding of who God is, demonstrating His power and righteousness to a world that had forgotten or denied Him.

* [Hosea 4:12](/hosea/4-12 "Hosea 4:12 - Spiritual Harlotry")
* [Romans 1:24-25](/romans/1-24 "Romans 1:24-25 - God Gives Them Over to Idolatry")
* [Revelation 19:2](/revelation/19-2 "Revelation 19:2 - God's Judgment on the Great Harlot")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 23:49 serves as a timeless and sobering warning for all generations, including believers today. It calls us to a profound self-examination regarding the objects of our deepest affections and allegiances. Just as ancient Judah prostituted herself by pursuing foreign gods and alliances, we too can fall into modern forms of idolatry—placing our trust, hope, or identity in wealth, career, relationships, social status, or even personal comfort above our exclusive devotion to God. This verse reminds us that true freedom and blessing come only from wholehearted commitment to the Lord. Any deviation, any "lewdness" of the heart, ultimately leads to a "bearing of sins" – a reaping of negative consequences, whether spiritual, emotional, or relational. The ultimate goal of God's sometimes painful discipline is always for us to truly "know" Him, to acknowledge His supreme authority, His perfect justice, and His unwavering love, leading us to repentance, genuine worship, and a life aligned with His will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "idols" or false securities might I be pursuing in my life that compete with my exclusive devotion to God?**
* **In what ways might I be compromising my spiritual integrity through alliances or affections that pull me away from God's covenant?**
* **How has God's discipline, whether personal or observed in history, helped me to "know" Him more deeply as the Lord GOD?**

### FAQ
**What does "lewdness" refer to in Ezekiel 23:49?**

Answer: In Ezekiel 23:49, "lewdness" (Hebrew: *zimmâh*) refers to the egregious spiritual and moral depravity of Judah (Jerusalem), personified as Aholibah. It encompasses her deliberate and premeditated acts of spiritual harlotry, which involved forsaking her covenant with Yahweh and engaging in illicit alliances with foreign nations (like Assyria and Babylon) and adopting their pagan worship practices and idols. This term signifies a deep-seated, vile wickedness, not merely a casual transgression, highlighting the severity of her unfaithfulness to God, her divine husband. The concept of spiritual harlotry is a common prophetic metaphor for idolatry and covenant breaking, as seen in [Jeremiah 3:8](/jeremiah/3-8 "Jeremiah 3:8 - Judah's Unfaithfulness").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezekiel 23:49 pronounces a severe judgment upon Judah for her unfaithfulness, it simultaneously points to the unwavering purpose of God's actions: that humanity might "know that I [am] the Lord GOD." This revelatory purpose finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The judgment for "lewdness" and "bearing the sins of idols" speaks to the universal human condition of sin and idolatry (cf. [Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All have sinned")). However, instead of humanity bearing its own sins and suffering the full recompense of its idolatry, Christ, the innocent Lamb of God, bore the full weight of our "lewdness" and the "sins of our idols" on the cross (cf. [Isaiah 53:5-6](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5-6 - Christ Bears Our Sins"); [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - He became sin for us")). Through His atoning sacrifice, the righteous judgment for sin was satisfied, allowing for a new way to "know" the Lord GOD—not through punitive judgment, but through grace and reconciliation. The New Testament declares that to "know" God is to know Jesus Christ, for He is the "exact imprint of his nature" and the "radiance of the glory of God" ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - The Radiance of God's Glory"); [John 14:7](/john/14-7 "John 14:7 - To know Jesus is to know the Father")). Thus, the ultimate revelation of God's identity, power, and justice, which Ezekiel longed for, is fully realized in the person and work of Christ, who brings us into a saving knowledge of the Father (cf. [John 17:3](/john/17-3 "John 17:3 - Eternal Life is Knowing God")).

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

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.