Ezekiel 23:37
For they have committed adultery, and blood is on their hands. With their idols they have committed adultery, and they have even offered up to them for food the children whom they had borne to me.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This verse exposes a chilling double offense: literal adultery is mentioned alongside spiritual adultery with idols, but the most shocking sin is presenting the very children God gave them as sacrifices, devouring them to satisfy their false gods. This wasn't just a violation of relationship; it was a horrific inversion of life itself, where the fruit of their bodies became fuel for death.
Ezekiel is denouncing the sins of Jerusalem (Aholibah) by contrasting her with her sister Samaria (Aholah). This passage piles on the accusations, showing how Jerusalem's spiritual adultery, or idolatry, led to unspeakable atrocities like child sacrifice. The prophet declares that their abominations have reached a peak, bringing the full weight of God's judgment upon them.
Ezekiel paints a stark picture of Israel's sin. It wasn't just one kind of betrayal, but two, deeply intertwined.
The verse describes two forms of 'adultery' happening simultaneously:
Physical Adultery: This refers to literal sexual immorality, a common sin among God's people that broke the sacred covenant of marriage. It shattered the trust and intimacy within relationships.
Spiritual Adultery (Idolatry): This is the more profound betrayal. Worshipping idols meant turning away from the one true God to whom they had pledged exclusive loyalty. It was like a spouse giving their affection and devotion to someone else.
The text emphasizes that these two sins were linked, showing how a society that dishonored God in its worship often dishonored Him in its personal relationships too.
Beyond sexual sin, this verse reveals a deeper, more shocking crime: the shedding of innocent blood, even their own children.
The phrase 'blood is on their hands' is a powerful accusation. It refers to the guilt of murder.
In this context, it has at least two layers:
Murder of the Innocent: This likely includes the innocent blood of prophets and righteous people God sent to warn them, whom they rejected and killed. It also points to the horrific act that follows.
Infanticide and Child Sacrifice: The most shocking element is that they 'have even offered up to them for food the children whom they had borne to me.' This wasn't just neglect; it was active, brutal sacrifice of their own children to idols. This was the ultimate act of betrayal against God and humanity, turning a parent's love into utter destruction.
Understand the original words
na'aph · Hebrew Verb
In a covenantal context, this denotes spiritual infidelity or unfaithfulness to God, typically through the worship of idols or reliance on foreign powers.
dam · Hebrew Noun
A term often used in the prophets to describe the guilt of shedding innocent blood, symbolizing violence, murder, and the violation of the sanctity of life.
gillulim · Hebrew Noun
Objects of worship that represent false gods, which compete with the singular devotion owed to the true God of Israel.
Ezekiel delivers this harsh judgment while the Judean exiles are in Babylon, witnessing the devastating consequences of their nation's long-standing betrayal of God through idolatry and violence, including the horrific practice of child sacrifice.
c. 705-609 BC
Reign of Manasseh
King Manasseh's reign was marked by extreme religious syncretism and idolatry, including the sacrifice of children to foreign gods. This period set a precedent for deep apostasy.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon deports Judean nobles and skilled workers, including the prophet Daniel, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of Judah's decline and subjugation.
c. 597 BC
Second Babylonian Deportation
Following a rebellion, Babylon deports more Judeans, including King Jehoiachin and the prophet Ezekiel, to Babylon. Jerusalem's temple is partially plundered.
586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem
Babylonian forces under Nebuchadnezzar destroy Jerusalem and its temple, ending the Davidic monarchy and scattering the remaining population.
This verse directly links the act of sacrificing children to idols as a form of spiritual adultery, just as described in Ezekiel 23:37.
Jeremiah 7:31This passage condemns the practice of sacrificing children to idols, highlighting the extreme depravity and spiritual unfaithfulness that God detests.
Leviticus 18:21This law explicitly forbids passing children through the fire to Molech, showing how this act was a direct violation of God's commands and a sign of deep rebellion.
2 Kings 21:16This verse describes King Manasseh's severe sins, including shedding innocent blood and setting up idols, paralleling the accusations of adultery and bloodshed against Samaria and Jerusalem.
gillEzekiel 23:37: "That they have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands, and with their idols have they committed adultery, and have also caused their sons, whom they bare unto me, to pass for them through the fire, to devour them."
That they have committed adultery,.... Either literally, adultery with their neighbours' wives, which was a prevailing sin with this people; or figuratively, spiritual adultery, that is, idolatry: and blood is in their hands; the Targum is, "they have shed th…
barnesEzekiel 23:37: "That they have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands, and with their idols have they committed adultery, and have also caused their sons, whom they bare unto me, to pass for them through the fire, to devour them."
Blood - One of the chief sins of Manasseh was that he shed innocent blood 2 Kings 21:16 ; 2 Kings 24:4 .
This verse exposes a chilling double offense: literal adultery is mentioned alongside spiritual adultery with idols, but the most shocking sin is presenting the very children God gave them as sacrifices, devouring them to satisfy their false gods. This wasn't just a violation of relationship; it was a horrific inversion of life itself, where the fruit of their bodies became fuel for death.
Ezekiel is denouncing the sins of Jerusalem (Aholibah) by contrasting her with her sister Samaria (Aholah). This passage piles on the accusations, showing how Jerusalem's spiritual adultery, or idolatry, led to unspeakable atrocities like child sacrifice. The prophet declares that their abominations have reached a peak, bringing the full weight of God's judgment upon them.
Ezekiel is denouncing the sins of Jerusalem (Aholibah) by contrasting her with her sister Samaria (Aholah). This passage piles on the accusations, showing how Jerusalem's spiritual adultery, or idolatry, led to unspeakable atrocities like child sacrifice. The prophet declares that their abominations have reached a peak, bringing the full weight of God's judgment upon them.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Ezekiel 23:37 is available in the Sola app.
c. 571 BC
Ezekiel's Prophecy Concludes
The final dated prophecy in Ezekiel's book is recorded. His ministry, centered in Babylon, addressed the sins and future restoration of Judah.
"For they have committed adultery, and blood is on their hands. With their idols they have committed adultery, and they have even offered up to them for food the children whom they had borne to me." — This verse exposes a chilling double offense: literal adultery is mentioned alongside spiritual adultery with idols, but the most shocking sin is presenting the very children God gave them as sacrifi…
