Ezekiel 23:44
Ezekiel 23:44 in Multiple Translations
And they slept with her as with a prostitute; they slept with Oholah and Oholibah, those lewd women.
Yet they went in unto her, as they go in unto a woman that playeth the harlot: so went they in unto Aholah and unto Aholibah, the lewd women.
And they went in unto her, as they go in unto a harlot: so went they in unto Oholah and unto Oholibah, the lewd women.
And they went in to her, as men go to a loose woman: so they went in to Oholibah, the loose woman.
So they had sex with her like a prostitute. They had sex with Oholah and Oholibah, those immoral women.
And they went in vnto her as they goe to a common harlot: so went they to Aholah and Aholibah the wicked women.
And they come in unto her, As the coming in unto a whorish woman, So they have come in unto Aholah, And unto Aholibah — the wicked women.
They went in to her, as they go in to a prostitute. So they went in to Oholah and to Oholibah, the lewd women.
Yet they went in to her, as they go in to a woman that playeth the harlot: so they went in to Aholah and to Aholibah, the lewd women.
And they went in to her, as to a harlot: so went they in unto Oolla, and Ooliba, wicked women.
So they had sex [EUP] with those two women, Oholah and Oholibah, like men have sex with prostitutes.
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 23:44
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 23:44 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יָּב֣וֹא
אֵלֶ֔י/הָ
כְּ/ב֖וֹא
אֶל
אִשָּׁ֣ה
זוֹנָ֑ה
כֵּ֣ן
בָּ֗אוּ
אֶֽל
אָֽהֳלָה֙
וְ/אֶל
אָ֣הֳלִיבָ֔ה
אִשֹּׁ֖ת
הַ/זִּמָּֽה
וַ/יָּב֣וֹא
bôwʼ
H935
Lebo
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
אֵלֶ֔י/הָ
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep | Suff
כְּ/ב֖וֹא
bôwʼ
H935
Lebo
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
אִשָּׁ֣ה
ʼishshâh
H802
woman
N-fs
זוֹנָ֑ה
zânâh
H2181
to fornicate
V-Qal
כֵּ֣ן
kên
H3651
right
Part
בָּ֗אוּ
bôwʼ
H935
Lebo
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
אֶֽל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
אָֽהֳלָה֙
ʼOhŏlâh
H170
Oholah
N-proper
וְ/אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Conj | Prep
אָ֣הֳלִיבָ֔ה
ʼOhŏlîybâh
H172
Oholibah
N-proper
אִשֹּׁ֖ת
ʼishshâh
H802
woman
N-fp
הַ/זִּמָּֽה
zimmâh
H2154
wickedness
Art | N-fs
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 23:44
וַ/יָּב֣וֹא
bôwʼ
H935
"Lebo"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.
Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter
Usage: Occurs in 2307 OT verses. KJV: abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. See also: Genesis 2:19; Genesis 32:7; Exodus 1:19.
אֵלֶ֔י/הָ
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep | Suff
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.
כְּ/ב֖וֹא
bôwʼ
H935
"Lebo"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.
Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter
Usage: Occurs in 2307 OT verses. KJV: abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. See also: Genesis 2:19; Genesis 32:7; Exodus 1:19.
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.
אִשָּׁ֣ה
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.
זוֹנָ֑ה
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.
כֵּ֣ן
kên
H3651
"right"
Part
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means 'so' or 'thus', often used to show agreement or confirmation, like in the book of Genesis. It can also mean 'rightly' or 'justly', as in doing something the correct way. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: adv adj 1) right, just, honest, true, veritable 1a) right, just, honest 1b) correct 1c) true, veritable
Usage: Occurs in 737 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] after that (this, -ward, -wards), as... as, [phrase] (for-) asmuch as yet, [phrase] be (for which) cause, [phrase] following, howbeit, in (the) like (manner, -wise), [idiom] the more, right, (even) so, state, straightway, such (thing), surely, [phrase] there (where) -fore, this, thus, true, well, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:7; Exodus 37:19; Judges 7:17.
