Ezekiel 6:9

KJV

And they that escape of you shall remember me among the nations whither they shall be carried captives, because I am broken with their whorish heart, which hath departed from me, and with their eyes, which go a whoring after their idols: and they shall lothe themselves for the evils which they have committed in all their abominations.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they that escape {H6412} of you shall remember {H2142} me among the nations {H1471} whither they shall be carried captives {H7617}, because I am broken {H7665} with their whorish {H2181} heart {H3820}, which hath departed {H5493} from me, and with their eyes {H5869}, which go a whoring {H2181} after {H310} their idols {H1544}: and they shall lothe {H6962} themselves {H6440} for the evils {H7451} which they have committed {H6213} in all their abominations {H8441}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Those of you who escape will remember me among the nations where they have been exiled. How broken I have been over their whoring hearts that left me, and over their eyes that went whoring after their idols! They are going to loathe themselves for all the evils they committed in their disgusting practices.

Berean Standard Bible

Then in the nations to which they have been carried captive, your survivors will remember Me—how I have been grieved by their adulterous hearts that turned away from Me, and by their eyes that lusted after idols. So they will loathe themselves for the evil they have done and for all their abominations.

American Standard Version

And those of you that escape shall remember me among the nations whither they shall be carried captive, how that I have been broken with their lewd heart, which hath departed from me, and with their eyes, which play the harlot after their idols: and they shall loathe themselves in their own sight for the evils which they have committed in all their abominations.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 6:9 powerfully conveys the Lord's profound grief and anguish over Israel's persistent idolatry and spiritual unfaithfulness, even as He declares the inevitability of severe judgment. Amidst the promised devastation, a faithful remnant will survive the destruction and be carried into exile among the nations. The divine purpose behind this painful discipline is redemptive: in their captivity, these survivors will be brought to a genuine remembrance of the Lord, recognizing the depth of their betrayal, and will experience profound self-loathing and repentance for their abominable practices. This verse masterfully intertwines divine justice with God's steadfast, though painful, pursuit of His people's ultimate restoration.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 6 is a direct prophetic oracle delivered against the idolatrous "mountains of Israel," which served as prominent sites for pagan worship. This chapter immediately follows [Ezekiel 5](/ezekiel/5 "Ezekiel 5 - Judgment on Jerusalem"), where God details the severe judgments (famine, sword, pestilence, and dispersion) that will bebefall Jerusalem and the land due to their egregious abominations. Chapter 6 specifically targets the "high places" and altars where Israel engaged in spiritual adultery, emphasizing that the very land is defiled by their actions. Verse 9 serves as a crucial pivot within this judgment prophecy, introducing the concept of a surviving remnant and revealing the redemptive purpose behind their suffering and exile. It offers a glimmer of hope and a path to restoration amidst the pronouncements of desolation, setting the stage for future promises of renewal.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy in Ezekiel 6 is delivered to the exiles already in Babylon, but its primary focus is on the ongoing idolatry in Judah prior to Jerusalem's final destruction in 586 BC. Despite repeated warnings from prophets, the people of Judah continued to syncretize the worship of Yahweh with the worship of Canaanite deities like Baal and Asherah, often engaging in abhorrent practices associated with fertility cults, including child sacrifice. The "high places" were elevated sites, either natural hills or constructed platforms, where altars and cultic objects for these foreign gods were erected. The imagery of a "whorish heart" and "eyes which go a whoring" reflects the covenant relationship between Yahweh and Israel as a sacred marriage. In this context, idolatry is viewed as spiritual adultery—a profound betrayal of their exclusive devotion to God, who had delivered them from slavery in Egypt and established them as His chosen people.