Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version When you built your mounds at every street corner and made your lofty shrines in every public square, you were unlike a prostitute, because you scorned payment. New Living Translation You build your pagan shrines on every street corner and your altars to idols in every square. In fact, you have been worse than a prostitute, so eager for sin that you have not even demanded payment. English Standard Version building your vaulted chamber at the head of every street, and making your lofty place in every square. Yet you were not like a prostitute, because you scorned payment. Berean Standard Bible But when you built your mounds at the head of every street and made your lofty shrines in every public square, you were not even like a prostitute, because you scorned payment. King James Bible In that thou buildest thine eminent place in the head of every way, and makest thine high place in every street; and hast not been as an harlot, in that thou scornest hire; New King James Version “You erected your shrine at the head of every road, and built your high place in every street. Yet you were not like a harlot, because you scorned payment. New American Standard Bible When you built your shrine at the beginning of every street and made your high place in every public square, in spurning a prostitute’s fee, you were not like a prostitute. NASB 1995 “When you built your shrine at the beginning of every street and made your high place in every square, in disdaining money, you were not like a harlot. NASB 1977 “When you built your shrine at the beginning of every street and made your high place in every square, in disdaining money, you were not like a harlot. Legacy Standard Bible When you built your shrine at the head of every way and made your high place in every square, in disdaining your earnings, you were not like a harlot. Amplified Bible When you built your shrine altar for prostitution at the beginning of every street and made your high place in every public square, you were not like a prostitute because you refused payment. Christian Standard Bible building your mound at the head of every street and making your elevated place in every square. But you were unlike a prostitute because you scorned payment. Holman Christian Standard Bible building your mound at the head of every street and making your elevated place in every square. But you were unlike a prostitute because you scorned payment. American Standard Version in that thou buildest thy vaulted place at the head of every way, and makest thy lofty place in every street, and hast not been as a harlot, in that thou scornest hire. Contemporary English Version You had sex on every street corner, and when you finished, you refused to accept money. That's worse than being a prostitute! English Revised Version in that thou buildest thine eminent place in the head of every way, and makest thy lofty place in every street; and hast not been as an harlot, in that thou scornest hire. GOD'S WORD® Translation You build your platforms at the head of every street and place your illegal worship sites in every square. Yet, you aren't like other prostitutes, because you don't want to be paid. Good News Translation On every street you built places to worship idols and practice prostitution. But you are not out for money like a common prostitute. International Standard Version When you built your mound on every street corner and constructed your high place at every plaza, you weren't like a common prostitute, in that you've insulted the wages of a prostitute NET Bible When you built your chamber at the head of every street and put up your pavilion in every public square, you were not like a prostitute, because you scoffed at payment. New Heart English Bible in that you build your vaulted place at the head of every way, and make your lofty place in every street, and have not been as a prostitute, in that you scorn pay. Webster's Bible Translation In that thou buildest thy eminent place in the head of every way, and makest thy high place in every street; and hast not been as a harlot, in that thou scornest hire; Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBut when you built your mounds at the head of every street and made your lofty shrines in every public square, you were not even like a prostitute, because you scorned payment. World English Bible in that you build your vaulted place at the head of every way, and make your lofty place in every street, and have not been as a prostitute, in that you scorn pay. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionIn your building your arch at the head of every way, "" You have made your high place in every broad place, "" And have not been as a whore deriding a wage. Young's Literal Translation In thy building thine arch at the head of every way, Thy high place thou hast made in every broad place, And -- hast not been as a whore deriding a gift. Smith's Literal Translation In thy building thy brothel in the head of every way, and thou madest thy height in every street; and thou wert not as a harlot to scorn a gift. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBecause thou hast built thy brothel house at the head of every way, and thou hast made thy high place in every street: and wast not as a harlot that by disdain enhanceth her price, Catholic Public Domain Version For you have built your brothel at the head of every way, and you have made your exalted place on every street. And you have not even been like a choosy prostitute, increasing her price, New American Bible when you built your platform at every intersection and set up your high place in every public square. But unlike a prostitute, you disdained payment. New Revised Standard Version building your platform at the head of every street, and making your lofty place in every square! Yet you were not like a whore, because you scorned payment. