Ezekiel 16:36
New International Version
This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Because you poured out your lust and exposed your naked body in your promiscuity with your lovers, and because of all your detestable idols, and because you gave them your children’s blood,

New Living Translation
This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Because you have poured out your lust and exposed yourself in prostitution to all your lovers, and because you have worshiped detestable idols, and because you have slaughtered your children as sacrifices to your gods,

English Standard Version
Thus says the Lord GOD, Because your lust was poured out and your nakedness uncovered in your whorings with your lovers, and with all your abominable idols, and because of the blood of your children that you gave to them,

Berean Standard Bible
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,

Berean Literal Bible
Thus says the Lord YHWH: Because your lust was poured out, and your nakedness was uncovered in your prostitutions with your lovers and with all the idols of your abominations, and because of the blood of your children, which you gave to them,

King James Bible
Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thy filthiness was poured out, and thy nakedness discovered through thy whoredoms with thy lovers, and with all the idols of thy abominations, and by the blood of thy children, which thou didst give unto them;

New King James Version
Thus says the Lord GOD: “Because your filthiness was poured out and your nakedness uncovered in your harlotry with your lovers, and with all your abominable idols, and because of the blood of your children which you gave to them,

New American Standard Bible
This is what the Lord GOD says: “Because your lewdness was poured out and your nakedness uncovered through your obscene practices with your lovers and with all your detestable idols, and because of the blood of your sons that you gave to idols,

NASB 1995
Thus says the Lord GOD, “Because your lewdness was poured out and your nakedness uncovered through your harlotries with your lovers and with all your detestable idols, and because of the blood of your sons which you gave to idols,

NASB 1977
Thus says the Lord GOD, “Because your lewdness was poured out and your nakedness uncovered through your harlotries with your lovers and with all your detestable idols, and because of the blood of your sons which you gave to idols,

Legacy Standard Bible
Thus says Lord Yahweh, “Because your lewdness was poured out and your nakedness uncovered through your harlotries with your lovers and with all your abominable idols, and because of the blood of your sons which you gave to idols,

Amplified Bible
Thus says the Lord GOD, “Because your lewdness was poured out and your nakedness uncovered through your obscene immoralities with your lovers (pagan allies), and with all your [repulsive] idols, and because of the blood of your sons that you gave to them,

Berean Annotated Bible
This is what the Lord GOD {Adonai YHWH} 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,

Christian Standard Bible
This is what the Lord GOD says: Because your lust was poured out and your nakedness exposed by your acts of prostitution with your lovers, and because of all your detestable idols and the blood of your children that you gave to them,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
This is what the Lord GOD says: Because your lust was poured out and your nakedness exposed by your acts of prostitution with your lovers, and because of all your detestable idols and the blood of your children that you gave to them,

American Standard Version
Thus saith the Lord Jehovah, Because thy filthiness was poured out, and thy nakedness uncovered through thy whoredoms with thy lovers; and because of all the idols of thy abominations, and for the blood of thy children, that thou didst give unto them;

Contemporary English Version
You chased after lovers, then took off your clothes and had sex. You even worshiped disgusting idols and sacrificed your own children as offerings to them.

English Revised Version
Thus saith the Lord GOD, Because thy filthiness was poured out, and thy nakedness discovered through thy whoredoms with thy lovers; and because of all the idols of thy abominations, and for the blood of thy children, which thou didst give unto them;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
This is what the Almighty LORD says: You exposed yourself and uncovered your naked body when you gave yourself to your lovers and to all your disgusting idols. You also killed your children and sacrificed their blood to these idols.

Good News Translation
This is what the Sovereign LORD says: "You stripped off your clothes, and like a prostitute, you gave yourself to your lovers and to all your disgusting idols, and you killed your children as sacrifices to idols.

