Definition: Thou hast also taken thy fair jewels of my gold and of my silver, which I had given thee, and madest to thyself images of men, and didst commit whoredom with them,

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezekiel 16:17. It’s a really serious and impactful passage about sin and idolatry. Here's a simplified explanation: What it says: “Thou hast also taken thy fair jewels of my gold and of my silver, which I had given thee, and madest to thyself images of men, and didst commit whoredom with them.” Let’s unpack each part: “Thou hast also taken…” : This is a formal way of saying “You have done this.” It's addressing someone – likely the reader or listener. “…thy fair jewels of my gold and of my silver…” : This refers to precious gifts – things of great value – that God gave him. These could be gold, silver, or other valuable items. Think of it as a treasure he entrusted to him. “which I had given thee” : This is the key part. It means God specifically gave these gifts to him . He wasn’t just giving them away; he was protecting and cherishing them. “…madest to thyself images of men…” : This is where it gets really disturbing. "Madest" means “transformed” or “changed.” The person in question is now creating fake representations of people – like a caricature, an imitation, or a distorted image. They're not looking at real people; they’re making them into something that doesn't belong to them. “and didst commit whoredom with them” : This is the core of the offense. “Whoredom” means sexual activity outside of marriage. The person is engaging in this kind of behavior – often with other people – while pretending they are a real person, and it’s being done with the value or blessings of the gifts God gave him. So, what does this verse mean? It's telling us that someone was using God's precious gifts (gold, silver, etc.) to create false images of people – to deceive others and to engage in immoral behavior. It’s a clear indication of idolatry – worshipping something other than God. It highlights a profound disregard for truth, integrity, and the true value of things that are given by God. Important Context: This verse is found within Ezekiel's prophecy, which was written during a time of great crisis in Israel. It’s a warning about the dangers of idolatry – focusing on false idols and worshipping anything other than God. In short, it describes a serious betrayal of trust and a rejection of God's gifts. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific story or theme from the Bible? Discuss what this verse suggests about human nature?