Ezekiel 23:45 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 23:45 mean?

Ezekiel 23:45 says that righteous men will judge the two women, symbolizing Samaria and Jerusalem, as if they were adulteresses and murderers, because they have committed adultery and have blood on their hands. The verse uses the language of legal judgment to show that these cities will be held accountable for their unfaithfulness and violence.

In this part of Ezekiel, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to the people of Israel, using the story of two sisters to represent the northern and southern kingdoms. The verse explains that their actions—turning away from God and committing violence—will lead to a just and deserved judgment, much like how society would judge women guilty of adultery and murder.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 23:45

• צַדִּיק (tsaddiq, "righteous"): This word means someone who is just or morally upright. Here, it emphasizes that the judgment will come from those who are fair and just, not from corrupt or biased people.
• יִשְׁפְּטוּ (yishpetu, "judge"): This verb means to decide or pass judgment. The verse stresses that the judgment will be deliberate and lawful, not random punishment.
• מִשְׁפַּט (mishpat, "manner" or "judgment"): This word refers to a legal decision or standard. The verse repeats it to show that the judgment will follow the established laws for adultery and murder, underlining the seriousness of the charges.
• נָאָף (na’af, "adulteresses"): This term specifically means women who have committed adultery. It highlights the spiritual unfaithfulness of the cities, comparing their idolatry to marital betrayal.
• דָּם (dam, "blood"): This word means blood, often used to signify guilt in violence or murder. The verse points out that the cities are not only unfaithful but also guilty of causing death.

Why Ezekiel 23:45 matters

• This verse clarifies that the judgment against Samaria and Jerusalem is not arbitrary but follows clear moral and legal standards, using the imagery of a courtroom.
• The language connects the cities’ spiritual unfaithfulness (idolatry) and their violence, showing that both are serious offenses in God’s eyes.
• By mentioning both adultery and bloodshed, the verse ties together the themes of betrayal and violence that run throughout Ezekiel 23, helping the reader see the full weight of the charges against the people.