Ezekiel 23:20
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Ezekiel 23:20
20 For she doted upon their paramours, whose flesh is as the flesh of asses, and whose issue is like the issue of horses.
Chapter Context
Ezekiel 23 is a prophetic vision chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of fellowship, worship, love. 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 21-49: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it establishes important theological principles that resonate throughout Scripture. 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 23:20
20 For she doted upon their paramours, whose flesh is as the flesh of asses, and whose issue is like the issue of horses.
Analysis
For she doted upon their paramours intensifies imagery—'paramours' suggests casual, multiple sexual partners. Whose flesh is as the flesh of asses, and whose issue is like the issue of horses employs Scripture's most offensive sexual language—comparing Egyptian lovers to animals in lustful virility. This deliberately disgusting imagery forces readers to feel God's revulsion at idolatry. If we're offended by this language, we glimpse how offensive spiritual adultery is to God. He uses extreme language because we've become desensitized to sin's severity. When polite language fails to provoke repentance, God uses shocking crudeness to penetrate hardened consciences. The point: idolatry is bestial, debasing, utterly corrupt.
Historical Context
Egypt's reputation for sexual immorality and religious-sexual cult practices was proverbial in the ancient Near East. Egyptian religion intertwined sexuality and fertility rites in ways abhorrent to Yahweh worship. Judah's alliance with Egypt meant exposure to and adoption of these practices, thoroughly corrupting covenant purity.
Reflection
- Why does God use shocking language to describe sin we've minimized?
- How have we become desensitized to behaviors God finds revolting?
- What does our comfort or discomfort with this imagery reveal about our spiritual state?
Cross-References
- Parallel theme: Ezekiel 16:26, 17:15