Ezekiel 23 13

Ezekiel 23:13 kjv

Then I saw that she was defiled, that they took both one way,

Ezekiel 23:13 nkjv

Then I saw that she was defiled; Both took the same way.

Ezekiel 23:13 niv

I saw that she too defiled herself; both of them went the same way.

Ezekiel 23:13 esv

And I saw that she was defiled; they both took the same way.

Ezekiel 23:13 nlt

I saw the way she was going, defiling herself just like her older sister.

Ezekiel 23 verses

Ezekiel 23 13 Meaning

This verse vividly portrays the idolatry and apostasy of Israel, personified as Oholibah. It declares that she defiled herself with various nations, engaging in sexual immorality, which symbolically represents her spiritual unfaithfulness to God. The nation's people "grew bold" in their illicit relationships, meaning they became increasingly brazen and unrestrained in their pursuit of foreign gods and their associated practices. This unfaithfulness extended to consorting with the Assyrians and Babylonians, signifying deep alliances with and reliance upon pagan powers instead of the Lord.

Ezekiel 23 13 Context

Ezekiel chapter 23 presents a parabolic prophecy concerning the spiritual harlotry of the two kingdoms of Israel: Samaria (the northern kingdom, called Aholah) and Jerusalem (the southern kingdom, called Aholibah). Both are depicted as sisters who engaged in sexual immorality with foreign nations and their gods, rather than remaining faithful to their covenant husband, Yahweh. This specific verse focuses on Oholibah (Jerusalem) and describes the escalating depth of her sin, particularly her alliances and assimilation with the Assyrians and later the Babylonians. Historically, this period for Judah was marked by turbulent political alliances, often driven by fear of surrounding empires, which led to spiritual compromises and a turning away from God. The imagery of "growing bold" speaks to the nation's increasing and defiant embrace of pagan practices, culminating in their eventual destruction and exile.

Ezekiel 23 13 Word Analysis

• וּלְיַת הִתְגַּסָּחֶת (u-lə-yaṯ hɪṯ-gaš-šə-ṯɛṯ): "and to lust after" / "and lustfully gazed."

  • וּ (u-): "and." Conjunction.
  • לְיַת (lə-yaṯ): This root is related to "lust," "desire," "gaze upon." It signifies a longing, often with a perverted or unlawful intent.
  • הִתְגַּסָּחֶת (hɪṯ-gaš-šə-ṯɛṯ): This is a Hitpael infinitive from a root possibly related to "striving," "contending," or "making oneself bold." Here it conveys becoming bold, or making oneself conspicuously eager and unrestrained in pursuing something, specifically here the adulterous relationships and idols.

• בִּנְיָנִי (bin-yə-nî): "their neighbors."

  • בִּין (bin): From the root meaning "to discern," "understand," or "distinguish." It relates to being "between" or a "space between."
  • נִי (nî): Possessive suffix, "my" or in this context possibly "their" with a slight variation. In Piel it relates to being distinguished. In context of building, “between building” indicates the neighbors.

• שָׁכֵן (šā-ḵên): "dwellers" or "neighbors."

  • From the root שָׁכַן (šā-ḵan), meaning "to dwell," "reside," or "settle." Implies proximity and proximity often leads to influence.

• אָשֻׁרִים (ă-šū-rîm): "Assyrians."

  • A gentile nation known for its military might and imperial ambitions, frequently a source of conflict and apostate influence for Israel.

• וַתִּזְנֶה (wa-tiz-nɛh): "and she committed whoredom."

  • From the root זָנָה (zā-nāh), which signifies "to play the harlot," "commit fornication," "to be unfaithful." This is the primary term used for spiritual adultery, signifying sexual immorality as a metaphor for unfaithfulness to God and covenant.

• עִמָּם (ʿim-mām): "with them."

  • Preposition עִם (ʿim), meaning "with," followed by the third-person plural pronoun suffix -מָּם (-mām). Indicates direct association.

• וַתִּגָּר (wa-tiz-zā-rɛh): "and became brazen/lustful."

  • This verb is complex and its exact meaning debated. It can mean "to grow thick," "become stubborn," or "to strive greedily/lustfully." The context suggests a bold and unrestrained escalation of her adulterous actions. It implies not just engagement but a proactive and brazen pursuit of these sinful alliances.

• בִּזְנוּתָם (biz-nū-ṯām): "by their whoredom."

  • בִּי (bi-): "in," "by," "with."
  • זְנוּת (zə-nūṯ): Noun form of "whoredom" or "fornication."
  • -ָם (-ām): Third-person plural possessive suffix, "their." Meaning her sinful actions were patterned after or encouraged by the whoredom of these nations.

Ezekiel 23 13 Bonus Section

The use of "Oholibah" (My Tent is in Her) and her sister "Oholah" (Her Tent), representing Jerusalem and Samaria respectively, is a powerful literary device. These names contrast with "Beth-el" (House of God), indicating a corrupted dwelling of God's presence. The concept of spiritual adultery is a recurring theme in the Old Testament prophets, used to illustrate the broken covenant relationship between God and His people. The specific nations mentioned, Assyria and Babylon, were indeed the great imperial powers that historically oppressed and exiled Israel and Judah, thus highlighting the dire consequences of turning away from the Lord. The passage speaks to the interconnectedness of political allegiance and spiritual fidelity for ancient Israel; choosing one often meant forsaking the other. The progression from looking with lust to becoming bold in her whoredom signifies a conscious and escalating rebellion against God.

Ezekiel 23 13 Commentary

Ezekiel 23:13 paints a grim picture of spiritual decay. Oholibah's gaze turned with unholy longing towards her neighbors, the Assyrians, marking a profound departure from her devotion to God. The phrase "grew bold in their whoredom" suggests an intensification of her unfaithfulness, becoming progressively brazen and shameless in her pursuit of foreign alliances and their accompanying pagan practices. This was not merely a passive succumbing to temptation but an active, almost aggressive, embracing of sin. Her own people joined in this defiant act, becoming partners in her spiritual adultery. The "whoredom" is not merely physical but deeply symbolic of Israel's betrayal of her covenant relationship with God, preferring the allure of paganism and worldly powers over divine faithfulness. The Assyrians, as a powerful empire known for its own paganism and idolatry, represented a significant spiritual compromise that led to the corruption of Judah. This verse underscores God's profound grief and righteous judgment against such persistent apostasy.