Ezekiel 23:47

And the company shall stone them with stones, and dispatch them with their swords; they shall slay their sons and their daughters, and burn up their houses with fire.

Ezekiel 23:47 (KJV)

Context

The book of Ezekiel addresses the exiled Israelites in Babylon. In this chapter the prophet delivers a harsh message of judgment against two sisters, 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.

Meaning

The verse speaks of a collective act of retribution: the company stones the sisters, dispatches them with swords, slays their sons and daughters, and burns their houses. This imagery underscores the comprehensive and relentless nature of divine judgment. The “company” is identified in the surrounding context as the Chaldean (Babylonian) army, which God would bring up in righteous judgment (Ezekiel 23:46). The stoning and sword execution echo the prescribed punishment for adulterers and idolaters under the Mosaic Law (Deuteronomy 13:10; 22:24), but here the language also describes the literal siege of Jerusalem, where stones from slings and engines killed inhabitants and beat down houses. The killing of sons and daughters and the burning of houses depict the totality of the judgment—complete destruction of family and dwelling.

Biblical connections

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 is executed by human agents, but the ultimate source is God Himself, who uses nations to accomplish His purposes. This verse also foreshadows the principle that sin, especially idolatry, leads to ruin, while pointing to the need for repentance and the mercy of God, who later promises restoration (Ezekiel 36:24-28).

Application

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. The graphic imagery is meant to provoke awe at God’s justice and to drive believers away from any form of spiritual unfaithfulness.

Reflection

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.