Ezekiel 23:42

KJV

And a voice of a multitude being at ease [was] with her: and with the men of the common sort [were] brought Sabeans from the wilderness, which put bracelets upon their hands, and beautiful crowns upon their heads.

KJV (with Strong's)

And a voice {H6963} of a multitude {H1995} being at ease {H7961} was with her: and with the men {H582} of the common sort {H7230}{H120} were brought {H935} Sabeans {H5436}{H5433} from the wilderness {H4057}, which put {H5414} bracelets {H6781} upon their hands {H3027}, and beautiful {H8597} crowns {H5850} upon their heads {H7218}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The noise of a carefree crowd could be heard there; many of the men were brought in drunk from the desert. They put bracelets on their hands and magnificent crowns on their heads.

Berean Standard Bible

accompanied by the sound of a carefree crowd. Drunkards were brought in from the desert along with men from the rabble, who put bracelets on your wrists and beautiful crowns on your head.

American Standard Version

And the voice of a multitude being at ease was with her: and with men of the common sort were brought drunkards from the wilderness; and they put bracelets upon the hands of them twain, and beautiful crowns upon their heads.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 23:42 vividly portrays the decadent and spiritually compromised state of Oholibah (Judah), continuing the allegorical indictment of Israel's unfaithfulness. It describes a scene of revelry where a "multitude being at ease" and "men of the common sort" are joined by exotic Sabeans from the wilderness, who adorn themselves with lavish bracelets and beautiful crowns. This imagery underscores Judah's deep entanglement with foreign powers and pagan practices, illustrating the seductive allure of worldly alliances and idolatry that led them away from their covenant with God and towards divine judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 23 is a powerful and graphic allegory detailing the spiritual harlotry of two sisters, Oholah (Samaria, representing the Northern Kingdom of Israel) and Oholibah (Jerusalem, representing the Southern Kingdom of Judah). The chapter builds upon earlier themes of Israel's unfaithfulness, particularly seen in [Ezekiel 16](/ezekiel/16 "Ezekiel 16 - The Allegory of Jerusalem as an Unfaithful Wife"), where Jerusalem is depicted as a foundling raised by God who then betrayed Him. In chapter 23, the focus intensifies on the sisters' insatiable lust for foreign alliances and idols, which Ezekiel portrays as egregious acts of spiritual adultery. Verse 42 specifically describes the final, most depraved stage of Oholibah's (Judah's) debauchery, highlighting the foreign elements and the atmosphere of careless revelry that characterized her abandonment of God. This verse serves as a climactic depiction of her moral decay before the pronouncement of severe judgment.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Historically, both the Northern and Southern Kingdoms of Israel repeatedly sought political and military alliances with powerful neighboring empires, such as Assyria, Egypt, and Babylon, rather than trusting in the Lord for their security. These alliances often necessitated the adoption of foreign deities, customs, and tribute payments, directly violating the Mosaic covenant. The "Sabeans from the wilderness" mentioned in the verse likely refer to traders or mercenaries from the ancient kingdom of Sheba (modern-day Yemen), renowned for its wealth, exotic goods, and long-distance trade routes. Their presence in Judah would signify the nation's deep immersion in foreign cultural and economic entanglements, which brought with them pagan influences and a lifestyle of luxury and idolatry. The "bracelets" and "beautiful crowns" symbolize the perceived prestige, wealth, and allure that Judah sought through these forbidden relationships, masking the spiritual corruption they entailed.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Ezekiel and the prophetic literature. Firstly, it powerfully reinforces the theme of **Spiritual Adultery and Idolatry**, portraying Judah's pursuit of foreign alliances and pagan gods as a betrayal of her covenant relationship with Yahweh, her divine husband. This imagery is central to understanding God's righteous anger and the severity of the impending judgment, as seen in passages like [Jeremiah 3:8-9](/jeremiah/3-8 "Jeremiah 3:8-9 - Israel's Unfaithfulness"). Secondly, the verse highlights the theme of **Foreign Entanglement and Its Corrupting Influence**. The presence of the Sabeans and the description of lavish adornments emphasize how external influences, though seemingly beneficial or attractive, led Judah further into apostasy and away from the purity of worship commanded by God in texts such as [Deuteronomy 7:3-4](/deuteronomy/7-3 "Deuteronomy 7:3-4 - Warnings Against Intermarriage and Idolatry"). Finally, the "multitude being at ease" underscores the theme of **False Security and Careless Indulgence**, where the people, despite their spiritual depravity, lived in a state of unconcern, oblivious to the imminent divine judgment that God had warned them about through His prophets, echoing warnings found in [Amos 6:1](/amos/6-1 "Amos 6:1 - Woe to Those at Ease in Zion").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **multitude (Hebrew, _hâmôwn'_):** (H1995) This word signifies a noise, tumult, or crowd, but can also denote abundance, wealth, or a large company. In Ezekiel 23:42, it describes a large gathering of people, emphasizing the sheer number involved in the decadent revelry, contributing to the sense of widespread spiritual corruption and the public nature of Judah's unfaithfulness.
