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Book of Ezekiel - Chapter 23 - Verse 47

23:47
And the company shall stone them with stones, and dispatch them with their swords; they shall slay their sons and their daughters, and burn up their houses with fire.

Meaning

This verse, from the book of Ezekiel in the Old Testament, describes a harsh punishment that will be inflicted upon a group of people who have strayed from the teachings of God. The company mentioned in the verse will stone the individuals with stones and dispatch them with their swords, representing a violent form of punishment for their wrongdoing. Additionally, the verse states that the company will slay their sons and daughters, and burn their houses with fire, emphasizing the severity of the consequences for their sins. This passage serves as a warning about the consequences of turning away from God and the importance of following his commandments. In the context of the Bible, it demonstrates the belief that disobedience towards God will result in severe punishment, serving as an example of the wrath of God and the importance of repentance and obedience.

Theological Overview

In the theological interpretation of the verse mentioned above, the act of stoning, dispatching with swords, slaying sons and daughters, and burning houses with fire was a form of punishment for idolatry in ancient times. It was considered a severe judgment from God for those who had turned away from Him to worship other gods. This verse highlights the consequences of disobeying God's commandments and the severity of His judgment upon those who choose to worship false idols. The use of stoning, swords, and fire symbolizes the complete destruction of the individual or community who engaged in idol worship, emphasizing the seriousness of turning away from the true God. Word studies on the verbs used in this verse reveal the violent nature of the punishment as a means of purging the evil from the community and restoring the people to righteousness.

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