Ezekiel 16:28
Ezekiel 16:28 in Multiple Translations
Then you prostituted yourself with the Assyrians, because you were not yet satisfied. Even after that, you were still not satisfied.
Thou hast played the whore also with the Assyrians, because thou wast unsatiable; yea, thou hast played the harlot with them, and yet couldest not be satisfied.
Thou hast played the harlot also with the Assyrians, because thou wast insatiable; yea, thou hast played the harlot with them, and yet thou wast not satisfied.
And you went with the Assyrians, because of your desire which was without measure; you were acting like a loose woman with them, and still you had not enough.
Because you weren't satisfied you prostituted yourself with the Assyrians. But even then you weren't satisfied.
Thou hast played the whore also with the Assyrians, because thou wast insaciable: yea, thou hast played the harlot with them, and yet couldest not be satisfied.
And thou goest a-whoring unto sons of Asshur, Without thy being satisfied, And thou dost go a-whoring with them, And also — thou hast not been satisfied.
You have played the prostitute also with the Assyrians, because you were insatiable; yes, you have played the prostitute with them, and yet you weren’t satisfied.
Thou hast played the harlot also with the Assyrians, because thou wast insatiable; yes, thou hast played the harlot with them, and yet couldst not be satisfied.
Thou hast also committed fornication with the Assyrians, because thou wast not yet satisfied: and after thou hadst played the harlot with them, even so thou wast not contented.
It was as though you had sex with soldiers from Assyria, too, because you always wanted more sex. And after that, you still were not satisfied.
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 16:28
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 16:28 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/תִּזְנִי֙
אֶל
בְּנֵ֣י
אַשּׁ֔וּר
מִ/בִּלְתִּ֖י
שָׂבְעָתֵ֑/ךְ
וַ/תִּזְנִ֕י/ם
וְ/גַ֖ם
לֹ֥א
שָׂבָֽעַתְּ
וַ/תִּזְנִי֙
zânâh
H2181
to fornicate
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-2fs
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
בְּנֵ֣י
bên
H1121
son
N-mp
אַשּׁ֔וּר
ʼAshshûwr
H804
Asshur
N-proper
מִ/בִּלְתִּ֖י
biltîy
H1115
lest
Prep | Part
שָׂבְעָתֵ֑/ךְ
sobʻâh
H7654
satiety
N-fs | Suff
וַ/תִּזְנִ֕י/ם
zânâh
H2181
to fornicate
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-2fs | Suff
וְ/גַ֖ם
gam
H1571
also
Conj | DirObjM
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
שָׂבָֽעַתְּ
sâbaʻ
H7646
to satisfy
V-Qal-Perf-2fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 16:28
וַ/תִּזְנִי֙
zânâh
H2181
"to fornicate"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-2fs
To fornicate means to commit adultery or be unfaithful, often used to describe idolatry in the Bible. It can also refer to a person being a cult prostitute or causing others to be unfaithful.
Definition: 1) to commit fornication, be a harlot, play the harlot 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be a harlot, act as a harlot, commit fornication 1a2) to commit adultery 1a3) to be a cult prostitute 1a4) to be unfaithful (to God) (fig.) 1b) (Pual) to play the harlot 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to commit adultery 1c2) to force into prostitution 1c3) to commit fornication
Usage: Occurs in 81 OT verses. KJV: (cause to) commit fornication, [idiom] continually, [idiom] great, (be an, play the) harlot, (cause to be, play the) whore, (commit, fall to) whoredom, (cause to) go a-whoring, whorish. See also: Genesis 34:31; Isaiah 57:3; Psalms 73:27.
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
בְּנֵ֣י
bên
H1121
"son"
N-mp
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
אַשּׁ֔וּר
ʼAshshûwr
H804
"Asshur"
N-proper
Asshur was the second son of Shem and the ancestor of the Assyrians, mentioned in Genesis 10:22. The name Asshur means 'a step'.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.10.22; son of: Shem (H8035); brother of: Elam (H5867C), Arpachshad (H0775), Lud (H3865) and Aram (H0758) § Asshur or Assyria = "a step" 1) the second son of Shem, eponymous ancestor of the Assyrians 2) the people of Assyria 3) the nation, Assyria 4) the land, Assyria or Asshur
Usage: Occurs in 138 OT verses. KJV: Asshur, Assur, Assyria, Assyrians. See H838 (אָשֻׁר). See also: Genesis 2:14; Isaiah 7:20; Psalms 83:9.
