Ezekiel 23 12

Ezekiel 23:12 kjv

She doted upon the Assyrians her neighbours, captains and rulers clothed most gorgeously, horsemen riding upon horses, all of them desirable young men.

Ezekiel 23:12 nkjv

"She lusted for the neighboring Assyrians, Captains and rulers, Clothed most gorgeously, Horsemen riding on horses, All of them desirable young men.

Ezekiel 23:12 niv

She too lusted after the Assyrians?governors and commanders, warriors in full dress, mounted horsemen, all handsome young men.

Ezekiel 23:12 esv

She lusted after the Assyrians, governors and commanders, warriors clothed in full armor, horsemen riding on horses, all of them desirable young men.

Ezekiel 23:12 nlt

She fawned over all the Assyrian officers ? those captains and commanders in handsome uniforms, those charioteers driving their horses ? all of them attractive young men.

Ezekiel 23 verses

Ezekiel 23 12 Meaning

Ezekiel 23:12 describes Oholibah (representing Judah or Jerusalem) expressing a strong, lustful attraction towards the Assyrians. This attraction is not merely political but carries the connotation of spiritual harlotry, as she desired their impressive military strength and administrative grandeur, symbolized by their high-ranking officials, splendid armor, cavalry, and the overall attractive appearance of their young men. It highlights her turning away from God to pursue illicit alliances and the allure of foreign power and culture.

Ezekiel 23 12 Context

Ezekiel 23 is an extended allegorical prophecy comparing the northern kingdom of Israel (Samaria, called Oholah) and the southern kingdom of Judah (Jerusalem, called Oholibah) to two sisters who engaged in spiritual prostitution. They pursued political and religious alliances with foreign powers, symbolizing their unfaithfulness to God through idolatry and trusting in human might. The chapter details their "lust" for Egypt, Assyria, and Babylon, emphasizing the visual and sensual appeal these foreign nations held for them.

Verse 12 specifically describes Oholibah's (Judah's) initial infatuation with Assyria. This occurred after her older sister Oholah (Samaria) had already been corrupted and ultimately judged by her association with Assyria. Judah's actions demonstrate a refusal to learn from Israel's fate, highlighting her deliberate choice of sin despite witnessing its consequences. The verse underscores Judah's preference for the military, administrative, and even physical appeal of foreign entities over fidelity to Yahweh, illustrating the depths of her spiritual rebellion. The broader context of Ezekiel is one of God's unwavering judgment against His unfaithful people, but also the ultimate promise of restoration and renewal under a new covenant.

Ezekiel 23 12 Word analysis

• She doted on: הִיא וַתַּעְגְּבָה (hi vata'agvevah).

  • הִיא (hi): "She," referring to Oholibah, the personification of Jerusalem/Judah. The emphatic "she" underlines her personal responsibility and agency in this act.
  • וַתַּעְגְּבָה (vata'agvevah): From the root עָגַב ('agav), meaning to lust after, to dote upon, to be enamored of. This verb carries a strong sexual and emotional connotation, denoting a passionate, almost obsessive desire. It consistently portrays spiritual harlotry in the Bible, signifying unfaithful devotion to foreign entities (idols, alliances) in place of the one true God. Its intensity conveys the depth of Judah's idolatrous passion.

• the Assyrians: אַשּׁוּר (ʾashshûr).

  • אַשּׁוּר (ʾashshûr): The powerful Mesopotamian empire, historically a major threat and later a political alliance for Israel and Judah. For Judah, seeking alliance with Assyria, rather than trusting in God, constituted spiritual betrayal. This relationship was marked by shifting loyalties and eventually tribute, reflecting a deeper spiritual turning away.

• her neighbors: שְׁכֵנֶיהָ (shekheneihā).

  • שְׁכֵנֶיהָ (shekheneihā): Literally "her dwelling-ones," referring to their proximity. While not immediate border neighbors, Assyria became a dominant power influencing the region. The term can imply not just geographical proximity but also the close interaction and influence they exerted, making their "neighborliness" a source of temptation.

• governors and commanders: פַּחוֹת וּסְגָנִים (paḥoth usgānim).

