Ezekiel 23:39

39 For when they had slaughtered their children unto their idols, 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 in their hands; and with their idols have they committed adultery, and have also passed over unto them their children, whom they bore unto me, to be devoured.
38 Moreover this have they done unto me: in the same day have they defiled my sanctuary and profaned my sabbaths
39 For when they had slaughtered their children unto their idols, 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, they sent for men to come from far, unto whom a messenger was sent; and behold, they came: for whom thou didst wash thyself, paintedst thine eyes, and deckedst thyself with ornaments;
41 and satest upon a stately bed, with a table prepared before it, whereupon thou hadst set mine incense and mine oil.
The Darby Translation is in the public domain.