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Ezekiel 16:30

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Ezekiel 16:30 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

How weak-willed is your heart, declares the Lord GOD, while you do all these things, the acts of a shameless prostitute!

King James Version KJV

How weak is thine heart, saith the Lord GOD, seeing thou doest all these things, the work of an imperious whorish woman;

American Standard Version ASV

How weak is thy heart, saith the Lord Jehovah, seeing thou doest all these things, the work of an impudent harlot;

Bible in Basic English BBE

How feeble is your heart, says the Lord, seeing that you do all these things, the work of a loose and overruling woman;

Free Bible Version FBV

You're really sick-minded to do all this, acting like a prostitute with no shame, declares the Lord God.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Howe weake is thine heart, saith the Lord God, seeing thou doest all these thinges, euen the worke of a presumptuous whorish woman?

Young's Literal Translation YLT

How weak [is] thy heart, An affirmation of the Lord Jehovah, In thy doing all these, The work of a domineering whorish woman.

World English Bible WEB

“‘“How weak is your heart,” says the Lord GOD, “since you do all these things, the work of an impudent prostitute;

Noah Webster Bible WBS

How weak is thy heart, saith the Lord GOD, seeing thou doest all these things , the work of an imperious lewd woman;

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Wherein shall I cleanse thy heart, saith the Lord God: seeing thou dost all these the works of a shameless prostitute?

Translation for Translators T4T

I, Yahweh the Lord, declare that when you did all those things, acting like [MET] a bold prostitute, you were showing that you were ready to do anything that you wanted to [IDM].

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 16:30

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 16:30 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB מָ֤ה אֲמֻלָה֙ לִבָּתֵ֔/ךְ נְאֻ֖ם אֲדֹנָ֣/י יְהוִ֑ה בַּ/עֲשׂוֹתֵ/ךְ֙ אֶת כָּל אֵ֔לֶּה מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה אִשָּֽׁה זוֹנָ֖ה שַׁלָּֽטֶת
מָ֤ה mâh H4100 what? Part
אֲמֻלָה֙ ʼâmal H535 to weaken V-Qal-Inf-c
לִבָּתֵ֔/ךְ libbâh H3826 heart N-fs | Suff
נְאֻ֖ם nᵉʼum H5002 utterance N-ms
אֲדֹנָ֣/י ʼĂdônây H136 Lord N-mp | Suff
יְהוִ֑ה Yᵉhôvih H3069 YHWH/God N-proper
בַּ/עֲשׂוֹתֵ/ךְ֙ ʻâsâh H6213 to make Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff
אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM
כָּל kôl H3605 all N-ms
אֵ֔לֶּה ʼêl-leh H428 these Pron
מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה maʻăseh H4639 deed N-ms
אִשָּֽׁה ʼishshâh H802 woman N-fs
זוֹנָ֖ה zânâh H2181 to fornicate V-Qal
שַׁלָּֽטֶת shalleṭeth H7986 imperious Adj
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 16:30