  • פַּחוֹת (paḥoth): Plural of פֶּחָה (peḥah), a high-ranking official, often a provincial governor. A foreign loanword, implying the sophisticated administrative structure and power of the Assyrians.
  • וּסְגָנִים (usgānim): Plural of סְגַן (sagan), a commander or prefect. These terms highlight the Assyrian military and administrative hierarchy, conveying a sense of order, strength, and authority that captivated Oholibah.

• clothed in full armor: לְבֻשֵׁי מִכְלוֹל (levūshê miklôl).

  • לְבֻשֵׁי (levūshê): "Clothed" or "wearing."
  • מִכְלוֹל (mikhlôl): Meaning completeness, perfection, or splendor. לְבֻשֵׁי מִכְלוֹל describes soldiers dressed in magnificent, full, or splendid array. It points to their visual impressiveness, martial elegance, and readiness for battle, contributing to their alluring image of power and might.

• horsemen riding on horses: פָּרָשִׁים רֹכְבֵי סוּסִים (pārāshîm roḵevê sûsîm).

  • פָּרָשִׁים (pārāshîm): "Horsemen" or cavalry. A sign of advanced military technology and rapid deployment.
  • רֹכְבֵי (roḵevê): "Riding."
  • סוּסִים (sûsîm): "Horses." The phrase emphasizes the elite cavalry units, highlighting the strength, speed, and formidable presence of the Assyrian army, an aspect of their power that was particularly attractive to Judah.

• all of them desirable young men: כֻּלָּם בַּחוּרֵי חֶמֶד (kullām baḥurê ḥēmēḏ).

  • כֻּלָּם (kullām): "All of them," indicating a collective characteristic.
  • בַּחוּרֵי (baḥurê): Plural of בָּחוּר (baḥur), "young man" or "choice/select youth." Suggests vitality, strength, and an active fighting force.
  • חֶמֶד (ḥēmēḏ): Meaning delight, desirable, precious. When paired with "young men," it denotes their attractiveness, charm, and the physical appeal that played into Oholibah's "lust." This isn't just about political alliances, but a comprehensive, even carnal, desire for everything these foreign powers represented.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "She doted on the Assyrians, her neighbors": This phrase immediately establishes Oholibah's passionate, idolatrous attraction. The "neighbors" designation is ironic, as Assyria's influence was ultimately destructive. It sets up the central theme of spiritual infidelity, personifying Judah's pursuit of foreign powers over the covenant with God.
• "governors and commanders, clothed in full armor": This grouping depicts the visible signs of Assyrian power and sophistication. The "governors and commanders" symbolize administrative strength and political authority, while "clothed in full armor" emphasizes their formidable military presence and outward splendor, an aesthetic appeal that impressed Oholibah.
• "horsemen riding on horses, all of them desirable young men": This description completes the portrait of Assyria's captivating might and allure. The "horsemen" represent military dominance and mobility, while "desirable young men" conveys a strong sensual element. It suggests Judah's attraction was not only to the might but also to the perceived virility, vitality, and impressive physical appearance of the foreign force.

Ezekiel 23 12 Bonus section

The repeated imagery of "whoring" throughout Ezekiel 23 is a polemic against syncretism and idolatry. It challenges the common ancient Near Eastern practice where political alliances were often cemented by adopting each other's gods or religious customs. For Israel and Judah, who had a unique covenant with Yahweh as their sole God, such alliances constituted not merely a political maneuver but an act of spiritual betrayal, equating to infidelity within a marriage. The vivid, almost shocking, language is intentionally chosen to expose the severity of their sin in God's eyes. It highlights that the relationship with God is personal and exclusive, rejecting any "sharing" of devotion.

Ezekiel 23 12 Commentary

Ezekiel 23:12 encapsulates the spiritual infidelity of Judah (Oholibah), mirroring and even surpassing her sister Israel's (Oholah's) unfaithfulness. Judah's "doting" on Assyria represents a deliberate, passionate choice to align herself with and adore a foreign, idolatrous power instead of Yahweh, her covenant God. This "lust" was driven by the visible allure of Assyrian military might—its organized governance, impressive army, swift cavalry, and even the perceived attractiveness of its men. Judah sought security and glory in human strength and worldly prestige, turning away from divine protection and the holiness of the covenant. This spiritual adultery demonstrates a fundamental misplacement of trust and a devaluation of God's exclusive claim on His people's loyalty, ultimately leading to divine judgment, as clearly forewarned throughout the prophetic books.