King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 23:29 Mean?

Ezekiel 23:29 in the King James Version says “And they shall deal with thee hatefully, and shall take away all thy labour, and shall leave thee naked and bare: and th...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And they shall deal with thee hatefully, and shall take away all thy labour, and shall leave thee naked and bare: and the nakedness of thy whoredoms shall be discovered, both thy lewdness and thy whoredoms.”

Ezekiel 23:29 · KJV

Context

27

Thus will I make thy lewdness to cease from thee, and thy whoredom brought from the land of Egypt: so that thou shalt not lift up thine eyes unto them, nor remember Egypt any more.

28

For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will deliver thee into the hand of them whom thou hatest, into the hand of them from whom thy mind is alienated:

29

And they shall deal with thee hatefully, and shall take away all thy labour, and shall leave thee naked and bare: and the nakedness of thy whoredoms shall be discovered, both thy lewdness and thy whoredoms.

30

I will do these things unto thee, because thou hast gone a whoring after the heathen, and because thou art polluted with their idols.

31

Thou hast walked in the way of thy sister; therefore will I give her cup into thine hand.

Read Ezekiel 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And they shall deal with thee hatefully, and shall take away all thy labour describes vindictive thoroughness of conquest. Hatefully (bessin'ah) indicates personal malice, not merely military necessity. All thy labour refers to generational accumulation—everything built, earned, created would be confiscated. And shall leave thee naked and bare reduces Judah to original nothingness. The nakedness of thy whoredoms shall be discovered uses sexual shame as metaphor for total disgrace. Both thy lewdness and thy whoredoms emphasizes sin itself becomes public spectacle. What was done in secret becomes displayed for all. Sin always comes to light; what we hide, God exposes (Luke 12:2-3). Every secret will be revealed; every hidden thing made manifest.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Babylonian conquered peoples lost everything: land, homes, livestock, treasures, freedom. Economic devastation was total, leaving land desolate and survivors impoverished. Archaeological evidence shows widespread destruction and population collapse in Judah after 586 BC, with occupation dropping perhaps 75% or more, confirming thorough judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does sin's exposure constitute part of its punishment?
  2. What does it mean that hidden things will be revealed?
  3. How should awareness that all will be disclosed affect our behavior?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וְעָשׂ֨וּ1 of 14

“And they shall deal”

H6213

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

אוֹתָ֜ךְ2 of 14
H854

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

בְּשִׂנְאָ֗ה3 of 14

“with thee hatefully”

H8135

hate

וְלָקְחוּ֙4 of 14

“and shall take away”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

כָּל5 of 14
H3605

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

יְגִיעֵ֔ךְ6 of 14

“all thy labour”

H3018

toil; hence, a work, produce, property (as the result of labor)

וַעֲזָב֖וּךְ7 of 14

“and shall leave”

H5800

to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc

עֵירֹ֣ם8 of 14

“thee naked”

H5903

nudity

וְעֶרְיָ֑ה9 of 14

“and bare”

H6181

nudity

וְנִגְלָה֙10 of 14

“shall be discovered”

H1540

to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal

עֶרְוַ֣ת11 of 14

“and the nakedness”

H6172

nudity, literally (especially the pudenda) or figuratively (disgrace, blemish)

זְנוּנַ֔יִךְ12 of 14

“of thy whoredoms”

H2183

adultery; figuratively, idolatry

וְזִמָּתֵ֖ךְ13 of 14

“both thy lewdness”

H2154

a plan, especially a bad one

וְתַזְנוּתָֽיִךְ׃14 of 14

“and 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 23:29 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 23:29 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 23:45-47Ezekiel 16:39Ezekiel 23:25-26Deuteronomy 28:47-51Ezekiel 16:36-372 Samuel 13:15

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