* **at ease (Hebrew, _shâlêv'_):** (H7961) Meaning tranquil, quiet, or secure, this term often carries a negative connotation in prophetic literature, implying a state of careless prosperity or false security that leads to spiritual complacency and moral decay. Here, it highlights the heedless indulgence of the participants, oblivious to the gravity of their actions or the looming divine judgment.
* **Sabeans (Hebrew, _Çᵉbâʼîy'_):** (H5436) This is a patrial term referring to an inhabitant of Seba (Sheba), an ancient kingdom known for its wealth, trade, and exotic goods. Their presence signifies the foreign, luxurious, and enticing elements that Judah embraced, symbolizing the forbidden alliances and pagan influences that seduced the nation away from God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And a voice of a multitude being at ease [was] with her:"** This clause sets the scene, depicting a loud, boisterous gathering. The "multitude" suggests a large assembly of people, and their state of "being at ease" implies a carefree, perhaps even arrogant, indulgence in their revelry, devoid of any concern for their spiritual condition or the impending consequences of their actions. This "voice" is one of celebration and abandon, rather than repentance or worship of the true God.
* **"and with the men of the common sort [were] brought Sabeans from the wilderness,"** This part of the verse specifies the participants in this debauchery. "Men of the common sort" indicates ordinary people, suggesting that the spiritual corruption was pervasive, affecting all levels of society, not just the elite. The introduction of "Sabeans from the wilderness" signifies the explicit foreign and pagan element. These were not just internal acts of sin but an active embrace of external, unholy influences, symbolizing Judah's illicit alliances and adoption of foreign deities.
* **"which put bracelets upon their hands, and beautiful crowns upon their heads."** This final clause describes the adornments of the Sabeans (or perhaps the entire company), emphasizing their lavishness and exotic nature. "Bracelets" and "beautiful crowns" symbolize wealth, prestige, and allure. This imagery highlights the superficial attractiveness and perceived benefits of Judah's foreign entanglements and idolatrous practices, which, though appearing glorious, were ultimately a façade for spiritual betrayal and a path to destruction.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 23:42 is rich in **Symbolism** and **Imagery**, which are central to the prophet's message. The "voice of a multitude being at ease" symbolizes the widespread spiritual complacency and moral decay that permeated Judah, a society lost in revelry and unconcerned with its covenant obligations. The "Sabeans from the wilderness" are a potent symbol of the foreign, pagan influences and illicit alliances that Judah pursued, representing the exotic and seductive nature of idolatry and worldly power. The "bracelets" and "beautiful crowns" symbolize the false glory, material wealth, and perceived prestige that Judah sought through these forbidden relationships, masking the spiritual harlotry beneath. The entire chapter employs an extended **Allegory** of two sisters, Oholah and Oholibah, to personify the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, making their spiritual unfaithfulness vivid and visceral. The graphic nature of the descriptions serves as a form of **Hyperbole**, intensifying the shock and condemnation of their actions.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 23:42 powerfully reinforces the biblical understanding of idolatry as spiritual adultery, a betrayal of the unique covenant relationship between God and His people. The scene of revelry with foreign elements and lavish adornments underscores the seductive nature of worldly allure and the profound consequences of forsaking divine faithfulness for fleeting pleasures and false security. It illustrates how the pursuit of external alliances and pagan practices not only violated God's commands but also corrupted the very identity and purpose of His chosen nation. This verse serves as a stark reminder that God demands exclusive devotion and that any deviation into syncretism or reliance on human power ultimately leads to judgment and spiritual desolation.

