Then I said of her who had grown old in adulteries: ‘Now let them use her as a prostitute, for that is all she is!’
Parallel translations
- WEB Then I said of her who was old in adulteries, ‘Now they will play the prostitute with her, and she with them.’
- KJV Then said I unto her that was old in adulteries, Will they now commit whoredoms with her, and she with them?
- NKJV Then I said concerning her who had grown old in adulteries, ‘Will they commit harlotry with her now, and she with them?’
- NASB “Then I said concerning her who was worn out by adulteries, ‘Will they now commit adultery with her when she is like this?’
- NLT Then I said, ‘If they really want to have sex with old worn-out prostitutes like these, let them!’
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 observes that even though Judah is worn out by adultery, she and the nations continue in immorality. It shows sin's persistence even when it no longer satisfies.
Overview
God speaks of Judah as 'old in adulteries', long practiced in unfaithfulness, yet still drawn into prostitution with the nations. The verse highlights the wearying, joyless cycle of habitual sin that nonetheless refuses to stop. Only a new heart, promised later in Ezekiel and given in Christ, can break such bondage.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- Ps 106:6We have sinned like our fathers; we have done wrong and acted wickedly.
- Dan 9:16O Lord, in keeping with all Your righteous acts, I pray that Your anger and wrath may turn away from Your city Jerusalem, Your holy mountain; for because of our sins and the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and Your people are a reproach to all around us.
- Jer 13:23Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? Neither are you able to do good—you who are accustomed to doing evil.
- Ezek 23:3and they played in Egypt, prostituting themselves from their youth. Their breasts were fondled there, and their virgin bosoms caressed.
- Ezra 9:7From the days of our fathers to this day, our guilt has been great. Because of our iniquities, we and our kings and priests have been delivered into the hands of the kings of the earth and put to the sword and captivity, to pillage and humiliation, as we are this day.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
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 23:43 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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.