King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 23:17 Mean?

Ezekiel 23:17 in the King James Version says “And the Babylonians came to her into the bed of love, and they defiled her with their whoredom, and she was polluted wit...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Ezekiel 23:17 · KJV

Love

Context

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.

19

Yet she multiplied her whoredoms, in calling to remembrance the days of her youth, wherein she had played the harlot in the land of Egypt.

Read Ezekiel 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the Babylonians came to her into the bed of love describes Judah receiving what she pursued. The phrase 'bed of love' drips with irony—what she thought would be romantic alliance became violent violation. And they defiled her with their whoredom indicates the very relationship Judah sought corrupted her. Babylonian alliance required religious compromise—acknowledging Babylonian gods, adopting cultic practices. And her mind was alienated from them marks the turning point: after experiencing what she desired, Judah became disillusioned. But alienation came too late—defilement was permanent, consequences unavoidable. Sin promises satisfaction but delivers emptiness. We pursue eagerly, then recoil in disgust once possessing it—but damage is done.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Judah's alliance with Babylon began positively but soured as Babylonian dominance became oppressive. King Jehoiakim rebelled after three years of vassalage (2 Kings 24:1), triggering Babylonian invasion. What seemed politically and economically advantageous became destructive. The pattern repeated under Zedekiah, whose rebellion brought final judgment (2 Kings 24-25).

Reflection Questions

  1. Why do sinful pursuits promise satisfaction but deliver disillusionment?
  2. How does God sometimes grant our sinful desires to reveal their emptiness?
  3. What should we do when we realize our chosen path has defiled us?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וַיָּבֹ֨אוּ1 of 14

“came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֵלֶ֤יהָ2 of 14
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בְנֵֽי3 of 14

“And the Babylonians”

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

בָבֶל֙4 of 14
H894

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

לְמִשְׁכַּ֣ב5 of 14

“to her into the bed”

H4904

a bed (figuratively, a bier); abstractly, sleep; by euphemism, carnal intercourse

דֹּדִ֔ים6 of 14

“of love”

H1730

(figuratively) to love; by implication, a love-token, lover, friend; specifically an uncle

וַתִּ֨טְמָא7 of 14

“and she was polluted”

H2930

to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)

אוֹתָ֖הּ8 of 14
H853

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

בְּתַזְנוּתָ֑ם9 of 14

“her with their whoredom”

H8457

harlotry, i.e., (figuratively) idolatry

וַתִּ֨טְמָא10 of 14

“and she was polluted”

H2930

to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)

בָ֔ם11 of 14
H0
וַתֵּ֥קַע12 of 14

“was alienated”

H3363

properly, to sever oneself, i.e., (by implication) to be dislocated; figuratively, to abandon; causatively, to impale (and thus allow to drop to piece

נַפְשָׁ֖הּ13 of 14

“with them and her mind”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

מֵהֶֽם׃14 of 14
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

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 23:17 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 23:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 23:28Ezekiel 23:22Genesis 10:10Genesis 11:92 Samuel 13:15Ezekiel 16:37

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