And satest upon a stately bed, and a table prepared before it, whereupon thou hast set mine incense and mine oil.
And satest {H3427} upon a stately {H3520} bed {H4296}, and a table {H7979} prepared {H6186} before {H6440} it, whereupon thou hast set {H7760} mine incense {H7004} and mine oil {H8081}.
and sat on a sumptuous bed, with a table arranged before it, on which you put my incense and my olive oil.
You sat on a couch of luxury with a table spread before it, on which you had set My incense and My oil,
and sit upon a stately bed, with a table prepared before it, whereupon thou didst set mine incense and mine oil.
-
Esther 1:6
[Where were] white, green, and blue, [hangings], fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds [were of] gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble. -
Amos 6:4
That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall; -
Jeremiah 44:17
But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for [then] had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil. -
Ezekiel 44:16
They shall enter into my sanctuary, and they shall come near to my table, to minister unto me, and they shall keep my charge. -
Isaiah 65:11
¶ But ye [are] they that forsake the LORD, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop, and that furnish the drink offering unto that number. -
Isaiah 57:7
Upon a lofty and high mountain hast thou set thy bed: even thither wentest thou up to offer sacrifice. -
Ezekiel 16:18
And tookest thy broidered garments, and coveredst them: and thou hast set mine oil and mine incense before them.
Commentary on Ezekiel 23:41
Ezekiel 23:41 is a poignant verse within a lengthy allegorical chapter where the prophet Ezekiel vividly portrays the spiritual unfaithfulness of Israel and Judah. Here, God speaks of Jerusalem (represented by Oholibah) and her lavish idolatrous practices, using sacred items in profane rituals.
Context of Ezekiel 23
Chapter 23 employs the 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 harlots who abandoned their covenant with God to pursue illicit alliances and idolatry with foreign nations like Assyria and Babylon. This entire chapter serves as a stark indictment of their spiritual adultery and a prophecy of the severe judgment that would befall them. Verse 41 specifically describes the decadent and sacrilegious nature of Oholibah's (Jerusalem's) idolatry, highlighting how she used what belonged to God for her own corrupt worship. For a full understanding of the allegory's beginning, see Ezekiel 23:1-4.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "stately bed" (Hebrew: מִטָּה נָאָה, mittah na'ah) denotes a beautiful, luxurious couch or bed, often associated with feasts, revelry, and illicit sexual encounters in ancient Near Eastern contexts. Its presence here emphasizes the sensual and indulgent nature of the idolatrous worship. The possessive "mine" in "mine incense and mine oil" powerfully conveys God's indignation. He emphasizes that these items, though used by Jerusalem, were His possessions, consecrated for His exclusive worship, making their misuse a direct affront to His sovereignty and holiness.
Practical Application
Ezekiel 23:41 serves as a timeless warning against spiritual compromise and the profanation of what is holy. For believers today, it prompts reflection on:
Ultimately, this verse is a powerful reminder of God's demand for unreserved devotion and the seriousness of misusing His blessings for unholy purposes.