Ezekiel 23 36

Ezekiel 23:36 kjv

The LORD said moreover unto me; Son of man, wilt thou judge Aholah and Aholibah? yea, declare unto them their abominations;

Ezekiel 23:36 nkjv

The LORD also said to me: "Son of man, will you judge Oholah and Oholibah? Then declare to them their abominations.

Ezekiel 23:36 niv

The LORD said to me: "Son of man, will you judge Oholah and Oholibah? Then confront them with their detestable practices,

Ezekiel 23:36 esv

The LORD said to me: "Son of man, will you judge Oholah and Oholibah? Declare to them their abominations.

Ezekiel 23:36 nlt

The LORD said to me, "Son of man, you must accuse Oholah and Oholibah of all their detestable sins.

Ezekiel 23 verses

Ezekiel 23 36 Meaning

The LORD directs the prophet Ezekiel to formally accuse Samaria (Oholah) and Jerusalem (Oholibah) of their severe spiritual and moral offenses. This command signifies that God has clearly identified their actions as detestable "abominations," meriting His righteous judgment. Ezekiel's role is to articulate these specific sins publicly, revealing the divine justification for the impending punishment.

Ezekiel 23 36 Context

Ezekiel 23 details an extended allegory where God addresses the spiritual adultery of the kingdoms of Israel (represented by Oholah/Samaria) and Judah (represented by Oholibah/Jerusalem). The chapter begins by portraying them as two sisters, both initially betrothed to God, but who subsequently engaged in unfaithful alliances and idol worship with foreign nations. Oholah (Samaria) prostituted herself with the Assyrians, leading to her downfall. Oholibah (Jerusalem), despite having witnessed her sister's judgment, outdid her in depravity by lusting after the Assyrians, Babylonians, and Egyptians, adopting their pagan practices and gods. Verse 36 marks a turning point in this narrative, transitioning from recounting their sins to God's direct instruction to Ezekiel to pronounce judgment. This prophetic declaration serves to highlight the severe and undeniable guilt of both kingdoms, solidifying the divine rationale for the impending and ongoing exile. The historical backdrop is the Babylonian exile, a time when God's people were confronted with the consequences of generations of covenant unfaithfulness and idolatry, disproving the false belief that Jerusalem was immune to divine judgment due to the Temple's presence.

Ezekiel 23 36 Word analysis

• The LORD: (יְהוָ֣ה, YHWH, Yahweh). The covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal relationship, sovereign authority, and unchanging faithfulness, even as He brings judgment. This direct address underscores that the indictment is not human opinion but a divine decree.

• said to me: Denotes a direct, personal, and authoritative divine communication to Ezekiel, highlighting the prophetic inspiration and commission.

• Son of man: (בֶּן־אָדָם, ben-’āḏām). Ezekiel's most frequent title in the book, emphasizing his humanity and mortality. It establishes him as a human messenger speaking on God's behalf to humanity, distinct from the divine sender yet uniquely chosen.

• will you judge: (תִּשְׁפּוֹט, tišpōṭ). From the Hebrew verb šāpaṭ (שָׁפַט), meaning "to judge, govern, or decide a case." It's a rhetorical question, not asking for Ezekiel's permission or willingness, but confirming his divine commission to investigate, articulate the charges, and pronounce the verdict already determined by God. Ezekiel is acting as a prosecutor-judge on God's behalf.

• Oholah: (אָהֳלָה). Meaning "her tent." This allegorical name refers to Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The "tent" likely alludes to the unauthorized, idolatrous cultic centers (high places) they established in opposition to Jerusalem's Temple, becoming a "tent" of defiled worship.

• and Oholibah? (וְאָהֳלִיבָֽה). Meaning "my tent is in her," or "my dwelling is in her." This allegorical name refers to Jerusalem, the capital of the Southern Kingdom of Judah. The name's significance points to the presence of God's holy Temple, His legitimate "tent" or dwelling place, within her. This makes her apostasy even more egregious than her sister's, as she betrayed God in His very own house.

• Then declare to them: (וְהַגֵּ֤ד לָהֶם֙, wəhaggēḏ lāhem). From nāgad (נגד), meaning "to tell, declare, report, announce." It's an imperative command to Ezekiel. He is not merely to think about their sins but to publicly and unequivocally articulate them, bringing their hidden wickedness into the light for full accountability.

• their abominations: (תּוֹעֲבֹתֵיהֶֽם, tôʿăḇōṯêhem). Plural of tôʿēḇāh (תּוֹעֵבָה). This is a potent and severe term in the Old Testament, denoting something utterly detestable, repugnant, and offensive to God's holy nature and covenant commands. In Ezekiel, it primarily refers to idolatry in all its forms, including pagan worship practices, child sacrifice, and the moral corruption stemming from these actions. It's not a mere misstep but a profound spiritual and moral desecration.

• "The LORD said to me: 'Son of man...": This phrase marks a solemn and direct divine instruction, emphasizing the divine source of the message and the human agency through which it is delivered. It signals the beginning of a crucial prophetic utterance.

• "...will you judge Oholah and Oholibah?": This rhetorical question highlights the undeniable guilt of the two allegorical sisters. It functions as an affirmative command for Ezekiel to take on the role of prosecutor, whose task is to articulate and formalize the judgment already decreed by God.

• "Then declare to them their abominations.": This command specifies the core duty: to expose the particular detestable actions that form the basis of the judgment. It's a call to transparency regarding their guilt and a prerequisite for understanding the justice of their punishment.

Ezekiel 23 36 Bonus section

• Divine Initiative: The judgment stems entirely from God's righteous character, not from human initiation or accusation. He is the ultimate Judge who finds His people guilty.
• Rhetorical Force: The "will you judge" query carries significant rhetorical weight, not only affirming the guilt but also underscoring the necessity and divine origin of the ensuing pronouncement. It implies: "Surely you will affirm their guilt, because it is so evident."
• Personalization of Sin: The allegory of the two sisters allows for a stark, personalized portrayal of the nation's spiritual prostitution, making the betrayal more visceral and understandable to the original audience.
• Escalating Guilt: The comparison between Oholah and Oholibah within the chapter highlights Oholibah's greater guilt, despite—or perhaps because of—the presence of God's temple in Jerusalem, demonstrating a more profound and inexcusable betrayal.

Ezekiel 23 36 Commentary

Ezekiel 23:36 serves as a divine judicial charge. God commissions Ezekiel, His human messenger, to act as both investigator and prosecutor, formally presenting the ironclad case against Israel (Oholah) and Judah (Oholibah). The rhetorical "will you judge" underscores the clear evidence of their guilt, leaving no doubt about the verdict. The central focus is their "abominations"—a strong biblical term denoting practices inherently offensive to God, primarily idolatry, spiritual infidelity, and the immoralities stemming from them. Ezekiel's mandate is not just to observe, but to actively confront these two nations, publicly articulating their profound treachery against their covenant God. This command sets the stage for a detailed pronouncement of judgment, emphasizing that their imminent and past punishments are the just consequence of their own detestable actions, thoroughly documented and declared by the Almighty.