Ezekiel 16:23
Ezekiel 16:23 in Multiple Translations
Woe! Woe to you, declares the Lord GOD. And in addition to all your other wickedness,
And it came to pass after all thy wickedness, (woe, woe unto thee! saith the Lord GOD;)
And it is come to pass after all thy wickedness (woe, woe unto thee! saith the Lord Jehovah),
And it came about, after all your evil-doing, says the Lord,
Disaster is coming! Disaster is coming on you, declares the Lord God. As well as all the other evil things you did,
And beside all thy wickednes (wo, wo vnto thee, saith the Lord God)
And it cometh to pass, after all thy wickedness, (Woe, woe, to thee — an affirmation of the Lord Jehovah),
“‘“It has happened after all your wickedness—woe, woe to you!” says the Lord GOD—
And it came to pass after all thy wickedness, (woe, woe to thee! saith the Lord GOD;)
And it came to pass after all thy wickedness (woe, woe to thee, saith the Lord God)
So I, Yahweh the Lord, declare that terrible things will happen to you. In addition to all the other wicked things that you did,
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 16:23
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Ezekiel 16:23 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יְהִ֕י
אַחֲרֵ֖י
כָּל
רָעָתֵ֑/ךְ
א֣וֹי
א֣וֹי
לָ֔/ךְ
נְאֻ֖ם
אֲדֹנָ֥/י
יְהוִֽה
וַ/יְהִ֕י
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
אַחֲרֵ֖י
ʼachar
H310
after
Prep
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
רָעָתֵ֑/ךְ
raʻ
H7451
bad
N-fs | Suff
א֣וֹי
ʼôwy
H188
woe!
Part
א֣וֹי
ʼôwy
H188
woe!
Part
לָ֔/ךְ
Prep | Suff
נְאֻ֖ם
nᵉʼum
H5002
utterance
N-ms
אֲדֹנָ֥/י
ʼĂdônây
H136
Lord
N-mp | Suff
יְהוִֽה
Yᵉhôvih
H3069
YHWH/God
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 16:23
וַ/יְהִ֕י
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
אַחֲרֵ֖י
ʼachar
H310
"after"
Prep
Achar means backwards or after, used to describe something that happens later or in the rear. It is used in various senses in the Bible, including in 1 Kings 12:18.
Definition: 1) after the following part, behind (of place), hinder, afterwards (of time) 1a) as an adverb 1a1) behind (of place) 1a2) afterwards (of time) 1b) as a preposition 1b1) behind, after (of place) 1b2) after (of time) 1b3) besides 1c) as a conjunction 1c) after that 1d) as a substantive 1d1) hinder part 1e) with other prepositions 1e1) from behind 1e2) from following after
Usage: Occurs in 664 OT verses. KJV: after (that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side), behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from, hereafter, hinder end, [phrase] out (over) live, [phrase] persecute, posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth), when, with. See also: Genesis 5:4; Exodus 18:2; Joshua 8:14.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
רָעָתֵ֑/ךְ
raʻ
H7451
"bad"
N-fs | Suff
Ra means bad or evil, referring to moral or natural harm. It describes adversity, affliction, or distress, and is often used to convey a sense of misery or injury.
Definition: : harmful adj 1) bad, evil 1a) bad, disagreeable, malignant 1b) bad, unpleasant, evil (giving pain, unhappiness, misery) 1c) evil, displeasing 1d) bad (of its kind-land, water, etc) 1e) bad (of value) 1f) worse than, worst (comparison) 1g) sad, unhappy 1h) evil (hurtful) 1i) bad, unkind (vicious in disposition) 1j) bad, evil, wicked (ethically) 1j1) in general, of persons, of thoughts 1j2) deeds, actions
Usage: Occurs in 623 OT verses. KJV: adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, [phrase] not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong. (Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.). See also: Genesis 2:9; Judges 9:57; 2 Kings 21:6.
א֣וֹי
ʼôwy
H188
"woe!"
Part
This word is an expression of sorrow or grief, like a cry of 'Oh no!' or 'Alas!' It's used in Isaiah and Jeremiah to lament the fate of God's people. The prophets use it to express deep emotional pain.
Definition: 1) woe! alas! oh! 1a) passionate cry of grief or despair
Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: alas, woe. See also: Numbers 21:29; Jeremiah 6:4; Proverbs 23:29.
א֣וֹי
ʼôwy
H188
"woe!"
Part
This word is an expression of sorrow or grief, like a cry of 'Oh no!' or 'Alas!' It's used in Isaiah and Jeremiah to lament the fate of God's people. The prophets use it to express deep emotional pain.
Definition: 1) woe! alas! oh! 1a) passionate cry of grief or despair
Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: alas, woe. See also: Numbers 21:29; Jeremiah 6:4; Proverbs 23:29.
לָ֔/ךְ
""
Prep | Suff
נְאֻ֖ם
nᵉʼum
H5002
"utterance"
N-ms
This word refers to an utterance or declaration from God, often through a prophet. It is used in the Bible to describe a revelation or message from God, like in Exodus or Numbers.