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleIn that you built your notorious shrines at the head of every way, and set your altars in every street; and yet you were not as clever as a harlot who charges a price; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated When you built your brothels at every top of the road, and your high places in every street, and you were not even as a whore who collects payment OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917in that thou buildest thine eminent place in the head of every way, and makest thy lofty place in every street; and hast not been as a harlot that enhanceth her hire. Brenton Septuagint Translation Thou hast built a house of harlotry in every top of a way, and hast set up thine high place in every street; and thou didst become as a harlot gathering hires. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Jerusalem's Unfaithfulness…30How weak-willed is your heart, declares the Lord GOD, while you do all these things, the acts of a shameless prostitute! 31But when you built your mounds at the head of every street and made your lofty shrines in every public square, you were not even like a prostitute, because you scorned payment. 32You adulterous wife! You receive strangers instead of your own husband!… Cross References Jeremiah 2:20 “For long ago you broke your yoke and tore off your chains, saying, ‘I will not serve!’ Indeed, on every high hill and under every green tree you lay down as a prostitute. 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.’ Isaiah 57:7-8 On a high and lofty hill you have made your bed, and there you went up to offer sacrifices. / Behind the door and doorpost you have set up your memorial. Forsaking Me, you uncovered your bed; you climbed up and opened it wide. And you have made a pact with those whose bed you have loved; you have gazed upon their nakedness. Jeremiah 3:2 “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. Hosea 4:12-14 My people consult their wooden idols, and their divining rods inform them. For a spirit of prostitution leads them astray and they have played the harlot against their God. / They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because their shade is pleasant. And so your daughters turn to prostitution and your daughters-in-law to adultery. / I will not punish your daughters when they prostitute themselves, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery. For the men themselves go off with prostitutes and offer sacrifices with shrine prostitutes. So a people without understanding will come to ruin. 2 Kings 17:9-10 The Israelites secretly did things against the LORD their God that were not right. From watchtower to fortified city, they built high places in all their cities. / They set up for themselves sacred pillars and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree. Jeremiah 3:6 Now in the days of King Josiah, the LORD said to me, “Have you seen what faithless Israel has done? She has gone up on every high hill and under every green tree to prostitute herself there. Hosea 9:1 Do not rejoice, O Israel, with exultation like the nations, for you have played the harlot against your God; you have made love for hire on every threshing floor. Isaiah 1:21 See how the faithful city has become a harlot! She once was full of justice; righteousness resided within her, but now only murderers! Jeremiah 5:7 “Why should I forgive you? Your children have forsaken Me and sworn by gods that are not gods. I satisfied their needs, yet they committed adultery and assembled at the houses of prostitutes. Revelation 17:1-2 Then one of the seven angels with the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters. / The kings of the earth were immoral with her, and those who dwell on the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her immorality.” Revelation 18:3 All the nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her immorality. The kings of the earth were immoral with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown wealthy from the extravagance of her luxury.” James 4:4 You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God. 1 Corinthians 6:15-16 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! / Or don’t you know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” Matthew 12:39 Jesus replied, “A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. Treasury of Scripture In that you build your eminent place in the head of every way, and make your high place in every street; and have not been as an harlot, in that you scorn hire; In that thou buildest thine. Ezekiel 16:24,39 That thou hast also built unto thee an eminent place, and hast made thee an high place in every street… makest Ezekiel 16:25 Thou hast built thy high place at every head of the way, and hast made thy beauty to be abhorred, and hast opened thy feet to every one that passed by, and multiplied thy whoredoms. Hosea 12:11 Is there iniquity in Gilead? surely they are vanity: they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal; yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the fields. in that thou scornest Ezekiel 16:33,34 They give gifts to all whores: but thou givest thy gifts to all thy lovers, and hirest them, that they may come unto thee on every side for thy whoredom… Isaiah 52:3 For thus saith the LORD, Ye have sold yourselves for nought; and ye shall be redeemed without money. Jump to Previous Arch Arched Beginning Build Buildest Building Built Eminent Getting Harlot Head High Hire Lofty Makest Money Mounds Open Pay Prostitute Public Reward Room Scorn Scorned Scornest Shrine Shrines Square Street Together Vaulted WayJump to Next Arch Arched Beginning Build Buildest Building Built Eminent Getting Harlot Head High Hire Lofty Makest Money Mounds Open Pay Prostitute Public Reward Room Scorn Scorned Scornest Shrine Shrines Square Street Together Vaulted WayEzekiel 16 1. Under the parable of a wretched infant is shown the natural state of Jerusalem6. 