King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 23:11 Mean?

Ezekiel 23:11 in the King James Version says “And when her sister Aholibah saw this, she was more corrupt in her inordinate love than she, and in her whoredoms more t...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And when her sister Aholibah saw this, she was more corrupt in her inordinate love than she, and in her whoredoms more than her sister in her whoredoms. she was: Heb. she corrupted her inordinate love more than, etc more than: Heb. more than the whoredoms of her sister”

Ezekiel 23:11 · KJV

Love

Context

9

Wherefore I have delivered her into the hand of her lovers, into the hand of the Assyrians , upon whom she doted.

10

These discovered her nakedness: they took her sons and her daughters, and slew her with the sword: and she became famous among women; for they had executed judgment upon her. famous: Heb. a name

11

And when her sister Aholibah saw this, she was more corrupt in her inordinate love than she, and in her whoredoms more than her sister in her whoredoms. she was: Heb. she corrupted her inordinate love more than, etc more than: Heb. more than the whoredoms of her sister

12

She doted upon the Assyrians her neighbours, captains and rulers clothed most gorgeously, horsemen riding upon horses, all of them desirable young men.

13

Then I saw that she was defiled, that they took both one way,

Read Ezekiel 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Despite witnessing Israel's judgment by Assyria (722 BC), Judah 'was more corrupt' in her prostitution. This reveals the progressive nature of sin and the hardening effect of rejecting repeated warnings. Judah had 136 additional years to learn from Israel's fate but instead doubled down on unfaithfulness, demonstrating spiritual obtuseness.

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Historical & Cultural Context

From 722-586 BC, Judah watched Israel's destruction yet continued idolatry under kings like Manasseh and Jehoiakim. Josiah's reforms (640-609 BC) brought temporary revival but failed to produce lasting change, proving that external reforms without heart transformation are insufficient.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you respond to warnings God provides through others' negative examples?
  2. What does Judah's progressive hardening teach about the danger of repeatedly ignoring God's correction?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
וַתֵּ֙רֶא֙1 of 10

“saw”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

אֲחוֹתָֽהּ׃2 of 10

“And when her sister”

H269

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

אָהֳלִיבָ֔ה3 of 10

“Aholibah”

H172

oholibah, a symbolic name for judah

וַתַּשְׁחֵ֥ת4 of 10

“this she was more corrupt”

H7843

to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)

עַגְבָתָ֖הּ5 of 10

“in her inordinate love”

H5691

love (abstractly), i.e., amorousness

מִמֶּ֑נָּה6 of 10
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

וְאֶת7 of 10
H853

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

תַּ֨זְנוּתֶ֔יהָ8 of 10

“than she and in her whoredoms”

H8457

harlotry, i.e., (figuratively) idolatry

מִזְּנוּנֵ֖י9 of 10

“in her whoredoms”

H2183

adultery; figuratively, idolatry

אֲחוֹתָֽהּ׃10 of 10

“And when her sister”

H269

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

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 23:11 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 23:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 3:8-11Ezekiel 23:4Ezekiel 16:47-51

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