Ezekiel 23:43

Then said I unto her that was old in adulteries, Will they now commit whoredoms with her, and she with them?

Ezekiel 23:43 (KJV)

Context

Ezekiel prophesied during the Babylonian exile, delivering God’s message to a people who had broken their covenant with Him. In this chapter, God uses an allegory of two sisters, Oholah and Oholibah, to represent Samaria (the northern kingdom of Israel) and Jerusalem (the southern kingdom of Judah). Their “adulteries” and “whoredoms” are metaphors for spiritual unfaithfulness—turning from God to worship idols and to seek security through alliances with pagan nations.

Meaning

The phrase “old in adulteries” points to a long-standing, habitual practice of idolatry. This was not a recent lapse but a deeply ingrained pattern of unfaithfulness, stretching back for generations. The rhetorical question, “Will they now commit whoredoms with her, and she with them?” expresses God’s astonishment and grief at the people’s willingness to continue in sin despite its inevitable consequences. The woman is worn out by her adulteries, yet her lovers persist with her, illustrating how sin becomes entrenched and self-perpetuating.

Biblical connections

Throughout Scripture, adultery is a recurring image for idolatry. The prophets frequently describe God’s people as a faithless spouse who abandons her husband for other lovers. In Ezekiel 23, this imagery reaches its fullest expression, showing that persistent unfaithfulness leads to judgment. The chapter’s progression—from the sisters’ whoredoms to their final punishment—demonstrates that God’s patience has limits when His people refuse to repent.

Application

This verse warns against the danger of habitual sin. Idolatry is not limited to ancient statues; it can take the form of material possessions, personal ambitions, or anything we place above God. The question “Will they now commit whoredoms?” challenges us to examine our own hearts: do we continue in patterns of unfaithfulness, assuming God will not hold us accountable? The verse calls us to break the cycle of sin before it becomes entrenched.

Reflection

God’s question in this verse is both a judgment and an invitation. It exposes the depth of human sin, but it also reveals God’s desire for His people to turn back to Him. The shocking imagery of a woman “old in adulteries” reminds us that no sin is too ingrained for God’s grace to reach, yet it also underscores the urgency of repentance. As we read this verse, we are invited to consider our own faithfulness and to return to the God who is merciful to those who seek Him.