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 But when you built your mounds at the head of every street This phrase refers to the construction of high places or altars for idol worship, which were often erected at prominent locations such as the head of streets. In ancient Israel, these mounds or high places were typically used for pagan rituals and sacrifices, directly violating the commandment to worship Yahweh alone. The head of every street signifies the widespread nature of this idolatry, indicating that it was not confined to hidden or private areas but was a public and pervasive practice. This reflects the spiritual adultery of Israel, as they turned away from God to worship other deities. and made your lofty shrines in every public square you were not even like a prostitute, because you scorned payment Persons / Places / Events 1. EzekielA prophet of God who ministered to the Israelites during their Babylonian exile. He is known for his vivid visions and symbolic actions. 2. Jerusalem The city being addressed in this passage, representing the people of Israel who have turned away from God. 3. Prostitution Imagery Used metaphorically to describe Israel's unfaithfulness to God through idolatry and alliances with pagan nations. 4. Mounds and Shrines These refer to the high places where idolatrous worship occurred, often at the tops of hills or in public squares. 5. Babylonian Exile The historical context of Ezekiel's prophecies, where the Israelites were taken captive due to their disobedience to God. Teaching Points Spiritual UnfaithfulnessJust as Israel was unfaithful to God, believers today must guard against idolatry in all its forms, whether materialism, power, or other distractions. The Danger of Compromise Israel's alliances with pagan nations led to spiritual compromise. Christians are called to be in the world but not of it, maintaining purity in their walk with God. God's Call to Repentance Despite Israel's unfaithfulness, God continually calls His people to return to Him. This is a reminder of His grace and mercy. The Cost of Sin Israel's actions were likened to prostitution without payment, highlighting the futility and self-destructive nature of sin. The Importance of Worship True worship is directed solely to God. Believers must ensure their worship is not divided or tainted by worldly influences. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 16What does the Bible say about child sacrifice? Does God's prediction of Israel's rebellion (Deut. 31:16) conflict with the principle of free will, implying a predetermined outcome? How credible is the depiction of widespread child sacrifice in Ezekiel 16:20-21, given limited archaeological evidence for such practices in Jerusalem? Numbers 31:7-18: How can the command to kill non-virgin women and boys be reconciled with claims of a compassionate God?(31) Eminent place.--See note on Ezekiel 16:24. In that thou scornest him.--It was characteristic of both the kingdoms of Israel after the division, that the interference of foreign nations in their affairs was generally sought first by Israel itself and purchased at a heavy price. The people were so situated on the great highway between the rival nations of Egypt and Assyria, that their friendship ought to have been of value to either of them, and to have been sought with great inducements. But Israel, in its weakness and wickedness, more than threw itself away and purchased its own ruin. The particulars mentioned in this verse belong to the past rather than to the present, and all the tenses should be so translated. Verse 31. - In that, etc. It is better to take the words as beginning a fresh sentence: "when thou didst build," etc. The historical survey of the harlot's progress is brought to a close, and the prophet points with bitter scorn to what aggravated its degradation. Other nations, like Tyre and Zidon, had risen to prosperity and eminence through their intercourse with foreigners. To Judah it had brought only subjection and the payment of tribute. She had given gifts to all her lovers, instead of receiving from them the rewards of her shame. She was as the adulterous wife who forsakes her husband, and gives what belonged to him to strangers. The conduct of Ahaz in stripping the Temple of its gold and silver to pay tribute to Assyria (2 Kings 16:8), gives an apt illustration of what the prophet means (comp. Hosea 12:1; Isaiah 30:6).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew But when you builtבִּבְנוֹתַ֤יִךְ (biḇ·nō·w·ṯa·yiḵ) Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | second person feminine singular Strong's 1129: To build your shrines גַּבֵּךְ֙ (gab·bêḵ) Noun - common singular construct | second person feminine singular Strong's 1354: The back, the top, rim, a boss, a vault, arch of eye, bulwarks at the head בְּרֹ֣אשׁ (bə·rōš) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 7218: The head of every כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every street דֶּ֔רֶךְ (de·reḵ) Noun - common singular Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action and made עָשִׂ֖ית (‘ā·śîṯ) Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person feminine singular Strong's 6213: To do, make your lofty shrines וְרָמָתֵ֥ךְ (wə·rā·mā·ṯêḵ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person feminine singular Strong's 7413: Height, high place in every בְּכָל־ (bə·ḵāl) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every public square, רְח֑וֹב (rə·ḥō·wḇ) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 7339: A broad open place, plaza you were הָיִ֥ית (hā·yîṯ) Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person feminine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be not even like וְלֹא־ (wə·lō-) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no a prostitute, כַּזּוֹנָ֖ה (kaz·zō·w·nāh) Preposition-k, Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 2181: To commit adultery, to commit idolatry because you scorned לְקַלֵּ֥ס (lə·qal·lês) Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct Strong's 7046: To disparage, ridicule payment. אֶתְנָֽן׃ (’eṯ·nān) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 868: The wages (of a harlot) Links Ezekiel 16:31 NIVEzekiel 16:31 NLT Ezekiel 16:31 ESV Ezekiel 16:31 NASB Ezekiel 16:31 KJV Ezekiel 16:31 BibleApps.com Ezekiel 16:31 Biblia Paralela Ezekiel 16:31 Chinese Bible Ezekiel 16:31 French Bible Ezekiel 16:31 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Ezekiel 16:31 In that you build your vaulted place (Ezek. Eze Ezk) |
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