International Standard Version
This is what the Lord GOD says: 'Because your lust has been poured out and your nakedness has been uncovered by your acts of fornication with your lovers, and because of all your detestable idols and the blood of your sons, whom you offered to them,

NET Bible
This is what the sovereign LORD says: Because your lust was poured out and your nakedness was uncovered in your prostitution with your lovers, and because of all your detestable idols, and because of the blood of your children you have given to them,

New Heart English Bible
Thus says the Lord GOD, 'Because your filthiness was poured out, and your nakedness uncovered through your prostitution with your lovers; and because of all the idols of your abominations, and for the blood of your children, that you gave to them;

Webster's Bible Translation
Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thy filthiness was poured out, and thy nakedness exposed through thy carnal connection with thy lovers, and with all the idols of thy abominations, and by the blood of thy children, which thou didst give to them;
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
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,

World English Bible
‘The Lord Yahweh says, “Because your filthiness was poured out, and your nakedness uncovered through your prostitution with your lovers; and because of all the idols of your abominations, and for the blood of your children, that you gave to them;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Thus said Lord YHWH: Because of your bronze being poured forth, "" And your nakedness is revealed in your whoredoms near your lovers, "" And near all the idols of your abominations, "" And according to the blood of your sons, "" Whom you have given to them;

Berean Literal Bible
Thus says the Lord YHWH: Because your lust was poured out, and your nakedness was uncovered in your prostitutions with your lovers and with all the idols of your abominations, and because of the blood of your children, which you gave to them,

Young's Literal Translation
Thus said the Lord Jehovah: Because of thy brass being poured forth, And thy nakedness is revealed in thy whoredoms near thy lovers, And near all the idols of thy abominations, And according to the blood of thy sons, Whom thou hast given to them;

Smith's Literal Translation
Thus said the Lord Jehovah Because thy brass was poured out, and thy nakedness will be uncovered in thy fornications to those loving thee, and to all the blocks of thine abominations, and according to the bloods of thy sons which thou gavest to them;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Thus saith the Lord God: Because thy money hath been poured out, and thy shame discovered through thy fornications with thy lovers, and with the idols of thy abominations, by the blood of thy children whom thou gavest them:

Catholic Public Domain Version
Thus says the Lord God: “Because your money has been poured out, and your disgrace has been uncovered, in your fornications with your lovers and with the idols of your abominations, in the blood of your sons, whom you gave to them:

New American Bible
Thus says the Lord GOD: Because you poured out your lust and exposed your nakedness in your prostitution with your lovers and your abominable idols, because you gave the life-blood of your children to them,

New Revised Standard Version
Thus says the Lord GOD, Because your lust was poured out and your nakedness uncovered in your whoring with your lovers, and because of all your abominable idols, and because of the blood of your children that you gave to them,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Thus says the LORD God: Because you have practiced divination and exposed your nakedness through your whoredoms with your lovers, and because of all the idols of your abominations and the blood of your children which you offered to them;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Thus says THE LORD OF LORDS: ‘Because you have given divination and you have exposed your nakedness in your fornications to your lovers and your defilement to all the idols, and the blood of your children you have given to them
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Thus saith the Lord GOD: Because thy filthiness was poured out, and thy nakedness uncovered through thy harlotries with thy lovers; and because of all the idols of thy abominations, and for the blood of thy children, that thou didst give unto them;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Thus saith the Lord, Because thou hast poured forth thy money, therefore thy shame shall be discovered in thy harlotry with thy lovers, and with regard to all the imaginations of thine iniquities, and for the blood of thy children which thou hast given to them.

Additional Translations ...



Context
Judgment on Jerusalem
35Therefore, O prostitute, hear the word of the LORD! 36This 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, 37therefore 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.…

Cross References
This is what the Lord GOD says:

Ezekiel 20:3
“Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: Have you come to inquire of Me? As surely as I live, I will not be consulted by you, declares the Lord GOD.

Amos 3:8
The lion has roared—who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken—who will not prophesy?
Because you poured out your wealth

Hosea 2:8
For she does not acknowledge that it was I who gave her grain, new wine, and oil, who lavished on her silver and gold—which they crafted for Baal.

Hosea 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.’

Hosea 8:4
They set up kings, but not by Me. They make princes, but without My approval. With their silver and gold they make themselves idols, to their own destruction.
and exposed your nakedness in your promiscuity with your lovers

Hosea 2:10
And then I will expose her lewdness in the sight of her lovers, and no one will deliver her out of My hands.

Nahum 3:5
“Behold, I am against you,” declares the LORD of Hosts. “I will lift your skirts over your face. I will show your nakedness to the nations and your shame to the kingdoms.

Isaiah 47:3
Your nakedness will be uncovered and your shame will be exposed. I will take vengeance; I will spare no one.”
and with all your detestable idols,

Jeremiah 16:18
And I will first repay them double their iniquity and their sin, because they have defiled My land with the carcasses of their detestable idols, and they have filled My inheritance with their abominations.”

Deuteronomy 29:17
You saw the abominations and idols among them made of wood and stone, of silver and gold.

2 Kings 17:12
They served idols, although the LORD had told them, “You shall not do this thing.”
and because of the blood of your children which you gave to them,

2 Kings 16:3
Instead, he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and even sacrificed his son in the fire, according to the abominations of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.

Jeremiah 7:31
They have built the high places of Topheth in the Valley of Ben-hinnom so they could burn their sons and daughters in the fire—something I never commanded, nor did it even enter My mind.

Leviticus 18:21
You must not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.
Jeremiah 3:2-3
“Lift up your eyes to the barren heights and see. Is there any place where you have not been violated? You sat beside the highways waiting for your lovers, like a nomad in the desert. You have defiled the land with your prostitution and wickedness. / Therefore the showers have been withheld, and no spring rains have fallen. Yet you have the brazen look of a prostitute; you refuse to be ashamed.

Hosea 2:2-5
Rebuke your mother, rebuke her, for she is not My wife, and I am not her husband. Let her remove the adultery from her face and the unfaithfulness from between her breasts. / Otherwise, I will strip her naked and expose her like the day of her birth. I will make her like a desert and turn her into a parched land, and I will let her die of thirst. / I will have no compassion on her children, because they are the children of adultery. …


Treasury of Scripture

Thus said the Lord GOD; Because your filthiness was poured out, and your nakedness discovered through your prostitutions with your lovers, and with all the idols of your abominations, and by the blood of your children, which you did give to them;

Because

Ezekiel 16:15
But thou didst trust in thine own beauty, and playedst the harlot because of thy renown, and pouredst out thy fornications on every one that passed by; his it was.

Ezekiel 22:15
And I will scatter thee among the heathen, and disperse thee in the countries, and will consume thy filthiness out of thee.

Ezekiel 23:8
Neither left she her whoredoms brought from Egypt: for in her youth they lay with her, and they bruised the breasts of her virginity, and poured their whoredom upon her.

and thy

Ezekiel 23:10,18,29
These discovered her nakedness: they took her sons and her daughters, and slew her with the sword: and she became famous among women; for they had executed judgment upon her…

Genesis 3:7,10,11
And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons…

Psalm 139:11,12
If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me…

and by

Ezekiel 16:20,21
Moreover thou hast taken thy sons and thy daughters, whom thou hast borne unto me, and these hast thou sacrificed unto them to be devoured. Is this of thy whoredoms a small matter, …

Jeremiah 2:34
Also in thy skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor innocents: I have not found it by secret search, but upon all these.

Jump to Previous
Abominations Bare Behaviour Blood Body Carnal Children Children's Connection Detestable Discovered Exposed Filthiness Idols Lovers Nakedness Poured Promiscuity Prostitution Shame Unclean Uncovered Ways Wealth Whoredoms
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Abominations Bare Behaviour Blood Body Carnal Children Children's Connection Detestable Discovered Exposed Filthiness Idols Lovers Nakedness Poured Promiscuity Prostitution Shame Unclean Uncovered Ways Wealth Whoredoms
Ezekiel 16
1. Under the parable of a wretched infant is shown the natural state of Jerusalem
6. God's extraordinary love toward her,
15. Her grievous judgment
35. Her sin, equal to her mother,
46. and exceeding her sisters, Sodom and Samaria,
59. calls for judgments
60. Mercy is promised her in the end












This is what the Lord GOD says:

God speaks with the authority of the covenant Lord, announcing His judgment against Jerusalem.

Ezk 20:3 Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel…
Amo 3:8 The lion has roared—who will not fear?…

Because you poured out your wealth

Jerusalem squandered the blessings God had given her, using them to support idolatry and to seek protection from foreign powers rather than trusting Him.

Hos 2:8 For she does not acknowledge that it was I who gave her…
Hos 2:5 For their mother has played the harlot…
Hos 8:4 They set up kings, but not by Me. They make princes…

and exposed your nakedness in your promiscuity with your lovers

Her shameful unfaithfulness is portrayed as adultery, as she embraced the gods and practices of surrounding nations.

Hos 2:10 And then I will expose her lewdness in the sight…
Nam 3:5 “Behold, I am against you,” declares the LORD of Hosts.…
Isa 47:3 Your nakedness will be uncovered and your shame…

and with all your detestable idols,

The idols Jerusalem served were offensive to God and violated the worship He commanded.

Jer 16:18 And I will first repay them double their iniquity…
Deu 29:17 You saw the abominations and idols among them…
2Ki 17:12 They served idols, although the LORD had told them,…

and because of the blood of your children which you gave to them,

Jerusalem’s guilt included sacrificing her children in pagan rites, shedding innocent blood in devotion to false gods.

2Ki 16:3 Instead, he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel…
Jer 7:31 They have built the high places of Topheth…
Lev 18:21 You must not give any of your children to be sacrificed…

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Lord GOD
The sovereign and holy God of Israel, who speaks through the prophet Ezekiel.

2. Ezekiel
A prophet called by God to deliver messages of judgment and hope to the Israelites during their exile in Babylon.

3. Israel
Represented as an unfaithful wife in this allegory, Israel is accused of spiritual adultery through idolatry and alliances with pagan nations.

4. Lovers
Symbolic of the foreign nations and false gods with whom Israel has been unfaithful to God.

5. Detestable Idols
The false gods and idols that Israel worshipped, leading them away from their covenant with God.
Teaching Points
The Seriousness of Idolatry
Idolatry is not just the worship of physical idols but includes anything that takes the place of God in our hearts. We must examine our lives for modern-day idols.

The Consequences of Unfaithfulness
Just as Israel faced consequences for their spiritual adultery, we too face spiritual and sometimes physical consequences when we turn away from God.

God's Righteous Judgment
God's judgment is always just and righteous. Understanding His holiness helps us appreciate the gravity of sin and the need for repentance.

The Call to Repentance
Despite the harshness of the judgment, God's desire is for His people to return to Him. Repentance is a turning away from sin and a return to God.

The Value of Covenant Faithfulness
Our relationship with God is a covenant, much like a marriage. Faithfulness to God involves loyalty, love, and obedience.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Ezekiel 16:36?

2. How does Ezekiel 16:36 illustrate God's response to spiritual unfaithfulness?

3. What lessons on idolatry can we learn from Ezekiel 16:36?

4. How does Ezekiel 16:36 connect with the first commandment in Exodus 20:3?

5. How can we guard against the "detestable acts" mentioned in Ezekiel 16:36?

6. In what ways can Ezekiel 16:36 inspire repentance and spiritual renewal today?

7. What does Ezekiel 16:36 reveal about God's view on idolatry and unfaithfulness?

8. How does Ezekiel 16:36 reflect the historical context of ancient Israel's spiritual state?

9. Why does God use such strong language in Ezekiel 16:36 to describe Israel's actions?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 16?


