What does Ezekiel 23:47 mean?
"And the company shall stone them with stones, and dispatch them with their swords; they shall slay their sons and their daughters, and burn up their houses with fire." - Ezekiel 23:47

In Ezekiel 23:47, the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible states, "And the company shall stone them with stones, and dispatch them with their swords; they shall slay their sons and their daughters, and burn up their houses with fire."
This verse is part of a larger passage in the book of Ezekiel that describes the sins of the people of Israel and the judgment that will come upon them as a result. In this particular verse, the prophet Ezekiel is using graphic and violent imagery to convey the severity of the punishment that the people will face for their faithlessness and disobedience.
The context of this verse is important for understanding its meaning. In the preceding chapters, Ezekiel uses the metaphor of two sisters, Oholah and Oholibah, to represent the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. These sisters are described as being unfaithful to God, engaging in idolatry and immorality. As a result, they are compared to prostitutes and are said to have taken lovers from Assyria, Babylon, and Egypt.
In Ezekiel 23:47, the prophet describes the consequences of these actions. The "company" mentioned in the verse refers to a group of people who will execute punishment on the unfaithful sisters. They are to "stone them with stones" and "dispatch them with their swords," indicating a brutal and violent end to their lives. Additionally, the verse speaks of the slaying of their sons and daughters, as well as the destruction of their homes by fire.
This verse is part of a larger theme in the book of Ezekiel, which emphasizes the righteousness and justice of God. The prophet uses powerful and provocative language to illustrate the consequences of sin and the faithlessness of the people. The imagery of stoning, swordplay, and the destruction of families and homes is meant to shock and disturb the reader, underscoring the severity of God's judgment.
The symbolism in this verse is also significant. The act of stoning was a common form of execution in ancient times, often carried out as a punishment for various offenses, including blasphemy and adultery. In this context, the stoning of the unfaithful sisters represents a form of divine retribution for their spiritual adultery and idolatry. Similarly, the destruction of their homes with fire symbolizes the complete and utter devastation that will come upon them as a result of their disobedience.
Overall, Ezekiel 23:47 is a powerful and evocative verse that serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of sin and the faithlessness of the people. It reflects the prophetic tradition of using vivid and disturbing imagery to convey a moral message and to call the people to repentance. While the verse may be difficult to read and understand, it ultimately serves as a warning of the judgment that awaits those who turn away from God.
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Ezekiel 23:47 Artwork
"And the company shall stone them with stones, and dispatch them with their swords; they shall slay their sons and their daughters, and burn up their houses with fire." - Ezekiel 23:47
Ezekiel 47:23 - "And it shall come to pass, that in what tribe the stranger sojourneth, there shall ye give him his inheritance, saith the Lord GOD."
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Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12
"And it shall come to pass, that in what tribe the stranger sojourneth, there shall ye give him his inheritance, saith the Lord GOD." - Ezekiel 47:23
Ezekiel 47:21 - "So shall ye divide this land unto you according to the tribes of Israel."
Ezekiel 47:11 - "But the miry places thereof and the marishes thereof shall not be healed; they shall be given to salt."
Ezekiel 47:17 - "And the border from the sea shall be Hazar-enan, the border of Damascus, and the north northward, and the border of Hamath. And this is the north side."
Luke 23:47 - "Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man."
Ezekiel 47:7 - "Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other."
Ezekiel 47:16 - "Hamath, Berothah, Sibraim, which is between the border of Damascus and the border of Hamath; Hazar-hatticon, which is by the coast of Hauran."
Ezekiel 40:47 - "So he measured the court, an hundred cubits long, and an hundred cubits broad, foursquare; and the altar that was before the house."