For she doted upon their paramours, whose flesh is as the flesh of asses, and whose issue is like the issue of horses.
EZEKIEL 23:20KJVWhat does Ezekiel 23:20 mean?
Ezekiel 23:20 uses vivid and shocking imagery to describe how deeply one of the two symbolic sisters, representing Samaria or Jerusalem, desired alliances and relationships with foreign nations, especially Egypt. The verse emphasizes the intensity and shamelessness of this desire by comparing it to animal lust.
In this passage, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to the people of Israel, using the story of two sisters (Oholah and Oholibah) as a metaphor for the northern and southern kingdoms. The verse highlights how the people pursued foreign alliances and practices with great eagerness, turning away from God. The language is intentionally graphic to show the seriousness of their unfaithfulness.
The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 23:20
- דָּגָה (doted, H5689; dâgah): This word means "to lust after" or "to be infatuated with." It stresses the intensity and obsession of the desire, not just a passing interest.
- פִּלַּגְשֵׁיהֶם (paramours, H6370; pillagsheihem): This word refers to lovers outside of marriage, often used for illicit or forbidden relationships. It underscores the idea of unfaithfulness and betrayal.
- בָּשָׂר (flesh, H1320; basar): Here, "flesh" is used in a physical and sexual sense, making the comparison to animals even more direct and shocking.
- זִרְמָה (issue, H2231; zirmah): This word refers to emission or semen, further intensifying the sexual imagery and the sense of excess.
- חֲמוֹרִים (asses, H2543; chamorim) and סוּסִים (horses, H5483; susim): These animal comparisons are meant to be jarring, highlighting the unnatural and extreme nature of the people's desires.
Why Ezekiel 23:20 matters
- This verse clears up that the language is not literal but symbolic, using extreme imagery to show the depth of Israel’s unfaithfulness and pursuit of foreign alliances.
- The verse connects to the wider passage by reinforcing the metaphor of the two sisters, making it clear that their actions are seen as betrayal and spiritual adultery against God.
- Understanding the original words helps readers see that the focus is on the intensity and shamelessness of the people's actions, not just the act itself, which deepens the impact of the warning.