Ezekiel 23:47

And the companie shall stone them with stones, and dispatch them with their swords: they shall slay their sonnes and their daughters, and burne vp their houses with fire. Ezekiel 23:47 (KJV)

The book of Ezekiel is a prophetic work addressed to the exiled Israelites in Babylon. In this chapter the prophet delivers a harsh message of judgment against two sisters, Aholah and Aholibah (also rendered Oholah and Oholibah), who represent the northern kingdom of Israel (Samaria) and the southern kingdom of Judah (Jerusalem). Their conduct is portrayed through a vivid allegory of spiritual adultery and idolatry.

Ezekiel frequently employs vivid and symbolic language to convey divine messages. In this verse the graphic description of stone‑throwing, sword‑slaying, and fire‑burning is intended to stress the severity of the coming judgment. The language is not meant to describe literal actions alone but to portray the intensity of the punishment that God will bring upon the unfaithful.

Throughout Ezekiel the unfaithfulness of Israel and Judah is likened to spiritual adultery. The two sisters are depicted as prostitutes who have turned to foreign idols and alliances, abandoning their covenant with God. The judgment spoken of in this verse serves as a metaphorical representation of the consequences of such spiritual infidelity.

The verse speaks of a collective act of retribution: “the company shall stone them with stones, and dispatch them with their swords,” followed by the slaying of sons and daughters and the burning of houses. This imagery underscores the comprehensive and relentless nature of divine judgment against the sisters and their people.

While the immediate historical setting concerns Israel and Judah, the passage invites readers to reflect on the broader biblical themes of God’s judgment, sin, and the call to repentance. It warns of the seriousness of idolatry and turning away from God’s commands, urging believers to remain faithful to the covenant.

In conclusion, Ezekiel 23:47 uses powerful symbolic language to depict the severity of God’s judgment against the unfaithfulness of the two sisters, representing Israel and Judah. The passage stands as a stark reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the importance of steadfast covenant loyalty.