Ezekiel 23:48
Thus will I cause lewdness to cease out of the land, that all women may be taught not to do after your lewdness.
Original Language Analysis
וְהִשְׁבַּתִּ֥י
to cease
H7673
וְהִשְׁבַּתִּ֥י
to cease
Strong's:
H7673
Word #:
1 of 10
to repose, i.e., desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causative, figurative or specific)
כְּזִמַּתְכֶֽנָה׃
Thus will I cause lewdness
H2154
כְּזִמַּתְכֶֽנָה׃
Thus will I cause lewdness
Strong's:
H2154
Word #:
2 of 10
a plan, especially a bad one
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
3 of 10
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
וְנִֽוַּסְּרוּ֙
may be taught
H3256
וְנִֽוַּסְּרוּ֙
may be taught
Strong's:
H3256
Word #:
5 of 10
to chastise, literally (with blows) or figuratively (with words); hence, to instruct
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
6 of 10
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 10
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
2 Peter 2:6And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;Ezekiel 23:27Thus will I make thy lewdness to cease from thee, and thy whoredom brought from the land of Egypt: so that thou shalt not lift up thine eyes unto them, nor remember Egypt any more.Ezekiel 6:6In all your dwellingplaces the cities shall be laid waste, and the high places shall be desolate; that your altars may be laid waste and made desolate, and your idols may be broken and cease, and your images may be cut down, and your works may be abolished.Ezekiel 16:41And they shall burn thine houses with fire, and execute judgments upon thee in the sight of many women: and I will cause thee to cease from playing the harlot, and thou also shalt give no hire any more.
Historical Context
As previously noted, post-exilic Judaism abandoned idolatry permanently. The judgment succeeded in its purging purpose. Later Jewish communities, facing persecution under Seleucid Greeks (Antiochus Epiphanes, 167-164 BC) and Romans, refused idolatry even unto death. The Maccabean martyrs and later resistance to emperor worship prove exile taught its lesson permanently. Judgment accomplished transformation blessing couldn't produce.
Questions for Reflection
- How do public judgments teach private lessons?
- What should we learn from historical examples of divine judgment?
- Why do we often fail to apply others' lessons to ourselves?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Thus will I cause lewdness to cease out of the land states judgment's purpose: eradication of sin. That all women may be taught not to do after your lewdness extends the pedagogical function. Jerusalem's judgment serves as warning to others (compare verse 10). God's judgments are not merely punitive but instructive. When He judges publicly, others should learn vicariously. Corporate judgment teaches both participants and observers. Paul uses this principle: 'them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear' (1 Timothy 5:20). Public judgment produces public instruction. If we don't learn from historical judgments, we're fools repeating history. God gives examples precisely so we avoid repeating errors.