And the company shall stone them with stones, and dispatch them with their swords; they shall slay their sons and their daughters, and burn up their houses with fire.

EZEKIEL 23:47KJV
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Ezekiel 23:47 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 23:47 mean?

Ezekiel 23:47 describes a violent judgment where a group will punish two women by stoning them, killing them and their children with swords, and burning their houses. The verse uses vivid language to show the total destruction that will come as a consequence of their actions.

In the context of Ezekiel, God is speaking through the prophet to the people of Israel, using the story of two sisters (representing Samaria and Jerusalem) who have been unfaithful. This verse is part of a larger warning that their unfaithfulness will lead to severe consequences, carried out by invading armies. The language is symbolic, but it reflects real historical threats facing the people at that time.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 23:47

  • The word for "company" (קָהָל, qahal) means an assembled group, often used for a gathering of people with a specific purpose. Here, it refers to the group carrying out the judgment.
  • "Stone" (רָגַם, ragam) and "stones" (אֶבֶן, even) show that stoning was a recognized form of punishment, often for serious offenses.
  • "Dispatch" (בָּרָא, bara) is usually the word for "create," but here it is used in a rare sense meaning to finish off or destroy, emphasizing the finality of the judgment.
  • "Burn up" (שָׂרַף, saraph) with "fire" (אֵשׁ, esh) points to the complete destruction of their homes, not just personal punishment.

Why Ezekiel 23:47 matters

  • This verse clears up that the punishment is not just personal but extends to families and homes, showing the totality of the judgment.
  • It emphasizes the seriousness with which God views unfaithfulness, using strong imagery to warn the people.
  • Understanding the symbolic use of the two sisters helps connect this verse to the broader message of Ezekiel 23, which is about the consequences of turning away from God.

Where else these words appear

“stone” Hebrew H7275 · used in 15 verses

  • Leviticus 20:2 Again, thou shalt say to the children of Israel, Whosoever he be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that giveth any of his seed unto Molech; he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones.
  • Leviticus 24:23 And Moses spake to the children of Israel, that they should bring forth him that had cursed out of the camp, and stone him with stones. And the children of Israel did as the LORD commanded Moses.
  • Joshua 7:25 And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the LORD shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones.

“dispatch” Hebrew H1254 · used in 46 verses

  • Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
  • Psalms 89:12 The north and the south thou hast created them: Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name.
  • Isaiah 45:8 Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it.

“up” Hebrew H8313 · used in 107 verses

  • Genesis 11:3 And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.
  • Joshua 7:15 And it shall be, that he that is taken with the accursed thing shall be burnt with fire, he and all that he hath: because he hath transgressed the covenant of the LORD, and because he hath wrought folly in Israel.
  • Nehemiah 4:2 And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?

“company” Hebrew H6951 · used in 116 verses

  • Genesis 28:3 And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people;
  • 1 Kings 8:22 And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven:
  • Nehemiah 5:13 Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this promise.