בָּ֗אוּ
bôwʼ
H935
"Lebo"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.
Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter
Usage: Occurs in 2307 OT verses. KJV: abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. See also: Genesis 2:19; Genesis 32:7; Exodus 1:19.
אֶֽל
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.
אָֽהֳלָה֙
ʼOhŏlâh
H170
"Oholah"
N-proper
Oholah was a symbolic name for Samaria, representing a woman who was unfaithful to God, like an adulteress. It means 'her own tent', highlighting Samaria's separate ways.
Definition: A woman living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Ezk.23.4; sister of: Oholibah (H0172) § Aholah = "her own tent" Samaria as an adulteress with Assyria (metaph)
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: Aholah. See also: Ezekiel 23:4; Ezekiel 23:36; Ezekiel 23:44.
וְ/אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Conj | 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.
אָ֣הֳלִיבָ֔ה
ʼOhŏlîybâh
H172
"Oholibah"
N-proper
Oholibah, meaning 'woman of the tent', is a symbolic name for Judah in the Bible, particularly in Ezekiel 23:4. It represents Jerusalem as an unfaithful wife, and is often used to describe a place of worship or a community of believers.
Definition: A woman living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Ezk.23.4; sister of: Oholah (H0170) § Aholibah = "woman of the tent" or "the tent is in her" (metaph) Jerusalem as adulterous wife of Jehovah
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: Aholibah. See also: Ezekiel 23:4; Ezekiel 23:22; Ezekiel 23:44.
אִשֹּׁ֖ת
ʼishshâh
H802
"woman"
N-fp
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.
הַ/זִּמָּֽה
zimmâh
H2154
"wickedness"
Art | N-fs
This Hebrew word refers to a wicked or evil plan, and can include things like adultery, incest, and idolatry. It is used to describe the bad intentions or schemes of people in the Bible.
Definition: 1) plan, device, wickedness, evil plan, mischievous purpose 1a) plan, purpose 1b) evil device, wickedness 1c) not chaste, incest, licentiousness, adultery, idolatry, harlotry
Usage: Occurs in 27 OT verses. KJV: heinous crime, lewd(-ly, -ness), mischief, purpose, thought, wicked (device, mind, -ness). See also: Leviticus 18:17; Ezekiel 16:27; Psalms 26:10.
Study Notes — Ezekiel 23:44
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Ezekiel 23:44 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 23:44
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 23:44
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 23:44
- Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 23:44
- Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 23:44
- Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 23:44
Context — Judgment on Both Sisters
42accompanied by the sound of a carefree crowd. Drunkards were brought in from the desert along with men from the rabble, who put bracelets on your wrists and beautiful crowns on your head.
43Then I said of her who had grown old in adulteries: ‘Now let them use her as a prostitute, for that is all she is!’
44And they slept with her as with a prostitute; they slept with Oholah and Oholibah, those lewd women.
45But righteous men will sentence them to the punishment of those who commit adultery and bloodshed, because they are adulteresses with blood on their hands. 46This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Bring a mob against them and consign them to terror and plunder.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezekiel 23:9–13 | Therefore I delivered her into the hands of her lovers, the Assyrians for whom she lusted. They exposed her nakedness, seized her sons and daughters, and put her to the sword. Thus she became a byword among women, and they executed judgment against her. Her sister Oholibah saw this, yet in her lust and prostitution she was more depraved than her sister. She too lusted after the Assyrians—governors and commanders, warriors dressed in splendor, horsemen riding on steeds, all desirable young men. And I saw that she too had defiled herself; both of them had taken the same path. |
| 2 | Ezekiel 23:3 | and they played in Egypt, prostituting themselves from their youth. Their breasts were fondled there, and their virgin bosoms caressed. |
Ezekiel 23:44 Summary
Ezekiel 23:44 describes how the cities of Samaria and Jerusalem, represented by Oholah and Oholibah, had become so corrupted by sin that they were like prostitutes, completely given over to their desires. This verse teaches us that sin has serious consequences and that God will judge those who persist in it, as seen in Ezekiel 18:30. Just as a prostitute is only interested in pleasing herself, we can become so focused on our own desires that we forget about God and His ways, leading us down a path of destruction (Proverbs 7:10-23). By recognizing the seriousness of sin and its consequences, we can turn away from it and seek forgiveness, as seen in 1 John 1:9.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of Oholah and Oholibah in Ezekiel 23:44?
