Ezekiel 23:12

She doted upon the Assyrians [her] neighbours, captains and rulers clothed most gorgeously, horsemen riding upon horses, all of them desirable young men.

She doted {H5689} upon the Assyrians {H1121}{H804} her neighbours {H7138}, captains {H6346} and rulers {H5461} clothed {H3847} most gorgeously {H4358}, horsemen {H6571} riding {H7392} upon horses {H5483}, all of them desirable {H2531} young men {H970}.

She lusted after the men from Ashur, governors and rulers, warriors dressed to perfection, skilled horsemen, all of them good-looking young men.

She too lusted after the Assyrians—governors and commanders, warriors dressed in splendor, horsemen riding on steeds, all desirable young men.

She doted upon the Assyrians, governors and rulers, her neighbors, clothed most gorgeously, horsemen riding upon horses, all of them desirable young men.

Ezekiel 23:12 is part of a vivid and disturbing allegory in which the prophet Ezekiel uses the metaphor of two sisters, Aholah (representing Samaria, the capital of Israel) and Aholibah (representing Jerusalem, the capital of Judah), to illustrate the spiritual harlotry and idolatry of God's chosen people.

Context

In Ezekiel chapter 23, God recounts the history of Israel and Judah's unfaithfulness, portraying them as prostitutes who chased after foreign powers and their pagan practices. This particular verse focuses on Aholibah (Jerusalem), detailing her intense infatuation with the Assyrians. Historically, both Israel and Judah had a tendency to form political and military alliances with powerful neighboring nations like Assyria, Egypt, and Babylon, rather than relying on God's protection. These alliances often led to adopting the idolatrous customs of these nations, thereby committing spiritual adultery against the covenant with Yahweh.

Key Themes

  • Spiritual Adultery and Idolatry: The primary theme is the nation's unfaithfulness to God. "She doted upon the Assyrians" graphically describes Jerusalem's intense, illicit desire for foreign alliances and their associated pagan practices. This was a direct violation of their covenant with God, who demanded exclusive devotion.
  • The Allure of Worldly Splendor: The description of the Assyrians as "captains and rulers clothed most gorgeously, horsemen riding upon horses, all of them desirable young men" highlights the superficial attractiveness and perceived strength of these foreign powers. Jerusalem was drawn to their outward show of wealth, military might, and physical appeal, prioritizing these over the true security found in God.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: While not explicitly stated in this verse, the broader context of Ezekiel 23 warns of the severe judgment that would follow such spiritual infidelity, ultimately leading to the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile. The infatuation described here lays the groundwork for divine punishment.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "she doted upon" comes from the Hebrew verb 'agav (עָגַב), which literally means to lust after or to be inflamed with love, often carrying a strong connotation of illicit or unholy desire. It emphasizes the passionate, almost obsessive, nature of Jerusalem's spiritual infidelity. The Assyrian officials are described as "desirable young men," underlining the seductive and alluring quality of these foreign entanglements, akin to a forbidden romantic attraction.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 23:12 serves as a powerful warning for believers today. It cautions against seeking security, fulfillment, or identity in worldly systems, ideologies, or alliances rather than in God alone. Just as ancient Judah was drawn to the outward glamour and perceived strength of Assyria, we can be tempted by the allure of material wealth, social status, political power, or superficial attractions that promise satisfaction apart from God. This verse calls us to:

  • Undivided Devotion: To maintain exclusive loyalty to God, recognizing that true peace and security come only from Him.
  • Discernment: To look beyond the superficial appeal of worldly things and discern their spiritual implications, understanding that what appears "desirable" can lead to spiritual compromise.
  • Trust in God: To rely on God's provision and protection, rather than forming "alliances" with the world's ways that ultimately lead to unfaithfulness. The story of Judah's spiritual harlotry reminds us of the dangers of misplaced trust and the importance of a pure heart towards God.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 2 Kings 16:7

    So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, saying, I [am] thy servant and thy son: come up, and save me out of the hand of the king of Syria, and out of the hand of the king of Israel, which rise up against me.

  • 2 Kings 16:15

    And king Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, Upon the great altar burn the morning burnt offering, and the evening meat offering, and the king's burnt sacrifice, and his meat offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land, and their meat offering, and their drink offerings; and sprinkle upon it all the blood of the burnt offering, and all the blood of the sacrifice: and the brasen altar shall be for me to enquire [by].

  • Ezekiel 23:5

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

  • Ezekiel 23:6

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

  • 2 Chronicles 28:16

    ¶ At that time did king Ahaz send unto the kings of Assyria to help him.

  • 2 Chronicles 28:23

    For he sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which smote him: and he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, [therefore] will I sacrifice to them, that they may help me. But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel.

  • Ezekiel 16:28

    Thou hast played the whore also with the Assyrians, because thou wast unsatiable; yea, thou hast played the harlot with them, and yet couldest not be satisfied.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back