Ezekiel 23:35
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast forgotten me, and cast me behind thy back, therefore bear thou also thy lewdness and thy whoredoms.
Original Language Analysis
לָכֵ֗ן
H3651
לָכֵ֗ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
1 of 18
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
כֹּ֤ה
H3541
כֹּ֤ה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
2 of 18
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יַ֚עַן
H3282
יַ֚עַן
Strong's:
H3282
Word #:
6 of 18
properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause
שָׁכַ֣חַתְּ
Because thou hast forgotten
H7911
שָׁכַ֣חַתְּ
Because thou hast forgotten
Strong's:
H7911
Word #:
7 of 18
to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention
אוֹתִ֔י
H853
אוֹתִ֔י
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)
וַתַּשְׁלִ֥יכִי
me and cast
H7993
וַתַּשְׁלִ֥יכִי
me and cast
Strong's:
H7993
Word #:
9 of 18
to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)
אוֹתִ֖י
H853
אוֹתִ֖י
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אַחֲרֵ֣י
me behind
H310
אַחֲרֵ֣י
me behind
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
11 of 18
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
וְגַם
H1571
וְגַם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
13 of 18
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
שְׂאִ֥י
therefore bear
H5375
שְׂאִ֥י
therefore bear
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
15 of 18
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
Cross References
1 Kings 14:9But hast done evil above all that were before thee: for thou hast gone and made thee other gods, and molten images, to provoke me to anger, and hast cast me behind thy back:Isaiah 17:10Because thou hast forgotten the God of thy salvation, and hast not been mindful of the rock of thy strength, therefore shalt thou plant pleasant plants, and shalt set it with strange slips:Jeremiah 3:21A voice was heard upon the high places, weeping and supplications of the children of Israel: for they have perverted their way, and they have forgotten the LORD their God.Jeremiah 32:33And they have turned unto me the back, and not the face: though I taught them, rising up early and teaching them, yet they have not hearkened to receive instruction.Ezekiel 22:12In thee have they taken gifts to shed blood; thou hast taken usury and increase, and thou hast greedily gained of thy neighbours by extortion, and hast forgotten me, saith the Lord GOD.Jeremiah 2:32Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number.Hosea 13:6According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me.Hosea 8:14For Israel hath forgotten his Maker, and buildeth temples; and Judah hath multiplied fenced cities: but I will send a fire upon his cities, and it shall devour the palaces thereof.Numbers 14:34After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise.
Historical Context
Despite possessing the Torah, temple worship, and prophetic ministry, Judah functionally abandoned Yahweh for Baal, Asherah, and foreign gods. The phrase 'bear thy lewdness' means experiencing the full consequences of sin without divine intervention.
Questions for Reflection
- In what practical ways might you be 'forgetting' God while maintaining religious appearances?
- How do regular spiritual disciplines help prevent the gradual drift toward practical atheism?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The covenant curse formula 'because thou hast forgotten me' identifies spiritual amnesia as the root of idolatry. Forgetting God doesn't mean intellectual doubt but practical neglect—living as if God's character, commands, and promises don't matter. 'Cast me behind thy back' depicts deliberate rejection, treating God's revelation as irrelevant. Such unfaithfulness brings inevitable judgment.