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Book of Ezekiel - Chapter 16 - Verse 41

16:41
And they shall burn thine houses with fire, and execute judgments upon thee in the sight of many women: and I will cause thee to cease from playing the harlot, and thou also shalt give no hire any more.

Meaning

In this verse from the book of Ezekiel, God is delivering a message to the people of Jerusalem through the prophet Ezekiel. The verse relays a warning to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, stating that their houses will be burned with fire and judgments will be executed upon them in front of many women. This punishment serves as a consequence for the people of Jerusalem engaging in sinful behavior, specifically playing the harlot. By causing them to cease from this immoral practice, God is aiming to bring about a transformation in their ways and ultimately lead them away from sin. The verse also mentions that the people will no longer receive any payment or hire for their actions, emphasizing the severity of the consequences. Overall, this verse serves as a reminder of the importance of repentance and turning away from sinful behavior in order to receive God's forgiveness and mercy.

Theological Overview

This specific verse from the book of Ezekiel (Chapter 23, verse 48) carries a strong theological interpretation, shedding light on the consequences of Israel's idolatry and unfaithfulness to God. The imagery of burning houses with fire signifies divine judgment and punishment. The phrase "execute judgments upon thee in the sight of many women" highlights the public humiliation and disgrace that will come upon the people of Israel. The mention of playing the harlot symbolizes the spiritual adultery of Israel, turning away from God to worship idols. God promises to intervene and put an end to this unfaithfulness, causing them to "cease from playing the harlot." The phrase "thou also shalt give no hire any more" implies that the people will no longer receive any benefit from their sinful practices. Overall, this verse underscores the importance of remaining faithful to God and warns against the consequences of straying from His commandments.

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