And they shall deal with thee hatefully, and shall take away all thy labour, and shall leave thee naked and bare: and the nakedness of thy whoredoms shall be discovered, both thy lewdness and thy whoredoms.

EZEKIEL 23:29KJV
Know the Bible

Ezekiel 23:29 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 23:29 mean?

Ezekiel 23:29 describes how those who come against Jerusalem will treat her with hatred, take away everything she has worked for, and leave her completely exposed and shamed. The verse uses the image of nakedness to show that Jerusalem’s wrongdoing will be fully revealed and nothing will be hidden.

In this verse, God is speaking through Ezekiel to warn Jerusalem (represented as a woman in a parable) about the consequences of her unfaithfulness. The language is vivid and personal, showing that the coming judgment will not only be a loss of possessions but also a public uncovering of shameful actions. This is part of a larger passage where God compares the two cities, Samaria and Jerusalem, to sisters who have both turned away from Him.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 23:29

  • The word "hatefully" (שִׂנְאָה, sin'ah) means with deep hatred or hostility, emphasizing the harshness and animosity of those attacking Jerusalem.
  • "Naked" (עֵרוֹם, 'erom) and "bare" (עֶרְיָה, 'eryah) both refer to being completely uncovered, but the pairing stresses total exposure—physically and in terms of guilt.
  • "Nakedness" (עֶרְוָה, 'ervah) is often used in the Hebrew Bible to mean both literal nakedness and the exposure of shameful deeds, highlighting that Jerusalem’s sins will be seen by all.
  • "Whoredoms" (תַּזְנוּת, taznut and זְנוּת, zenut) refer to unfaithfulness, often used as a metaphor for idolatry or turning away from God, making clear that the exposure is about spiritual betrayal as much as physical shame.

Why Ezekiel 23:29 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the punishment is not just physical loss but also public disgrace, which would have been a powerful warning in ancient culture.
  • The language connects to the wider theme in Ezekiel 23, where both Samaria and Jerusalem are portrayed as unfaithful, making the consequences of turning from God very concrete and personal.
  • The verse helps readers understand the seriousness with which God views unfaithfulness, using strong imagery to show that nothing can remain hidden when judgment comes.

Where else these words appear

“bare” Hebrew H6181 · used in 6 verses

  • Ezekiel 16:7 I have caused thee to multiply as the bud of the field, and thou hast increased and waxen great, and thou art come to excellent ornaments: thy breasts are fashioned, and thine hair is grown, whereas thou wast naked and bare.
  • Ezekiel 16:22 And in all thine abominations and thy whoredoms thou hast not remembered the days of thy youth, when thou wast naked and bare, and wast polluted in thy blood.
  • Micah 1:11 Pass ye away, thou inhabitant of Saphir, having thy shame naked: the inhabitant of Zaanan came not forth in the mourning of Bethezel; he shall receive of you his standing.

“naked” Hebrew H5903 · used in 10 verses

  • Genesis 3:7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
  • Deuteronomy 28:48 Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee.
  • Ezekiel 16:39 And I will also give thee into their hand, and they shall throw down thine eminent place, and shall break down thy high places: they shall strip thee also of thy clothes, and shall take thy fair jewels, and leave thee naked and bare.

“whoredoms” Hebrew H2183 · used in 10 verses

  • Genesis 38:24 And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter in law hath played the harlot; and also, behold, she is with child by whoredom. And Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt.
  • Hosea 1:2 The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD.
  • Hosea 4:12 My people ask counsel at their stocks, and their staff declareth unto them: for the spirit of whoredoms hath caused them to err, and they have gone a whoring from under their God.

“hatefully” Hebrew H8135 · used in 16 verses

  • Numbers 35:20 But if he thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying of wait, that he die;
  • Psalms 109:3 They compassed me about also with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause.
  • Proverbs 15:17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.