This verse brings to an end the legal charges against Oholah and Oholibah, which began in verse 36.

But righteous men shall pass judgment on them with the sentence of adulteresses, and with the sentence of women that shed blood: In the Old Testament the Hebrew word for righteous usually refers to those who respect God and obey the rules of his covenant (see 3.20). Here it seems to refer to the sisters’ former lovers (see verses 22-24), who hardly qualified against these criteria. Therefore some commentators suggest that they appeared righteous in comparison with the terrible sinfulness of Samaria and Jerusalem. Others claim that it is not the men who were righteous but that they will “judge rightly,” that is, they will pass correct judgment. The best interpretation is that God is talking generally, that is, any righteous (“good” in Contemporary English Version) person will condemn what Oholah and Oholibah did. Men here probably refers to men and women, so it is better rendered “people.” Pass judgment on them may be translated “condemn them” (Good News Translation, Revised English Bible) or “declare them guilty” (New Revised Standard Version). For the sentence of adulteresses, that is, adultery, and the sentence of women that shed blood, that is, murder, see verse 37.

Because they are adulteresses, and blood is upon their hands: This sentence emphasizes the guilt of the sisters—they will be charged with adultery and murder, because they are adulterers and murderers. Contemporary English Version says simply “because they are certainly guilty.” Blood is upon their hands means they are guilty of killing others (see verse 37). In many languages readers will understand this idiom easily and translators can retain it. However, in some languages translators may say “they have shed much blood” or “they have murdered [people].”

One way to render this verse is:

• But good people will declare them guilty of adultery and murder, for they really are adulterers and murderers.

Quoted with permission from Gross, Carl & Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Ezekiel. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .