Ezekiel 23:16 kjv
And as soon as she saw them with her eyes, she doted upon them, and sent messengers unto them into Chaldea.
Ezekiel 23:16 nkjv
As soon as her eyes saw them, She lusted for them And sent messengers to them in Chaldea.
Ezekiel 23:16 niv
As soon as she saw them, she lusted after them and sent messengers to them in Chaldea.
Ezekiel 23:16 esv
When she saw them, she lusted after them and sent messengers to them in Chaldea.
Ezekiel 23:16 nlt
When she saw these paintings, she longed to give herself to them, so she sent messengers to Babylonia to invite them to come to her.
Ezekiel 23 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Eze 23:4, 46 | Oholah and Oholibah were sisters... | Judgment on Samaria and Jerusalem |
| Jer 3:8 | Judah also committed adultery... | Warning against idolatry |
| Hos 2:2-5 | Accusations against Israel's harlotry | Spiritual adultery |
| Rev 17:1-5 | Babylon, the great harlot... | Symbolism of idolatry |
| Exo 34:15-16 | Lest they make a covenant with the inhabitants... | Warnings against idolatry |
| Deut 4:19 | lest you... bow down to them and serve them... | Idolatry is detestable |
| Ps 106:37-39 | They sacrificed their sons and daughters... | Israel's idolatrous acts |
| Isa 57:3-10 | your way to the potter... | Reproach of idolatry |
| Mic 6:16 | you have kept the statutes of Omri... | Sin of kings |
| Nah 3:4-5 | because of the multitude of the harlotries... | Judgment on Nineveh |
| Hab 2:18-19 | What profit is the graven image... | Futility of idols |
| 1 Cor 6:18 | Flee from sexual immorality... | Call to purity |
| Rom 1:23, 25 | exchanged the glory of immortal God... | Worship of idols |
| Rev 21:8 | But as for the cowardly and unbelieving... | Fate of idolaters |
| Lev 18:3 | not do as they do in the land of Egypt... | Forbidden practices |
| Ps 78:58 | For they provoked him to anger with their idols. | Provocation of God |
| Jer 2:23 | how can you say, ‘I am not defiled’... | Unashamed sin |
| Eze 16:29 | you have also multiplied your harlotry in Egypt | Reproach of Jerusalem |
| 2 Chr 21:11 | by the example of wickedness, and have caused.. | Kings leading to sin |
| Ezek 16:17 | You also took your handsome vases of my gold... | Further sins of Jerusalem |
Ezekiel 23 verses
Ezekiel 23 16 Meaning
This verse describes a visual depiction of sexual acts performed with images or idols, specifically related to the idolatry of the surrounding nations. It signifies spiritual adultery and the depth of Israel's defection from God, paralleling their involvement with foreign cults.
Ezekiel 23 16 Context
Ezekiel chapter 23 recounts the allegorical story of two sisters, Oholah (Samaria) and Oholibah (Jerusalem), representing the northern and southern kingdoms of Israel. They both engaged in idolatry and spiritual prostitution, following the pagan practices of surrounding nations. Verse 16 specifically illustrates Oholibah's (Judah's) increased descent into idolatry, describing her desire for the Assyrian and Babylonian men who influenced her. This happened during the periods of Babylonian exile, when Judah was repeatedly invaded and eventually conquered by Babylon. The prophecy is a judgment against their persistent unfaithfulness to God, their covenant partner.
Ezekiel 23 16 Word Analysis
- וְרָאִית (wə·rā·ʾîṯ): "and you saw" or "and you looked." Implies a deliberate observation or beholding.
- אֶת־ (ʾeṯ): A direct object marker, indicating that something is acted upon.
- מַרְאֵיהֶם (mar·ʾê·hem): "their appearance" or "their aspect." Refers to the visual representation or image of the Chaldean warriors.
- אַחֲרֵיהֶם (ʾa·ḥă·rê·hem): "after them" or "following them." Suggests an inclination or desire to pursue and imitate them.
- כַּשְׂדִּיִּים (kaś·dî·yîm): "Chaldeans." Refers to the people of Babylon and the Chaldean empire, who were the dominant power during this period.
- הַַּֽ֠֠צּוּרִים (haṣ·ṣu·rîm): "who are made" or "formed." Refers to idols or images that were manufactured, in contrast to the living God. The root relates to "stone" or "carving."
- לָהֶם (lā·hem): "for them" or "to them." Indicates possession or purpose.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "And you saw their appearance after them, the Chaldeans whose faces are marred to them": This phrase vividly depicts the seduction of Jerusalem by Babylonian culture and its military might. The "marred faces" likely refers to the harshness or brutality associated with the Chaldean warriors or their deities, yet despite this, Jerusalem became infatuated.
- "who are made for them": This connects the idolatrous passion with the images and representations of these foreign powers and their gods. It highlights the practice of worshipping idols, which are man-made.
Ezekiel 23 16 Bonus Section
The verse emphasizes the visual and external nature of temptation that leads to spiritual compromise. It reflects how cultures can become "desirable" through their outward display of power, artistry, or societal norms, drawing people away from devotion to God. The description also touches upon the concept of emotional and mental entrapment through visualization, mirroring the modern struggle with sensory influences that can lead to spiritual declension. The term "Chaldeans" (Kasdim) itself carries historical weight, representing a powerful empire known for its advancements but also for its pagan practices and eventual conquest of Jerusalem.
Ezekiel 23 16 Commentary
Verse 16 highlights the specific nature of Jerusalem's idolatry—a fascination with the external, masculine allure of the Chaldean empire and its cultic practices. It wasn't just abstract idolatry; it was an infatuation with tangible images and the people who represented them. The allure was strong enough to override her covenant with Yahweh. The verse serves as a profound critique of succumbing to foreign influences and prioritizing physical attractiveness or worldly power over spiritual fidelity. This imagery of "marred faces" but strong allure speaks to the deceptive nature of sin, which often presents itself appealingly despite an underlying corruption.