Ezekiel 23:39

39 For when they had slain their sons unto their idols, then they came the same day into my sanctuary to profane it; and, behold, thus have they done in the midst of my house.

Ezekiel 23:39 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 23:39

For when they had slain their children to their idols
This explains more clearly what is before said, that by causing their children to pass through the fire was a slaying them; and that their passing through it "for them" was for their idols, and unto them; see ( Ezekiel 23:37 ) , and how when they had been guilty of such shocking wickedness, then they came the same day into my sanctuary to profane it;
not that they came into the temple on purpose to profane it; but coming into it, being themselves defiled with the murder of their infants, and offering sacrifices to idols, or performing a hypocritical service to the Lord, this was in the event a profanation of the sanctuary: and, lo, thus they have done in the midst of mine house;
set up idols there, and worshipped them; as they did in the temple itself, in the times of Ahaz and Manasseh; see ( Jeremiah 7:30 ) .

Ezekiel 23:39 In-Context

37 For they have committed adultery, and blood is on their hands, and with their idols they have committed adultery and have even caused their sons, whom they bore unto me, to pass for them through the fire, to devour them.

38 Moreover this they have done unto me: they have defiled my sanctuary in the same day and have profaned my sabbaths.

39 For when they had slain their sons unto their idols, then they came the same day into my sanctuary to profane it; and, behold, thus have they done in the midst of my house.

40 And furthermore, that ye have sent for men to come from far, unto whom a messenger was sent; and, behold, they came for the love of whom thou didst wash thyself, paint thy eyes, and deck thyself with ornaments,

41 and sit upon a stately bed, and a table prepared before it, upon which thou hast set my incense and my oil.