King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 23:7 Mean?

Ezekiel 23:7 in the King James Version says “Thus she committed her whoredoms with them, with all them that were the chosen men of Assyria, and with all on whom she ... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Thus she committed her whoredoms with them, with all them that were the chosen men of Assyria, and with all on whom she doted: with all their idols she defiled herself. committed: Heb. bestowed her whoredoms upon them the chosen: Heb. the choice of the children of Asshur

Ezekiel 23:7 · KJV


Context

5

And Aholah played the harlot when she was mine; and she doted on her lovers, on the Assyrians her neighbours,

6

Which were clothed with blue, captains and rulers, all of them desirable young men, horsemen riding upon horses.

7

Thus she committed her whoredoms with them, with all them that were the chosen men of Assyria, and with all on whom she doted: with all their idols she defiled herself. committed: Heb. bestowed her whoredoms upon them the chosen: Heb. the choice of the children of Asshur

8

Neither left she her whoredoms brought from Egypt: for in her youth they lay with her, and they bruised the breasts of her virginity, and poured their whoredom upon her.

9

Wherefore I have delivered her into the hand of her lovers, into the hand of the Assyrians , upon whom she doted.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thus she committed her whoredoms with them indicates sustained, systematic apostasy, not isolated incidents. With all them that were the choice men of Assyria shows indiscriminate spiritual promiscuity—Israel sought multiple Assyrian alliances. And with all on whom she doted—with all their idols she defiled herself demonstrates the inseparable connection between political and religious compromise. Ancient Near Eastern treaties required honoring your ally's gods. Israel couldn't secure Assyrian protection without acknowledging Assyrian deities. Political pragmatism always carries spiritual costs; seemingly secular decisions have theological implications.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Treaty protocols in the ancient Near East typically included religious clauses. When Israel allied with Assyria, they acknowledged Assyrian gods in treaty ceremonies and often erected Assyrian cult objects in Israelite territories, as evidenced by Ahaz's adoption of an Assyrian altar design for the Jerusalem temple (2 Kings 16:10-16).

Reflection Questions

  1. How do seemingly secular decisions carry spiritual implications?
  2. What compromises do we justify as 'merely political' or practical?
  3. In what ways does doting on worldly solutions lead to spiritual defilement?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וַתִּתֵּ֤ן1 of 13

Thus she committed

H5414

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

תַּזְנוּתֶ֙יהָ֙2 of 13

her whoredoms

H8457

harlotry, i.e., (figuratively) idolatry

עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם3 of 13
H5921

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

מִבְחַ֥ר4 of 13

with them with all them that were the chosen

H4005

select, i.e., best

בְּנֵֽי5 of 13

men

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

אַשּׁ֖וּר6 of 13

of Assyria

H804

ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire

כֻּלָּ֑ם7 of 13
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

וּבְכֹ֧ל8 of 13
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֲשֶׁר9 of 13
H834

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

עָֽגְבָ֛ה10 of 13

and with all on whom she doted

H5689

to breathe after, i.e., to love (sensually)

בְּכָל11 of 13
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

גִּלּוּלֵיהֶ֖ם12 of 13

with all their idols

H1544

properly, a log (as round); by implication, an idol

נִטְמָֽאָה׃13 of 13

she defiled

H2930

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


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 23:7 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 23:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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