INTRODUCTION
My two previous posts (The History of a Harlot: Jerusalem’s Early Years – Ezekiel 16:1-14 and The History of a Harlot: Jerusalem’s Prostitution – Ezekiel 16:15-34) covered the first 34 verses of Ezekiel 16. This chapter consists of a monologue by YHWH which takes the form of an allegory in which he compares Jerusalem to a woman whom he found in a desperate state as an abandoned infant. He rescued, nurtured and cared for her and when he saw that she had matured, married her (entered into a covenant) and made her prosperous and beautiful.
However, she became spiritually unfaithful by prostituting herself with foreign powers and their false deities. She squandered her God-given resources on idolatry and prostituted herself (made alliances) with foreign nations rather than trusting her husband YHWH. She was actually worse than a prostitute because she paid others to corrupt her (i.e. paid tribute to states like Egypt, Assyria and Babylonia) rather than receive payment from them for her services. In the next section of the allegory (vv.35-43) YHWH declares judgement upon Jerusalem for her misdeeds.
JERUSALEM’S JUDGEMENT (35-43)
(35) This section begins with ‘wherefore’ (therefore, on account of, thus, so) which looks back to the accusations of prostitution set out in vv.15-34 and draws attention to what will now be said. YHWH addressing Jerusalem directly as ‘O harlot,’ tells her to ‘hear the word of the Lord.’ He is thus directing the nation to pay attention to his message of judgement.
The word here translated ‘wherefore’ appears many times in the book of Ezekiel to indicate the direct result of what has just been said (causes and consequences): Ezek 5:7; 11:11; 13:8; 15:6; 16:35, 37; 20:27; 21:24; 22:19; 23:35; 24:9; 25:4, 7, 9,13,16; 26:3; 28:6; 29:8; 31:10; 34:7, 9, 20; 35:6.11; 36:3,4, 5, 6,7, 14.
(36) Again the messenger formula ‘thus saith the Lord God’ appears, followed by two announcements of judgement (36-42; 43), each prefaced by ‘because you’ (v.36, 43). Then comes a summary of the reasons for judgement followed by a statement of the consequences.
FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT OF JUDGEMENT
THE REASONS for YHWH’s punishment are listed as;
- Because thy filthiness was poured out, – The word translated filthiness (KJV, NKJV) means ‘bronze.’ Based on an assumption that neither the ancient Israelites nor the Babylonians used copper as money and that the verb ‘to pour out’ is used in v.15 and in Ezek 23:8 in connection with prostitution many translations (e,g. CSB; ESV; NIV; NLT; NRSV) follow the KJV thought of filthiness and translate ‘bronze’ as ‘lust.’ This idea may have been inspired by the green patina or crust caused by oxidation that forms on brass, bronze and copper. Darby, however, sensibly views ‘bronze’ as a general term for wealth and translates the word as ‘money.’ Payment of tribute in bronze was made to both Assyrians (2 Kgs 16:17-18) and Babylonians (2 Kgs 25:13-14).
- and thy nakedness discovered through thy whoredoms with thy lovers, – the theme of the naked female body has appeared throughout this allegory and remains the focus of Jerusalem’s punishment (vv.36, 37, 39). ‘Lovers,’ referring to Egypt (v.26), Assyria (v.28) and Babylonia (v.29), occurs in vv. 33, 36 and 37.
- and with all the idols of thy abominations, – this is the only appearance of the word ‘idols’ in Ezek 16. Here idols are linked with ‘abominations’ (offensive things), this word occurs in vv. 2, 22, 36, 43, 47, 50, 51, 58.
- and by the blood of thy children, which thou didst give unto them; – a reference to child sacrifice (v.20).
(37-42) THE CONSEQUENCES
Exposure
Having listed Jerusalem’s crimes YHWH now pronounces the penalties. He declares that he will bring together all her former ‘lovers’ i.e. the nations with which Jerusalem had entered into alliances and idolatry. These will turn against her; therefore the ‘gathering’ against Jerusalem symbolises besieging armies. ‘Loved and hated’ reflects Judah’s shifting political relationships with other nations.
Stretching the allegory to its limits, the punishment for Jerusalem is compared to that for adultery.
‘Uncover thy nakedness’ – refers to public disgrace by exposure which formed part of the ancient punishment for being caught in the act of adultery (Isa 47:3; Jer 13:22, 26; Hos 2:3; Nah 3:5). YHWH will expose Jerusalem to the former lovers with whom she had prostituted herself. This public disgrace represents Jerusalem’s downfall that will be witnessed by the surrounding nations.
