King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 23:46 Mean?

Ezekiel 23:46 in the King James Version says “For thus saith the Lord GOD; I will bring up a company upon them, and will give them to be removed and spoiled. to be: H...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For thus saith the Lord GOD; I will bring up a company upon them, and will give them to be removed and spoiled. to be: Heb. for a removing and spoil”

Ezekiel 23:46 · KJV

Context

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.

45

And the righteous men, they shall judge them after the manner of adulteresses, and after the manner of women that shed blood; because they are adulteresses, and blood is in their hands.

46

For thus saith the Lord GOD; I will bring up a company upon them, and will give them to be removed and spoiled. to be: Heb. for a removing and spoil

47

And the company shall stone them with stones, and dispatch them with their swords; they shall slay their sons and their daughters, and burn up their houses with fire. dispatch: or, single them out

48

Thus will I cause lewdness to cease out of the land, that all women may be taught not to do after your lewdness.

Read Ezekiel 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For thus saith the Lord GOD; I will bring up a company upon them announces the mechanism—military invasion. And will give them to be removed and spoiled describes deportation and plunder. Removed (za'avah) indicates terror and trembling; spoiled (baz) means plundered. Both terms were earlier used for Israel's judgment in Deuteronomy 28:25. Covenant curses are fulfilled precisely across centuries. The phrase 'I will bring up' emphasizes divine agency—though Babylon chooses to invade, God orchestrates it. Secondary causes don't diminish primary causation. Human will and divine sovereignty operate simultaneously—biblical compatibilism. Babylon is fully responsible for their actions while fully accomplishing God's purpose. Both truths stand without contradiction.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Nebuchadnezzar's sieges (597, 586 BC) resulted in mass deportation and systematic plunder. The Babylonian Chronicles and biblical accounts describe removal of people, wealth, and sacred objects to Babylon. Everything prophesied occurred exactly—specific fulfillment of covenant curses written 800 years earlier by Moses.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do human decisions fulfill divine plans without compromising human responsibility?
  2. What is the relationship between human responsibility and divine sovereignty in judgment?
  3. How should understanding God's control of history affect our view of current events?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
כִּ֛י1 of 12
H3588

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

כֹּ֥ה2 of 12
H3541

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

אָמַ֖ר3 of 12

“For thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֣י4 of 12

“the Lord”

H136

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

יְהוִ֑ה5 of 12

“GOD”

H3069

god

הַעֲלֵ֤ה6 of 12

“I will bring up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

עֲלֵיהֶם֙7 of 12
H5921

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

קָהָ֔ל8 of 12

“a company”

H6951

assemblage (usually concretely)

וְנָתֹ֥ן9 of 12

“upon them and will give”

H5414

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

אֶתְהֶ֖ן10 of 12
H853

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

לְזַעֲוָ֥ה11 of 12

“them to be removed”

H2189

agitation, maltreatment

וְלָבַֽז׃12 of 12

“and spoiled”

H957

plunder

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 23:46 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 23:46 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 16:40Jeremiah 24:9Jeremiah 15:4Jeremiah 34:17Jeremiah 25:9Ezekiel 23:22-26

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