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several foundational themes within Ezekiel and the broader prophetic literature. It highlights **Divine Judgment** as a necessary and righteous consequence of persistent sin, particularly the pervasive idolatry that is repeatedly condemned throughout the book (e.g., the detailed abominations revealed in [Ezekiel 8](/ezekiel/8 "Ezekiel 8 - Abominations in the Temple")). Simultaneously, it introduces the theme of a **Preserved Remnant**, demonstrating that even in the midst of severe judgment, God's covenant faithfulness ensures that not all will perish; a portion will survive to carry on the lineage and the promise of a future restoration. The verse profoundly articulates **God's Grief and Pain** over His people's spiritual unfaithfulness, portraying Him as "broken" by their betrayal, rather than merely angry or indifferent. Finally, it underscores the **Redemptive Purpose of Suffering**, showing that the exile, though a severe punishment, is ultimately designed to bring about genuine **Repentance and Transformation**, leading the survivors to "lothe themselves" for their sins and remember their covenant God. This theme of a transformed heart is more fully developed in later chapters of Ezekiel, such as the promise of a new heart and spirit in [Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - The Promise of a New Heart and Spirit").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Remember (Hebrew, _zâkar'_):** This word (H2142) signifies more than mere intellectual recollection; it implies a deep, active calling to mind that often leads to decisive action or renewed commitment. In the context of the remnant, it means to acknowledge God's identity, His covenant, and His past acts of salvation, leading to a profound shift in their allegiance and behavior. It is a remembering that brings about genuine repentance and a return to covenant faithfulness.
* **Broken (Hebrew, _shâbar'_):** This term (H7665) vividly conveys God's emotional state. It means to burst, crush, or shatter. Here, it is used metaphorically to describe God's profound grief, pain, and indignation over Israel's spiritual adultery. It highlights the deeply personal and relational nature of their sin against Him, emphasizing that their idolatry causes Him immense anguish, as if His very heart were shattered.
* **Whorish (Hebrew, _zânâh'_):** This root (H2181) primarily refers to committing adultery or fornication, but in prophetic literature, it is consistently used figuratively to describe Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness to Yahweh through idolatry. It underscores the covenant relationship as a sacred marriage, making idolatry the ultimate act of betrayal and spiritual prostitution, often depicted as being driven by a "wanton" heart and eyes.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they that escape of you shall remember me among the nations whither they shall be carried captives,"**: This clause introduces the concept of a remnant (H6412, _pâlîyṭ_), a small group of survivors who will endure the judgment but not be utterly destroyed. Their survival, however, comes at the cost of exile (H7617, _shâbâh_) to foreign "nations" (H1471, _gôwy_). The crucial outcome of this captivity is that they will "remember" (H2142, _zâkar'_) the Lord. This remembrance is not merely intellectual recall but a spiritual awakening and turning back to God, prompted by the harsh realities of their displacement and the loss of their land and temple.
* **"because I am broken with their whorish heart, which hath departed from me,"**: This is the divine explanation for the severity of the judgment and the necessity of the exile. God reveals His deep emotional pain ("broken," H7665, _shâbar'_) caused by Israel's spiritual adultery. Their "whorish" (H2181, _zânâh'_) "heart" (H3820, _lêb_) signifies a deep-seated, systemic unfaithfulness, a heart that has actively chosen to "departed" (H5493, _çûwr_) from their covenant relationship with the Lord, pursuing other gods. This anthropomorphic expression underscores the personal offense and profound betrayal inherent in their idolatry.
* **"and with their eyes, which go a whoring after their idols:"**: This clause further specifies the nature of their spiritual unfaithfulness, highlighting the sensory and active pursuit of idolatry. Their "eyes" (H5869, _ʻayin_) are not passive observers but active participants in their sin, "going a whoring" (H2181, _zânâh'_) "after" (H310, _ʼachar_) their "idols" (H1544, _gillûwl_, often used derisively for dung-pellets, emphasizing their worthlessness). This illustrates how visual temptation and the allure of false worship led them into abominable practices, demonstrating a comprehensive spiritual defection involving both internal desire (heart) and external action (eyes).
* **"and they shall lothe themselves for the evils which they have committed in all their abominations."**: This final clause describes the ultimate, redemptive outcome of the exile for the remnant. The suffering and remembrance will lead to profound remorse and self-condemnation. To "lothe" (H6962, _qûwṭ_) "themselves" (H6440, _pânîym_) signifies a deep disgust and abhorrence for their past sins, a genuine repentance born out of the painful consequences and a renewed understanding of God's holiness and their own depravity. This self-loathing is a necessary step towards true spiritual restoration, acknowledging the "evils" (H7451, _raʻ_) which they have "committed" (H6213, _ʻâsâh_) in all their "abominations" (H8441, _tôwʻêbah_).

