They give gifts to all whores: but thou givest thy gifts to all thy lovers, and hirest them, that they may come unto thee on every side for thy whoredom.

EZEKIEL 16:33KJV
Know the Bible

Ezekiel 16:33 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 16:33 mean?

Ezekiel 16:33 says that, unlike others who receive gifts for prostitution, Jerusalem (pictured as an unfaithful woman) actually gives gifts to her lovers and pays them to come to her. This reversal highlights how extreme and desperate Jerusalem’s unfaithfulness has become in seeking alliances and idols.

In this verse, God is speaking through Ezekiel to the people of Jerusalem, using the image of prostitution to describe their spiritual unfaithfulness. Instead of being paid like a typical prostitute, Jerusalem is so eager for attention from other nations and their gods that she pays them, showing the depth of her betrayal and the unnaturalness of her actions.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 16:33

  • "give" (נָתַן, natan): This word is used twice, emphasizing the act of giving rather than receiving, which is central to the verse’s reversal.
  • "gifts" (אֵתְנָן, etnan and מַתָּן, mattan): Two different words for "gifts" are used, one often meaning payment for prostitution and the other a general gift, highlighting both the transactional and the voluntary aspects of Jerusalem’s actions.
  • "hirest" (שָׁכַר, shakar): This word means to hire or pay wages, underlining that Jerusalem is actively paying others, not being paid herself, which is the opposite of what would be expected.

Why Ezekiel 16:33 matters

  • This verse clears up the misunderstanding that Jerusalem’s unfaithfulness was passive; instead, it shows she was actively seeking out and paying for relationships with other nations and their gods.
  • The verse emphasizes the depth of Jerusalem’s spiritual desperation and the unnaturalness of her actions, making the betrayal even more shocking.
  • Ezekiel 16:33 connects to the wider passage where Jerusalem’s history is described as a series of betrayals, using strong imagery to show how far the people have strayed from their relationship with God.

Where else these words appear

“hirest” Hebrew H7809 · used in 2 verses

  • Job 6:22 Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance?

“whoredom” Hebrew H8457 · used in 19 verses

  • Ezekiel 16:15 But thou didst trust in thine own beauty, and playedst the harlot because of thy renown, and pouredst out thy fornications on every one that passed by; his it was.
  • Ezekiel 16:34 And the contrary is in thee from other women in thy whoredoms, whereas none followeth thee to commit whoredoms: and in that thou givest a reward, and no reward is given unto thee, therefore thou art contrary.
  • Ezekiel 23:17 And the Babylonians came to her into the bed of love, and they defiled her with their whoredom, and she was polluted with them, and her mind was alienated from them.

“whores” Hebrew H2181 · used in 82 verses

  • Genesis 34:31 And they said, Should he deal with our sister as with an harlot?
  • 1 Kings 3:16 Then came there two women, that were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him.
  • Ezekiel 16:30 How weak is thine heart, saith the Lord GOD, seeing thou doest all these things, the work of an imperious whorish woman;