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Ezekiel 23:37

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Ezekiel 23:37 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For they have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands; and with their idols have they committed adultery; and they have also caused their sons, whom they bare unto me, to pass through [the fire] unto them to be devoured.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For they have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands; and with their idols have they committed adultery; and they have also caused their sons, whom they bare unto me, to pass through [the fire] unto them to be devoured.
Ezekiel 23:37 — American Standard Version

Context — Ezekiel 23

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
34Thou shalt even drink it and drain it out, and thou shalt gnaw the sherds thereof, and shalt tear thy breasts; for I have spoken it, saith the Lord Jehovah.
35Therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Because thou hast forgotten me, and cast me behind thy back, therefore bear thou also thy lewdness and thy whoredoms.
36Jehovah said moreover unto me: Son of man, wilt thou judge Oholah and Oholibah? then declare unto them their abominations.
37For they have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands; and with their idols have they committed adultery; and they have also caused their sons, whom they bare unto me, to pass through [the fire] unto them to be devoured.
38Moreover this they have done unto me: they have defiled my sanctuary in the same day, and have profaned my sabbaths.
39For when they had slain their children to their idols, then they came the same day into my sanctuary to profane it; and, lo, thus have they done in the midst of my house.
40And furthermore ye have sent for men that come from far, unto whom a messenger was sent, and, lo, they came; for whom thou didst wash thyself, paint thine eyes, and deck thyself with ornaments,
← Ezekiel 23:36Ezekiel 23:38 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“That they have committed adultery, &c.] Either literally, adultery with their neighbours’ wives, which was a prevailing sin with this people; or figuratively, spiritual adultery, that is, idolatry: and blood is in their hands; the Targum is, “they have shed the blood of innocents with their hands;” the blood of prophets and righteous men, sent unto them; and the blood of their infants in sacrificing to idols, as after mentioned: and with their idols have they committed adultery; by worshipping them, which is spiritual adultery; and this being so explicitly mentioned, it seems to be distinguished from corporeal adultery in the first clause, which may be only there designed; and so Kimchi…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Blood - One of the chief sins of Manasseh was that he shed innocent blood 2 Kings 21:16; 2 Kings 24:4. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“they have: Eze 23:5, Eze 16:32; Hos 1:2, Hos 3:1 and blood: Eze 23:39, Eze 23:45, Eze 16:36, Eze 16:38, Eze 22:2-4, Eze 24:6-9; Kg2 24:4; Psa 106:37, Psa 106:38; Isa 1:15; Jer 7:6, Jer 7:9; Hos 4:2; Mic 3:10; Luk 13:34 have also: Eze 23:4, Eze 16:20, Eze 16:21, Eze 16:36, Eze 16:45, Eze 20:26, Eze 20:31; Lev 18:21, Lev 20:2-5; Deu 12:31; Kg2 17:17, Kg2 21:6; Jer 7:31, Jer 32:35 Ezekiel 23:38”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification