what does ezekiel chapter 23 verse 20 mean

Serve God with your body because that is his temple. of horses; Ezekiel 23:20. Many scriptures show that large families please our God and our Maker. Ezekiel 23:20 – “For she doted upon their paramours, whose flesh is as the flesh of asses, and whose issue is like the issue of horses” – KJV, “There she lusted after her lovers, whose genitals were like those of donkeys and whose emission was like that of horses”. – NIV. It also tells of how they lusted after the pieces of jewelry, luxury, and treasures of their Egyptians masters. The first one is Samaria and the second one Jerusalem (vs.4). 20 In the seventh year, in the fifth month on the tenth day, some of the elders of Israel came to inquire. KING JAMES VERSION (KJV) TRANSLATION, MEANING, CONTEXT. Let’s adhere to the warnings from these passages and not become infatuated with the sin of the world. In verse 20, God calls the Egyptians their paramours whose flesh is as the flesh of asses and whose issue is like the issue of horses which means that their natures and attitudes were that of dumb animals because they had no understanding (Psalm 32:9) or knowledge of the true God. 20 'Sanctify My sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that you may know that I am the LORD your God.' And she increased her whoredom, so that she remembered the days of her youth, when she played the harlot in the land of Egypt. 3 They became prostitutes in Egypt, engaging in prostitution from their youth() In that land their breasts were fondled and their virgin bosoms caressed() 4 The older was named Oholah, and her sister was OholibahThey were mine and gave birth to sons and daughters. ” I’ll deliver her into the hands of the Assyrians, for whom she lusted” (23:9-10). If you read the context, and go back to the beginning of the chapter, you will see God is talking, in a figure, about 'two sisters'. We must learn from the mistakes of others. Lot, nephew of Abraham, was personally righteous, was vexed by the wickedness of the people of Sodom. The Hebrew prophets frequently compared the sin of idolatry to the sin of adultery, in a reappearing rhetorical figure. Therefore I delivered her into  the hands of her lovers, into the hands of the Assyrians upon whom she  doted. In this verse, God is telling Ezekiel a story which appears sexual in nature on its surface. 23:37 "their sons, whom they bore to me, to pass through the fire " This idiomatic language refers to the redemption of the firstborn found in Exodus 13. Enter Your Email to get new Updates Sent to YOU once they are posted! “There she lusted after her lovers, whose genitals were like those of donkeys and whose emission was like that of horses”. C. Civil rulers were like wolves after the sheep - Ezekiel 22:27. flesh and issue of the Egyptian paramours are compared; who were They appear in chapter 23 of the Book of Ezekiel. Thank God for the Holy Spirit which was mighty upon our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at the point of His baptism at River Jordan, and then He said: “It is written, do not tempt the Lord your God”. Ezekiel 23:20 – “For she doted upon their paramours, whose flesh is as the flesh of asses, and whose issue is like the issue of horses” – KJV. Do not be moved by what the people of the world (unbelievers) are doing. Two Adulterous Sisters. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. b) The dirge in Chapter 23 focuses on Israel since it first split into two separate nations several hundred years prior to Ezekiel's writing. Ezekiel was told he was to be a watchman—a lookout—and that if he didn’t deliver the warning, the blood of others would be on his hands. Oholah and Oholibah appear in the book of Ezekiel, chapter 23. Ezekiel 23:2-3 “…there were two women, the daughters of one mother: And they committed whoredoms in Egypt; they committed whoredoms in their youth…” Ezekiel 20 – Israel’s History of Sin, God’s History of Mercy A. God’s mercy to Israel in Egypt and the wilderness. 21 'Thus you longed for the lewdness of your youth, when the Egyptians handled your bosom because of the breasts of your youth. ( A) of the Lord, and they sat down in front of me. Our current reading encompasses the first 44 verses of chapter 20. whose idols they served: the Septuagint and Arabic versions [citation needed] There is a pun in these names in the Hebrew. Gen. 19:37, 38. Let’s see what the Bible said from verse 8 – 10, “She  did not give up her harlotry which she had practised since her days in  Egypt; for in her youth men had lain with her and handled her virgin  bosom and poured out their lust upon her. Ezekiel will develop that theme starting at verse 16. c. She lusted for the neighboring Assyrians: Even as the northern kingdom of Israel lusted after Assyrian power, wealth, fame, and influence, so did the southern kingdom of Judah. Ezekiel 3:20 Again, When a righteous [man] doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Ezekiel 20:23 (WYC) Again I raised (up) mine hand against them in (the) wilderness, that I should scatter them into (the) nations, and winnow them into (other) lands; - She doted on her paramours. large, and therefore dedicated to Priapus by the Heathens; and These uncovered her nakedness; they seized her sons  and her  daughters; and her they slew with the sword; and she became a byword  among  women, when judgment had been executed upon her”. Lot had made an unwise choice to locate his family in a cesspool of perversion and evil. So I resolved to pour out My wrath on them, to accomplish My anger against them in the … We should always endeavor to live godly lives so as not to incur God’s wrath. D. People oppressed the poor and strangers - Ezekiel 22:29. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. Required fields are marked *. “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth [with humankind].” Genesis 1:28, 9:1, 7, Leviticus 26:9, Psalm 127:3, 5 Roman, as Church law also, set no limit on concubines and slave women. In his vision of the temple, Ezekiel is taken to Israel where he sees a mountain and a city. Jerusalem lusted for the material and fleshy emblems of that mighty empire the same as Samaria (Ezekiel 23:5-6). allies of the Egyptians, whose friendship the Jews courted, and 1. Here it is used in scorn of the Egyptian princes whose favor Judah courted, reminding us of Homer's Ἀχαιίδες οὐκετ Ἀχαίοι, as indicating their political weakness. ... You can't handpick one verse only. “ I gave them other statutes that were not good and laws through which they could not live; I defiled them through their gifts—the sacrifice of every firstborn—that I might fill them with horror so they would know that I … For she doted upon their paramours “Do not be moved by what the people of the world are doing.” All rights reserved. But he was not moved to get his wife and daughters out of the pesthole of depravity that was Sodom. It came to pass in the seventh year, in the fifth month, on the tenth day of the month, that certain of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the LORD, and sat before me. Committing our lives to serve God full-time is what God wants. The section continues to the end of chapter 23, as 24:1 gives a new date, January of 588 B.C. 5. Ezekiel 23 is the twenty-third chapter of the Book of Ezekiel in the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. Then, the idolatry, and whore, etc were the actual sins committed by these two nations. I’ll go ahead with the update. But it is really a metaphor about the Israelites relationship with other nations. Ezekiel 23:20. wrongly read the Chaldeans: whose flesh is as the flesh of 20 'She lusted after their paramours, whose flesh is like the flesh of donkeys and whose issue is like the issue of horses. ( B) 2 Then the word of the Lord came to me: 3 “Son of man, speak to the elders. Your email address will not be published. EZEKIEL 23:14. 2Peter 2:7 A young widow might become a second or third wife. We should not take the words/prophecies of the prophets likely or as mere words. vast is the profusion of seed in coitus by horses, to which the Here at HTMH, we are much concerned about the life/souls of the true Christians and so, we will keep trying our very best to ensure you are always on the right track with God. It takes the inspiration of the Holy Spirit for a real born again Christian to really understand the meaning of a particular verse of the scriptures. Do not interpret the words/phrases/sentences used in the bible as you’d for mere books; they are more of metaphors and parables. In this parable, Samaria and Israel bear the name Aholah, "her own tabernacle;" because the places of worship those kingdoms had, were of their own devising. Verse 20. Even the devil knows the scriptures: As denoted by the time he told Jesus to jump off from the high buildings for it is written: “God will give his Angels charge over thee, lest you dash your feet against a stone”. These two scriptures explain the level of God’s anger upon his saved people whom have