Definition: 1) (Qal) utterance, declaration (of prophet) 1a) utterance, declaration, revelation (of prophet in ecstatic state) 1b) utterance, declaration (elsewhere always preceding divine name)
Usage: Occurs in 358 OT verses. KJV: (hath) said, saith. See also: Genesis 22:16; Jeremiah 22:16; Psalms 36:2.
אֲדֹנָ֥/י
ʼĂdônây
H136
"Lord"
N-mp | Suff
Adonay is a title used to refer to God, spoken in place of Yahweh as a sign of reverence and respect. It is used throughout the Bible to address God or refer to Him in a formal way. Adonay is a term of worship and devotion.
Definition: Lord - a title, spoken in place of Yahweh in Jewish display of reverence Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 430 OT verses. KJV: (my) Lord. See also: Genesis 15:2; Isaiah 3:17; Psalms 2:4.
יְהוִֽה
Yᵉhôvih
H3069
"YHWH/God"
N-proper
YHWH is a name for God, often used in combination with 'Lord'. It is similar to Yehovah, but with different vowels. This name emphasizes God's power and authority.
Definition: 1) Jehovah-used primarily in the combination 'Lord Jehovah' 1a) equal to ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068) but pointed with the vowels of e.lo.him (אֱלֹהִים "God" H0430)
Usage: Occurs in 296 OT verses. KJV: God. See also: Genesis 15:2; Ezekiel 14:21; Psalms 68:21.
Study Notes — Ezekiel 16:23
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Ezekiel 16:23 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 16:23
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 16:23
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:23
- Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:23
- Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:23
- Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 16:23
- Barnes' Notes on Ezekiel 16:23
- Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:23
- Sermons on Ezekiel 16:23
Context — Jerusalem’s Unfaithfulness
21You slaughtered My children and delivered them up through the fire to idols.
22And in all your abominations and acts of prostitution, you did not remember the days of your youth when you were naked and bare, wallowing in your own blood.
23Woe! Woe to you, declares the Lord GOD. And in addition to all your other wickedness,
24you built yourself a mound and made yourself a lofty shrine in every public square. 25At the head of every street you built your lofty shrines and degraded your beauty. With increasing promiscuity, you spread your legs to all who passed by.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Revelation 12:12 | Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea; with great fury the devil has come down to you, knowing he has only a short time.” |
| 2 | Ezekiel 2:10 | which He unrolled before me. And written on the front and back of it were words of lamentation, mourning, and woe. |
| 3 | Ezekiel 24:6 | Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Woe to the city of bloodshed, to the pot now rusted, whose rust will not come off! Empty it piece by piece; cast no lots for its contents. |
| 4 | Matthew 23:13–29 | Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You traverse land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are. Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes it sacred? And you say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gift on it, he is bound by his oath.’ You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes it sacred? So then, he who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. And he who swears by the temple swears by it and by the One who dwells in it. And he who swears by heaven swears by God’s throne and by the One who sits on it. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, so that the outside may become clean as well. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside, but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous. |
| 5 | Zephaniah 3:1 | Woe to the city of oppressors, rebellious and defiled! |
| 6 | Ezekiel 13:18 | and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: Woe to the women who sew magic charms on their wrists and make veils for the heads of people of every height, in order to ensnare their souls. Will you ensnare the souls of My people but preserve your own? |
| 7 | Revelation 8:13 | And as I observed, I heard an eagle flying overhead, calling in a loud voice, “Woe! Woe! Woe to those who dwell on the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the remaining three angels!” |
| 8 | Jeremiah 13:27 | Your adulteries and lustful neighings, your shameless prostitution on the hills and in the fields— I have seen your detestable acts. Woe to you, O Jerusalem! How long will you remain unclean?” |
| 9 | Matthew 11:21 | “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. |
| 10 | Ezekiel 13:3 | This is what the Lord GOD says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit, yet have seen nothing. |
Ezekiel 16:23 Summary
Ezekiel 16:23 is a warning from God to the people about the seriousness of their sin. He says 'woe' to them, which means He is very sad and disappointed in their behavior. The phrase 'in addition to all your other wickedness' means that the people have been sinning for a long time and have added to their sin, similar to how the Israelites forgot God's deliverance in Exodus 1:14. Just like God loves and wants to forgive the people in Ezekiel 16:8, He also loves and wants to forgive us when we sin, as seen in 1 John 1:9, and calls us to turn from our sin and seek His restoration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the context of Ezekiel 16:23 and why is God declaring woe to the people?
The context of Ezekiel 16:23 is God's judgment on the people for their idolatrous and sinful ways, as seen in the surrounding verses, Ezekiel 16:21-22, where they are accused of sacrificing their children to idols and forgetting their humble beginnings, similar to the way Israel forgot God's deliverance in Exodus 1:14 and Deuteronomy 6:12.
