Ezekiel 22:11
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Ezekiel 22:11
11 And one hath committed abomination with his neighbour's wife; and another hath lewdly defiled his daughter in law; and another in thee hath humbled his sister, his father's daughter.
Chapter Context
Ezekiel 22 is a prophetic vision chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of judgment, righteousness, holiness. Written during the Babylonian exile (c. 593-570 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Ministered to exiles in Babylon with visions of God's glory and future restoration.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-31: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it reveals key aspects of God's character through divine actions and declarations. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Ezekiel and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Ezekiel 22:11
11 And one hath committed abomination with his neighbour's wife; and another hath lewdly defiled his daughter in law; and another in thee hath humbled his sister, his father's daughter.
Analysis
And one hath committed abomination with his neighbour's wife—adultery (to'evah, תּוֹעֵבָה), the covenant term for maximum violation. Another hath lewdly defiled his daughter in law (kallato timme, כַּלָּתוֹ טִמֵּא)—incest violating Leviticus 18:15. Another in thee hath humbled his sister, his father's daughter—another incest category (Leviticus 18:9).
The threefold 'and one... and another... and another' structures escalating horror. These aren't theoretical violations but actual cases within the city. The catalog demonstrates that Jerusalem systematically violated the sexual boundaries Leviticus 18 established as non-negotiable for covenant membership.
Historical Context
This litany of sexual crimes parallels the indictments in Leviticus 18 that conclude, 'for all these abominations have the men of the land done... and the land is defiled' (v. 27). Ezekiel presents Jerusalem not as victim of Babylonian aggression but as guilty defendant in a covenant lawsuit, charged with crimes warranting the same judgment Canaan received.
Reflection
- How does the systematic nature of these violations ('one... another... another') indicate societal rather than individual breakdown?
- What does Jerusalem's adoption of Canaanite sexual ethics teach about assimilation versus distinctiveness in covenant community?
Cross-References
- Word: Leviticus 18:15, 20:12
- Parallel theme: Ezekiel 18:11, Leviticus 18:9, 18:20, 20:17, 2 Samuel 13:14