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 6:9 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. **Anthropomorphism** is prominently featured in the phrase "I am broken with their whorish heart," attributing human emotion and pain to God. This device emphasizes the deeply personal nature of God's covenant relationship with Israel and the profound grief their unfaithfulness causes Him, making His divine suffering relatable. **Metaphor** is central to the verse's portrayal of Israel's sin, vividly likening their idolatry to "whorish" behavior and "spiritual adultery." This imagery underscores the betrayal of the covenant relationship, which God views as a sacred marriage. Furthermore, the phrase "eyes, which go a whoring after their idols" uses **personification** to describe the active and intentional pursuit of false gods, highlighting how every part of their being—from internal desire to external sensory engagement—was involved in their rebellion. Finally, there is an element of **paradox** or **redemptive irony** in that the very act of judgment and exile, intended as punishment for sin, becomes the divine catalyst for remembrance and repentance, demonstrating God's sovereign hand in bringing about spiritual transformation even through severe hardship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 6:9 is profoundly theological, revealing the very nature of God, the gravity of sin, and the path to restoration. It portrays Yahweh not merely as a distant, impassive judge, but as a deeply relational God who experiences profound pain and grief over the unfaithfulness of His covenant people. Their idolatry is not just a breach of law but a personal betrayal, akin to spiritual adultery, which deeply wounds His heart. Yet, even in the midst of severe judgment, His ultimate aim is not annihilation but purification and restoration, preserving a remnant through exile to bring them to a place of genuine remembrance and repentance. This highlights the redemptive purpose of suffering and God's unwavering commitment to His covenant, even when His people are faithless. The "loathing themselves" described is a crucial component of true repentance, signifying a complete turning away from sin due to its inherent evil and offense against a holy God, not merely its painful consequences.

* [Hosea 4:12](/hosea/4-12 "Hosea 4:12 - Israel's Spiritual Prostitution")
* [Isaiah 10:21](/isaiah/10-21 "Isaiah 10:21 - A Remnant Shall Return")
* [Psalm 51:17](/psalms/51-17 "Psalm 51:17 - A Broken and Contrite Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 6:9 offers a sobering yet profoundly hopeful mirror for contemporary believers. It confronts us with the profound seriousness of spiritual idolatry, reminding us that anything that displaces God from the supreme position in our hearts and lives—be it career, comfort, relationships, self-image, or even ministry itself—constitutes a form of "whoring" that grieves the Lord deeply. God's "brokenness" over our unfaithfulness underscores His passionate, jealous love for us and His desire for our exclusive devotion, reflecting His covenant faithfulness even when we are unfaithful. This verse also teaches us that God can use difficult circumstances, even periods of "exile" or intense hardship, as a divine catalyst for our spiritual awakening. When we are stripped of our false securities and comforts, we are often brought to a place where we "remember" Him in a deeper, more authentic way, recognizing our utter dependence on His grace. The "loathing themselves" described here is a vital component of genuine repentance; it's not merely regret for consequences, but a profound sorrow for having offended a holy and loving God, leading to a desire for true transformation and a turning away from all "abominations" in our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "idols" might be subtly competing for the devotion of my heart and eyes today, causing God grief?**
* **How have difficult circumstances or "exiles" in my life served to bring me back to a deeper remembrance and reliance on God?**
* **What does "loathing myself for the evils I have committed" truly look like in my personal journey of repentance and sanctification?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean that God is "broken with their whorish heart"?**