מָ֤ה mâh H4100 "what?" Part
This Hebrew word means what or how, often used to ask questions or express surprise, like in Genesis when God asks Adam what he has done. It can also mean why or when, and is used in various ways throughout the Old Testament. It appears in many KJV translations, including how or what.
Definition: interr pron 1) what, how, of what kind 1a) (interrogative) 1a1) what? 1a2) of what kind 1a3) what? (rhetorical) 1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what 1b) (adverb) 1b1) how, how now 1b2) why 1b3) how! (exclamation) 1c) (with prep) 1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means? 1c2) because of what? 1c3) the like of what? 1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often? 1c3b) for how long? 1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose? 1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore? indef pron 2) anything, aught, what may
Usage: Occurs in 655 OT verses. KJV: how (long, oft, (-soever)), (no-) thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing), whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why. See also: Genesis 2:19; Numbers 21:5; 1 Samuel 19:5.
אֲמֻלָה֙ ʼâmal H535 "to weaken" V-Qal-Inf-c
To weaken or be weak is the meaning of this verb, which can also imply being sick or mourning. In Psalm 6:2, David asks God to heal him, as his bones are weak. The term describes a state of physical or emotional exhaustion.
Definition: 1) to be weak, to droop, to languish, to be exhausted 1a) (Qal) pass participle (of the heart) 1a1) to be weak 1a2) to droop 1b) (Pulal) 1b1) to be or grow feeble 1b2) to languish
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: languish, be weak, wax feeble. See also: 1 Samuel 2:5; Jeremiah 15:9; Isaiah 16:8.
לִבָּתֵ֔/ךְ libbâh H3826 "heart" N-fs | Suff
The heart is the center of a person's emotions and thoughts. In the book of 1 Samuel, it describes Hannah's heart being filled with joy and gratitude, while in the book of Job, it talks about the heart being heavy with sorrow.
Definition: heart
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: heart. See also: Psalms 7:10; Proverbs 17:3; Psalms 125:4.
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.
אֲדֹנָ֣/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.
יְהוִ֑ה 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.
בַּ/עֲשׂוֹתֵ/ךְ֙ ʻâsâh H6213 "to make" Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
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.
אֵ֔לֶּה ʼêl-leh H428 "these" Pron
This Hebrew word is used to point out specific people or things, like saying 'these' or 'those'. It appears in the book of Genesis, where God says 'let there be light' and separates the light from the darkness.
Definition: 1) these 1a) used before antecedent 1b) used following antecedent Aramaic equivalent: el.leh (אֵלֶּה "these" H0429)
Usage: Occurs in 697 OT verses. KJV: an-(the) other; one sort, so, some, such, them, these (same), they, this, those, thus, which, who(-m). See also: Genesis 2:4; Exodus 35:1; Deuteronomy 1:35.
מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה maʻăseh H4639 "deed" N-ms
This Hebrew word refers to an action or deed, which can be good or bad. It is used to describe various activities, such as work, business, or achievements. The KJV translates it as act, deed, or labor.
Definition: : judgement/punishment 1) deed, work 1a) deed, thing done, act 1b) work, labour 1c) business, pursuit 1d) undertaking, enterprise 1e) achievement 1f) deeds, works (of deliverance and judgment) 1g) work, thing made 1h) work (of God) 1i) product
Usage: Occurs in 221 OT verses. KJV: act, art, [phrase] bakemeat, business, deed, do(-ing), labor, thing made, ware of making, occupation, thing offered, operation, possession, [idiom] well, (handy-, needle-, net-) work(ing, -manship), wrought. See also: Genesis 5:29; Job 1:10; Psalms 8:4.
אִשָּֽׁה ʼishshâh H802 "woman" N-fs
The Hebrew word for woman, used to describe a female person, wife, or animal, appears in many biblical passages, including Genesis and Exodus, and is often translated as woman, wife, or female.
Definition: : woman 1) woman, wife, female 1a) woman (opposite of man) 1b) wife (woman married to a man) 1c) female (of animals) 1d) each, every (pronoun)
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. See also: Genesis 2:22; Genesis 34:4; Numbers 5:12.
זוֹנָ֖ה zânâh H2181 "to fornicate" V-Qal
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.
שַׁלָּֽטֶת shalleṭeth H7986 "imperious" Adj
This Hebrew word describes someone who is bossy and controlling, like a strong-willed woman. It is used to convey a sense of dominance or being overbearing. In the Bible, it is translated as 'imperious'.
Definition: imperious, domineering
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: imperious. See also: Ezekiel 16:30.

