Ezekiel 23:43-44
“Then I said of her who was worn out by adultery, ‘Now they will continue to use her for a whore, even her!’ For they have gone in to her, as men go in to a prostitute. Thus they went in to Oholah and to Oholibah, lewd women!
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Ezekiel emphasizes that this isn't just about repeated sin, but about how deeply ingrained and "worn out" by adultery the nation has become. The rhetorical question highlights the shocking reality that even when a harlot is old and past her prime, others will still seek her out, suggesting a profound and pathetic finality to their spiritual corruption.
God speaks of Jerusalem and Samaria's persistent spiritual adultery, now worn out by their long history of unfaithfulness to Him. He expresses a rhetorical question, as if marveling that their former lovers (other nations) would still desire alliances, or that they themselves would continue in such destructive patterns after so many failed experiences. This verse leads into the confirmation that, despite their age in sin, they will indeed continue to pursue these unholy relationships, leading to their final judgment.
When God's people repeatedly turn away from Him, it's not just a mistake; it can lead to a state where they are 'given up.' What does this look like, and why is it so serious?
The imagery here is stark: Aholibah (representing Jerusalem and Judah) is depicted as an "old harlot." This isn't just about age, but about a long, deep-seated history of turning away from God toward other nations and their gods. The Lord's statement, "Now they will continue to use her... even her!" isn't a question of possibility, but a declaration of a hardened reality. It signifies that after countless warnings, judgments, and opportunities for repentance, God, in His justice, allows them to fully reap the consequences of their persistent choices. They are so far gone that even their "lovers" (the foreign nations they turned to) would likely find them worn out, yet the cycle of sin continues unabated, demonstrating a profound spiritual decay.
The passage describes God speaking 'unto her' or 'of her' in a way that seems like human musing. What does this reveal about God's relationship with His unfaithful people?
The text presents God speaking "unto her" or "of her" in a manner that appears like human contemplation. Commentaries suggest this isn't uncertainty on God's part, but a way to convey His righteous judgment and, perhaps, a lament over their choices. It’s as if God is observing the inevitable outcome of their spiritual prostitution, a grim finality after they have exhausted all opportunities for return. The phrase "will they now commit whoredoms with her?" can be understood not as a question of doubt, but as a rhetorical statement expressing astonishment and sorrow that even when worn out, the sinful cycle persists. God is not surprised by their sin, but He declares the just consequence that their persistent infidelity will lead to further defilement and ultimately, judgment.
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Understand the original words
ni'uphim · Hebrew Noun
In a biblical context, adultery represents not only the violation of the marriage covenant between a husband and wife but, more profoundly, the spiritual infidelity of God's people through idolatry and turning away from the Creator.
zimmah · Hebrew Noun
A term denoting immoral conduct, specifically in a spiritual sense. It refers to brazen, shameless violation of moral and divine law, often linked with religious unfaithfulness.
This verse comes from the heart of the Babylonian exile, a period when Judah's repeated betrayals of God led to the destruction of their capital and Temple. The 'adulteries' refer to their persistent idolatry and reliance on foreign alliances instead of God.
c. 931 BC
Division of the Kingdom
After Solomon's death, the united kingdom of Israel splits into the northern kingdom of Israel (Samaria) and the southern kingdom of Judah (Jerusalem). This division marks the beginning of distinct political and religious paths for the two.
c. 8th century BC
Assyrian Captivity of Northern Kingdom
The powerful Neo-Assyrian Empire begins to exert significant influence, eventually conquering the northern kingdom of Israel and deporting many of its people. This event is a major blow and a warning to Judah.
701 BC
Sennacherib's Siege of Jerusalem
The Neo-Assyrian king Sennacherib invades Judah, famously besieging Jerusalem but ultimately failing to capture it. This event leaves Judah weakened and dependent on foreign alliances.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
The Neo-Babylonian Empire, under Nebuchadnezzar II, defeats the Egyptian-Assyrian forces at Carchemish and begins deporting portions of the Judean elite, including figures like Daniel, to Babylon.
