Ezekiel 16:35
33 Men give gifts to all their prostitutes, but you gave gifts to all your lovers. You bribed them to come to you from everywhere for your illicit favors.
34 So your prostitution is the opposite of that of other women: No one solicited your favors, and you paid a fee instead of receiving one; so you are the very opposite!
Therefore, O prostitute, hear the word of the LORD!
36 This is what the Lord GOD says: Because you poured out your wealth and exposed your nakedness in your promiscuity with your lovers and with all your detestable idols, and because of the blood of your children which you gave to them,
37 therefore I will surely gather all the lovers with whom you found pleasure, all those you loved and all those you hated. I will gather them against you from all around and expose you before them, and they will see you completely naked.
This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- Therefore, O prostitute, hear the word of the LORD!
- KJV
- Wherefore, O harlot, hear the word of the LORD:
- WEB
- “Therefore, prostitute, hear the LORD’s word:
- ASV
- Wherefore, O harlot, hear the word of Jehovah:
- DARBY
- Therefore, O harlot, hear the word of Jehovah.
- BLB
- Therefore, O prostitute, hear the word of YHWH!
- ÅB
- Hør derfor Herrens ord, du horkvinne!
- OTB
- ‘Derfor, hør Herrens ord, du som har handlet som en prostituert!
- B1930
- Hør derfor Herrens ord, du horkvinne!
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Isaiah 28:14
Therefore hear the word of the LORD, O scoffers who rule this people in Jerusalem.
Read in contextJeremiah 3:6–8
Now in the days of King Josiah, the LORD said to me, “Have you seen what faithless Israel has done? She has gone up on every high hill and under every green tree to prostitute herself there.
Read in contextEzekiel 13:2
“Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who are now prophesying. Tell those who prophesy out of their own imagination: Hear the word of the LORD!
Read in contextHosea 2:5
For their mother has played the harlot and has conceived them in disgrace. For she thought, ‘I will go after my lovers, who give me bread and water, wool and linen, oil and drink.’
Read in contextIsaiah 1:21
See how the faithful city has become a harlot! She once was full of justice; righteousness resided within her, but now only murderers!
Read in contextEzekiel 20:47
Say to the forest of the Negev: Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Lord GOD says: I am about to ignite in you a fire, and it will devour all your trees, both green and dry. The blazing flame will not be quenched, and by it every face from south to north will be scorched.
Read in context1 Kings 22:19
Micaiah continued, “Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing by Him on His right and on His left.
Read in contextRevelation 17:5
And on her forehead a mysterious name was written: BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
Read in context