Ezekiel 16:28

Authorized King James Version

PDF

Thou hast played the whore also with the Assyrians, because thou wast unsatiable; yea, thou hast played the harlot with them, and yet couldest not be satisfied.

Original Language Analysis

וַתִּזְנִ֕ים Thou hast played the whore H2181
וַתִּזְנִ֕ים Thou hast played the whore
Strong's: H2181
Word #: 1 of 10
to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 2 of 10
near, with or among; often in general, to
בְּנֵ֣י also with the Assyrians H1121
בְּנֵ֣י also with the Assyrians
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 3 of 10
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אַשּׁ֔וּר H804
אַשּׁ֔וּר
Strong's: H804
Word #: 4 of 10
ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire
מִבִּלְתִּ֖י because H1115
מִבִּלְתִּ֖י because
Strong's: H1115
Word #: 5 of 10
properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n
שָׂבְעָתֵ֑ךְ thou wast unsatiable H7646
שָׂבְעָתֵ֑ךְ thou wast unsatiable
Strong's: H7646
Word #: 6 of 10
to sate, i.e., fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively)
וַתִּזְנִ֕ים Thou hast played the whore H2181
וַתִּזְנִ֕ים Thou hast played the whore
Strong's: H2181
Word #: 7 of 10
to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (
וְגַ֖ם H1571
וְגַ֖ם
Strong's: H1571
Word #: 8 of 10
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
לֹ֥א H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 9 of 10
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שָׂבָֽעַתְּ׃ with them and yet couldest not be satisfied H7654
שָׂבָֽעַתְּ׃ with them and yet couldest not be satisfied
Strong's: H7654
Word #: 10 of 10
satiety

Analysis & Commentary

Thou hast played the whore also with the Assyrians, because thou wast unsatiable—The Hebrew lo sav'at (לֹא שָׂבָעַתְּ, not satisfied) exposes the insatiable nature of idolatry. After Egyptian alliances failed, Jerusalem pursued Assyrian treaties (2 Kings 16:7-9). Yet couldest not be satisfied repeats the indictment, emphasizing that false gods never fulfill—they only multiply cravings.

This reveals idolatry's core deception: created things promise satisfaction but deliver addiction. Augustine's confession applies: 'Thou hast made us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee.' Jerusalem's serial political adultery mirrors modern therapeutic culture—when one ideology, relationship, or substance fails to satisfy, the idolater moves to the next. Only Christ satisfies: 'Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst' (John 4:14).

Historical Context

Ahaz submitted to Assyria as a vassal (2 Kings 16:7-18), even altering the temple to match Assyrian patterns. Later kings oscillated between pro-Assyrian and pro-Egyptian policies, demonstrating the political instability that mirrored spiritual adultery. By Ezekiel's time, these alliances had proven catastrophic—Assyria destroyed the Northern Kingdom, and Babylon would destroy Judah.

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

People