Ezekiel 23:37 Meaning and Explanation
“That they have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands, and with their idols have they committed adultery, and have also caused their sons, whom they bare unto me, to pass for them through the fire, to devour them.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The kingdoms' abominations include adultery, bloodguilt, idolatry, and sacrificing their own children to idols.
The Context of Ezekiel 23:37
Detailed catalog of the kingdoms' sins.
What Does Ezekiel 23:37 Mean?
The indictment compounds: spiritual adultery (covenant-breaking), literal bloodguilt (violence and warfare), idolatry, and the worst practice—child sacrifice to pagan gods. Children given to the Lord were instead offered to idols, a violation of both covenant and nature.
The phrase 'whom they bare unto me' emphasizes that these children were born into covenant, designated as God's people. To offer them to idols is the ultimate betrayal of both God and the covenant community.
Ezekiel 23:37 in the Original Language
pass for them through the fire (הַעֲבִיר אוֹתָם בָּאֵשׁ) — refers to child sacrifice, a practice explicitly forbidden in the law, performed to appease false gods.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ezekiel 23:37
What does Ezekiel 23:37 mean?
The kingdoms' abominations include adultery, bloodguilt, idolatry, and sacrificing their own children to idols.
What is the context of Ezekiel 23:37?
Detailed catalog of the kingdoms' sins.