Ezekiel 23:29
And they shall deal with thee hatefully, and shall take away all thy labour, and shall leave thee naked and bare: and the nakedness of thy whoredoms shall be discovered, both thy lewdness and thy whoredoms.
Original Language Analysis
וְעָשׂ֨וּ
And they shall deal
H6213
וְעָשׂ֨וּ
And they shall deal
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
1 of 14
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אוֹתָ֜ךְ
H854
אוֹתָ֜ךְ
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
2 of 14
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
וְלָקְחוּ֙
and shall take away
H3947
וְלָקְחוּ֙
and shall take away
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
4 of 14
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יְגִיעֵ֔ךְ
all thy labour
H3018
יְגִיעֵ֔ךְ
all thy labour
Strong's:
H3018
Word #:
6 of 14
toil; hence, a work, produce, property (as the result of labor)
וַעֲזָב֖וּךְ
and shall leave
H5800
וַעֲזָב֖וּךְ
and shall leave
Strong's:
H5800
Word #:
7 of 14
to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc
וְנִגְלָה֙
shall be discovered
H1540
וְנִגְלָה֙
shall be discovered
Strong's:
H1540
Word #:
10 of 14
to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal
עֶרְוַ֣ת
and the nakedness
H6172
עֶרְוַ֣ת
and the nakedness
Strong's:
H6172
Word #:
11 of 14
nudity, literally (especially the pudenda) or figuratively (disgrace, blemish)
Historical Context
Babylonian conquered peoples lost everything: land, homes, livestock, treasures, freedom. Economic devastation was total, leaving land desolate and survivors impoverished. Archaeological evidence shows widespread destruction and population collapse in Judah after 586 BC, with occupation dropping perhaps 75% or more, confirming thorough judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- How does sin's exposure constitute part of its punishment?
- What does it mean that hidden things will be revealed?
- How should awareness that all will be disclosed affect our behavior?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And they shall deal with thee hatefully, and shall take away all thy labour describes vindictive thoroughness of conquest. Hatefully (bessin'ah) indicates personal malice, not merely military necessity. All thy labour refers to generational accumulation—everything built, earned, created would be confiscated. And shall leave thee naked and bare reduces Judah to original nothingness. The nakedness of thy whoredoms shall be discovered uses sexual shame as metaphor for total disgrace. Both thy lewdness and thy whoredoms emphasizes sin itself becomes public spectacle. What was done in secret becomes displayed for all. Sin always comes to light; what we hide, God exposes (Luke 12:2-3). Every secret will be revealed; every hidden thing made manifest.