Ezekiel 23:39
For when they had slain their children to their idols, then they came the same day into my sanctuary to profane it; and, lo, thus have they done in the midst of mine house.
Original Language Analysis
וּֽבְשַׁחֲטָ֤ם
For when they had slain
H7819
וּֽבְשַׁחֲטָ֤ם
For when they had slain
Strong's:
H7819
Word #:
1 of 15
to slaughter (in sacrifice or massacre)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּנֵיהֶם֙
their children
H1121
בְּנֵיהֶם֙
their children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
3 of 15
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
לְגִלּ֣וּלֵיהֶ֔ם
to their idols
H1544
לְגִלּ֣וּלֵיהֶ֔ם
to their idols
Strong's:
H1544
Word #:
4 of 15
properly, a log (as round); by implication, an idol
וַיָּבֹ֧אוּ
then they came
H935
וַיָּבֹ֧אוּ
then they came
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
5 of 15
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
מִקְדָּשִׁ֛י
into my sanctuary
H4720
מִקְדָּשִׁ֛י
into my sanctuary
Strong's:
H4720
Word #:
7 of 15
a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of jehovah or of idols) or asylum
בַּיּ֥וֹם
the same day
H3117
בַּיּ֥וֹם
the same day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
8 of 15
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַה֖וּא
H1931
הַה֖וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
9 of 15
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
לְחַלְּל֑וֹ
to profane
H2490
לְחַלְּל֑וֹ
to profane
Strong's:
H2490
Word #:
10 of 15
properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin
כֹ֥ה
H3541
כֹ֥ה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
12 of 15
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
עָשׂ֖וּ
it and lo thus have they done
H6213
עָשׂ֖וּ
it and lo thus have they done
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
13 of 15
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Cross References
2 Kings 21:4And he built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD said, In Jerusalem will I put my name.Jeremiah 23:11For both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness, saith the LORD.Ezekiel 44:7In that ye have brought into my sanctuary strangers, uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary, to pollute it, even my house, when ye offer my bread, the fat and the blood, and they have broken my covenant because of all your abominations.
Historical Context
The Valley of Hinnom where child sacrifice occurred was immediately adjacent to Jerusalem's southern wall. Worshipers could sacrifice children at Tophet, then walk minutes to the temple. The geographic and temporal proximity intensifies the offense—seamless transition from murder to worship, demonstrating complete moral corruption and spiritual blindness.
Questions for Reflection
- How does sin harden conscience to enable shocking hypocrisy?
- What contemporary religious practices combine abomination with claimed piety?
- How should awareness of our own defiled hands affect our approach to worship?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
For when they had slain their children to their idols establishes temporal sequence—first, child sacrifice. Then they came the same day into my sanctuary to profane it reveals brazen hypocrisy—murdering children, then immediately entering God's temple. This juxtaposition exposes how thoroughly sin corrupts conscience. And, lo, thus have they done in the midst of mine house states this happened not externally but within temple precincts themselves. The phrase 'in the midst of mine house' stresses intimate violation—defiling God's dwelling place itself. If hands are bloody with child sacrifice, they defile everything they touch, especially sacred space. The horror is compounded: they murdered God's children, then brought bloodied hands into His house, expecting acceptance. Conscience seared beyond recognition.