Oholah and Oholibah represent Samaria and Jerusalem, respectively, and their lewd behavior symbolizes the spiritual adultery of Israel and Judah, as seen in Ezekiel 23:4, where they are first introduced as the symbolic names for these cities.
Why does the Bible describe the actions of Oholah and Oholibah as sleeping with them as with a prostitute?
This description emphasizes the depth of their spiritual corruption and the fact that they have become completely given over to their sinful desires, much like the prostitute in Proverbs 7:10-23, who is described as having an insatiable appetite for sin.
How does this verse relate to the broader theme of God's judgment in the book of Ezekiel?
Ezekiel 23:44 illustrates the consequences of God's people turning away from Him and embracing sin, which is a recurring theme throughout the book of Ezekiel, as seen in Ezekiel 18:30 and Ezekiel 33:10-20, where God calls His people to repentance and warns them of the consequences of their actions.
What does this verse teach us about God's view of sin and its consequences?
This verse shows that God takes sin seriously and will judge those who persist in it, as seen in Romans 6:23, where the wages of sin is death, and in Revelation 21:8, where those who practice sin are thrown into the lake of fire.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I may be 'sleeping with' sin in my own life, and how can I turn away from it?
- How does the image of Oholah and Oholibah as lewd women challenge my understanding of the seriousness of sin and its consequences?
- In what ways can I apply the lessons of Ezekiel 23:44 to my own life, particularly in terms of avoiding the temptation to compromise my faith and values?
- What does this verse teach me about the importance of repentance and seeking forgiveness for my sins, as seen in 1 John 1:9?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 23:44
Yet they went in unto her,.... Made a league with one another, and joined in idolatrous worship: as they go in unto a woman that playeth the harlot; with the same heat of lust, with the same
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 23:44
The LORD said moreover unto me; Son of man, wilt thou judge Aholah and Aholibah? yea, declare unto them their abominations; A summing up of the sins of the two sisters, especially those of Judah.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 23:44
This resolves the doubt of the former verse. In this metaphor the prophet expresseth the confederacy of the Jews, against God’ s express command, with the nations round about them. The Jews enter league with these robbers, and admit their idols, and so commit whoredom with them; and these Sabeans probably admit some of the Jews’ idols too, and so commit whoredom with her, expressed in the last words of the 43rd verse.
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 23:44
Ezekiel 23:44 Yet they went in unto her, as they go in unto a woman that playeth the harlot: so went they in unto Aholah and unto Aholibah, the lewd women.Ver. 44. Yet they went in unto her.] They committed idolatry without mean or measure, being woefully hardened and habituated therein.
Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 23:44
(44) Unto Aholah and unto Aholibah.—From Ezekiel 23:11-35 the discourse has been altogether of Aholibah, as the one now immediately concerned; but from Ezekiel 23:36-44, in the enumeration of their sins, both are included, though in the greater part of these verses the singular number is used, because Aholibah was most prominent in the prophet’s thoughts. In the denunciation of judgment, with which the prophecy closes (Ezekiel 23:45-49), both are again spoken of in the plural, because, although Aholah had long since suffered, it was important to show that common sin involved both in common punishment.
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 23:44
44. Yet they went] and they. The verse sums up all that precedes. the lewd women] The form of plur. “women” does not occur again, though the usual one in Assyr. LXX., to work lewdness.