Ezekiel 23 40

Ezekiel 23:40 kjv

And furthermore, that ye have sent for men to come from far, unto whom a messenger was sent; and, lo, they came: for whom thou didst wash thyself, paintedst thy eyes, and deckedst thyself with ornaments,

Ezekiel 23:40 nkjv

"Furthermore you sent for men to come from afar, to whom a messenger was sent; and there they came. And you washed yourself for them, painted your eyes, and adorned yourself with ornaments.

Ezekiel 23:40 niv

"They even sent messengers for men who came from far away, and when they arrived you bathed yourself for them, applied eye makeup and put on your jewelry.

Ezekiel 23:40 esv

They even sent for men to come from afar, to whom a messenger was sent; and behold, they came. For them you bathed yourself, painted your eyes, and adorned yourself with ornaments.

Ezekiel 23:40 nlt

"You sisters sent messengers to distant lands to get men. Then when they arrived, you bathed yourselves, painted your eyelids, and put on your finest jewels for them.

Ezekiel 23 verses

Ezekiel 23 40 Meaning

This verse describes a consequence of sin, specifically referring to idolatrous actions. Those who engaged in these practices will be confronted by their accusers and will experience shame and destruction. It emphasizes divine judgment on apostasy.

Ezekiel 23 40 Context

Ezekiel chapter 23 contains a prophetic allegory comparing the unfaithfulness of Israel and Judah to two unchaste sisters, Oholah (Samaria) and Oholibah (Jerusalem). They both engaged in spiritual harlotry by embracing idolatry and making alliances with foreign nations, contrary to God's covenant. Verse 40 serves as a concluding statement for the pronouncements of judgment against Oholibah (Jerusalem) for her extreme spiritual prostitution, specifically her adoption of foreign cultic practices, including child sacrifice, and her reliance on human alliances rather than God. This verse outlines the consequences of her sins: facing her accusers and the shame and destruction that would result from divine retribution.

Ezekiel 23 40 Word Analysis

• And (וְ - ve): A common conjunction connecting clauses and ideas.
• surely (אָכֵן - 'akhén): Emphasizes certainty or confirmation.
• to (בּוֹ - bo): Indicates purpose or destination, in this case, being "to" someone.
• meet (לִקְרַאת - liq'rath): To come to meet, to confront, to face.
• you (אֹתָהּ - 'othah): Refers to Jerusalem (Oholibah).
• there (שָׁם - sham): Indicates a specific place or context, likely referring to the place of judgment.
• and (וְ - ve): Conjunction.
• they (הֵמָּה - hemmah): Refers to the accusers or the instruments of judgment.
• shall (יִקְרְאוּ - yiq'rə'u): Future tense of "to call," implying an accusation or summoning.
• bring (בֹּא - bo'): To bring, to come.
• upon (עַל - 'al): Preposition indicating position or addition.
• you (עָלַיִךְ - 'aláyikh): Upon you (feminine singular), referring to Jerusalem.
• affliction (עֵצָה - `ēṣāh): Can mean counsel, plan, or advice, but here in the context of judgment, it implies a negative consequence or severe measure. Some translations use "sorrow" or "pain."
• and (וְ - ve): Conjunction.
• they (וְיֵאָסְפוּ - vîy'‘āsupu): And they shall be gathered. This implies a collection or assembling of forces against Jerusalem, or the gathering of evidence for her judgment.
• shall (וְיִרְמְסוּ - vîyirməsū): And they shall tread down, trample, or crush.
• you (אֹתָהּ - 'othah): You (feminine singular).
• in (בְּ - bə): Preposition.
• the (בְּסִינָּתָם - bəsin'natham): In their affliction, in their sorrow, or in their condemnation. This can be understood as the outcome of the judgment against them. The Hebrew here is challenging and some interpret it as related to their desires or their "hatred," indicating the consequence of their depravity. Other scholarly interpretations suggest "in their despair" or "in their destructions." The sense is a dire consequence experienced by those judged.
• multitude (קָהָל - qāhāl): Congregation, assembly, crowd. This could refer to the collective force judging or the amassed people who witness the judgment.
• and (וְ — ve): Conjunction.
• their (וּבְנִשְׁמָדָתָם — uv'nish'madatam): And in their utter ruin, annihilation, or destruction.
• their (בָּהֶם — bahem): By them.
• ruin (קְהִלָּתָם — q'hilathām): Their congregation or assembly. The structure suggests judgment brings about their collective ruin.

Word Group Analysis

• "surely to meet you there": This phrase signifies a certain and inevitable encounter with judgment. It’s not an option, but a definite event.
• "they shall bring upon you affliction": This indicates active imposition of suffering, designed as a consequence for their actions.
• "and they shall be gathered and shall tread you down in their affliction": This suggests a complete overwhelming and subjugation by their adversaries, stemming from the accusers' own distress or a determined punitive measure.
• "and in their ruin, their multitude": This concluding part is complex. It could imply that through the ruin of their accusers or through their collective devastation, Jerusalem would be trodden down, or it might signify that their ruin was accompanied by the overwhelming destruction of their enemies, or even their own people caught in the devastation. A strong interpretation is that the very instruments of their judgment (their former allies turned enemies, or divine agents) would bring about their destruction, and that destruction would be comprehensive, affecting even their own people who were part of the offending nation.

Ezekiel 23 40 Bonus Section

The concept of "affliction" (ēṣāh) here, when used in the context of judgment, speaks to the counsel or decree of God that results in suffering. This aligns with how divine judgment is often portrayed as a structured plan by God. The act of being "trodden down" (רָמַס - rāmáṣ) is a strong image of complete defeat and desecration, seen elsewhere for trampling enemies or God's own people when they have sinned grievously (e.g., Isaiah 63:3, Lamentations 1:15). The final phrase also touches on the idea that the instruments of God’s judgment, while used by Him, may themselves suffer, yet their purpose in executing judgment on the unrepentant is still fulfilled. The ultimate outcome for Judah was the Babylonian conquest, a period of extreme tribulation and national ruin that embodied these pronouncements.

Ezekiel 23 40 Commentary

This verse powerfully depicts the inevitable and crushing divine judgment for apostasy and rampant sin. Jerusalem, represented by Oholibah, will be confronted by those she allied with and trusted, who will become her instruments of destruction. The "affliction" and "treading down" signify total humiliation and subjugation. The reference to "their ruin, their multitude" points to the complete devastation that will befall those who turned away from God, leaving them exposed and ashamed before all. It serves as a stern warning against idolatry and misplaced trust.