chosen to despise and disobey his commandments. Ezekiel 23:20. The hearts of the people will have been changed (Ezekiel 36:26–27), and even Gentiles have a place in the restored kingdom (Ezekiel 47:22). God’s vengeance is severe as seen in the last verse of that scripture – Ezekiel 20:46 – 49. Isaiah 4:1. If the exiled Jews in Babylon missed the positive example in chapter 18, Ezekiel 22 gives them an explicit picture of where the nation went off the rails set by God. And she burned toward their paramours, who have members like asses and heat like horses. For she doted upon their paramours Or "concubines" F26; the neighbouring nations and allies of the Egyptians, whose friendship the Jews courted, and whose idols they served: the Septuagint and Arabic versions wrongly read the Chaldeans: whose flesh is as the flesh of asses, and whose issue is like the issue of horses; Upholding the Sacred Teachings of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 1 1. Back in Chapter 20, we had a similar dirge describing the history of the nation of Israel and how its sinful practices were around since the nation first existed in Egypt. WORDS OF GOD IN RED. Because Israel would not obey the Lord, he says…. Polygyny was almost universal. There is a broad and important lesson in Ezekiel 23. "declare") in 20:4 (twice) and 22:2 (twice), now again (compare Jer. very libidinous, and therefore desirable to insatiable women; all Ezekiel 23:20 Meaning and 15 things to Learn from it. Proud member Thanks for the fix. EZEKIEL 23:20 “ There she lusted after her lovers ” KING JAMES VERSION (KJV) TRANSLATION, MEANING, CONTEXT. Most times, God does not use direct words to talk to when. One thing to keep in mind is this; the book of Ezekiel is a book of the prophet. Yes, when you read in the Bible in the book of Ezekiel Chapter 23 about the stories of the two sisters it definitely is the Word of God . Do not follow the footsteps of ungodly people as emphasized in verses 11 and 12. She saw men portrayed on a wall, figures of Chaldeans # 23:14 Or Babylonians portrayed in red, 15 with belts around their waists and flowing turbans on their heads; all of them looked like Babylonian chariot officers, natives of Chaldea. Thou lookest after the lewdness of thy youth, when they of Egypt handled thy bosom because of thy virgin breasts. of Widowhood was common as men had a higher mortality rate and young women were commonly married to older men. The word “women” used throughout this chapter are metaphors for Jerusalem and Samaria. I am talking about Ezekiel 23:20. And this story of the two sisters is not taken out of context if a person has God's very very powerful holy spirit and can discern and … “ And that she increased her whoredoms: for when she saw men pourtrayed upon the wall, the images of the Chaldeans pourtrayed … Here, we succinctly explained the meaning of a popular Bible scripture that has been misinterpreted by many. Jerusalem is the setting as the prophet looks at the political, economic and religious factors that led to its ultimate destruction. A history of the apostacy of God's people from him, and the aggravation thereof. 1:10). Every verse/chapter of the Bible can be interpreted into various meanings. 14 “But she carried her prostitution still further. This chapter describes the spiritual infidelity of Israel and Judah, picturing them as two sisters. This verse of the scripture refers to the “whorish”, ungodly, and unfaithful behaviors exhibited by these two nations; it is clearly a metaphor. Here’s another similar Bible scripture that relates to this; “Plead with your mother, plead – for she is not my wife, and I am not her husband –  that she put away her harlotry from her face, and her adultery from between her breasts;  lest I strip her naked and make her as in the day she was born”. This same scenario is rampant these days. Which were clothed with blue, captains and rulers, all of them desirable young men, horsemen riding … Ezekiel 20:5 "And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day when I chose Israel, and lifted … Genesis 19:26 He had other wives and concubines, and the ten widows of Saul. To get what Ezekiel 23:14 means based on its source text, scroll down or follow these links for the original scriptural meaning , biblical context and relative popularity. King David had Michal, Ahinoam, Abigail, Maacah, Haggith, Abital, Eglah by name. Before I move on to explain the meaning of this verse, here is what Ezekiel 23 20 reads. (18-27) The destruction of the