King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 23:35 Mean?

Ezekiel 23:35 in the King James Version says “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast forgotten me, and cast me behind thy back, therefore bear thou also... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Ezekiel 23:35 · KJV


Context

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.

36

The LORD said moreover unto me; Son of man, wilt thou judge Aholah and Aholibah? yea, declare unto them their abominations; judge: or, plead for

37

That they have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands, and with their idols have they committed adultery, and have also caused their sons, whom they bare unto me, to pass for them through the fire, to devour them.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The covenant curse formula 'because thou hast forgotten me' identifies spiritual amnesia as the root of idolatry. Forgetting God doesn't mean intellectual doubt but practical neglect—living as if God's character, commands, and promises don't matter. 'Cast me behind thy back' depicts deliberate rejection, treating God's revelation as irrelevant. Such unfaithfulness brings inevitable judgment.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Despite possessing the Torah, temple worship, and prophetic ministry, Judah functionally abandoned Yahweh for Baal, Asherah, and foreign gods. The phrase 'bear thy lewdness' means experiencing the full consequences of sin without divine intervention.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what practical ways might you be 'forgetting' God while maintaining religious appearances?
  2. How do regular spiritual disciplines help prevent the gradual drift toward practical atheism?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
לָכֵ֗ן1 of 18
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

כֹּ֤ה2 of 18
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַר֙3 of 18

Therefore thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֣י4 of 18

the Lord

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִ֔ה5 of 18

GOD

H3069

god

יַ֚עַן6 of 18
H3282

properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause

שָׁכַ֣חַתְּ7 of 18

Because thou hast forgotten

H7911

to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention

אוֹתִ֔י8 of 18
H853

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

וַתַּשְׁלִ֥יכִי9 of 18

me and cast

H7993

to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)

אוֹתִ֖י10 of 18
H853

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

אַחֲרֵ֣י11 of 18

me behind

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

גַוֵּ֑ךְ12 of 18

thy back

H1458

the back

וְגַם13 of 18
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

אַ֛תְּ14 of 18
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

שְׂאִ֥י15 of 18

therefore bear

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

זִמָּתֵ֖ךְ16 of 18

thou also thy lewdness

H2154

a plan, especially a bad one

וְאֶת17 of 18
H853

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

תַּזְנוּתָֽיִךְ׃18 of 18

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 23:35 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 23:35 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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