King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 16:25 Mean?

Ezekiel 16:25 in the King James Version says “Thou hast built thy high place at every head of the way, and hast made thy beauty to be abhorred, and hast opened thy fe... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Thou hast built thy high place at every head of the way, and hast made thy beauty to be abhorred, and hast opened thy feet to every one that passed by, and multiplied thy whoredoms.

Ezekiel 16:25 · KJV


Context

23

And it came to pass after all thy wickedness, (woe, woe unto thee! saith the Lord GOD;)

24

That thou hast also built unto thee an eminent place, and hast made thee an high place in every street. eminent: or, brothel house

25

Thou hast built thy high place at every head of the way, and hast made thy beauty to be abhorred, and hast opened thy feet to every one that passed by, and multiplied thy whoredoms.

26

Thou hast also committed fornication with the Egyptians thy neighbours, great of flesh; and hast increased thy whoredoms, to provoke me to anger.

27

Behold, therefore I have stretched out my hand over thee, and have diminished thine ordinary food, and delivered thee unto the will of them that hate thee, the daughters of the Philistines, which are ashamed of thy lewd way. daughters: or, cities


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
At every head of the way...and hast opened thy feet to every one that passed by—The imagery intensifies: rosh kol-derekh (רֹאשׁ כָּל־דֶּרֶךְ, head of every road) describes Jerusalem positioning herself like a prostitute at major intersections. Opened thy feet is a euphemism for sexual availability (see Ruth 3:4, Isaiah 7:20). The Hebrew taznuth (תַּזְנוּת, whoredoms) appears again, emphasizing serial, indiscriminate spiritual adultery.

Hast made thy beauty to be abhorred (ta'av, תְּתָעֵב)—Jerusalem perverted God-given beauty (v. 14) into something detestable. Beauty without holiness becomes obscenity. The principle applies beyond sexual ethics: gifts divorced from the Giver become idols. Jerusalem's covenant privilege, meant to attract nations to YHWH (Deuteronomy 4:6-8), became international scandal.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The metaphor reflects ancient Near Eastern prostitution practices, where cult prostitutes (qedeshah) served at pagan shrines, and common prostitutes solicited at city gates and road junctions. Proverbs 7:10-23 uses identical imagery. Ezekiel's audience would immediately grasp the shamelessness described—public, brazen, shameless apostasy.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what ways might your public testimony be contradicting your claimed allegiance to Christ?
  2. How can God-given beauty (talents, personality, physical appearance) be perverted into something that dishonors Him?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
אֶל1 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כָּל2 of 17
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

רֹ֣אשׁ3 of 17

at every head

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

דֶּ֗רֶךְ4 of 17

of the way

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

בָּנִית֙5 of 17

Thou hast built

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

רָֽמָתֵ֔ךְ6 of 17

thy high place

H7413

a height (as a seat of idolatry)

וַתְּתַֽעֲבִי֙7 of 17

to be abhorred

H8581

to loathe, i.e., (morally) detest

אֶת8 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יָפְיֵ֔ךְ9 of 17

and hast made thy beauty

H3308

beauty

וַתְּפַשְּׂקִ֥י10 of 17

and hast opened

H6589

to dispart (the feet or lips), i.e., become licentious

אֶת11 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

רַגְלַ֖יִךְ12 of 17

thy feet

H7272

a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda

לְכָל13 of 17
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

עוֹבֵ֑ר14 of 17

to every one that passed by

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

וַתַּרְבִּ֖י15 of 17

and multiplied

H7235

to increase (in whatever respect)

אֶת16 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

תַּזְנוּתָֽךְ׃17 of 17

thy whoredoms

H8457

harlotry, i.e., (figuratively) idolatry


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 16:25 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 16:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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