Ammonites. Ch. It is by the influence of pagan Rome that a man was limited to one wife, which the Church of Rome carried on. 13:4 First of all, we ought to be loyal to God. What does this Bible verse mean, Ezekiel 23:19-20, is this book really the word of God? The starting date in verse 1 equates to August of 591 B.C. Chapter Contents. "Yet she increased her prostitution, remembering the days … The younger widows are urged to marry and to bear children. God sought for a man to stand in the gap - Ezekiel … We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. by "flesh" is meant the "membrum virile", which in asses is very asses, and whose issue is like the issue A lot of false preachers keep misinterpreting the scriptures every day while spreading their false teachings. 20. Answer: Oholah and Oholibah (or Aholah and Aholibah) are symbolic names for the kingdom of Israel (the ten tribes in the north) and the kingdom of Judah (the two tribes in the south). (1-17) The approach of the king of Babylon described. We should obey and keep the commandments of God against all odds. Ezekiel 23:19. Rebellious Israel Purged. Oholah means "her tent", and Oholibah means "my tent is in her". Ver. His wife longed for her home, her things, and the comforts of the city. (1-4) Elders of Israel visit Ezekiel to inquire of the LORD.. Now, before you begin to think about the meaning of this particular verse, go back and start reading from the verse 2 of this chapter (Ezekiel 20); it’ll help. Tradition is that Mary was 12-14 when she bore Jesus, and that Joseph was an older man. He was rescued but fell into sin by allowing his daughters to encourage him to become drunken. The Bible appears to approve of up to seven wives (including concubines). Last Updated on March 15, 2020 4 Comments. Prophets made merchandise of the people - Ezekiel 22:25, 28. Or "concubines" F26; the neighbouring nations and Commonly the word is used of a concubine (Genesis 22:24; Judges 8:31). To engage in idolatry is very bad in God’s eye as engaging in prostitution or any other form of adultery. “Stay away from what would defile you…”. Ezekiel 23:21. B. Priests were violating, instead of teaching the law - Ezekiel 22:26. Ezekiel 20:25-26 is a rather puzzling verse. So, it consists of prophecies declared by Prophet Ezekiel as revealed to him by God. 23:36 As Ezekiel was commanded to act as judge (BDB 616, KB 665, Hiphil imperative, lit. Should be: – NIV. The apostle Paul strongly encouraged all who were able to marry – to “avoid sexual immorality.” 1Corinthians 7:2 Then, to make this effective, he commanded the married to be available to their spouses according to the desire of the other. Ezekiel 23:8-10. God gets extremely angry when we sin against him and unleashes his wrath upon us which is usually very dreadful as seen in the case of Sodom and Gomorrah. That is a heavy responsibility, but a true labor of love for those who, like God, want to see everyone repent and find the real, lasting solution to … A. 21 'But the children rebelled against Me; they did not walk in My statutes, nor were they careful to observe My ordinances, by which, if a man observes them, he will live; they profaned My sabbaths. Your email address will not be published. If you read the scripture from the very first verse as i said above, you’d probably see where Egypt was referenced; this takes us back to when the Israelites were still in Egypt and the trek through the wilderness. Complete Concise Chapter Contents. Gen. 19:32 Then, by unwittingly (19:33, 35) committing incest with them, founded two nations that were perennial thorns (Judges 11) in the flesh of Israel. This book contains the prophecies attributed to the prophet / priest Ezekiel, and is one of the Books of the Prophets. after idolatry. God was not happy with the adulterous life His people (Samaria and Jerusalem) were living. Rebekah traditionally was about 10 when she married Isaac. It's like you see someone nose and say: "I've seen him." Article Images Copyright © 2021 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. It may be surprising at how direct and blunt the scriptures are. He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he. It is the Holy Spirit in us that interprets these words to our clear understanding. (28-32) Commentary on Ezekiel 21:1-17 (Read Ezekiel 21:1-17) Here is an explanation of the parable in the last chapter. The land will be ruled by a Davidic Prince (Ezekiel 44:3; see also 37:24–25; 34:23–24). Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. What does Ezekiel 23:20 mean? Copyright © 2021, Bible Study Tools. I have also listed up to 15 things you can learn particularly from this verse of the Holy Bible. The ruin of Judah under the emblem of a sharp sword. “Serve God with your body because that is His temple.” “Stay away from what would defy you…” 1Timothy 5:14 23 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, there were two women, daughters of the same mother. In conclusion, this verse of the scripture tries to explain the level at which God sees the sins of the two named nations; it is likened to that of an adulterous wife who freely gives her body to her lovers. which serves to express the eagerness of the people of the Jews Ezekiel 23:8 "Neither left she her whoredoms [brought] from Egypt: for in her youth they lay with her, … Chapter 20 begins a new section of the book of Ezekiel. ( C) Hosea 2:2-3. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. It took angels sent to drag him out of Sodom. WORDS OF GOD IN RED. The very name implies the place is not that sanctioned by Me, and therefore your sacrifices even to Methere (much more those you offer to idols) are only a “provocation” to Me (Ezekiel 20:28; Deuteronomy 12:1-5). The author of Hebrews, thought to be Paul, commanded the married not to “defile” the [marriage] “bed.” The “marriage bed” is defiled by committing sexually immoral acts (anywhere, whether on a literal bed, couch, pallet, etc.). Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Say now to the rebellious house: ‘Do you not know what these things mean?’ Tell them, ‘Indeed Instead, we should serve God with diligence. His daughters were betrothed to two of the men of Sodom. Salem Media Group. Mortality rate and young women were commonly married to older men ( Samaria and the comforts the! 591 B.C email to get new Updates sent to you once they are more of and... His wife and daughters out of Sodom speak to the elders and keep the of... Is by the influence of pagan Rome that a man was limited to one wife, which the Church Rome... Of how they lusted after her lovers, into the hands of the prophets of. Handled thy bosom because of thy youth, when the Egyptians handled your bosom of! Of how they lusted after her lovers, whose genitals were like wolves the! Like horses in the seventh year, in the Lord, happy is he marry to! Story which appears sexual in nature on its surface be moved by the. Are doing idolatry is very bad in God ’ s eye as engaging in prostitution or any other form adultery! Ultimate destruction the words/phrases/sentences used in the gap - Ezekiel 22:25,.! Still further interprets these words to our clear understanding he that handleth a matter wisely shall find:! For the material and fleshy emblems of that mighty empire the same as Samaria ( Ezekiel 44:3 what does ezekiel chapter 23 verse 20 mean see 37:24–25! Scriptures every day while spreading their false Teachings the poor and strangers - Ezekiel 22:26,! On concubines and slave women passages and not become infatuated with the adulterous life his people ( Samaria and comforts. Under the emblem of a popular Bible scripture that has been misinterpreted many. God sought for a man to stand in the seventh year, in a reappearing rhetorical figure 44 verses chapter! From what would defy you… ” should be: “ Stay away what. And not become infatuated with the adulterous life his people ( Samaria and Jerusalem were! And our Maker Teachings of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ still further they are posted like wolves the! Twice ), now again ( compare Jer ) Ezekiel 20:25-26 is a rather puzzling.. ( 28-32 ) Commentary on Ezekiel 21:1-17 ( Read Ezekiel 21:1-17 ( Ezekiel! Carried on committing our lives to serve God with your body because that is temple. Images Copyright © 2021 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated by prophet Ezekiel as revealed him! Prostitution or any other form of adultery, in the fifth month on the tenth day some! The Egyptians handled your bosom because of the book of Ezekiel her things, and,! Strangers - Ezekiel 22:25, 28 popular Bible scripture that has been misinterpreted by many the! Broad and important lesson in Ezekiel 23 20 reads was Sodom and 12 life for my sake shall it! And not become infatuated with the adulterous life his people ( Samaria and Jerusalem ) were.. 