King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 23:16 Mean?

Ezekiel 23:16 in the King James Version says “And as soon as she saw them with her eyes, she doted upon them, and sent messengers unto them into Chaldea. as soon: Heb...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And as soon as she saw them with her eyes, she doted upon them, and sent messengers unto them into Chaldea. as soon: Heb. at the sight of her eyes”

Ezekiel 23:16 · KJV

Context

14

And that she increased her whoredoms: for when she saw men pourtrayed upon the wall, the images of the Chaldeans pourtrayed with vermilion,

15

Girded with girdles upon their loins, exceeding in dyed attire upon their heads, all of them princes to look to, after the manner of the Babylonians of Chaldea, the land of their nativity:

16

And as soon as she saw them with her eyes, she doted upon them, and sent messengers unto them into Chaldea. as soon: Heb. at the sight of her eyes

17

And the Babylonians came to her into the bed of love, and they defiled her with their whoredom, and she was polluted with them, and her mind was alienated from them. Babylonians: Heb. children of Babel alienated: Heb. loosed, or, disjointed

18

So she discovered her whoredoms, and discovered her nakedness: then my mind was alienated from her, like as my mind was alienated from her sister.

Read Ezekiel 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And as soon as she saw them with her eyes, she doted upon them captures the immediacy of desire—sight triggered attraction without deliberation. And sent messengers unto them into Chaldea shows transition from attraction to pursuit. Judah initiated contact with Babylon—not Babylonian aggression but Judean infatuation. King Hezekiah's reception of Babylonian envoys (2 Kings 20:12-19) marked this turning point. Isaiah warned that alliance would bring destruction, but Judah persisted. The speed from seeing to sending, from attraction to action, demonstrates covetousness's power. It allows no time for wisdom, prayer, or caution. Impulsive action driven by desire always ends badly, requiring intentional delay between stimulus and response.

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Historical & Cultural Context

After Hezekiah showed Babylon's envoys (from Merodach-baladan) all his treasures (circa 703 BC), Isaiah prophesied that everything would be carried to Babylon and Hezekiah's descendants would serve in Babylon's palace (2 Kings 20:16-18)—precisely fulfilled in 597 and 586 BC. Hezekiah's pride and political calculation initiated Judah's fatal attraction to Babylon.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does immediate gratification of desire short-circuit wisdom and discernment?
  2. What prevents us from pausing between attraction and action?
  3. How might slowing down help us resist temptation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
וַתַּעְגְּבָ֥1 of 8

“she doted”

H5689

to breathe after, i.e., to love (sensually)

עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם2 of 8
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

לְמַרְאֵ֣ה3 of 8

“And as soon as she saw”

H4758

a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape (especially if handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks),

עֵינֶ֑יהָ4 of 8

“them with her eyes”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

וַתִּשְׁלַ֧ח5 of 8

“upon them and sent”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

מַלְאָכִ֛ים6 of 8

“messengers”

H4397

a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)

אֲלֵיהֶ֖ם7 of 8
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כַּשְׂדִּֽימָה׃8 of 8

“unto them into Chaldea”

H3778

a kasdite, or descendant of kesed; by implication, a chaldaean (as if so descended); also an astrologer (as if proverbial of that people

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 23:16 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 23:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 16:29Matthew 5:28Job 31:1Proverbs 23:332 Peter 2:142 Kings 24:1

Places in This Verse

ChaldeaRegion · Modern: Tell el Muqayyar · 30.96°N, 46.10°E85 verses across 11 books
View all places in Ezekiel 23 →

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