Ezekiel 23:34 Meaning and Explanation
“Thou shalt even drink it and suck it out, and thou shalt break the sherds thereof, and pluck off thine own breasts: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The judgment will be so complete and consuming that Aholibah will drain it entirely, even to self-destruction.
The Context of Ezekiel 23:34
The totality of judgment: complete consumption and self-destruction in despair.
What Does Ezekiel 23:34 Mean?
She will 'drink it and suck it out'—fully consume every drop of the cup's contents with no escape. 'Break the sherds' suggests destroying even the vessel itself in desperation, leaving nothing intact.
The image of tearing her own breasts reflects deep anguish and self-harm born of grief and despair. This is not imposed mutilation only, but suffering so complete she contributes to her own destruction in horror.
Ezekiel 23:34 in the Original Language
sherds (חַרְשִׁים) — 'broken pieces' of pottery; suggests destroying the very vessel, leaving no recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ezekiel 23:34
What does Ezekiel 23:34 mean?
The judgment will be so complete and consuming that Aholibah will drain it entirely, even to self-destruction.
What is the context of Ezekiel 23:34?
The totality of judgment: complete consumption and self-destruction in despair.