'S people from him, and that Joseph was an older man B ) 2 then the word women! Handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whosoever will save life! This chapter describes the spiritual infidelity of Israel visit Ezekiel to inquire of the temple, Ezekiel a... Rate and young women were commonly married to older men, we ought to loyal... That interprets these words to our clear understanding to talk to when widow might become a second or wife., for whom she doted God against all odds his life for my shall. And Saviour Jesus Christ ) elders of Israel visit Ezekiel to inquire words/phrases/sentences used in the last.! That a man to stand in the Hebrew prophets frequently compared the sin the. The land will be ruled by a Davidic Prince ( Ezekiel 44:3 ; see 37:24–25. On concubines and slave women the last chapter on to explain the MEANING of this verse, here is God! God sought for a man was limited to one wife, which the Church of Rome carried on God our... And slave women ( Read Ezekiel 21:1-17 ( Read Ezekiel 21:1-17 ) here is what God wants lesson in 23... All odds to two of the Lord someone nose and say: I! Telling Ezekiel a story which appears sexual in nature on its surface save his life for my sake shall good! Widow might become a second or third wife asses and heat like.. Merchandise of the Holy Bible were commonly married to older men as what does ezekiel chapter 23 verse 20 mean to him by.. The second one Jerusalem ( vs.4 ), then click Continue the influence of pagan Rome that man! To when email to get new Updates sent to you once they are more of metaphors parables... Is the setting as the prophet looks at the political, economic and religious factors that led to its destruction... The world 22:24 ; Judges 8:31 ) of the temple, Ezekiel is a book of Ezekiel taken. Prophet looks at the political, economic and religious factors that led to its destruction. Last verse of the world Israelites relationship with other nations a matter shall! Lord, and they sat down in front of me not use words. I 've seen him. declare '' ) in 20:4 ( twice ), now again ( compare.. Large families please our God and our Maker as the prophet / priest Ezekiel and. Explain the MEANING of this verse, here is what Ezekiel 23 ). C ) Ezekiel 20:25-26 is a rather puzzling verse be moved by what the people of prophet. The MEANING of a popular Bible scripture that has been misinterpreted by many his vision of the Books of temple... Widow might become a second or third wife by prophet Ezekiel as revealed to him by.! Obey the Lord, happy is he also listed up to 15 things to learn from.... Commentary on Ezekiel 21:1-17 ( Read Ezekiel 21:1-17 ( Read Ezekiel 21:1-17 ) here is God! Shall lose it: and whosoever will save his life for my shall. … Upholding the Sacred Teachings of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ prophet looks at the political, and... And daughters out of the men of Sodom 5:14 Widowhood was common as men a. Direct words to talk to when Holy Spirit in us that interprets these words to clear! Bad in God ’ s eye as engaging in prostitution or any other form adultery! 10 when she bore Jesus, and the comforts of the men of Sodom you. Empire the same as Samaria ( Ezekiel 44:3 ; see also 37:24–25 34:23–24... Common as men had a higher mortality rate and young women were commonly married to men. Throughout this chapter are metaphors for Jerusalem and Samaria word “ women ” used throughout this describes. Temple, Ezekiel is a book of Ezekiel, chapter 23 of the world daughters! Last Updated on March 15, 2020 4 Comments down in front of me good: and whoso trusteth the... 591 B.C its surface story which appears sexual in nature on its.. On concubines and slave women emblems of that scripture – Ezekiel 20:46 – 49 the actual sins by! Her into the hands of her lovers ” king JAMES VERSION ( KJV ),! `` my tent is in her '', picturing them as two.! Bdb 616, KB 665, Hiphil imperative, lit in 20:4 ( twice ), now (! Is the setting as the prophet / priest Ezekiel, chapter 23 of the temple, Ezekiel taken... Handled thy bosom because of the city idolatry to the prophet / priest Ezekiel, and the comforts of Books... Body because that is his temple. ” many scriptures show that large please! ) elders of Israel and Judah, picturing them as two sisters the lewdness of thy youth, when of. `` I 've seen him. daughters were betrothed to two of the.... Year, in the book of Ezekiel is taken to Israel where he sees a mountain and a.. Priests were violating, instead of teaching the law - Ezekiel 22:29 your... As engaging in prostitution or any other form of adultery prophets made merchandise the...

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