What does 'in addition to all your other wickedness' imply about the people's behavior?
This phrase implies that the people's sin is cumulative, adding to their already long list of transgressions, much like the psalmist's cry in Psalms 38:4, where he says 'my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden, they are too much for me to bear'.
Is God's declaration of woe a sign of His lack of love for the people?
No, God's declaration of woe is actually a sign of His great love for the people, as seen in Ezekiel 16:8, where He remembers His covenant with them, and in Hosea 11:8, where He expresses His heart of love and compassion for them, despite their sin.
How can we apply the principle of Ezekiel 16:23 to our own lives?
We can apply this principle by recognizing the cumulative nature of sin and its consequences, as warned in Galatians 6:7-8, and seeking God's forgiveness and restoration, as encouraged in 1 John 1:9 and Matthew 11:28-30.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I have added to my own 'wickedness' and forgotten God's goodness in my life?
- How can I remember my humble beginnings and the ways God has delivered me, just like the Israelites were supposed to remember in Deuteronomy 8:2-5?
- What are some 'mounds' or 'lofty shrines' I have built in my life, prioritizing them over my relationship with God, as warned in Ezekiel 16:24-25?
- In what ways can I turn from my sin and seek God's forgiveness and restoration, as encouraged in Ezekiel 18:30-32 and 2 Chronicles 7:14?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 16:23
And it came to pass after all thy wickedness,.... This refers either to what goes before, so Kimchi; and the sense is, it shall be again as it was at first, after and because of all the above
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 16:23
And it came to pass after all thy wickedness, (woe, woe unto thee! saith the Lord GOD;) This parenthetical exclamation has an awful effect, coming like a lightning-flash of judgment amidst the black clouds of Israel's guilt.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:23
It came to pass; it shall come to pass; so the Hebrew may be read, and then this verse will be a dreadful threat of misery to come upon the Jews for all their wickednesses; when they have filled up the measure of their sins, God will fill them with his judgments, and bring one woe after another upon them, as they proceeded from one wickedness to another. But as we read the words, they are an introduction to a further declaring of this people’ s multiplied wickedness, with a dreadful menace introduced somewhat abruptly to express God’ s great displeasure against them: the threat is doubled, because it is certainly coming, and will be great when come.
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:23
Ezekiel 16:23 And it came to pass after all thy wickedness, (woe, woe unto thee! saith the Lord GOD;)Ver. 23. Woe, woe unto thee, saith the Lord God.] A double woe will fall very heavy here and hereafter; woe and alas for evermore.
Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:23
(23) After all thy wickedness.—The sin and idolatry hitherto described had been derived by Israel chiefly from the Canaanites, the old inhabitants of the land; but now. in accordance with what was said in Ezekiel 16:15, the prophet goes on to speak of the other abundant idolatries adopted eagerly by the Israelites from foreign nations.
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 16:23
15–34. The wife’s infidelities—Israel’s idolatries and idolatrous alliances with foreign nations The idolatries of Israel are represented figuratively as a wife’s infidelities against her husband, as had been common in the prophets since Hosea, particularly in Jeremiah (in Isaiah only the single passage ch. Ezekiel 1:21). These idolatries seem presented in two stages: Ezekiel 16:15-22, her addicting herself to the worship and religious customs of the Canaanites among whom she dwelt; and Ezekiel 16:23-34, her alliances with foreign peoples and adoption of their religions.
Barnes' Notes on Ezekiel 16:23
After all ... - Besides these things, there was the introduction of other idolatrous rites from the nations with whom Israel had contact.
Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:23
’S AND — THE ADOPTED CHILD-WIFE, Ezekiel 16:1-43.In chaps. 13-15 the prophet has shown how untrustworthy are all the Israelitish hopes that punishment will not fall upon them for their sins.
Sermons on Ezekiel 16:23
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The Gift of Righteousness by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the simplicity of the message he is delivering. He believes that God wants to set people free from their sins and bondage. The preacher ackn |
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Satan Is Alive and Well by Hal Lindsey | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the existence of a powerful and real spiritual being behind the conflicts and suffering in the world. He emphasizes the importance of understa |
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The Remnant People of God by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker addresses a faithful congregation and expresses gratitude for their presence. He mentions that these nights have been unusual and significant, as someth |
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The Agony and the Ecstasy of Paul in Romans 9-11 by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding and reflecting on the destiny of the church and the nation. He acknowledges that discussing this topic requir |
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When God Comes Down by David Wilkerson | This sermon emphasizes the need for the Holy Spirit to come down and bring revival to the church, focusing on the urgency of the times and the importance of preparing for the comin |
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A Call for Prayer by Ben Crandall | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of prayer and never giving up. He shares his personal experience of going through difficult times and how prayer helped him o |
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(1 Samuel) the Raiding of the Ark by David Guzik | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes that God cannot be manipulated or controlled by human plans or programs. He uses the example of Israel's defeat by the Philistines to illustr |