מִ/בִּלְתִּ֖י
biltîy
H1115
"lest"
Prep | Part
This Hebrew word means not or except, and is often used with a prepositional prefix. It appears in various forms, such as not, except, or unless, and is used in many biblical passages.
Definition: subst 1) not, except adv 2) not 3) except (after preceding negation) conj 4) except (after an implied or expressed negation) with prep 5) so as not, in order not 6) an account of not, because...not 7) until not
Usage: Occurs in 107 OT verses. KJV: because un(satiable), beside, but, [phrase] continual, except, from, lest, neither, no more, none, not, nothing, save, that no, without. See also: Genesis 3:11; 2 Kings 12:9; Isaiah 10:4.
שָׂבְעָתֵ֑/ךְ
sobʻâh
H7654
"satiety"
N-fs | Suff
Satiety refers to the feeling of being full or satisfied, having enough of something. It can also describe something that is never satisfied.
Definition: satisfaction, satiety, one's fill
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: (to have) enough, [idiom] till...be full, (un-) satiable, satisfy, [idiom] sufficiently. See also: Isaiah 23:18; Ezekiel 16:28; Isaiah 55:2.
וַ/תִּזְנִ֕י/ם
zânâh
H2181
"to fornicate"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-2fs | Suff
To fornicate means to commit adultery or be unfaithful, often used to describe idolatry in the Bible. It can also refer to a person being a cult prostitute or causing others to be unfaithful.
Definition: 1) to commit fornication, be a harlot, play the harlot 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be a harlot, act as a harlot, commit fornication 1a2) to commit adultery 1a3) to be a cult prostitute 1a4) to be unfaithful (to God) (fig.) 1b) (Pual) to play the harlot 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to commit adultery 1c2) to force into prostitution 1c3) to commit fornication
Usage: Occurs in 81 OT verses. KJV: (cause to) commit fornication, [idiom] continually, [idiom] great, (be an, play the) harlot, (cause to be, play the) whore, (commit, fall to) whoredom, (cause to) go a-whoring, whorish. See also: Genesis 34:31; Isaiah 57:3; Psalms 73:27.
וְ/גַ֖ם
gam
H1571
"also"
Conj | DirObjM
Also means 'even' or 'too', used for emphasis or to connect ideas, like 'both...and' or 'neither...nor'. It can introduce a climax or show contrast.
Definition: 1) also, even, indeed, moreover, yea 1a) also, moreover (giving emphasis) 1b) neither, neither...nor (with negative) 1c) even (for stress) 1d) indeed, yea (introducing climax) 1e) also (of correspondence or retribution) 1f) but, yet, though (adversative) 1g) even, yea, yea though (with 'when' in hypothetical case) 2) (TWOT) again, alike
Usage: Occurs in 661 OT verses. KJV: again, alike, also, (so much) as (soon), both (so)...and, but, either...or, even, for all, (in) likewise (manner), moreover, nay...neither, one, then(-refore), though, what, with, yea. See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 19:9; 1 Samuel 14:21.
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
שָׂבָֽעַתְּ
sâbaʻ
H7646
"to satisfy"
V-Qal-Perf-2fs
To satisfy means to fill someone with enough of something, like food or desire, and can also mean to have too much of something.
Definition: 1) to be satisfied, be sated, be fulfilled, be surfeited 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be sated (with food) 1a2) to be sated, be satisfied with, be fulfilled, be filled, have one's fill of (have desire satisfied) 1a3) to have in excess, be surfeited, be surfeited with 1a3a) to be weary of (fig) 1b) (Piel) to satisfy 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to satisfy 1c2) to enrich 1c3) to sate, glut (with the undesired)
Usage: Occurs in 93 OT verses. KJV: have enough, fill (full, self, with), be (to the) full (of), have plenty of, be satiate, satisfy (with), suffice, be weary of. See also: Exodus 16:8; Proverbs 12:11; Psalms 17:14.
Study Notes — Ezekiel 16:28
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Ezekiel 16:28 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 16:28
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 16:28
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:28
- Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:28
- Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:28
- Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 16:28
- Barnes' Notes on Ezekiel 16:28
- Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:28
- Sermons on Ezekiel 16:28
Context — Jerusalem’s Unfaithfulness
26You prostituted yourself with your lustful neighbors, the Egyptians, and increased your promiscuity to provoke Me to anger.