Answer: This powerful phrase uses **anthropomorphism** to describe God's profound emotional pain and grief over Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness. The term "broken" (Hebrew: _shâbar'_) conveys a sense of being shattered or crushed. It's not merely that God is angry or offended, but that He is deeply wounded and anguished by His people's betrayal. The "whorish heart" refers to Israel's persistent idolatry and spiritual adultery, likening their covenant relationship with God to a sacred marriage. Just as marital infidelity causes deep pain to a faithful spouse, Israel's pursuit of false gods caused God immense sorrow and indignation, highlighting the intimate and personal nature of their covenant with Him. This reveals God's passionate love and His vulnerability to the choices of His beloved people, underscoring the gravity of their sin against Him.

**Why does God use exile to bring remembrance and repentance?**

Answer: God's judgment, though severe, is often redemptive and restorative in its ultimate purpose. In Ezekiel 6:9, the exile to "the nations whither they shall be carried captives" is depicted as a painful but necessary means to an end. It removes the people from the land where idolatry flourished and forces them into a situation of desperation and reflection. Stripped of their temple, their land, and their perceived security, they are confronted with the consequences of their choices. This harsh reality serves as a divine catalyst, causing them to "remember" God—not just intellectually, but to truly acknowledge His sovereignty, His covenant, and their utter dependence on Him. The suffering in exile leads to a profound "loathing themselves" for their sins, a genuine repentance born out of the recognition of their abominations and God's righteous judgment. This process is designed to purify and restore a remnant, preparing them for a renewed relationship with Him, as seen in later promises of a new heart and spirit in [Ezekiel 36](/ezekiel/36 "Ezekiel 36 - The Promise of a New Heart").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 6:9, with its raw portrayal of God's grief over Israel's "whorish heart" and the redemptive purpose of suffering, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The spiritual adultery of Israel, driven by a heart that "departed from me" and eyes that "go a whoring after their idols," represents the universal human condition of sin and rebellion against a holy God. Humanity, in its fallen state, consistently turns from the Creator to worship created things, whether tangible idols or the intangible idols of self, power, or pleasure. Jesus, the perfect Son of God, fully absorbed the "brokenness" of God's heart caused by humanity's sin. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, bearing the full weight of judgment for our "whorish hearts" and "abominations" on the cross, as powerfully prophesied in [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - The Suffering Servant"). Through His atoning sacrifice, He offers the path to true remembrance and repentance that the exile only foreshadowed. The "remnant" concept, where a few escape judgment, culminates in Christ, who is the true Israel, the faithful one through whom all of God's promises are "Yes" and "Amen" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises in Christ")). Those who are "in Christ" are the true spiritual remnant, brought to a place of genuine self-loathing for sin and a profound love for God, not through external exile, but through the internal, transforming work of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit grants a new heart and a new spirit, enabling us to walk in God's statutes and desires ([Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-27 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - The Promise of a New Heart and Spirit")). Thus, in Christ, God's grief over sin is assuaged, and His people are truly reconciled and transformed, no longer going a-whoring after idols, but living in faithful, exclusive devotion to Him.

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 20:43

And there shall ye remember your ways, and all your doings, wherein ye have been defiled; and ye shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that ye have committed.

Isaiah 7:13

And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; [Is it] a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?

Job 42:6

Wherefore I abhor [myself], and repent in dust and ashes.

Psalms 78:40

¶ How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, [and] grieve him in the desert!

Zechariah 10:9

And I will sow them among the people: and they shall remember me in far countries; and they shall live with their children, and turn again.

Ezekiel 20:7

Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I [am] the LORD your God.

Isaiah 43:24

Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities.