What does Ezekiel 23:14 mean?

"And that she increased her whoredoms: for when she saw men pourtrayed upon the wall, the images of the Chaldeans pourtrayed with vermilion," - Ezekiel 23:14

"And that she increased her whoredoms: for when she saw men pourtrayed upon the wall, the images of the Chaldeans pourtrayed with vermilion," - Ezekiel 23:14

Ezekiel 23:14 (KJV) is a verse from the Bible that comes from the Old Testament book of Ezekiel. In this verse, the prophet Ezekiel is using the metaphor of two sisters, Oholah and Oholibah, to represent the two kingdoms of Israel and Judah. The verse reads: "And that she increased her whoredoms: for when she saw men portrayed upon the wall, the images of the Chaldeans portrayed with vermilion."

To fully understand the significance of this verse, it is important to look at the context in which it is situated. In the preceding verses, Ezekiel is issuing a scathing and graphic indictment of the two sisters for their spiritual unfaithfulness and idolatry. The metaphor of the two sisters is used to represent the infidelity and unfaithfulness of the people of Israel and Judah, who have turned away from their covenant with God and have embraced the pagan practices and beliefs of the surrounding nations.

The verse is a vivid portrayal of the ways in which the two sisters have abandoned their faith and turned to idolatry. The use of the term "whoredoms" emphasizes the spiritual adultery of the people, as they have forsaken their relationship with God in favor of following after the gods of the nations around them. The mention of "men portrayed upon the wall" and "the images of the Chaldeans portrayed with vermilion" signifies the allure and temptation of the pagan practices and beliefs that have led the people astray.

The symbolism in this verse is particularly powerful. The "images of the Chaldeans portrayed with vermilion" may represent the allure and seductiveness of the pagan practices that have enticed the people away from their faith. The use of vermilion, a deep red color traditionally associated with luxury and seduction, reinforces the idea of the temptation and allure of the pagan practices and beliefs that have led the people astray.

The broader theme of this verse is the consequences of spiritual unfaithfulness and idolatry. The prophet Ezekiel uses the metaphor of the two sisters to illustrate the severe consequences of turning away from God and embracing foreign gods. Throughout the book of Ezekiel, there is a recurring emphasis on the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God, and the dire consequences that result from spiritual unfaithfulness.

Ezekiel 23:14 serves as a powerful warning to the people of Israel and Judah, reminding them of the seriousness of their spiritual unfaithfulness and the impending consequences if they do not repent and turn back to God. The vivid imagery and the use of the metaphor of the two sisters make this warning all the more impactful and unsettling.

In conclusion, Ezekiel 23:14 (KJV) is a verse that serves as a potent and evocative warning against spiritual unfaithfulness and idolatry. The verse uses the metaphor of the two sisters to illustrate the consequences of turning away from God and embracing foreign gods. The imagery and symbolism in this verse serve to emphasize the allure and temptation of the pagan practices that have led the people astray. Ultimately, this verse serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God, and the severe consequences of turning away from Him.

Have questions about Ezekiel 23:14?

Dive deeper into this scripture with Bible Chat — an AI-powered tool for exploring God's Word through conversation. Ask questions, get context, and grow in your understanding of the Bible.

Ezekiel 23:14 Artwork

Ezekiel 23:14 - "And that she increased her whoredoms: for when she saw men pourtrayed upon the wall, the images of the Chaldeans pourtrayed with vermilion,"

Ezekiel 23:14 - "And that she increased her whoredoms: for when she saw men pourtrayed upon the wall, the images of the Chaldeans pourtrayed with vermilion,"

"And that she increased her whoredoms: for when she saw men pourtrayed upon the wall, the images of the Chaldeans pourtrayed with vermilion," - Ezekiel 23:14

"And that she increased her whoredoms: for when she saw men pourtrayed upon the wall, the images of the Chaldeans pourtrayed with vermilion," - Ezekiel 23:14

Ezekiel 41:23 - "And the temple and the sanctuary had two doors."

Ezekiel 41:23 - "And the temple and the sanctuary had two doors."

