Ezekiel 23:28

For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will deliver thee into the hand [of them] whom thou hatest, into the hand [of them] from whom thy mind is alienated:

For thus saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}; Behold, I will deliver {H5414} thee into the hand {H3027} of them whom thou hatest {H8130}, into the hand {H3027} of them from whom thy mind {H5315} is alienated {H5361}:

For this is what Adonai ELOHIM says: 'I am about to hand you over to those you hate, to those who fill you with revulsion;

For this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Surely I will deliver you into the hands of those you hate, from whom you turned away in disgust.

For thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I will deliver thee into the hand of them whom thou hatest, into the hand of them from whom thy soul is alienated;

Ezekiel 23:28 KJV delivers a stern declaration from God regarding the consequences of spiritual unfaithfulness, specifically targeting Jerusalem (represented by Oholibah in the allegorical narrative).

Context of Ezekiel 23:28

Chapter 23 of Ezekiel employs a vivid, extended allegory of two sisters, Oholah (Samaria, representing the Northern Kingdom of Israel) and Oholibah (Jerusalem, representing the Southern Kingdom of Judah). Both are depicted as engaging in spiritual harlotry, symbolizing their idolatry and unholy political alliances with foreign powers like Egypt, Assyria, and Babylon, rather than remaining devoted to God. This verse, Ezekiel 23:28, specifically addresses Oholibah, announcing God's impending judgment. The "them" refers to the very nations (primarily the Babylonians) with whom Judah had previously sought alliances or against whom they harbored animosity, yet now would become the instruments of their divine punishment. This illustrates God's sovereignty over nations and His determination to chastise His people for their persistent rebellion and idolatry.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment for Unfaithfulness: The primary message is God's unwavering resolve to bring judgment upon His people when they forsake their covenant with Him through idolatry and immoral alliances. This serves as a powerful warning against spiritual adultery.
  • Poetic Justice: God declares He will deliver Judah into the hands of those they "hated" or from whom their "mind is alienated." This highlights a form of poetic justice, where the very entities they either despised or inappropriately sought help from would become their oppressors. It underscores the severity of God's justice and the direct consequences of their choices.
  • God's Sovereignty: Despite the human actions of unfaithfulness and political maneuvering, God remains in ultimate control, orchestrating events to fulfill His righteous judgments. He actively "delivers" them into the hands of their enemies, demonstrating His power over historical outcomes.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "from whom thy mind is alienated" uses the Hebrew term נָזַר (nazar), which can mean to separate, consecrate, or estrange oneself. In this context, it emphasizes a deep sense of aversion, estrangement, or even disdain towards these foreign nations, even while paradoxically seeking their aid or imitating their practices. This linguistic nuance highlights the hypocrisy and spiritual disconnect of Judah's actions.

Related Scriptures

The concept of God's people being delivered into the hands of their enemies due to unfaithfulness is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament, particularly in prophetic books. For similar allegories of spiritual harlotry and divine judgment, see Ezekiel 16:32 and Jeremiah 2:13. The warnings of such consequences for disobedience are also found in the Mosaic Law, such as in Deuteronomy 28:48. This verse also resonates with the broader biblical principle that "whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap," as found in Galatians 6:7.

Practical Application

While the immediate context of Ezekiel 23:28 speaks to ancient Israel, its underlying principles remain profoundly relevant today. It serves as a powerful reminder for believers to remain faithful to God, avoiding spiritual idolatry in all its forms—whether it be placing trust in worldly systems, pursuing sinful desires, or prioritizing anything above God. The verse encourages introspection: are there areas in our lives where our "mind is alienated" from God's ways, yet we still seek solutions or satisfaction from those very sources? God's justice ensures that straying from Him ultimately leads to difficult consequences, often from unexpected or undesirable sources. True security and peace are found only in genuine devotion and obedience to the Lord.

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 23:17

    And the Babylonians came to her into the bed of love, and they defiled her with their whoredom, and she was polluted with them, and her mind was alienated from them.

  • Jeremiah 34:20

    I will even give them into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of them that seek their life: and their dead bodies shall be for meat unto the fowls of the heaven, and to the beasts of the earth.

  • Ezekiel 16:37

    Behold, therefore I will gather all thy lovers, with whom thou hast taken pleasure, and all [them] that thou hast loved, with all [them] that thou hast hated; I will even gather them round about against thee, and will discover thy nakedness unto them, that they may see all thy nakedness.

  • Ezekiel 23:22

    ¶ Therefore, O Aholibah, thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will raise up thy lovers against thee, from whom thy mind is alienated, and I will bring them against thee on every side;

  • Jeremiah 21:7

    And afterward, saith the LORD, I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah, and his servants, and the people, and such as are left in this city from the pestilence, from the sword, and from the famine, into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those that seek their life: and he shall smite them with the edge of the sword; he shall not spare them, neither have pity, nor have mercy.

  • Jeremiah 21:10

    For I have set my face against this city for evil, and not for good, saith the LORD: it shall be given into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire.

  • Jeremiah 24:8

    And as the evil figs, which cannot be eaten, they are so evil; surely thus saith the LORD, So will I give Zedekiah the king of Judah, and his princes, and the residue of Jerusalem, that remain in this land, and them that dwell in the land of Egypt:
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