BibleWord.ai› Bible› Ezekiel› Chapter 16› Verse 33

Ezekiel 16:33

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Ezekiel 16:33 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “They give gifts to all harlots; but thou givest thy gifts to all thy lovers, and bribest them, that they may come unto thee on every side for thy whoredoms.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

They give gifts to all harlots; but thou givest thy gifts to all thy lovers, and bribest them, that they may come unto thee on every side for thy whoredoms.
Ezekiel 16:33 — American Standard Version

Context — Ezekiel 16

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
30How weak is thy heart, saith the Lord Jehovah, seeing thou doest all these things, the work of an impudent harlot;
31in that thou buildest thy vaulted place at the head of every way, and makest thy lofty place in every street, and hast not been as a harlot, in that thou scornest hire.
32A wife that committeth adultery! that taketh strangers instead of her husband!
33They give gifts to all harlots; but thou givest thy gifts to all thy lovers, and bribest them, that they may come unto thee on every side for thy whoredoms.
34And thou art different from [other] women in thy whoredoms, in that none followeth thee to play the harlot; and whereas thou givest hire, and no hire is given unto thee, therefore thou art different.
35Wherefore, O harlot, hear the word of Jehovah:
36Thus saith the Lord Jehovah, Because thy filthiness was poured out, and thy nakedness uncovered through thy whoredoms with thy lovers; and because of all the idols of thy abominations, and for the blood of thy children, that thou didst give unto them;
← Ezekiel 16:32Ezekiel 16:34 →
← Full Chapter 16 Ezekiel Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“They give gifts to all whores, &c.] Gifts are usually given to whores, by those who commit whoredom with them; it is for the sake of these they prostitute their bodies, nor will they do this without gain; (see <013816> Genesis 38:16,17); but thou givest thy gifts to all thy lovers; the Jews gave the Egyptians and Assyrians money, to gain their friendship, and procure alliances with them; (see <121608>2 Kings 16:8 <233006>Isaiah 30:6,7); and were at great expenses with their idols, and in support of their idolatrous worship: and hirest them, that they may come unto thee on every side for thy whoredom; they courted the nations all around them for their favour and friendship, and bribed them…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Israel hired her paramours, instead of being, like other harlots, hired by them; she also followed them without their following her.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The picture is heightened by the contrast between one who as a prostitute receives hire for her shame, and one who as a wife is so utterly abandoned as to bestow her husband’s goods to purchase her own dishonor. Compare 2 Kings 16:8. return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“give: Gen 38:16-18; Deu 23:17, Deu 23:18; Hos 2:12; Joe 3:3; Mic 1:7; Luk 15:30 but thou: Isa 30:3, Isa 30:6, Isa 30:7, Isa 57:9; Hos 8:9, Hos 8:10 hirest: Heb. bribest Ezekiel 16:35”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Ezekiel 16 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification