What does Ezekiel 23:35 mean?

"Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast forgotten me, and cast me behind thy back, therefore bear thou also thy lewdness and thy whoredoms." - Ezekiel 23:35

"Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast forgotten me, and cast me behind thy back, therefore bear thou also thy lewdness and thy whoredoms." - Ezekiel 23:35

Ezekiel 23:35 (KJV) reads: "Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Because thou hast forgotten me, and cast me behind thy back, therefore bear thou also thy lewdness and thy whoredoms."

This verse is part of a larger passage in the book of Ezekiel that describes the unfaithfulness of two women, Oholah and Oholibah, who are allegorically representing the unfaithfulness of the northern and southern kingdoms of Israel. The passage uses the metaphor of these women as prostitutes to illustrate how the people of Israel have turned away from God and engaged in idolatry and other sinful behaviors.

The verse in question reflects God's judgment upon the people for their unfaithfulness. It begins with the phrase "Therefore thus saith the Lord God," indicating that what follows is a direct message from God himself. The verse then accuses the people of forgetting God and casting him behind their backs. This imagery suggests a deliberate turning away from God, a rejection of his authority and an abandonment of their covenant relationship with him.

The consequence of this forgetfulness and rejection is that the people will bear the burden of their own lewdness and whoredoms. In other words, they will face the consequences of their sinful actions. This reflects the biblical principle of reaping what one sows, as stated in Galatians 6:7-8: "For whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life."

Overall, this verse serves as a warning to the people of Israel about the consequences of turning away from God and engaging in sinful behavior. It highlights the importance of remembering and honoring God, and the inevitable repercussions of forsaking him.

In a broader context, this verse is part of the prophetic message of Ezekiel, who was called to warn the people of Israel about the impending judgment and destruction that would come as a result of their disobedience. Throughout the book of Ezekiel, the prophet uses various visual and verbal illustrations to convey God's message to the people, and this verse is no exception. The use of the metaphor of prostitution and adultery serves as a powerful and memorable way to convey the seriousness of the people's unfaithfulness to God.

Symbolically, the act of casting God behind one's back represents a deliberate and willful turning away from him. It illustrates the people's rejection of God and their refusal to acknowledge his presence and authority in their lives. The use of the terms "lewdness" and "whoredoms" further emphasizes the severity of their sin and the depth of their unfaithfulness.

The overarching theme of this verse is one of faithfulness and consequences. It serves as a reminder of the importance of remaining faithful to God and honoring the covenant relationship with him. It also underscores the inevitability of facing the consequences of one's actions, particularly in the context of disobedience and unfaithfulness.

In conclusion, Ezekiel 23:35 (KJV) is a powerful and vivid expression of God's judgment upon the unfaithfulness of the people of Israel. It serves as a warning about the consequences of turning away from God and engaging in sinful behavior. The verse highlights the importance of faithfulness and the inevitable repercussions of forsaking God. It is a sobering reminder of the potential consequences of forgetting and rejecting God in our lives.

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Ezekiel 23:35 Artwork

Ezekiel 23:35 - "Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast forgotten me, and cast me behind thy back, therefore bear thou also thy lewdness and thy whoredoms."

Ezekiel 23:35 - "Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast forgotten me, and cast me behind thy back, therefore bear thou also thy lewdness and thy whoredoms."

"Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast forgotten me, and cast me behind thy back, therefore bear thou also thy lewdness and thy whoredoms." - Ezekiel 23:35

"Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast forgotten me, and cast me behind thy back, therefore bear thou also thy lewdness and thy whoredoms." - Ezekiel 23:35

Titus 2:3-5

Titus 2:3-5

Titus 2:3-5

Titus 2:3-5

Titus 2:3-5

Titus 2:3-5

Salmo 45, 2-3. 5-6. 8-9

Salmo 45, 2-3. 5-6. 8-9

2 Chronicles 35:23

2 Chronicles 35:23

Ezekiel 16:35 - "¶ Wherefore, O harlot, hear the word of the LORD:"

Ezekiel 16:35 - "¶ Wherefore, O harlot, hear the word of the LORD:"

2 Samuel 23:35 - "Hezrai the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite,"

2 Samuel 23:35 - "Hezrai the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite,"

Ezekiel 35:1 - "Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"

Ezekiel 35:1 - "Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"

Ezekiel 40:35 - "¶ And he brought me to the north gate, and measured it according to these measures;"

Ezekiel 40:35 - "¶ And he brought me to the north gate, and measured it according to these measures;"

Ezekiel 35:2 - "Son of man, set thy face against mount Seir, and prophesy against it,"

Ezekiel 35:2 - "Son of man, set thy face against mount Seir, and prophesy against it,"

Ezekiel 20:35 - "And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face."

Ezekiel 20:35 - "And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face."

Ezekiel 48:35 - "It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there."

Ezekiel 48:35 - "It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there."

Leviticus 23:35 - "On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein."

Leviticus 23:35 - "On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein."

Genesis 35:23 - "The sons of Leah; Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, and Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Zebulun:"

Genesis 35:23 - "The sons of Leah; Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, and Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Zebulun:"

Ezekiel 35:14 - "Thus saith the Lord GOD; When the whole earth rejoiceth, I will make thee desolate."

Ezekiel 35:14 - "Thus saith the Lord GOD; When the whole earth rejoiceth, I will make thee desolate."

Ezekiel 27:35 - "All the inhabitants of the isles shall be astonished at thee, and their kings shall be sore afraid, they shall be troubled in their countenance."

Ezekiel 27:35 - "All the inhabitants of the isles shall be astonished at thee, and their kings shall be sore afraid, they shall be troubled in their countenance."

"Hezrai the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite," - 2 Samuel 23:35

"Hezrai the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite," - 2 Samuel 23:35

"¶ Wherefore, O harlot, hear the word of the LORD:" - Ezekiel 16:35

"¶ Wherefore, O harlot, hear the word of the LORD:" - Ezekiel 16:35

Ezekiel 35:10 - "Because thou hast said, These two nations and these two countries shall be mine, and we will possess it; whereas the LORD was there:"

Ezekiel 35:10 - "Because thou hast said, These two nations and these two countries shall be mine, and we will possess it; whereas the LORD was there:"

Ezekiel 35:4 - "I will lay thy cities waste, and thou shalt be desolate, and thou shalt know that I am the LORD."

Ezekiel 35:4 - "I will lay thy cities waste, and thou shalt be desolate, and thou shalt know that I am the LORD."

Ezekiel 36:35 - "And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are become fenced, and are inhabited."

Ezekiel 36:35 - "And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are become fenced, and are inhabited."

Ezekiel 35:9 - "I will make thee perpetual desolations, and thy cities shall not return: and ye shall know that I am the LORD."

Ezekiel 35:9 - "I will make thee perpetual desolations, and thy cities shall not return: and ye shall know that I am the LORD."

Ezekiel 35:7 - "Thus will I make mount Seir most desolate, and cut off from it him that passeth out and him that returneth."

Ezekiel 35:7 - "Thus will I make mount Seir most desolate, and cut off from it him that passeth out and him that returneth."

Psalms 35:23 - "Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord."

Psalms 35:23 - "Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord."

"Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying," - Ezekiel 35:1

"Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying," - Ezekiel 35:1

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 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,"