Then said I unto her that was old in adulteries, Will they now commit whoredoms with her, and she with them?

EZEKIEL 23:43KJV
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Ezekiel 23:43 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 23:43 mean?

Ezekiel 23:43 describes a moment where the speaker, representing God, questions whether those who have already been deeply involved in unfaithfulness will continue to act in the same way with others. The verse uses the imagery of a woman long practiced in adultery to illustrate ongoing, repeated unfaithfulness.

In this passage, Ezekiel is speaking on God’s behalf to the people of Jerusalem, using the metaphor of two sisters to represent Samaria and Jerusalem. The “old in adulteries” phrase refers to a long history of turning away from God to follow other nations and their practices. The question in the verse highlights the persistent nature of this unfaithfulness, suggesting that even after so much time and experience, the pattern is likely to continue.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 23:43

  • “old” (בָּלוֹת balot): This word means “worn out” or “grown old,” and here it emphasizes not just age but a long, established pattern of behavior. The image is of someone who has been involved in these actions for a long time, not just a single lapse.
  • “adulteries” (נִאֻפִים ni’ufim): This word refers to acts of marital unfaithfulness, but in Ezekiel, it often points to spiritual unfaithfulness—turning away from God to follow other gods or alliances.
  • “commit” (זָנָה zanah): This verb means “to commit fornication” or “to be unfaithful.” It is used here to question whether the cycle of unfaithfulness will continue.
  • “whoredoms” (תַּעֲבוּת ta’avut): This word refers to acts of prostitution or harlotry, again used metaphorically for repeated, shameless unfaithfulness.

Why Ezekiel 23:43 matters

  • Ezekiel 23:43 clarifies that the unfaithfulness being described is not a one-time event but a deeply rooted, repeated pattern, making the warning more serious.
  • The verse uses strong, vivid language to show how persistent and ingrained the people’s turning away from God had become, helping readers understand the depth of the problem.
  • This verse connects to the larger message of Ezekiel 23, where the prophet uses the story of two sisters to illustrate the spiritual condition of both Israel and Judah, making the consequences of their choices more understandable.

Where else these words appear

“adulteries” Hebrew H5004 · used in 2 verses

  • Jeremiah 13:27 I have seen thine adulteries, and thy neighings, the lewdness of thy whoredom, and thine abominations on the hills in the fields. Woe unto thee, O Jerusalem! wilt thou not be made clean? when shall it once be?

“old” Hebrew H1087 · used in 3 verses

  • Joshua 9:4 They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles, old, and rent, and bound up;
  • Joshua 9:5 And old shoes and clouted upon their feet, and old garments upon them; and all the bread of their provision was dry and mouldy.

“whoredoms” 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 16:33 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 23:14 And that she increased her whoredoms: for when she saw men pourtrayed upon the wall, the images of the Chaldeans pourtrayed with vermilion,

“commit” 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;