King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 23:26 Mean?

Ezekiel 23:26 in the King James Version says “They shall also strip thee out of thy clothes, and take away thy fair jewels. fair: Heb. instruments of thy decking” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“They shall also strip thee out of thy clothes, and take away thy fair jewels. fair: Heb. instruments of thy decking”

Ezekiel 23:26 · KJV

Context

24

And they shall come against thee with chariots, wagons, and wheels, and with an assembly of people, which shall set against thee buckler and shield and helmet round about: and I will set judgment before them, and they shall judge thee according to their judgments.

25

And I will set my jealousy against thee, and they shall deal furiously with thee: they shall take away thy nose and thine ears; and thy remnant shall fall by the sword: they shall take thy sons and thy daughters; and thy residue shall be devoured by the fire.

26

They shall also strip thee out of thy clothes, and take away thy fair jewels. fair: Heb. instruments of thy decking

27

Thus will I make thy lewdness to cease from thee, and thy whoredom brought from the land of Egypt: so that thou shalt not lift up thine eyes unto them, nor remember Egypt any more.

28

For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will deliver thee into the hand of them whom thou hatest, into the hand of them from whom thy mind is alienated:

Read Ezekiel 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
They shall also strip thee out of thy clothes, and take away thy fair jewels pictures total plunder. Nakedness represents complete humiliation and loss of dignity. Fair jewels symbolize wealth, status, and glory—all stripped away. This fulfills covenant curses of Deuteronomy 28:29-35. God warned Moses that disobedience would result in exactly this degradation. Prophetic fulfillment demonstrates covenant fidelity—God keeps promises, both blessing and curse. Jerusalem's shame confirms God's truthfulness. We prefer emphasizing God's mercy, but His justice is equally certain. Every warning will be fulfilled; every threat executed. This should terrify us into obedience and drive us to gratitude that Christ bore our curse (Galatians 3:13), becoming naked and humiliated for us.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Babylonian conquest included systematic plundering. The temple's gold and sacred vessels were carried to Babylon (2 Kings 25:13-17). The wealth of Jerusalem's nobility was seized. Survivors were left destitute, fulfilling Deuteronomy's covenant curses with precision across eight centuries from Moses to Ezekiel.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does covenant curse fulfillment demonstrate God's faithfulness?
  2. What should we learn from God's execution of His warnings?
  3. How does Christ bearing our curse affect our reading of these judgments?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 6 words
וְהִפְשִׁיט֖וּךְ1 of 6

“They shall also strip”

H6584

to spread out (i.e., deploy in hostile array); by analogy, to strip (i.e., unclothe, plunder, flay, etc.)

אֶת2 of 6
H853

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

בְּגָדָ֑יִךְ3 of 6

“thee out of thy clothes”

H899

a covering, i.e., clothing

וְלָקְח֖וּ4 of 6

“and take away”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

כְּלֵ֥י5 of 6

“jewels”

H3627

something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)

תִפְאַרְתֵּֽךְ׃6 of 6

“thy fair”

H8597

ornament (abstractly or concretely, literally or figuratively)

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 23:26 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 23:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 16:39Jeremiah 13:22Ezekiel 23:29Hosea 2:3Isaiah 3:17-24Ezekiel 16:37

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