Adultery and Idolatry Metaphors in Ezekiel 20-23
Adultery and Idolatry Metaphors in Ezekiel 20-23
Ezekiel 23:37 states, "For they have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands; and with their idols have they committed adultery; and they have also caused their sons, whom they bore to me, to pass through the fire to them to be devoured" [1]. This verse exemplifies the prophet Ezekiel's use of adultery as a metaphor for idolatry, a recurring theme in chapters 20-23.
Literary Context
The surrounding chapters in Ezekiel present a historical review of Israel's and Judah's rebelliousness against God, with a focus on their idolatrous practices. Ezekiel 20 recounts Israel's history of disobedience, starting from Egypt, while Ezekiel 23 uses the allegory of two sisters, Aholah and Aholibah, representing Samaria and Jerusalem, to condemn their idolatries [2]. The narrative is structured to highlight the severity of their sins and the consequent judgment.
Historical Setting
The historical context is crucial for understanding Ezekiel's message. The prophet is addressing the exiles in Babylon, drawing parallels between their current situation and the past rebellions of their ancestors. Ezekiel's audience is familiar with the history of Israel's idolatry, which began in Egypt (Ezekiel 20:7-8; 23:3) [4]. The prophet's use of historical references serves to underscore the long-standing nature of Israel's and Judah's sins.
Key Terms and Metaphors
The metaphor of adultery is central to Ezekiel's depiction of idolatry. The term "whoredom" (Hebrew: zānāh) is frequently used to describe Israel's and Judah's spiritual unfaithfulness [1, 2]. This metaphor is not unique to Ezekiel; other prophets like Hosea also employed it to convey the severity of Israel's idolatry (Hosea 2). The imagery of adultery emphasizes the betrayal of the covenant between God and his people.
Major Exegetical Decisions
One significant exegetical decision involves understanding the extent and nature of the idolatry described. Commentators like John Gill and Adam Clarke interpret the allegory in Ezekiel 23 as a representation of the historical idolatries of Samaria and Jerusalem, emphasizing their spiritual adultery against God [2, 3]. The use of vivid imagery and strong language underscores the prophets' outrage against idolatry.
Range of Interpretations
The interpretation of Ezekiel's metaphors varies among commentators. For instance, Jamieson, Fausset & Brown view the "youth" mentioned in Ezekiel 23:3 as referring to Israel's early history in Egypt, highlighting the long-standing nature of their idolatry [4]. In contrast, Matthew Henry focuses on the aggravated nature of their sin, given the numerous favors God had bestowed upon them [5]. These interpretations demonstrate the complexity and richness of Ezekiel's prophetic message.
Function in Tradition
The imagery used by Ezekiel has had a lasting impact on biblical tradition. The metaphor of idolatry as adultery is echoed in other biblical texts, such as Isaiah 57:7, where spiritual unfaithfulness is likened to adultery on a "high mountain" and on an "altar" [7]. This metaphor has been used to condemn idolatry and emphasize the covenantal relationship between God and his people.
The severe judgments pronounced against Israel and Judah in Ezekiel 20-23 serve as a warning against the dangers of idolatry. As Adam Clarke notes, the punishment due to their "adultery; your apostasy from God, and setting up idolatry in the land" is a central theme [6]. The enduring relevance of Ezekiel's message lies in its stark portrayal of the consequences of forsaking God.
Sources
- Ezekiel “For they have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands; and with their idols have they committed adultery; and they have also caused their sons, whom they bore to me, to pass through the fire to them to be devoured. -- Ezekiel 23:37”
- Ezekiel (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ezekiel 23 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO EZEKIEL 23 In this chapter the idolatries of Israel and Judah are represented under the metaphor of two harlots, and their lewdness. These harlots are described by their descent; by the place and time in which they committed their whoredoms; by their names, and which are explained, Eze 23:1, the idolatries of Israel, or the ten tribes, under the name of Aholah, which they committed with the Assyrians, and which they continued from the Egyptians, of whom they had learned them, are exposed, Eze 23:5, and their punishment for them is decla”
- Ezekiel (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Ezekiel 23 (introduction): The idolatries of Samaria and Jerusalem are represented in this chapter by the bad practices of two common harlots, for which God denounces severe judgments against them, vv. 1-49. See the sixteenth chapter, where the same metaphor is enlarged upon as here, it being the prophets view to exude the utmost detestation of the crime against which he inveighs.”
- Ezekiel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ezekiel 23:3: Even so early in their history as their Egyptian sojourn, they committed idolatries (see on Eze 20:6-8; Jos 24:14). in their youth--an aggravation of their sin. It was at the very time of their receiving extraordinary favors from God (Eze 16:6, Eze 16:22). they bruised--namely, the Egyptians.”
- Ezekiel (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Ezekiel 16:15: In these verses we have an account of the great wickedness of the people of Israel, especially in worshipping idols, notwithstanding the great favours that God had conferred upon them, by which, one would think, they should have been for ever engaged to him. This wickedness of theirs is here represented by the lewd and scandalous conversation of that beautiful maid which was rescued from ruin, brought up and well provided for by a kind friend and benefactor, that had been in all respects as a father and a husband to her. Their idolatry was the great provoking si”
- Ezekiel (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Ezekiel 23:49: Ye shall bear the sins of your idols - The punishment due to your adultery; your apostasy from God, and setting up idolatry in the land.”
- Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 57:7: Upon . . . high mountain . . . bed--image from adultery, open and shameless (Eze 23:7); the "bed" answers to the idolatrous altar, the scene of their spiritual unfaithfulness to their divine husband (Eze 16:16, Eze 16:25; Eze 23:41).”