What does Ezekiel 23:48 mean?
"Thus will I cause lewdness to cease out of the land, that all women may be taught not to do after your lewdness." - Ezekiel 23:48
Ezekiel 23:48 in the King James Version of the Bible reads: "Thus will I cause lewdness to cease out of the land, that all women may be taught not to do after your lewdness."
This verse comes at the end of a passage in which the prophet Ezekiel is delivering a message of judgment against the nations of Israel and Judah for their idolatry and unfaithfulness to God. In this particular passage, Ezekiel is using the metaphor of two sisters, Oholah (representing Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel) and Oholibah (representing Jerusalem, the capital of the southern kingdom of Judah), who are described as having engaged in adulterous behavior and worshiped false gods.
The verse speaks to God's determination to put an end to the immorality and idolatry that have pervaded the land. The word "lewdness" can be understood to mean not just immorality, but specifically sexual immorality and promiscuity. God is declaring His intention to bring a halt to this behavior and to teach the women of the land to refrain from following the same path.
This passage reflects a number of important themes found throughout the Bible. First and foremost, it underscores the seriousness with which God views sin, especially the sin of idolatry. Throughout the Old Testament, God repeatedly warns His people against turning to false gods and engaging in practices that are contrary to His commands. The punishment for such disobedience is severe, as is evident in the judgment pronounced in this passage.
Another important theme in this verse is the concept of teaching and instruction. God desires for His people to live according to His commandments, and in this passage, He is expressing His desire to teach the women of the land to turn away from the sinful behavior they have learned and to instead follow His ways. This reflects the broader biblical emphasis on the importance of learning and following God's precepts.
The symbolism in this passage is also significant. The two sisters, Oholah and Oholibah, represent the divided kingdom of Israel and Judah, and their unfaithfulness serves as a metaphor for the unfaithfulness of the entire nation. The imagery of adultery and promiscuity is used to illustrate the spiritual unfaithfulness of the people in turning away from God and pursuing false gods.
In the broader context of the book of Ezekiel, this passage is part of a larger message of judgment and restoration. While the judgment pronounced in this verse is severe, it is ultimately intended to bring about a change in the hearts of the people and to lead them back to faithful obedience to God.
In summary, Ezekiel 23:48 is a verse that speaks to the seriousness of sin, the importance of teaching and instruction in following God's ways, and the symbolism of unfaithfulness as adultery. It is part of a larger message of judgment and restoration in the book of Ezekiel, reflecting the ongoing biblical themes of obedience to God's commands and the consequences of turning away from Him.
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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."
"Thus will I cause lewdness to cease out of the land, that all women may be taught not to do after your lewdness." - Ezekiel 23:48
Ezekiel 48:23 - "As for the rest of the tribes, from the east side unto the west side, Benjamin shall have a portion."
"As for the rest of the tribes, from the east side unto the west side, Benjamin shall have a portion." - Ezekiel 48:23
Ezekiel 48:19 - "And they that serve the city shall serve it out of all the tribes of Israel."
Jeremiah 48:23 - "And upon Kiriathaim, and upon Beth-gamul, and upon Beth-meon,"
Ezekiel 48:5 - "And by the border of Manasseh, from the east side unto the west side, a portion for Ephraim."
Ezekiel 48:27 - "And by the border of Zebulun, from the east side unto the west side, Gad a portion."
Ezekiel 48:7 - "And by the border of Reuben, from the east side unto the west side, a portion for Judah."
Ezekiel 20:48 - "And all flesh shall see that I the LORD have kindled it: it shall not be quenched."
Ezekiel 48:25 - "And by the border of Simeon, from the east side unto the west side, Issachar a portion."
Ezekiel 48:2 - "And by the border of Dan, from the east side unto the west side, a portion for Asher."
Ezekiel 48:30 - "¶ And these are the goings out of the city on the north side, four thousand and five hundred measures."
Ezekiel 48:26 - "And by the border of Issachar, from the east side unto the west side, Zebulun a portion."
Ezekiel 48:4 - "And by the border of Naphtali, from the east side unto the west side, a portion for Manasseh."
Ezekiel 48:6 - "And by the border of Ephraim, from the east side even unto the west side, a portion for Reuben."
Ezekiel 48:3 - "And by the border of Asher, from the east side even unto the west side, a portion for Naphtali."
Ezekiel 48:12 - "And this oblation of the land that is offered shall be unto them a thing most holy by the border of the Levites."
Ezekiel 48:35 - "It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there."
Ezekiel 48:14 - "And they shall not sell of it, neither exchange, nor alienate the firstfruits of the land: for it is holy unto the LORD."
Ezekiel 48:24 - "And by the border of Benjamin, from the east side unto the west side, Simeon shall have a portion."
Ezekiel 48:29 - "This is the land which ye shall divide by lot unto the tribes of Israel for inheritance, and these are their portions, saith the Lord GOD."
Ezekiel 48:9 - "The oblation that ye shall offer unto the LORD shall be of five and twenty thousand in length, and of ten thousand in breadth."
Luke 23:48 - "And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned."
Ezekiel 48:32 - "And at the east side four thousand and five hundred: and three gates; and one gate of Joseph, one gate of Benjamin, one gate of Dan."
Ezekiel 48:20 - "All the oblation shall be five and twenty thousand by five and twenty thousand: ye shall offer the holy oblation foursquare, with the possession of the city."
Ezekiel 48:34 - "At the west side four thousand and five hundred, with their three gates; one gate of Gad, one gate of Asher, one gate of Naphtali."
Ezekiel 48:22 - "Moreover from the possession of the Levites, and from the possession of the city, being in the midst of that which is the prince's, between the border of Judah and the border of Benjamin, shall be for the prince."
Ezekiel 48:28 - "And by the border of Gad, at the south side southward, the border shall be even from Tamar unto the waters of strife in Kadesh, and to the river toward the great sea."
Ezekiel 48:33 - "And at the south side four thousand and five hundred measures: and three gates; one gate of Simeon, one gate of Issachar, one gate of Zebulun."