Ezekiel 23:44
Yet they went in unto her, as they go in unto a woman that playeth the harlot: so went they in unto Aholah and unto Aholibah, the lewd women.
Original Language Analysis
בָּ֗אוּ
Yet they went in
H935
בָּ֗אוּ
Yet they went in
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
1 of 14
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
בָּ֗אוּ
Yet they went in
H935
בָּ֗אוּ
Yet they went in
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
3 of 14
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
זוֹנָ֑ה
that playeth the harlot
H2181
זוֹנָ֑ה
that playeth the harlot
Strong's:
H2181
Word #:
6 of 14
to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (
כֵּ֣ן
H3651
כֵּ֣ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
7 of 14
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
בָּ֗אוּ
Yet they went in
H935
בָּ֗אוּ
Yet they went in
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
8 of 14
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Historical Context
Judah's foreign policy had become purely mercenary and opportunistic. She played Assyria against Babylon, Egypt against both, seeking maximum advantage with no moral principle. This geopolitical prostitution brought ruin. The cynical realpolitik destroyed rather than preserved the nation, as political expediency divorced from moral principle always does.
Questions for Reflection
- How does victimhood transition into perpetration?
- What is the difference between being tempted and actively seeking evil?
- How do we recognize when we've become corrupting influences rather than corrupted innocents?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Yet they went in unto her strengthens the metaphor—despite everything, her lovers still came to her. As they go in unto a woman that playeth the harlot makes explicit that professional prostitution is the model, not seduced innocence. Jerusalem is not victim but willing participant, indeed active pursuer. So went they in unto Oholah and unto Oholibah, the lewd women emphasizes both sisters' identical character. Lewd (zimmah) denotes premeditated depravity, not impulsive sin. This is calculated, commercial, shameless immorality—selling themselves for political advantage. The shift from seduced victim to commercial prostitute represents moral descent. Initially corrupted by others, they became corrupting influences themselves, actively pursuing evil. This is apostasy's progression from tempted to tempter.