King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 23:42 Mean?

Ezekiel 23:42 in the King James Version says “And a voice of a multitude being at ease was with her: and with the men of the common sort were brought Sabeans from the... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And a voice of a multitude being at ease was with her: and with the men of the common sort were brought Sabeans from the wilderness, which put bracelets upon their hands, and beautiful crowns upon their heads. of the: Heb. of the multitude of men Sabeans: or, drunkards

Ezekiel 23:42 · KJV


Context

40

And furthermore, that ye have sent for men to come from far, unto whom a messenger was sent; and, lo, they came: for whom thou didst wash thyself, paintedst thy eyes, and deckedst thyself with ornaments, to come: Heb. coming

41

And satest upon a stately bed, and a table prepared before it, whereupon thou hast set mine incense and mine oil. stately: Heb. honourable

42

And a voice of a multitude being at ease was with her: and with the men of the common sort were brought Sabeans from the wilderness, which put bracelets upon their hands, and beautiful crowns upon their heads. of the: Heb. of the multitude of men Sabeans: or, drunkards

43

Then said I unto her that was old in adulteries, Will they now commit whoredoms with her, and she with them? whoredoms: Heb. her whoredoms

44

Yet they went in unto her, as they go in unto a woman that playeth the harlot: so went they in unto Aholah and unto Aholibah, the lewd women.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And a voice of a multitude being at ease was with her describes festive atmosphere—carefree celebration, thoughtless enjoyment. And with the men of the common sort indicates lower-class participants. Were brought Sabeans from the wilderness implies hiring mercenaries or importing foreign entertainment. Which put bracelets upon their hands, and beautiful crowns upon their heads details exchange of gifts and honors in covenant-making ceremonies. Treaties were celebrated with gift exchanges, feasting, and mutual honor. But covenant-making with foreigners violated exclusive covenant with Yahweh. Each diplomatic covenant was spiritual adultery, each gift exchange a token of unfaithfulness. The festive tone highlights moral oblivion—they celebrated their adultery, unaware of or unconcerned by their betrayal of God.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern treaty ceremonies involved elaborate rituals, gift exchanges, and feasting. Both parties exchanged tokens of commitment and performed religious rites acknowledging each other's gods. Judah's participation in such ceremonies with pagan nations implicitly acknowledged foreign gods and violated covenant exclusivity, yet was done with festive celebration rather than solemn awareness of covenant breach.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do celebrations of compromise mask spiritual betrayal?
  2. What contemporary covenant-makings violate our exclusive devotion to God?
  3. Why do we often celebrate precisely what we should mourn?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וְק֣וֹל1 of 19

And a voice

H6963

a voice or sound

הָמוֹן֮2 of 19

of a multitude

H1995

a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth

שָׁלֵ֣ו3 of 19

being at ease

H7961

tranquil; (in a bad sense) careless; abstractly, security

בָהּ֒4 of 19
H0
וְאֶל5 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֲנָשִׁים֙6 of 19
H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

מֵרֹ֣ב7 of 19

of the common sort

H7230

abundance (in any respect)

אָדָ֔ם8 of 19
H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

מוּבָאִ֥ים9 of 19

were brought

H935

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

סָובָאִ֖ים10 of 19

Sabeans

H5436

a sebaite, or inhabitant of seba

מִמִּדְבָּ֑ר11 of 19

from the wilderness

H4057

a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert

וַֽיִּתְּנ֤וּ12 of 19

which put

H5414

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

צְמִידִים֙13 of 19

bracelets

H6781

generally, a lid

אֶל14 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְדֵיהֶ֔ן15 of 19

upon their hands

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

וַעֲטֶ֥רֶת16 of 19

crowns

H5850

a crown

תִּפְאֶ֖רֶת17 of 19

and beautiful

H8597

ornament (abstractly or concretely, literally or figuratively)

עַל18 of 19
H5921

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

רָאשֵׁיהֶֽן׃19 of 19

upon their heads

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)


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 23:42 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 23:42 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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