Ezekiel 23:14

And [that] she increased her whoredoms: for when she saw men pourtrayed upon the wall, the images of the Chaldeans pourtrayed with vermilion,

And that she increased {H3254} her whoredoms {H8457}: for when she saw {H7200} men {H582} pourtrayed {H2707} upon the wall {H7023}, the images {H6754} of the Chaldeans {H3778} pourtrayed {H2710} with vermilion {H8350},

She prostituted herself more than ever; because she saw wall-carvings of men, depicting the Kasdim in vermilion

But Oholibah carried her prostitution even further. She saw the men portrayed on the wall, images of the Chaldeans, engraved in vermilion,

And she increased her whoredoms; for she saw men portrayed upon the wall, the images of the Chaldeans portrayed with vermilion,

Context

Ezekiel chapter 23 continues the powerful allegorical narrative of two sisters, Oholah (representing Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel) and Oholibah (representing Jerusalem, the capital of Judah). Both are depicted as unfaithful wives to the Lord, engaging in spiritual "whoredoms"—a vivid metaphor for their idolatry and their reliance on unholy political alliances with foreign nations rather than trusting in God. The chapter details their escalating spiritual infidelity and the impending divine judgment for their actions.

Verse 14 focuses specifically on Oholibah (Jerusalem/Judah), highlighting her further descent into sin. Despite witnessing the judgment that befell her sister Oholah (Ezekiel 23:9), Oholibah did not learn from the past. Instead, she intensified her "whoredoms," captivated by the very allure of the Chaldeans (Babylonians), whose power and culture she sought to emulate and align with.

Key Themes

  • Spiritual Adultery and Idolatry: The primary theme is Oholibah's egregious unfaithfulness to God. Her "whoredoms" symbolize not only the worship of foreign gods but also the nation's political entanglement with powerful pagan empires like Assyria and Babylon, which were seen as a betrayal of her covenant with the Lord.
  • The Allure of Worldly Power and Culture: The verse vividly describes Judah's fascination with "men pourtrayed upon the wall," specifically "images of the Chaldeans pourtrayed with vermilion." This represents the seductive appeal of Babylonian art, military might, and cultural sophistication, which drew Judah further away from God's commands and into idolatrous practices. The vibrant red pigment (vermilion) suggests the powerful, captivating, and perhaps even sensuous nature of these foreign influences.
  • Lack of Repentance and Escalation of Sin: Despite divine warnings and the example of Israel's fall, Judah continued to deepen its sin, willingly embracing the very influences that led to spiritual decay and eventual judgment. This illustrates a profound spiritual blindness and stubbornness.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Whoredoms" (Hebrew: zanût): This term consistently refers to spiritual prostitution or unfaithfulness to God's covenant throughout the prophetic books. It underscores the intimate and exclusive relationship God desired with His people, viewing any deviation as a profound betrayal.
  • "Pourtrayed" (Hebrew: ḥāqaq): This word means to engrave, depict, or portray. Its use here emphasizes the visual and artistic nature of the Babylonian images that captivated Judah, suggesting a deliberate and artistic representation designed to impress and influence.
  • "Chaldeans": Refers to the inhabitants of Chaldea, synonymous with Babylonia. Their empire was a dominant force in the ancient Near East, and their imagery often depicted their gods, kings, and military prowess.
  • "Vermilion" (Hebrew: šāšar): A red pigment, often associated with luxury and vividness. Its mention highlights the striking and attractive quality of the Chaldean depictions, making them particularly alluring to Oholibah.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 23:14 serves as a timeless warning against spiritual compromise and the seductive power of worldly influences. For believers today, the "images of the Chaldeans pourtrayed with vermilion" can represent:

  • Cultural Idolatry: The temptation to adopt values, entertainment, or lifestyles that conflict with God's Word because they appear attractive, powerful, or sophisticated.
  • Materialism and Consumerism: The allure of wealth, possessions, and status, which can subtly draw hearts away from devotion to God (Matthew 6:24).
  • Political Alliances Over Divine Trust: The danger of placing ultimate trust in human systems, governments, or ideologies rather than in God's sovereignty and provision.
  • Superficial Appeal: The tendency to be swayed by outward appearances or popular trends without discerning their underlying spiritual implications.

This verse calls us to vigilance, discernment, and an unwavering commitment to God, resisting anything that would lead us to spiritual unfaithfulness.

Reflection

Ezekiel 23:14 vividly illustrates the heart's propensity to wander when captivated by external allurements. Judah, represented by Oholibah, became so infatuated with the perceived glory and power of Babylon that she intensified her spiritual "whoredoms," leading her further down a path of destruction. This serves as a stark reminder that true spiritual health requires a single-minded devotion to God, guarding our hearts and minds against anything that seeks to usurp His rightful place in our lives. The pursuit of worldly appeal, no matter how "pourtrayed with vermilion," ultimately leads to spiritual emptiness and divine displeasure.

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.

  • Ezekiel 8:10

    So I went in and saw; and behold every form of creeping things, and abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, pourtrayed upon the wall round about.

  • Jeremiah 22:14

    That saith, I will build me a wide house and large chambers, and cutteth him out windows; and [it is] cieled with cedar, and painted with vermilion.

  • Jeremiah 50:2

    Declare ye among the nations, and publish, and set up a standard; publish, [and] conceal not: say, Babylon is taken, Bel is confounded, Merodach is broken in pieces; her idols are confounded, her images are broken in pieces.

  • Isaiah 46:1

    ¶ Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your carriages [were] heavy loaden; [they are] a burden to the weary [beast].

  • Ezekiel 16:29

    Thou hast moreover multiplied thy fornication in the land of Canaan unto Chaldea; and yet thou wast not satisfied herewith.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back