Ezekiel 23:31
Thou hast walked in the way of thy sister; therefore will I give her cup into thine hand.
Original Language Analysis
בְּדֶ֥רֶךְ
in the way
H1870
בְּדֶ֥רֶךְ
in the way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
1 of 6
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
אֲחוֹתֵ֖ךְ
of thy sister
H269
אֲחוֹתֵ֖ךְ
of thy sister
Strong's:
H269
Word #:
2 of 6
a sister (used very widely [like h0251], literally and figuratively)
הָלָ֑כְתְּ
Thou hast walked
H1980
הָלָ֑כְתְּ
Thou hast walked
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
3 of 6
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וְנָתַתִּ֥י
therefore will I give
H5414
וְנָתַתִּ֥י
therefore will I give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
4 of 6
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
Historical Context
Israel's destruction (722 BC) prefigured Judah's (586 BC). Both experienced conquest, deportation, loss of sovereignty, and cultural devastation. The same divine justice operated in both judgments, demonstrating God's impartiality and consistency. Similar sins produce similar judgments regardless of tribal identity or privilege.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the 'cup of wrath' metaphor reveal about divine judgment?
- How does Christ drinking the cup on our behalf change everything?
- What should we feel knowing Jesus consumed the wrath we deserved?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Thou hast walked in the way of thy sister restates Judah's imitation of Israel's sin. Therefore will I give her cup into thine hand introduces the metaphor of the cup of wrath—a common biblical image for divine judgment (Psalm 75:8; Isaiah 51:17; Jeremiah 25:15-28; Revelation 14:10). The cup contains concentrated divine anger against sin. What Israel drank, Judah must drink. Both sisters share the same judgment because they committed the same sins. The cup metaphor becomes Christologically significant: Jesus prayed, 'O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me' (Matthew 26:39). The cup He drank was our judgment. The wrath we deserve, He consumed. Every Old Testament cup of wrath points forward to Golgotha.