27Therefore I stretched out My hand against you and reduced your portion. I gave you over to the desire of those who hate you, the daughters of the Philistines, who were ashamed of your lewd conduct.
28Then you prostituted yourself with the Assyrians, because you were not yet satisfied. Even after that, you were still not satisfied.
29So you extended your promiscuity to Chaldea, the land of merchants—but even with this you were not satisfied! 30How weak-willed is your heart, declares the Lord GOD, while you do all these things, the acts of a shameless prostitute!Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Kings 16:7 | So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, saying, “I am your servant and your son. Come up and save me from the hands of the kings of Aram and Israel, who are rising up against me.” |
| 2 | Hosea 10:6 | Yes, it will be carried to Assyria as tribute to the great king. Ephraim will be seized with shame; Israel will be ashamed of its wooden idols. |
| 3 | 2 Kings 16:10–18 | Then King Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria. On seeing the altar in Damascus, King Ahaz sent Uriah the priest a model of the altar and complete plans for its construction. And Uriah the priest built the altar according to all the instructions King Ahaz had sent from Damascus, and he completed it by the time King Ahaz had returned. When the king came back from Damascus and saw the altar, he approached it and presented offerings on it. He offered his burnt offering and his grain offering, poured out his drink offering, and sprinkled the blood of his peace offerings on the altar. He also took the bronze altar that stood before the LORD from the front of the temple (between the new altar and the house of the LORD) and he put it on the north side of the new altar. Then King Ahaz commanded Uriah the priest, “Offer on the great altar the morning burnt offering, the evening grain offering, and the king’s burnt offering and grain offering, as well as the burnt offerings, grain offerings, and drink offerings of all the people of the land. Sprinkle on the altar all the blood of the burnt offerings and sacrifices. But I will use the bronze altar to seek guidance.” So Uriah the priest did just as King Ahaz had commanded. King Ahaz also cut off the frames of the movable stands and removed the bronze basin from each of them. He took down the Sea from the bronze oxen that were under it and put it on a stone base. And on account of the king of Assyria, he removed the Sabbath canopy they had built in the temple and closed the royal entryway outside the house of the LORD. |
| 4 | Jeremiah 2:18 | Now what will you gain on your way to Egypt to drink the waters of the Nile ? What will you gain on your way to Assyria to drink the waters of the Euphrates ? |
| 5 | Jeremiah 2:36 | How unstable you are, constantly changing your ways! You will be disappointed by Egypt just as you were by Assyria. |
| 6 | 2 Chronicles 28:23 | Since Damascus had defeated him, he sacrificed to their gods and said, “Because the gods of the kings of Aram have helped them, I will sacrifice to them that they may help me.” But these gods were the downfall of Ahaz and of all Israel. |
| 7 | 2 Kings 21:11 | “Since Manasseh king of Judah has committed all these abominations, acting more wickedly than the Amorites who preceded him, and with his idols has caused Judah to sin, |
| 8 | 2 Chronicles 28:16 | At that time King Ahaz sent for help from the king of Assyria. |
| 9 | 2 Chronicles 28:20–21 | Then Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria came to Ahaz but afflicted him rather than strengthening him. Although Ahaz had taken a portion from the house of the LORD, from the royal palace, and from the princes and had presented it to the king of Assyria, it did not help him. |
| 10 | Judges 10:6 | And again the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD. They served the Baals, the Ashtoreths, the gods of Aram, Sidon, and Moab, and the gods of the Ammonites and Philistines. Thus they forsook the LORD and did not serve Him. |
Ezekiel 16:28 Summary
[Ezekiel 16:28 says that the people of Israel 'prostituted themselves' with the Assyrians because they were not yet satisfied, meaning they were still looking for more even after turning away from God. This is like when we try to fill the emptiness in our hearts with things that are not God, as it says in Jeremiah 2:13. We can learn from this verse that only God can truly satisfy our deepest longings, as stated in Psalm 107:9.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'prostitute yourself' in Ezekiel 16:28?
In this context, 'prostituting yourself' is a metaphor for turning away from God and seeking fulfillment in other things, as seen in Ezekiel 16:26 and Ezekiel 16:29, which also describe idolatrous relationships with other nations.
