King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 23:28 Mean?

Ezekiel 23:28 in the King James Version says “For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will deliver thee into the hand of them whom thou hatest, into the hand of them f... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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:

Ezekiel 23:28 · KJV


Context

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:

29

And they shall deal with thee hatefully, and shall take away all thy labour, and shall leave thee naked and bare: and the nakedness of thy whoredoms shall be discovered, both thy lewdness and thy whoredoms.

30

I will do these things unto thee, because thou hast gone a whoring after the heathen, and because thou art polluted with their idols.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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 repeats verse 22's pronouncement with emphasis. Repetition underscores certainty and irrevocability. God will deliver (natan—give) indicates active divine causation, not passive permission. Judah's hatred and alienation from Babylon doesn't protect her—it intensifies judgment. The very people she came to despise will dominate her. Personal feelings don't alter divine justice. Our opinions about enemies don't influence whom God uses as instruments. This is sobering: God isn't constrained by our preferences or affections. He uses even those we hate to accomplish His purposes, demonstrating absolute sovereignty.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

By siege time, Judah thoroughly hated Babylon—their oppressive vassal requirements, heavy tribute, and military threats made them despised enemies. Yet hatred couldn't prevent Babylonian conquest. Emotion doesn't alter historical necessity when God has decreed judgment. Zedekiah's rebellion expressed this hatred but only brought fiercer punishment.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why doesn't our hatred of enemies prevent God using them as His instruments?
  2. How does God's sovereignty transcend our preferences and emotions?
  3. What does this teach about the independence of divine justice from human opinion?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
כִּ֣י1 of 15
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

כֹ֤ה2 of 15
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַר֙3 of 15

For thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֣י4 of 15

the Lord

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִ֔ה5 of 15
H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

הִנְנִי֙6 of 15
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

נֹֽתְנָ֔ךְ7 of 15

Behold I will deliver

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

בְּיַ֛ד8 of 15

into the hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

אֲשֶׁ֣ר9 of 15
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

שָׂנֵ֑את10 of 15

of them whom thou hatest

H8130

to hate (personally)

בְּיַ֛ד11 of 15

into the hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

אֲשֶׁר12 of 15
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

נָקְעָ֥ה13 of 15

is alienated

H5361

to feel aversion

נַפְשֵׁ֖ךְ14 of 15

of them from whom thy 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׃15 of 15
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 23:28 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 23:28 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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