 Ezekiel 14:6

Ezekiel 14:6

Ezekiel 22:23 - "¶ And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"

Ezekiel 22:23 - "¶ And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"

Ezekiel 33:23 - "Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"

Ezekiel 33:23 - "Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"

Ezekiel 23:1 - "The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying,"

Ezekiel 23:1 - "The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying,"

Genesis 23-14

Genesis 23-14

Ezekiel 23:2 - "Son of man, there were two women, the daughters of one mother:"

Ezekiel 23:2 - "Son of man, there were two women, the daughters of one mother:"

Ezekiel 23:13 - "Then I saw that she was defiled, that they took both one way,"

Ezekiel 23:13 - "Then I saw that she was defiled, that they took both one way,"

John 14:23-29

John 14:23-29

John 14:23-29

John 14:23-29

Ezekiel 30:23 - "And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse them through the countries."

Ezekiel 30:23 - "And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse them through the countries."

Ezekiel 7:23 - "¶ Make a chain: for the land is full of bloody crimes, and the city is full of violence."

Ezekiel 7:23 - "¶ Make a chain: for the land is full of bloody crimes, and the city is full of violence."

John 14:23-29

John 14:23-29

Ezekiel 14:14 - "Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD."

Ezekiel 14:14 - "Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD."

Ezekiel 27:23 - "Haran, and Canneh, and Eden, the merchants of Sheba, Asshur, and Chilmad, were thy merchants."

Ezekiel 27:23 - "Haran, and Canneh, and Eden, the merchants of Sheba, Asshur, and Chilmad, were thy merchants."

Ezekiel 14:12 - "¶ The word of the LORD came again to me, saying,"

Ezekiel 14:12 - "¶ The word of the LORD came again to me, saying,"

Ezekiel 14:2 - "And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"

Ezekiel 14:2 - "And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"

Ezekiel 11:14 - "Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"

Ezekiel 11:14 - "Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"

Ezekiel 1:14 - "And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning."

Ezekiel 1:14 - "And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning."

Ezekiel 23:23 - "The Babylonians, and all the Chaldeans, Pekod, and Shoa, and Koa, and all the Assyrians with them: all of them desirable young men, captains and rulers, great lords and renowned, all of them riding upon horses."

Ezekiel 23:23 - "The Babylonians, and all the Chaldeans, Pekod, and Shoa, and Koa, and all the Assyrians with them: all of them desirable young men, captains and rulers, great lords and renowned, all of them riding upon horses."

"And the temple and the sanctuary had two doors." - Ezekiel 41:23

"And the temple and the sanctuary had two doors." - Ezekiel 41:23

Ezekiel 23:43 - "Then said I unto her that was old in adulteries, Will they now commit whoredoms with her, and she with them?"

Ezekiel 23:43 - "Then said I unto her that was old in adulteries, Will they now commit whoredoms with her, and she with them?"

Ezekiel 23:26 - "They shall also strip thee out of thy clothes, and take away thy fair jewels."

Ezekiel 23:26 - "They shall also strip thee out of thy clothes, and take away thy fair jewels."

Ezekiel 23:33 - "Thou shalt be filled with drunkenness and sorrow, with the cup of astonishment and desolation, with the cup of thy sister Samaria."

Ezekiel 23:33 - "Thou shalt be filled with drunkenness and sorrow, with the cup of astonishment and desolation, with the cup of thy sister Samaria."

Ezekiel 48:23 - "As for the rest of the tribes, from the east side unto the west side, Benjamin shall have a portion."

Ezekiel 48:23 - "As for the rest of the tribes, from the east side unto the west side, Benjamin shall have a portion."

Genesis 23:14 - "And Ephron answered Abraham, saying unto him,"

Genesis 23:14 - "And Ephron answered Abraham, saying unto him,"

Ezekiel 27:14 - "They of the house of Togarmah traded in thy fairs with horses and horsemen and mules."

Ezekiel 27:14 - "They of the house of Togarmah traded in thy fairs with horses and horsemen and mules."

2 Samuel 23:14 - "And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Beth-lehem."

2 Samuel 23:14 - "And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Beth-lehem."