Ezekiel 23:45-47
But righteous men shall pass judgment on them with the sentence of adulteresses, and with the sentence of women who shed blood, because they are adulteresses, and blood is on their hands.” For thus says the Lord GOD: “Bring up a vast host against them, and make them an object of terror and a plunder. And the host shall stone them and cut them down with their swords. They shall kill their sons and their daughters, and burn up their houses.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Here, the "righteous men" are not necessarily inherently good people, but rather those appointed by God to be instruments of His judgment, carrying out the severe penalties for adultery and bloodshed. This highlights that even those who might seem outside God's grace can be used to enact His justice and bring an end to wickedness.
The prophet has just described Jerusalem and Samaria as two unfaithful sisters, "Aholah" and "Aholibah," who have committed spiritual adultery with foreign nations. This verse explains that righteous judges, acting as God's instruments, will condemn these cities for their treachery and bloodshed, just as adulteresses and murderers would be condemned. The judgment is carried out by foreign powers, symbolized here as "righteous men," who will enact the severe punishments prescribed for adultery and murder, thereby purging the land of its deep-seated sin.
The verse speaks of 'righteous men' passing judgment, but who are they? Are they perfect saints, or something else?
The 'righteous men' are not necessarily individuals who are morally perfect in their own right. Instead, they are instruments chosen by God to carry out His justice. This can include individuals within Israel who uphold God's law, but in this context, it specifically refers to the foreign powers, like the Babylonians, appointed by God to punish the unfaithfulness of Israel and Judah. They are 'righteous' in the sense that they are acting as God's agents, executing His divinely ordained judgment, even if their own character is flawed.
It's a powerful reminder that God uses unexpected people and nations to accomplish His purposes and to bring about justice.
Why does the judgment involve the specific accusations of adultery and shedding blood?
The judgment passed on Israel and Judah is directly related to their sins. They are called 'adulteresses' because of their spiritual unfaithfulness to God, symbolized by their turning to idols and foreign alliances. This is a profound betrayal of their covenant relationship with Him.
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They are also judged as those who have 'shed blood' because their idolatry and rebellion led to much violence, injustice, and the shedding of innocent blood within the land. Their spiritual adultery corrupted their society.
The punishment is designed to reflect the gravity and nature of their transgressions.
The verse mentions specific judgments for adultery and bloodshed. What does this tell us about God's standards?
The judgment described reflects the severity of punishment prescribed in the Law of Moses for these grave sins. Adultery was punishable by death, often by stoning (John 8:5). Likewise, murder was a capital offense.
Ezekiel is reminding his audience that God's justice is not arbitrary. There are established standards, rooted in His Law, for how sin is to be treated. The ultimate doom awaiting the unfaithful people is consistent with the legal framework God Himself established.
This verse underscores that God holds His people to a high standard and that His judgment is both righteous and thorough.
Understand the original words
tsaddiq · Hebrew Adjective
In Scripture, righteousness denotes conformity to the character and will of God. A righteous person is one who is in a right relationship with God and, as a result, acts with justice and integrity according to His law.
shaphat · Hebrew Verb
The act of determining guilt or innocence based on God's law. In the Bible, God is the ultimate Judge, and human judgment is expected to reflect His holy standards of justice.
mishpat · Hebrew Noun
A legal decree or verdict handed down by an authority. It signifies the authoritative expression of law applied to a specific case, often carrying the weight of God’s judicial decree.
Adonai Yahweh · Hebrew Noun phrase
A title for God, typically combining 'Adonai' (Lord/Master) and 'Yahweh' (The LORD), emphasizing His absolute sovereignty, authority, and covenant relationship with His people.
zeva'ah · Hebrew Noun
Something or someone that evokes intense fear or awe; in a biblical context, it often refers to the manifestation of God’s judgment that leaves observers paralyzed with dread.
