Ezekiel 23:11
And when her sister Aholibah saw this, she was more corrupt in her inordinate love than she, and in her whoredoms more than her sister in her whoredoms.
Original Language Analysis
וַתֵּ֙רֶא֙
saw
H7200
וַתֵּ֙רֶא֙
saw
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
1 of 10
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אֲחוֹתָֽהּ׃
And when her sister
H269
אֲחוֹתָֽהּ׃
And when her sister
Strong's:
H269
Word #:
2 of 10
a sister (used very widely [like h0251], literally and figuratively)
וַתַּשְׁחֵ֥ת
this she was more corrupt
H7843
וַתַּשְׁחֵ֥ת
this she was more corrupt
Strong's:
H7843
Word #:
4 of 10
to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)
עַגְבָתָ֖הּ
in her inordinate love
H5691
עַגְבָתָ֖הּ
in her inordinate love
Strong's:
H5691
Word #:
5 of 10
love (abstractly), i.e., amorousness
מִמֶּ֑נָּה
H4480
מִמֶּ֑נָּה
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
6 of 10
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 10
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
תַּ֨זְנוּתֶ֔יהָ
than she and in her whoredoms
H8457
תַּ֨זְנוּתֶ֔יהָ
than she and in her whoredoms
Strong's:
H8457
Word #:
8 of 10
harlotry, i.e., (figuratively) idolatry
Historical Context
From 722-586 BC, Judah watched Israel's destruction yet continued idolatry under kings like Manasseh and Jehoiakim. Josiah's reforms (640-609 BC) brought temporary revival but failed to produce lasting change, proving that external reforms without heart transformation are insufficient.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you respond to warnings God provides through others' negative examples?
- What does Judah's progressive hardening teach about the danger of repeatedly ignoring God's correction?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Despite witnessing Israel's judgment by Assyria (722 BC), Judah 'was more corrupt' in her prostitution. This reveals the progressive nature of sin and the hardening effect of rejecting repeated warnings. Judah had 136 additional years to learn from Israel's fate but instead doubled down on unfaithfulness, demonstrating spiritual obtuseness.