Study Notes — Ezekiel 16:30

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Jeremiah 3:3 Therefore the showers have been withheld, and no spring rains have fallen. Yet you have the brazen look of a prostitute; you refuse to be ashamed.
2 Isaiah 1:3 The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s manger, but Israel does not know; My people do not understand.”
3 Isaiah 3:9 The expression on their faces testifies against them, and like Sodom they flaunt their sin; they do not conceal it. Woe to them, for they have brought disaster upon themselves.
4 Proverbs 9:13 The woman named Folly is loud; she is naive and knows nothing.
5 Jeremiah 4:22 “For My people are fools; they have not known Me. They are foolish children, without understanding. They are skilled in doing evil, but they know not how to do good.”
6 Proverbs 7:11–13 She is loud and defiant; her feet do not remain at home. Now in the street, now in the squares, she lurks at every corner. She seizes him and kisses him; she brazenly says to him:
7 Revelation 17:1–6 Then one of the seven angels with the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters. The kings of the earth were immoral with her, and those who dwell on the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her immorality.” And the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, where I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls. She held in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality. And on her forehead a mysterious name was written: BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. I could see that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints and witnesses for Jesus. And I was utterly amazed at the sight of her.
8 Proverbs 7:21 With her great persuasion she entices him; with her flattering lips she lures him.
9 Judges 16:15–16 “How can you say, ‘I love you,’” she asked, “when your heart is not with me? This is the third time you have mocked me and failed to reveal to me the source of your great strength!” Finally, after she had pressed him daily with her words and pleaded until he was sick to death,
10 Jeremiah 2:12–13 Be stunned by this, O heavens; be shocked and utterly appalled,” declares the LORD. “For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living water, and they have dug their own cisterns— broken cisterns that cannot hold water.

Ezekiel 16:30 Summary

[Ezekiel 16:30 is a verse where God expresses His sadness and disappointment with the Israelites because they kept on sinning and disobeying Him, even though He had given them so many chances to stop. He compares them to a prostitute who has no shame, which means they had completely given up trying to do what is right. This verse reminds us that our choices have consequences, and if we keep on sinning, we will face God's judgment, as seen in Romans 6:23. But it also reminds us that God is a loving Father who wants us to come back to Him and follow His commands, as seen in 1 John 1:9.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to have a 'weak-willed' heart in Ezekiel 16:30?

Having a weak-willed heart in this context means lacking the strength or resolve to make good choices, instead giving in to sinful desires, as seen in the Israelites' persistent pursuit of idolatry and immorality, despite God's warnings and commands in Deuteronomy 6:14-15 and Jeremiah 7:9-10.

Why does God compare Israel to a 'shameless prostitute' in this verse?

God uses this comparison to convey the depth of Israel's spiritual adultery and rebellion against Him, highlighting their blatant disregard for His laws and covenant, as also seen in Hosea 1:2 and Ezekiel 23:37.

Is God's declaration in Ezekiel 16:30 a statement of condemnation or a call to repentance?

While God's words here are certainly a condemnation of Israel's sinful actions, they also serve as a call to repentance, urging Israel to recognize their sin and turn back to Him, as seen in the broader context of Ezekiel 16 and verses like Ezekiel 18:30-32.

How does this verse relate to the concept of spiritual idolatry in the Bible?

Ezekiel 16:30 illustrates the idea that spiritual idolatry is a form of adultery against God, where one's heart is given to other loves and desires rather than to Him, a theme also explored in Exodus 20:3-5 and 1 Corinthians 10:7.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are the ways in which I may be acting like a 'shameless prostitute' in my own life, pursuing sinful desires and ignoring God's commands?
  2. How can I cultivate a stronger, more resilient heart that is less prone to giving in to temptation and more devoted to following God?
  3. In what ways have I been 'not satisfied' with God's love and provision, leading me to seek fulfillment in other, lesser things?
  4. What steps can I take to repent and turn back to God, recognizing the depth of my own sin and rebellion against Him?

Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 16:30

How weak is thine heart, saith the Lord God,.... Through sin; and being destitute of the grace of God, and so unable to resist any temptation, or oppose any corruption or lust, but carried away with

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 16:30

How weak is thine heart, saith the Lord GOD, seeing thou doest all these things, the work of an imperious whorish woman; How weak is thine heart!

