How weak-willed is your heart, declares the Lord GOD, while you do all these things, the acts of a shameless prostitute!
Parallel translations
- WEB “‘“How weak is your heart,” says the Lord Yahweh, “since you do all these things, the work of an impudent prostitute;
- KJV How weak is thine heart, saith the LORD GOD, seeing thou doest all these things, the work of an imperious whorish woman;
- NKJV “How degenerate is your heart!” says the Lord God, “seeing you do all these things, the deeds of a brazen harlot.
- NASB “How feverish is your heart,” declares the Lord God, “while you do all these things, the action of a bold prostitute!
- NLT “What a sick heart you have, says the Sovereign Lord, to do such things as these, acting like a shameless prostitute.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
God marvels at how morally weak ('sick') her heart is, acting like a brazen prostitute. Her depravity is astonishing.
Overview
The LORD expresses something like grieved amazement at the lovesick, willful corruption of her heart. The phrase paints her not as a victim of seduction but as the bold initiator of her own ruin. It exposes the inner spiritual sickness that lies beneath outward acts of unfaithfulness.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- Isa 1:3The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s manger, but Israel does not know; My people do not understand.”
- Jer 3:3Therefore the showers have been withheld, and no spring rains have fallen. Yet you have the brazen look of a prostitute; you refuse to be ashamed.
- Prov 9:13The woman named Folly is loud; she is naive and knows nothing.
- Jer 4:22“For My people are fools; they have not known Me. They are foolish children, without understanding. They are skilled in doing evil, but they know not how to do good.”
- Isa 3:9The expression on their faces testifies against them, and like Sodom they flaunt their sin; they do not conceal it. Woe to them, for they have brought disaster upon themselves.
- Judg 16:15–16“How can you say, ‘I love you,’” she asked, “when your heart is not with me? This is the third time you have mocked me and failed to reveal to me the source of your great strength!”
- Prov 7:21With her great persuasion she entices him; with her flattering lips she lures him.
- Rev 17:1–6Then one of the seven angels with the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters.
- Jer 2:12–13Be stunned by this, O heavens; be shocked and utterly appalled,” declares the LORD.
- Prov 7:11–13She is loud and defiant; her feet do not remain at home.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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The promise of one Shepherd-King David, a new heart and new Spirit, and the river of life flowing from the temple all stream toward Christ, the good Shepherd who gives the Spirit.
How Ezekiel 16:30 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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