יחזקאל, פרק ט״ז, פסוק ל׳

A piercing prophetic rebuke is directed toward Jerusalem, painting a tragic picture of a nation that has abandoned its relationship with God. The imagery used is that of a woman publicly and shamelessly betraying her husband, acting with an unprecedented level of severity [מצודת ציון].

At the core of this betrayal is the nation's heart [רש״י, מצודת ציון]. The specific phrasing used to describe it emphasizes the deep disgrace and lowliness of the people's spiritual state [רד״ק, אברבנאל]. Commentators offer different perspectives on the exact condition of this heart. One approach suggests a state of profound weakness, corruption, and misery [רש״י, שטיינזלץ], reflecting an inability to think clearly or rationally [רד״ק]. Another perspective views the heart as entirely severed and disconnected from God, having lost all hope of ever returning to Him [מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון, אברבנאל]. In sharp contrast, a third view argues that the heart is actually hard and impenetrable. Unlike an ordinary wrongdoer who might eventually feel sadness or regret, this heart remains completely numb to its own sins [אברבנאל]. Furthermore, the description of the heart can also be understood as a burning flame, vividly illustrating an intense fire of desire that consumes the nation from within [מלבי״ם].

The tragedy deepens as the nation is compared to an aggressive, dominant woman who acts entirely without restraint. The primary approach among commentators is that she rules over herself and her household, completely ignoring her husband. She commits her betrayals out in the open simply because there is no one left to stop her [רד״ק, מצודת דוד, שטיינזלץ, מלבי״ם]. A slightly different view suggests that she is not actually in control at all; rather, she is entirely ruled by her own evil desires [רש״י].

The deeper meaning behind this metaphor highlights a stark contrast between ordinary wrongdoing and Jerusalem's behavior. While a typical unfaithful spouse hides their actions, and a common prostitute demands payment, Jerusalem acts as a promiscuous woman who actively chases after her lovers, even paying them bribes to come to her. This illustrates the tragic reality of the nation of Israel worshiping foreign idols. These idols offer no benefit, yet instead of receiving anything from them, the people publicly and willingly surrender their own resources and sacrifices to these empty gods [מלבי״ם, אברבנאל].