Why did God say the people were 'not yet satisfied' in Ezekiel 16:28?
The people's insatiable desire for more is a result of their sinful nature, as described in Romans 1:21, where it says that people's hearts became 'darkened' and they became 'futile in their thinking', leading them to seek fulfillment in worldly things rather than in God.
How does this verse relate to the idea of spiritual adultery?
Ezekiel 16:28 illustrates the concept of spiritual adultery, where God's people turn away from their covenant relationship with Him to pursue other 'lovers', just as it is described in Hosea 1:2, where God instructs Hosea to marry a prostitute to illustrate Israel's unfaithfulness to God.
What warning does this verse give to believers today?
This verse serves as a warning to believers to be content in their relationship with God and not to seek fulfillment in worldly things, as stated in 1 John 2:15-17, which warns against loving the world and its desires, which are opposed to God's will.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I may be 'prostituting myself' by seeking fulfillment in things other than God?
- How can I cultivate a deeper sense of satisfaction and contentment in my relationship with God?
- What are some worldly things that I may be using to try to fill the void in my heart, and how can I turn away from them to seek God instead?
- In what ways can I apply the warning of Ezekiel 16:28 to my own life and relationships?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 16:28
Thou hast played the whore also with the Assyrians,.... By entering into alliances with them, and worshipping their idols; which was done in the times of Ahaz, who sent to Tiglathpileser king of
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 16:28
Thou hast played the whore also with the Assyrians, because thou wast unsatiable; yea, thou hast played the harlot with them, and yet couldest not be satisfied.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:28
Thou hast courted their friendship and alliance, and to obtain it hast entertained their religion, manners, and impieties, been all idolatress with them, and committed adulteries with them, though they were far from thee. When thou didst wickedly with thy neighbours, it might admit some little colour of excuse, but it is inexcusable to run to remotest nations. Because thou wast unsatiable; without satisfying thyself (and so the Hebrew may be read); but our interpreters refer it to the boundless lusts of this lewd adulteress, and not to the issue and event of her practices; and in the endless lustings of a wicked heart idolaters and adulterers do agree. Yea, thou hast played the harlot; it is repeated to shame her, and make her blush and repent. Couldst not be satisfied; or, wast not satisfied. Assyrian gods proved, as other idols, a snare and a lie to the Jews, ,10 Jeremiah 2:18,36 Hosea 7:11,12 14:3.
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:28
Ezekiel 16:28 Thou hast played the whore also with the Assyrians, because thou wast unsatiable; yea, thou hast played the harlot with them, and yet couldest not be satisfied.Ver. 28. Thou hast played the whore also with the Assyrians.] By making sinful leagues, and gadding so much about to change thy way. And yet couldest not be satisfied.] It is as easy to quench the fire of Etna as the thoughts set on fire by lust.
Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:28
(28) With the Assyrians.—The Assyrians and Egyptians were for many centuries in deadly hostility against each other, and it would seem that Israel could hardly have formed alliances with and adopted the idolatries of both. Nevertheless they had done so, and in addition to their Egyptian idolatries, had gone to the extent, in the time of Ahaz, of displacing the altar in the court of the Temple, and putting in its stead an altar of the gods of Assyria (2 Kings 16.
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 16:28
28. Infidelity with Assyria. The historical tense “didst play” is better. Already Amos 5:26 appears to mention the names of Assyrian gods, for the passage can hardly refer to any time but his own. Jeremiah 2:18; Jeremiah 2:36.
Barnes' Notes on Ezekiel 16:28
Compare the marginal reference. Idolatry, spiritual adultery, invariably accompanied these unholy alliances, and brought with it disaster and ruin.
Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:28
’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 16:28
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
A True Revival Meeting by John Greer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of unity among believers. He highlights that unity is a priority and a mark of the Holy Spirit's work. The preacher refers to |
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Upon This Rock by Vance Havner | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of finding time for reflection and stillness in our busy lives. He shares his own experience of taking time to watch the suns |
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(Through the Bible) Judges 8-14 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Samson from the Bible. Samson challenges thirty Philistines to solve a riddle, promising them thirty shirts and garments if they |
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Bristol Conference 1976-17 Studies in the Judges by Bob Clark | Bob Clark emphasizes the life of Jephthah in the Book of Judges, highlighting the spiritual significance of his story amidst Israel's decline. He contrasts Jephthah's leadership wi |