597 BC
Second Babylonian Deportation
Following a Judean revolt, Nebuchadnezzar II besieges Jerusalem again and deports more of the population, including King Jehoiachin and the prophet Ezekiel, to Babylon.
586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Destruction of Temple
The Babylonians launch a final siege of Jerusalem, destroying the city and its magnificent Temple. The remaining population is exiled to Babylon, marking the end of the Judean kingdom.
c. 571 BC
Ezekiel's Prophecies Conclude
The book of Ezekiel contains prophecies dated up to this period, reflecting on the destruction of Jerusalem and offering messages of hope for future restoration. This verse comes from that context of exile and judgment.
This passage parallels Ezekiel's imagery, describing Jerusalem's ingrained corruption and her inability to escape her past sins, just as an 'old adulteress' can't easily change her ways.
Romans 1:24-26Here, Paul describes how God 'gave them up' to impurity when they rejected Him. This echoes the idea in Ezekiel of God allowing those 'old in adulteries' to continue in their destructive path.
2 Peter 2:14This verse speaks of those with 'eyes full of adultery' and their perpetual sinning, which directly reflects the theme of persistent, ingrained sin seen in Ezekiel's description of the 'old adulteress'.
Hosea 2:2-5Hosea's prophecy also uses the metaphor of adultery to describe Israel's unfaithfulness to God, portraying their ongoing sin and the consequences that stem from it.
gillEzekiel 23:43: "Then said I unto her that was old in adulteries, Will they now commit whoredoms with her, and she with them?"
Then said I unto her that was old in adulteries,.... That had been an old adulterer or idolater; meaning either Aholah the ten tribes, who from Jeroboam's time had been guilty of idolatry; or Aholibah the two tribes, who had remained longer in their own country, and had been long given to idolatry; or both of them, as some think, the whole body of the people of Israel, w…
pooleEzekiel 23:43: "Then said I unto her that was old in adulteries, Will they now commit whoredoms with her, and she with them?"
Then said I; after the manner of man God seems to stand musing, or saying to himself, or it may be supposed that God speaks to the prophet, asking him. Unto her; or rather, of her, concerning her. Old in adulteries, such usually are out of request with adulterers; and now Samaria and Jerusalem had been long spiritual adulteresses, and one would think her lovers would be…
Ezekiel emphasizes that this isn't just about repeated sin, but about how deeply ingrained and "worn out" by adultery the nation has become. The rhetorical question highlights the shocking reality that even when a harlot is old and past her prime, others will still seek her out, suggesting a profound and pathetic finality to their spiritual corruption.
God speaks of Jerusalem and Samaria's persistent spiritual adultery, now worn out by their long history of unfaithfulness to Him. He expresses a rhetorical question, as if marveling that their former lovers (other nations) would still desire alliances, or that they themselves would continue in such destructive patterns after so many failed experiences. This verse leads into the confirmation that, despite their age in sin, they will indeed continue to pursue these unholy relationships, leading to their final judgment.
God speaks of Jerusalem and Samaria's persistent spiritual adultery, now worn out by their long history of unfaithfulness to Him. He expresses a rhetorical question, as if marveling that their former lovers (other nations) would still desire alliances, or that they themselves would continue in such destructive patterns after so many failed experiences. This verse leads into the confirmation that, despite their age in sin, they will indeed continue to pursue these unholy relationships, leading to their final judgment.
"“Then I said of her who was worn out by adultery, ‘Now they will continue to use her for a whore, even her!’ For they have gone in to her, as men go in to a prostitute. Thus they went in to Oholah and to Oholibah, lewd women!" — Ezekiel emphasizes that this isn't just about repeated sin, but about how deeply ingrained and "worn out" by adultery the nation has become. The rhetorical question highlights the shocking reality th…
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