King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 22:11 Mean?

Ezekiel 22:11 in the King James Version says “And one hath committed abomination with his neighbour's wife; and another hath lewdly defiled his daughter in law; and a... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And one hath committed abomination with his neighbour's wife; and another hath lewdly defiled his daughter in law; and another in thee hath humbled his sister, his father's daughter. one: or, every one another: or, every one lewdly: or, by lewdness

Ezekiel 22:11 · KJV


Context

9

In thee are men that carry tales to shed blood: and in thee they eat upon the mountains: in the midst of thee they commit lewdness. that: Heb. of slanders

10

In thee have they discovered their fathers' nakedness: in thee have they humbled her that was set apart for pollution.

11

And one hath committed abomination with his neighbour's wife; and another hath lewdly defiled his daughter in law; and another in thee hath humbled his sister, his father's daughter. one: or, every one another: or, every one lewdly: or, by lewdness

12

In thee have they taken gifts to shed blood; thou hast taken usury and increase, and thou hast greedily gained of thy neighbours by extortion, and hast forgotten me, saith the Lord GOD.

13

Behold, therefore I have smitten mine hand at thy dishonest gain which thou hast made, and at thy blood which hath been in the midst of thee.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And one hath committed abomination with his neighbour's wife—adultery (to'evah, תּוֹעֵבָה), the covenant term for maximum violation. Another hath lewdly defiled his daughter in law (kallato timme, כַּלָּתוֹ טִמֵּא)—incest violating Leviticus 18:15. Another in thee hath humbled his sister, his father's daughter—another incest category (Leviticus 18:9).

The threefold 'and one... and another... and another' structures escalating horror. These aren't theoretical violations but actual cases within the city. The catalog demonstrates that Jerusalem systematically violated the sexual boundaries Leviticus 18 established as non-negotiable for covenant membership.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This litany of sexual crimes parallels the indictments in Leviticus 18 that conclude, 'for all these abominations have the men of the land done... and the land is defiled' (v. 27). Ezekiel presents Jerusalem not as victim of Babylonian aggression but as guilty defendant in a covenant lawsuit, charged with crimes warranting the same judgment Canaan received.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the systematic nature of these violations ('one... another... another') indicate societal rather than individual breakdown?
  2. What does Jerusalem's adoption of Canaanite sexual ethics teach about assimilation versus distinctiveness in covenant community?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וְאִ֛ישׁ1 of 18

And one

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֶת2 of 18
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

אֵ֣שֶׁת3 of 18

wife

H802

a woman

רֵעֵ֗הוּ4 of 18

with his neighbour's

H7453

an associate (more or less close)

עָשָׂה֙5 of 18

hath committed

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

תּֽוֹעֵבָ֔ה6 of 18

abomination

H8441

properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol

וְאִ֛ישׁ7 of 18

And one

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֶת8 of 18
H853

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

כַּלָּת֖וֹ9 of 18

his daughter in law

H3618

a bride (as if perfect); hence, a son's wife

טִמֵּ֣א10 of 18

defiled

H2930

to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)

בְזִמָּ֑ה11 of 18

hath lewdly

H2154

a plan, especially a bad one

וְאִ֛ישׁ12 of 18

And one

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֶת13 of 18
H853

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

אֲחֹת֥וֹ14 of 18

his sister

H269

a sister (used very widely [like h0251], literally and figuratively)

בַת15 of 18

daughter

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

אָבִ֖יו16 of 18

his father's

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

עִנָּה17 of 18

in thee hath humbled

H6031

to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)

בָֽךְ׃18 of 18
H0

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 22:11 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 22:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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