The ‘lovers’ represent the assembly (‘the men of the city’ Deut 21:21) who carry out the punishment for adultery. This, of course, is not true to real life as, according to the Law, both parties involved in adultery were due the death penalty: If a man be found lying with a woman married to a husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel. Deut 22:22
Death Penalty
(38) YHWH makes it clear that the death penalty pronounced upon Jerusalem is not only for adultery (‘break wedlock’) but also murder (‘shed blood’). The ‘shed blood’ may refer to the child sacrifice mentioned in v.36 or to the violence that was rife in Jerusalem (Jer 2:34; Ezek 7:23). The Law demanded execution for adultery (Lev 20:10), murder (Ex 21:12) and child sacrifice (Lev 20:1-4).
YHWH will enact this severe penalty against Jerusalem ‘in fury and jealousy.’ Fury relates to murder and the jealousy to adultery. This verse contains the final mention of blood in the chapter (see also vv. 6, 9, 22, 36).
Humiliation
(39) YHWH will cause Jerusalem’s former lovers, with whom she had previously sought security, to return her to her original state of vulnerability. Jerusalem’s former enemies will demolish the sites of false worship (mounds and high places) and strip her of YHWH’s gifts (clothes and vessels of glory, see vv.10-13); blessings which she has used unfaithfully (see vv. 16-19). In other words, Judah will lose wealth and status.
Stoning, Cutting to pieces and Burning.
(40-41) The crowd or mob that that will come up against Jerusalem represents the Babylonian army that will attack Jerusalem with stones (flung by war engines) and slay the inhabitants with swords. They will set fire to all the buildings in the city, including the Temple.
Stoning was the usual mode of execution in ancient Israel and was the penalty for a variety of crimes whereas execution by the sword was prescribed for communal idolatry (Deut 13:15). Execution by burning was unusual but did apply for two crimes (Lev 20:14; 21:9).
The term ‘many wives’ (or ‘women’, see vv. 30, 32, 34) probably represents other nations that will look on as YHWH’s public punishment on Jerusalem takes place and to which it will serve as an example. The goal of the punishment is to end Jerusalem’s prostitution, i.e. to bring an end to her idolatry and reliance upon heathen nations. Jerusalem will ‘give payment’ (ESV) no more because Judah will lose its national independence and cease to be a regional power. These verses predict the siege and invasion of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 587/586 BCE.
(42) After the judgement is carried out YHWH’s fury will be appeased and his jealousy will subside. His wrath will be calmed because the matter will have been dealt with. In this verse we have an example of anthropopathism – ascribing human feelings and emotions to something that is not human; in this case deity.
SECOND ANNOUNCEMENT OF JUDGEMENT
As with the first announcement of judgement in vv. 36-42 this second announcement in v.43 restates the motivation for and then the consequences of YHWH’s punishment of Jerusalem.
(43) THE REASONS
Like v.36 this verse begins with ‘because you.’
- Jerusalem did not remember the days of her youth (cf. v.22), i.e. the nation forgot the Lord’s deliverance and provision during its early history e.g. the Exodus and the making of the Sinai Covenant.
- Jerusalem enraged YHWH ‘in all these [things].’ This must refer to the examples of prostitution listed from v.15 onwards.
THE CONSEQUENCES
As in v.37 the consequences here in v.43 begin with the words ‘behold, therefore.’
- YHWH brought her way (deeds) on her head. The idea seems to be that because of her forgetting and her bad behaviour YHWH has held her to account for her ways (perfect tense). This verse views YHWH’s judgement from a future perspective, as having happened in the past. The phrase ‘I will give your [their} way upon your [their] head’ is also found in Ezek 9:10; 11:21; 17:19; 22:31; 33:4.
- Jerusalem will no longer do licentiousness (engage in prostitution) in addition to all her other detestable practices (abominations). ‘Licentiousness’ (KJV ‘lewdness) and ‘abominations’ together sum up Jerusalem’s sin and are again paired in v.58.
SUMMATION
Using unsettling and violent imagery YHWH, in vv. 35-43, pronounces judgement upon Jerusalem for her infidelity (breach of covenant – Lev 26:16-17, 25, 38; Deut 28:25, 41, 47-58). She will be exposed and shamed before all her former ‘lovers’ and stripped of all the blessings that YHWH has bestowed upon her. YHWH will hand her over to these ‘lovers’ who will carry out divine justice in the form of invasion, destruction and exile.
The metaphor of an adulterous wife is used to show the seriousness of Judah’s spiritual betrayal and the harshness of the punishments in the allegory emphasise that the Lord will not tolerate sin. Idolatry and unfaithfulness are especially serious. As modern readers we might well ask ourselves how often do we turn away from God and chase after things that may be morally or spiritually corrupt. Do we take his kindness and provision for granted and forget that we have a covenant relationship with him?
Written Exposition 