King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 23:33 Mean?

Ezekiel 23:33 in the King James Version says “Thou shalt be filled with drunkenness and sorrow, with the cup of astonishment and desolation, with the cup of thy siste...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Thou shalt be filled with drunkenness and sorrow, with the cup of astonishment and desolation, with the cup of thy sister Samaria.”

Ezekiel 23:33 · KJV

Context

31

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

32

Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou shalt drink of thy sister's cup deep and large: thou shalt be laughed to scorn and had in derision; it containeth much.

33

Thou shalt be filled with drunkenness and sorrow, with the cup of astonishment and desolation, with the cup of thy sister Samaria.

34

Thou shalt even drink it and suck it out, and thou shalt break the sherds thereof, and pluck off thine own breasts: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD.

35

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast forgotten me, and cast me behind thy back, therefore bear thou also thy lewdness and thy whoredoms.

Read Ezekiel 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thou shalt be filled with drunkenness and sorrow personalizes the experience. Drunkenness represents loss of control, dignity, and rationality under judgment's weight. Sorrow accompanies utter loss. With the cup of astonishment and desolation describes effects: horror (astonishment) and utter ruin (desolation). With the cup of thy sister Samaria reiterates that Judah's judgment mirrors Israel's. Repetition drives home inevitability. As Samaria fell, so will Jerusalem. History repeats when repentance doesn't intervene. The named example serves as warning: you've seen what happens; now it happens to you. Judgment is predictable, warned, and therefore just. No one can claim surprise when covenant curses are fulfilled after repeated warning.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Samaria's fall (722 BC) provided 136 years of warning before Jerusalem fell (586 BC). Multiple prophets—Isaiah, Micah, Zephaniah, Habakkuk, Jeremiah, Ezekiel—warned Judah would experience identical judgment unless she repented. The warning was clear, repeated, and urgent, making eventual judgment entirely just and completely anticipated by those paying attention.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why do historical examples often fail to prevent repeated mistakes?
  2. How does ample warning increase the justice of eventual judgment?
  3. What contemporary warnings should we heed before experiencing judgment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 9 words
שִׁכָּר֥וֹן1 of 9

“with drunkenness”

H7943

intoxication

וְיָג֖וֹן2 of 9

“and sorrow”

H3015

affliction

תִּמָּלֵ֑אִי3 of 9

“Thou shalt be filled”

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

כּ֖וֹס4 of 9

“with the cup”

H3563

a cup (as a container), often figuratively, some unclean bird, probably an owl (perhaps from the cup-like cavity of its eye)

שַׁמָּ֣ה5 of 9

“of astonishment”

H8047

ruin; by implication, consternation

וּשְׁמָמָ֔ה6 of 9

“and desolation”

H8077

devastation; figuratively, astonishment

כּ֖וֹס7 of 9

“with the cup”

H3563

a cup (as a container), often figuratively, some unclean bird, probably an owl (perhaps from the cup-like cavity of its eye)

אֲחוֹתֵ֥ךְ8 of 9

“of thy sister”

H269

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

שֹׁמְרֽוֹן׃9 of 9

“Samaria”

H8111

shomeron, a place in palestine

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 23:33 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 23:33 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 25:27Isaiah 51:17Jeremiah 25:15-16Isaiah 51:22Habakkuk 2:16

Places in This Verse

Samaria 1Settlement · Modern: Samaria · 32.28°N, 35.20°E113 verses across 12 books
View all places in Ezekiel 23 →

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