Ezekiel 23:37
That they have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands, and with their idols have they committed adultery, and have also caused their sons, whom they bare unto me, to pass for them through the fire, to devour them.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
נִאֵ֑פוּ
That they have committed adultery
H5003
נִאֵ֑פוּ
That they have committed adultery
Strong's:
H5003
Word #:
2 of 16
to commit adultery; figuratively, to apostatize
וְדָם֙
and blood
H1818
וְדָם֙
and blood
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
3 of 16
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
בִּֽידֵיהֶ֔ן
is in their hands
H3027
בִּֽידֵיהֶ֔ן
is in their hands
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
4 of 16
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
וְאֶת
H854
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
5 of 16
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
גִּלּֽוּלֵיהֶ֖ן
and with their idols
H1544
גִּלּֽוּלֵיהֶ֖ן
and with their idols
Strong's:
H1544
Word #:
6 of 16
properly, a log (as round); by implication, an idol
נִאֵ֑פוּ
That they have committed adultery
H5003
נִאֵ֑פוּ
That they have committed adultery
Strong's:
H5003
Word #:
7 of 16
to commit adultery; figuratively, to apostatize
וְגַ֤ם
H1571
וְגַ֤ם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
8 of 16
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּנֵיהֶן֙
and have also caused their sons
H1121
בְּנֵיהֶן֙
and have also caused their sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
10 of 16
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
11 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יָֽלְדוּ
whom they bare
H3205
יָֽלְדוּ
whom they bare
Strong's:
H3205
Word #:
12 of 16
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
Cross References
Ezekiel 16:36Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thy filthiness was poured out, and thy nakedness discovered through thy whoredoms with thy lovers, and with all the idols of thy abominations, and by the blood of thy children, which thou didst give unto them;Jeremiah 7:31And they have built the high places of Tophet, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my heart.Jeremiah 32:35And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.Ezekiel 16:38And I will judge thee, as women that break wedlock and shed blood are judged; and I will give thee blood in fury and jealousy.Ezekiel 20:26And I polluted them in their own gifts, in that they caused to pass through the fire all that openeth the womb, that I might make them desolate, to the end that they might know that I am the LORD.
Historical Context
Archaeological evidence and biblical texts confirm child sacrifice occurred in the Valley of Hinnom (Tophet) outside Jerusalem. The practice combined Canaanite religion with syncretistic Yahweh worship, making it particularly abhorrent—murdering children in God's name while claiming covenant status. Excavations have uncovered remains consistent with infant sacrifice at various Levantine sites.
Questions for Reflection
- How does modern culture sacrifice children to its idols (abortion, exploitation, neglect)?
- What makes religious violence especially abhorrent to God?
- How do we confront contemporary forms of child sacrifice?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
That they have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands moves from metaphor to literal accusation. Adultery includes both spiritual idolatry and literal sexual immorality in pagan worship. Blood is in their hands refers to violence, injustice, and specifically child sacrifice (verse 39). And with their idols have they committed adultery summarizes spiritual apostasy. And have also caused their sons, whom they bare unto me, to pass for them through the fire, to devour them describes the abomination of child sacrifice to Molech. Children born to covenant people belonged to God; sacrificing them to demons was murder of God's own children. This heinous sin appears repeatedly in Judah's history (2 Kings 16:3; 21:6; Jeremiah 7:31; 19:5) despite explicit prohibition (Leviticus 18:21; 20:2-5).