Ezekiel 22:11
And one hath committed abomination with his neighbour's wife; and another hath lewdly defiled his daughter in law; and another in thee hath humbled his sister, his father's daughter.
Original Language Analysis
וְאִ֛ישׁ
And one
H376
וְאִ֛ישׁ
And one
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
1 of 18
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
אֶת
H854
אֶת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
2 of 18
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
עָשָׂה֙
hath committed
H6213
עָשָׂה֙
hath committed
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
5 of 18
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
תּֽוֹעֵבָ֔ה
abomination
H8441
תּֽוֹעֵבָ֔ה
abomination
Strong's:
H8441
Word #:
6 of 18
properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol
וְאִ֛ישׁ
And one
H376
וְאִ֛ישׁ
And one
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
7 of 18
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כַּלָּת֖וֹ
his daughter in law
H3618
כַּלָּת֖וֹ
his daughter in law
Strong's:
H3618
Word #:
9 of 18
a bride (as if perfect); hence, a son's wife
טִמֵּ֣א
defiled
H2930
טִמֵּ֣א
defiled
Strong's:
H2930
Word #:
10 of 18
to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)
וְאִ֛ישׁ
And one
H376
וְאִ֛ישׁ
And one
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
12 of 18
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲחֹת֥וֹ
his sister
H269
אֲחֹת֥וֹ
his sister
Strong's:
H269
Word #:
14 of 18
a sister (used very widely [like h0251], literally and figuratively)
בַת
daughter
H1323
בַת
daughter
Strong's:
H1323
Word #:
15 of 18
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
אָבִ֖יו
his father's
H1
אָבִ֖יו
his father's
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
16 of 18
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
Cross References
Leviticus 18:15Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy daughter in law: she is thy son's wife; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.Leviticus 20:17And if a man shall take his sister, his father's daughter, or his mother's daughter, and see her nakedness, and she see his nakedness; it is a wicked thing; and they shall be cut off in the sight of their people: he hath uncovered his sister's nakedness; he shall bear his iniquity.Leviticus 18:9The nakedness of thy sister, the daughter of thy father, or daughter of thy mother, whether she be born at home, or born abroad, even their nakedness thou shalt not uncover.2 Samuel 13:14Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her.Ezekiel 18:11And that doeth not any of those duties, but even hath eaten upon the mountains, and defiled his neighbour's wife,Leviticus 18:20Moreover thou shalt not lie carnally with thy neighbour's wife, to defile thyself with her.Leviticus 20:12And if a man lie with his daughter in law, both of them shall surely be put to death: they have wrought confusion; their blood shall be upon them.
Historical Context
This litany of sexual crimes parallels the indictments in Leviticus 18 that conclude, 'for all these abominations have the men of the land done... and the land is defiled' (v. 27). Ezekiel presents Jerusalem not as victim of Babylonian aggression but as guilty defendant in a covenant lawsuit, charged with crimes warranting the same judgment Canaan received.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the systematic nature of these violations ('one... another... another') indicate societal rather than individual breakdown?
- What does Jerusalem's adoption of Canaanite sexual ethics teach about assimilation versus distinctiveness in covenant community?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And one hath committed abomination with his neighbour's wife—adultery (to'evah, תּוֹעֵבָה), the covenant term for maximum violation. Another hath lewdly defiled his daughter in law (kallato timme, כַּלָּתוֹ טִמֵּא)—incest violating Leviticus 18:15. Another in thee hath humbled his sister, his father's daughter—another incest category (Leviticus 18:9).
The threefold 'and one... and another... and another' structures escalating horror. These aren't theoretical violations but actual cases within the city. The catalog demonstrates that Jerusalem systematically violated the sexual boundaries Leviticus 18 established as non-negotiable for covenant membership.