(36) Thy filthiness.--Literally, thy brass, i.e., money, which, as said in the previous verses, Israel had lavished upon the surrounding nations. Either gold or silver is the more common term for money, and the prophet appears to have here used brass contemptuously. In this verse the people's apostasies are briefly recapitulated, under the names of adultery and child murder, as the basis for what follows.

Verse 36. - Thy filthiness; literally, thy brass; probably as alluding to the tribute referred to in the previous verses, "brass" being taken as used scornfully for money generally. Possibly, however, as in Jeremiah 6:28, the word stands for the symbol of shame and vileness (compare our brazen faced), and so justifies the rendering of the Authorized Version and Revised Version. Thy nakedness discovered; i.e. interpreting the parable, the intercourse of Judah with foreign nations had simply exposed the points that were moot open to attack (Genesis 42:9). By the blood of thy children. The words may refer specially to the Moloch sacrifices of ver. 21, but may also include the lavish waste of life as well as treasure which had been the consequence of the foreign alliances. The harlot city is indicated as being also a murderess.

Ezekiel 16:36 indicts Israel for squandering God’s blessings, flaunting unfaithfulness, forging alliances with idols, and committing the atrocity of child sacrifice. Each phrase builds a courtroom case: sovereign Judge, misused wealth, shameless immorality, adulterous partnerships, and blood guilt. The verse warns that when God’s gifts are perverted into idolatry, judgment is certain—but it also underscores His justice and the enduring call to exclusive covenant loyalty.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
This is what
כֹּֽה־ (kōh-)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

the Lord
אֲדֹנָ֣י (’ă·ḏō·nāy)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 136: The Lord

GOD
יְהֹוִ֗ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH

says:
אָמַ֞ר (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘Because
יַ֣עַן (ya·‘an)
Adverb
Strong's 3282: Heed, purpose, to indicate the reason, cause

you poured out
הִשָּׁפֵ֤ךְ (hiš·šā·p̄êḵ)
Verb - Nifal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 8210: To spill forth, to expend, to sprawl out

your wealth
נְחֻשְׁתֵּךְ֙ (nə·ḥuš·têḵ)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 5178: Copper, something made of that metal, coin, a fetter, base

and exposed
וַתִּגָּלֶ֣ה (wat·tig·gā·leh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1540: To denude, to exile, to reveal

your nakedness
עֶרְוָתֵ֔ךְ (‘er·wā·ṯêḵ)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 6172: Nakedness

in your promiscuity
בְּתַזְנוּתַ֖יִךְ (bə·ṯaz·nū·ṯa·yiḵ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 8457: Harlotry, idolatry

with
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

your lovers
מְאַהֲבָ֑יִךְ (mə·’a·hă·ḇā·yiḵ)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 157: To have affection f

and with
וְעַל֙ (wə·‘al)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

your detestable
תוֹעֲבוֹתַ֔יִךְ (ṯō·w·‘ă·ḇō·w·ṯa·yiḵ)
Noun - feminine plural construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 8441: Something disgusting, an abhorrence, idolatry, an idol

idols,
גִּלּוּלֵ֣י (gil·lū·lê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1544: A log, an idol

and because of the blood
וְכִדְמֵ֣י (wə·ḵiḏ·mê)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1818: Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed

of your children
בָנַ֔יִךְ (ḇā·na·yiḵ)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

which
אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

you gave
נָתַ֖תְּ (nā·ṯat)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person feminine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

to them,
לָהֶֽם׃ (lā·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 0: 0


Additonal Resources
Ezekiel 16:36 Blue Letter Bible
Ezekiel 16:36 Bible Gateway
Ezekiel 16:36 Bible.com

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Ezekiel 16:36 Study Bible
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Ezekiel 16:36 Catholic Bible

OT Prophets: Ezekiel 16:36 Thus says the Lord Yahweh Because your (Ezek. Eze Ezk)

Ezekiel 16:35
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