Ezekiel 16:25
Thou hast built thy high place at every head of the way, and hast made thy beauty to be abhorred, and hast opened thy feet to every one that passed by, and multiplied thy whoredoms.
Original Language Analysis
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
2 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
רֹ֣אשׁ
at every head
H7218
רֹ֣אשׁ
at every head
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
3 of 17
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
דֶּ֗רֶךְ
of the way
H1870
דֶּ֗רֶךְ
of the way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
4 of 17
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וַתְּפַשְּׂקִ֥י
and hast opened
H6589
וַתְּפַשְּׂקִ֥י
and hast opened
Strong's:
H6589
Word #:
10 of 17
to dispart (the feet or lips), i.e., become licentious
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
רַגְלַ֖יִךְ
thy feet
H7272
רַגְלַ֖יִךְ
thy feet
Strong's:
H7272
Word #:
12 of 17
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
לְכָל
H3605
לְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
13 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עוֹבֵ֑ר
to every one that passed by
H5674
עוֹבֵ֑ר
to every one that passed by
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
14 of 17
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
Cross References
Jeremiah 3:2Lift up thine eyes unto the high places, and see where thou hast not been lien with. In the ways hast thou sat for them, as the Arabian in the wilderness; and thou hast polluted the land with thy whoredoms and with thy wickedness.Ezekiel 16:31In that thou buildest thine eminent place in the head of every way, and makest thine high place in every street; and hast not been as an harlot, in that thou scornest hire;
Historical Context
The metaphor reflects ancient Near Eastern prostitution practices, where cult prostitutes (qedeshah) served at pagan shrines, and common prostitutes solicited at city gates and road junctions. Proverbs 7:10-23 uses identical imagery. Ezekiel's audience would immediately grasp the shamelessness described—public, brazen, shameless apostasy.
Questions for Reflection
- In what ways might your public testimony be contradicting your claimed allegiance to Christ?
- How can God-given beauty (talents, personality, physical appearance) be perverted into something that dishonors Him?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
At every head of the way...and hast opened thy feet to every one that passed by—The imagery intensifies: rosh kol-derekh (רֹאשׁ כָּל־דֶּרֶךְ, head of every road) describes Jerusalem positioning herself like a prostitute at major intersections. Opened thy feet is a euphemism for sexual availability (see Ruth 3:4, Isaiah 7:20). The Hebrew taznuth (תַּזְנוּת, whoredoms) appears again, emphasizing serial, indiscriminate spiritual adultery.
Hast made thy beauty to be abhorred (ta'av, תְּתָעֵב)—Jerusalem perverted God-given beauty (v. 14) into something detestable. Beauty without holiness becomes obscenity. The principle applies beyond sexual ethics: gifts divorced from the Giver become idols. Jerusalem's covenant privilege, meant to attract nations to YHWH (Deuteronomy 4:6-8), became international scandal.