Ezekiel 23:47

47 Let the assembly stone them to death, dispatch them with their swords, kill their sons and daughters and burn their houses to the ground.

Ezekiel 23:47 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 23:47

And the company shall stone them with stones
Which was the punishment of adulterers and idolaters, ( Deuteronomy 13:10 ) ( 22:24 ) , this seems to refer to the Chaldean army casting out stones from their slings and engines into the city of Jerusalem, when they besieged it, by which they killed some, and beat down the houses, which fell upon others, and destroyed them. So the Targum,

``and the army shall stone them with the stones of a sling:''
and dispatch them with their swords;
cut them in pieces with them, such as sallied out of the city upon them, or they found without, or by any means fell into their hands: they shall slay their sons and their daughters;
when they broke into the city, and took it; or when they found them making their escape, and hiding themselves in secret places: and burn up their houses with fire;
as they did; the temple, the king's palace, the houses of noblemen, and all the houses in Jerusalem; see ( Jeremiah 52:13 ) .

Ezekiel 23:47 In-Context

45 Nevertheless, there are righteous men who will judge them as adulterers and murderers are supposed to be judged; because they are adulterers, and blood is dripping from their hands.
46 For here is what Adonai ELOHIM says: 'Summon an assembly to punish them; give them over to terror and plunder.
47 Let the assembly stone them to death, dispatch them with their swords, kill their sons and daughters and burn their houses to the ground.
48 "'Thus I will put an end to lewdness in the land, so that all women may be taught not to imitate your lewdness.
49 You will receive the punishment your lewdness deserves, and you will pay the penalty for your idolatries. Then you will know that I am Adonai ELOHIM.'"
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.