King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 23:37 Mean?

Ezekiel 23:37 in the King James Version says “That they have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands, and with their idols have they committed adultery, and h... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Ezekiel 23:37 · KJV


Context

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.

38

Moreover this they have done unto me: they have defiled my sanctuary in the same day, and have profaned my sabbaths.

39

For when they had slain their children to their idols, then they came the same day into my sanctuary to profane it; and, lo, thus have they done in the midst of mine house.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
That they have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands moves from metaphor to literal accusation. Adultery includes both spiritual idolatry and literal sexual immorality in pagan worship. Blood is in their hands refers to violence, injustice, and specifically child sacrifice (verse 39). And with their idols have they committed adultery summarizes spiritual apostasy. And have also caused their sons, whom they bare unto me, to pass for them through the fire, to devour them describes the abomination of child sacrifice to Molech. Children born to covenant people belonged to God; sacrificing them to demons was murder of God's own children. This heinous sin appears repeatedly in Judah's history (2 Kings 16:3; 21:6; Jeremiah 7:31; 19:5) despite explicit prohibition (Leviticus 18:21; 20:2-5).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Archaeological evidence and biblical texts confirm child sacrifice occurred in the Valley of Hinnom (Tophet) outside Jerusalem. The practice combined Canaanite religion with syncretistic Yahweh worship, making it particularly abhorrent—murdering children in God's name while claiming covenant status. Excavations have uncovered remains consistent with infant sacrifice at various Levantine sites.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does modern culture sacrifice children to its idols (abortion, exploitation, neglect)?
  2. What makes religious violence especially abhorrent to God?
  3. How do we confront contemporary forms of child sacrifice?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
כִּ֣י1 of 16
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

נִאֵ֑פוּ2 of 16

That they have committed adultery

H5003

to commit adultery; figuratively, to apostatize

וְדָם֙3 of 16

and blood

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

בִּֽידֵיהֶ֔ן4 of 16

is in their hands

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

וְאֶת5 of 16
H854

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

גִּלּֽוּלֵיהֶ֖ן6 of 16

and with their idols

H1544

properly, a log (as round); by implication, an idol

נִאֵ֑פוּ7 of 16

That they have committed adultery

H5003

to commit adultery; figuratively, to apostatize

וְגַ֤ם8 of 16
H1571

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

אֶת9 of 16
H853

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

בְּנֵיהֶן֙10 of 16

and have also caused their sons

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אֲשֶׁ֣ר11 of 16
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יָֽלְדוּ12 of 16

whom they bare

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

לִ֔י13 of 16
H0
הֶעֱבִ֥ירוּ14 of 16

unto me to pass for them through

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

לָהֶ֖ם15 of 16
H0
לְאָכְלָֽה׃16 of 16

the fire to devour

H402

food


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 23:37 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 23:37 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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