Ezekiel's vivid imagery of judgment as the punishment for adulteresses and murderers, specifically referencing stoning and being cut down, directly reflects the severe penalties prescribed by Mosaic Law for these offenses. This highlights how the divine judgment prophesied against Jerusalem was seen not as an arbitrary act, but as a just consequence for their profound spiritual and national 'crimes'.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The Northern Kingdom of Israel (Samaria) falls to the Neo-Assyrian Empire, marking the end of its separate existence and the beginning of its people being exiled and scattered.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Under Nebuchadnezzar II, Babylon begins deporting Judean elites and skilled workers to Babylon, a significant step in asserting control over Judah.
597 BC
Second Babylonian Deportation
Following a rebellion, Babylon deports King Jehoiachin and another large group of Judah's nobility and artisans to Babylon, further weakening the kingdom.
586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
Babylon conquers Judah, destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, and deports most of the remaining population to Babylon, devastating the nation.
c. 571 BC
Ezekiel's Prophetic Ministry Peaks
Ezekiel delivers prophecies during the Babylonian exile, including the allegorical condemnation of Oholah (Samaria) and Oholibah (Jerusalem) for their idolatry and unfaithfulness.
This passage outlines the prescribed punishment for adultery, which is stoning, directly mirroring the judgment described for the adulterous women in Ezekiel. It emphasizes the severe consequences of breaking covenant faithfulness.
Jeremiah 3:8-9Similar to Ezekiel's portrayal, Jeremiah condemns Israel for adultery and spiritual unfaithfulness, even giving them a 'bill of divorce' in imagery, highlighting the deep betrayal of their covenant with God.
John 8:3-11This New Testament account shows Jesus intervening in the case of a woman caught in adultery, demonstrating a different approach to judgment that includes mercy and a call to repentance, contrasting with the severe retribution described in Ezekiel.
Romans 6:23This verse speaks to the ultimate wages of sin – death – which resonates with the finality of the judgment described for the women in Ezekiel. It underscores that sin carries a heavy price, whether by human or divine decree.
ellicottEzekiel 23:45: "And the righteous men, they shall judge them after the manner of adulteresses, and after the manner of women that shed blood; because they are adulteresses, and blood is in their hands."
(45) The righteous men. —That is, men to whom the judgment of righteousness is committed.
clarkeEzekiel 23:45: "And the righteous men, they shall judge them after the manner of adulteresses, and after the manner of women that shed blood; because they are adulteresses, and blood is in their hands."
And the righteous men - אנשים צדיקים anashim tsaddikim. The Chaldeans, thus called because they are appointed by God to execute judgment on these criminals.
Here, the "righteous men" are not necessarily inherently good people, but rather those appointed by God to be instruments of His judgment, carrying out the severe penalties for adultery and bloodshed. This highlights that even those who might seem outside God's grace can be used to enact His justice and bring an end to wickedness.
The prophet has just described Jerusalem and Samaria as two unfaithful sisters, "Aholah" and "Aholibah," who have committed spiritual adultery with foreign nations. This verse explains that righteous judges, acting as God's instruments, will condemn these cities for their treachery and bloodshed, just as adulteresses and murderers would be condemned. The judgment is carried out by foreign powers, symbolized here as "righteous men," who will enact the severe punishments prescribed for adultery and murder, thereby purging the land of its deep-seated sin.
The prophet has just described Jerusalem and Samaria as two unfaithful sisters, "Aholah" and "Aholibah," who have committed spiritual adultery with foreign nations. This verse explains that righteous judges, acting as God's instruments, will condemn these cities for their treachery and bloodshed, just as adulteresses and murderers would be condemned. The judgment is carried out by foreign powers, symbolized here as "righteous men," who will enact the severe punishments prescribed for adultery and murder, thereby purging the land of its deep-seated sin.
"But righteous men shall pass judgment on them with the sentence of adulteresses, and with the sentence of women who shed blood, because they are adulteresses, and blood is on their hands.” For thus says the Lord GOD: “Bring up a vast host…" — Here, the "righteous men" are not necessarily inherently good people, but rather those appointed by God to be instruments of His judgment, carrying out the severe penalties for adultery and bloodshed…
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