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:30

Weak; unstable, like water that melts away. Neither hast strength of judgment to discern the truth and purity of religion, nor hast strength of resolution to hold fast to it. Doest all these things; changest thy God and religion, or detest on all the gaudy, pompous religions and idols thou hearest of. Imperious whorish woman; a woman who thinks herself her own, that knows no superior, nor will be either guided and governed to do good, nor reproved and reclaimed from evil; a woman whose lust is her law, and her husband her contempt and burden. Such will be boundless in her disorders, and shameless too.

Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:30

Ezekiel 16:30 How weak is thine heart, saith the Lord GOD, seeing thou doest all these [things], the work of an imperious whorish woman;Ver. 30. How weak is thine heart.] Weak as water, melted in spiritual lust, putrefying alive, and perishing daily, as Tiberius said he perceived himself to do at Capreae. This is here uttered by way of admiration; and the word rendered heart, being otherwhere of the masculine gender, is here made feminine, to show how idolaters are effeminated to a base and sensual esteem of God and his service. The work of an imperious whorish woman.] Of a strong whore; weak to do good, but strong to do evil; so are all idolaters with their hippomanes et cacoethes. The word rendered imperious signifieth a sultaness or queen; who, if with a queen, what will she not dare to do? See it in that whore of Babylon, who sitteth as a queen, &c. The unbridled boisterousness of idolaters, see Jeremiah 44:16-17. Sueton. Pervicacissimae et procacissimae. Une paillarde robuste. - French.

Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:30

(30) Weak.—The English word scarcely expresses the force of the original :—languishing with desire. The word heart occurs here only in the feminine.

Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 16:30

30. How weak is thine heart] i.e. how passion-sick, consumed by desire. The term “heart” (fem.) occurs nowhere else, and the plur. (Psalms 7:10; Proverbs 15:11) is hardly evidence for it (Ges.). LXX. renders: how shall I deal with thy daughter (exactly as Hosea 11:9 how shall I deal with thee, Ephraim). Our present text lay before the translator: “with thy daughter” is “thy heart” with different points; and “weak” was probably read as part of verb “to fill” (spelled as Job 8:21) and rendered freely. The text, however, may be faulty. imperious … woman] Not positive: domineering; but negative: subject to no control, unbridled.

Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:30

30. How weak is thine heart… imperious — The Polychrome Bible reads, “How consumed wert thou by passion.” Cornill, following the Coptic and Arabic versions, reads, “What have I to do with thy

Sermons on Ezekiel 16:30

SermonDescription
Joseph Alleine An Alarm to the Unconverted 2 of 5 by Joseph Alleine In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of self-examination and the danger of being deceived about one's spiritual state. He challenges the listeners to honestly ass
Charles Finney Weakness of Heart by Charles Finney Charles Finney addresses the 'Weakness of Heart' in the Church, emphasizing the importance of understanding the heart as the ruling disposition of the will. He explains that a weak
Thomas Brooks A Whore's Forehead by Thomas Brooks Thomas Brooks delivers a poignant sermon titled 'A Whore's Forehead,' emphasizing the alarming lack of shame in society regarding sin, as illustrated by the scriptures from Jeremia
Richard Owen Roberts Backsliding by Richard Owen Roberts Richard Owen Roberts preaches about the story of Jeremiah, a prophet called by God to speak to a nation in decline due to backsliding. Despite Jeremiah's initial hesitation and fee
Harriet N. Cook The Ass by Harriet N. Cook Harriet N. Cook reflects on the significance of the ass in the Bible, highlighting its role as a symbol of meekness, humility, gratitude, and even the ability to speak when necessa
Thomas Brooks Below the Ox and the Donkey by Thomas Brooks Thomas Brooks emphasizes the profound consequences of ignorance in his sermon 'Below the Ox and the Donkey,' using Isaiah 1:3 to illustrate that while animals recognize their owner
John Nelson Darby The Unsought Love of God by John Nelson Darby John Nelson Darby emphasizes the profound insensibility of souls towards their spiritual state and the indifference they show to God's love. He illustrates how, like Adam, people o
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