Thus will I cause lewdness to cease out of the land, that all women may be taught not to do after your lewdness.

EZEKIEL 23:48KJV
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Ezekiel 23:48 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 23:48 mean?

Ezekiel 23:48 says that God will put an end to lewdness in the land so that all women will learn not to imitate such behavior. The verse shows that God intends to make an example out of the judgment on Jerusalem and Samaria, warning others against following their actions.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to the people of Israel, using the image of two sisters (representing Samaria and Jerusalem) who acted with great unfaithfulness. The verse comes near the end of a long warning about the consequences of their actions. The focus is on stopping the spread of such behavior by making the punishment a lesson for others.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 23:48

  • "Lewdness" (זִמָּה, zimmah): This word often refers to outrageous or shameful behavior, especially of a sexual or immoral kind. Its use here highlights the seriousness of the actions being condemned.
  • "Cease" (שָׁבַת, shavat): This verb means to cause something to stop or come to an end. The verse stresses that God’s action is decisive—lewdness will not just be punished but brought to a halt.
  • "Taught" (יָסַר, yasar): This word can mean to instruct, warn, or discipline. The idea is that the punishment serves as a warning, teaching others through the example of what happened.

Why Ezekiel 23:48 matters

  • Ezekiel 23:48 clarifies that the judgment is not only about punishment but also about teaching and warning others, showing a broader purpose behind God’s actions.
  • The verse connects the fate of Jerusalem and Samaria to the rest of the community, highlighting that their downfall is meant to prevent further wrongdoing.
  • This verse helps explain why the story is told in such vivid terms: it is meant to be memorable and instructive, so others will not repeat the same mistakes.

Where else these words appear

“lewdness” Hebrew H2154 · used in 27 verses

  • Leviticus 18:17 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter, neither shalt thou take her son's daughter, or her daughter's daughter, to uncover her nakedness; for they are her near kinswomen: it is wickedness.
  • Proverbs 10:23 It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.
  • Ezekiel 22:11 And one hath committed abomination with his neighbour's wife; and another hath lewdly defiled his daughter in law; and another in thee hath humbled his sister, his father's daughter.

“taught” Hebrew H3256 · used in 38 verses

  • Leviticus 26:18 And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins.
  • Job 4:3 Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.
  • Proverbs 29:19 A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.

“cease” Hebrew H7673 · used in 67 verses

  • Genesis 2:2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
  • 2 Chronicles 36:21 To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years.
  • Jeremiah 48:33 And joy and gladness is taken from the plentiful field, and from the land of Moab; and I have caused wine to fail from the winepresses: none shall tread with shouting; their shouting shall be no shouting.