King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 23:10 Mean?

Ezekiel 23:10 in the King James Version says “These discovered her nakedness: they took her sons and her daughters, and slew her with the sword: and she became famous...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“These discovered her nakedness: they took her sons and her daughters, and slew her with the sword: and she became famous among women; for they had executed judgment upon her. famous: Heb. a name”

Ezekiel 23:10 · KJV

Context

8

Neither left she her whoredoms brought from Egypt: for in her youth they lay with her, and they bruised the breasts of her virginity, and poured their whoredom upon her.

9

Wherefore I have delivered her into the hand of her lovers, into the hand of the Assyrians , upon whom she doted.

10

These discovered her nakedness: they took her sons and her daughters, and slew her with the sword: and she became famous among women; for they had executed judgment upon her. famous: Heb. a name

11

And when her sister Aholibah saw this, she was more corrupt in her inordinate love than she, and in her whoredoms more than her sister in her whoredoms. she was: Heb. she corrupted her inordinate love more than, etc more than: Heb. more than the whoredoms of her sister

12

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

Read Ezekiel 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
These discovered her nakedness: they took her sons and her daughters describes comprehensive devastation—public shame, loss of dignity, family destruction. Nakedness in prophetic literature represents exposure, vulnerability, and humiliation (Genesis 9:21; Isaiah 47:3). Her sons and daughters taken indicates mass deportation and enslavement. Her slew they with the sword refers to massacre accompanying Samaria's fall. And she became famous among women; for they had executed judgment upon her transforms Israel into a cautionary tale. Her destruction served as warning to other nations. God's judgments are both punitive and pedagogical, teaching observers as well as punishing transgressors.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Assyrian conquest involved systematic brutality: destruction of cities, execution of leaders, deportation of populations (the lost ten tribes), and resettlement of foreign peoples in conquered territories. Assyrian records and archaeological evidence confirm the violence. Samaria's fall became proverbial, mentioned in prophetic warnings to Judah for the next century.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does sin eventually expose us to public shame?
  2. What does it mean that God's judgments serve as warnings to others?
  3. How should we respond to historical examples of divine judgment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
הֵמָּה֮1 of 15
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

גִּלּ֣וּ2 of 15

“These discovered”

H1540

to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal

עֶרְוָתָהּ֒3 of 15

“her nakedness”

H6172

nudity, literally (especially the pudenda) or figuratively (disgrace, blemish)

בָּנֶ֤יהָ4 of 15

“her sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

וּבְנוֹתֶ֙יהָ֙5 of 15

“and her daughters”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

לָקָ֔חוּ6 of 15

“they took”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

וְאוֹתָ֖הּ7 of 15
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בַּחֶ֣רֶב8 of 15

“her with the sword”

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

הָרָ֑גוּ9 of 15

“and slew”

H2026

to smite with deadly intent

וַתְּהִי10 of 15
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

שֵׁם֙11 of 15

“and she became famous”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

לַנָּשִׁ֔ים12 of 15

“among women”

H802

a woman

וּשְׁפוּטִ֖ים13 of 15

“judgment”

H8196

a judicial sentence, i.e., punishment

עָ֥שׂוּ14 of 15

“for they had executed”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

בָֽהּ׃15 of 15
H0

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 23:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 23:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hosea 2:10Ezekiel 23:29Ezekiel 16:37-41Ezekiel 23:48Hosea 2:3Jeremiah 22:8-9

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