* [Exodus 34:15-16](/exodus/34-15 "Exodus 34:15-16 - Warning Against Covenant with Inhabitants of the Land")
* [Hosea 2:5](/hosea/2-5 "Hosea 2:5 - Israel's Pursuit of Lovers")
* [Revelation 18:7](/revelation/18-7 "Revelation 18:7 - The Pride and Luxury of Babylon")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel's graphic portrayal of Judah's spiritual harlotry in verse 42 serves as an enduring warning for believers today. We, too, can be tempted by the "voice of a multitude being at ease," drawn into cultural norms or worldly pursuits that promise comfort, prestige, or security but subtly erode our devotion to God. The "Sabeans with bracelets and beautiful crowns" represent the seductive allure of anything that distracts us from Christ—whether it be material wealth, social status, political power, or even seemingly benign cultural trends—if it leads us to compromise our spiritual fidelity. This passage challenges us to examine our allegiances: Are we truly trusting in God alone, or are we seeking "alliances" with the world that promise temporary gain but ultimately defile our relationship with Him? True spiritual prosperity is found not in worldly adornments or careless ease, but in unwavering faithfulness to the Lord.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be seeking "ease" or "security" outside of my trust in God?**
* **What "bracelets" or "beautiful crowns"—worldly allurements or perceived benefits—might be subtly drawing me away from singular devotion to Christ?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper awareness of spiritual compromise in my daily life and actively choose fidelity to God?**

### FAQ

**Who are the "Sabeans" and why are they significant in this context?**
Answer: The "Sabeans" (Hebrew: _Çᵉbâʼîy_) refer to people from the ancient kingdom of Sheba, located in what is now Yemen. They were renowned for their wealth, trade in exotic goods like spices, gold, and precious stones, and their long-distance commercial routes (see [1 Kings 10:1-10](/1_kings/10-1 "1 Kings 10:1-10 - The Queen of Sheba Visits Solomon")). In Ezekiel 23:42, their significance lies in their representation of foreign, pagan influences and the luxurious, enticing aspects of Judah's illicit alliances. Their presence underscores how Judah was willing to embrace external cultures and their associated idolatry for perceived material or political gain, rather than relying solely on God.

**What does "a voice of a multitude being at ease" imply about Judah's condition?**
Answer: This phrase implies a widespread atmosphere of careless indulgence, revelry, and false security within Judah. The "multitude" suggests that this spiritual complacency and moral decay were pervasive, affecting many people. "Being at ease" (Hebrew: _shâlêv_) often carries a negative connotation in prophetic literature, denoting a state of unconcerned prosperity that leads to spiritual apathy and a disregard for divine warnings. It highlights Judah's obliviousness to the gravity of their spiritual harlotry and the impending judgment, living in a state of self-satisfied decadence. This contrasts sharply with the vigilance and repentance God called for, as seen in [Isaiah 32:9-11](/isaiah/32-9 "Isaiah 32:9-11 - Warning to Complacent Women").

**How does this verse relate to the broader message of Ezekiel?**
Answer: Ezekiel 23:42 is a key component of Ezekiel's overarching message of divine judgment against Israel and Judah for their persistent idolatry and rebellion. The prophet consistently uses vivid, often shocking, imagery to convey the depth of their spiritual unfaithfulness and the justice of God's impending wrath. This verse, with its depiction of decadent foreign entanglement, reinforces the theme of spiritual harlotry introduced earlier in [Ezekiel 16](/ezekiel/16 "Ezekiel 16 - The Allegory of Jerusalem as an Unfaithful Wife") and continued throughout chapter 23. It serves as a climactic illustration of Judah's moral depravity and their complete abandonment of their covenant with Yahweh, setting the stage for the pronouncement of severe punishment and the eventual promise of restoration through God's sovereign grace.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 23:42, with its depiction of Judah's spiritual harlotry, her embrace of foreign allure, and her pursuit of false security through worldly alliances, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "voice of a multitude being at ease" and the "Sabeans with bracelets and beautiful crowns" symbolize humanity's universal inclination to seek satisfaction, identity, and security in anything other than God—a state of spiritual idolatry that separates us from our Creator. Just as Judah betrayed her covenant, so too does all humanity fall short of God's glory, deserving of judgment (as articulated in [Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")).

However, Christ enters this broken narrative not as one who seeks worldly adornments or alliances, but as the faithful Son who perfectly fulfilled the covenant that Israel continually broke. He is the true Bridegroom who came to redeem a harlotrous people, not by condemning them in their sin, but by bearing the full weight of their spiritual adultery and its consequences on the cross ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). The "beautiful crowns" and "bracelets" that Judah sought in vain through foreign entanglements are contrasted with the crown of thorns Christ wore, signifying His ultimate sacrifice and the true glory found in self-giving love. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus inaugurates a New Covenant, where believers are cleansed from spiritual harlotry and united to Him as His pure bride ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ Loves the Church")). In Christ, we find true ease and security, not in worldly indulgence, but in His finished work, and are adorned not with temporary earthly finery, but with the righteousness of God ([Philippians 3:9](/philippians/3-9 "Philippians 3:9 - Righteousness Through Faith in Christ")). He is the true King, whose reign brings genuine peace and eternal glory, far surpassing any fleeting splendor offered by the world.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 16:11

I decked thee also with ornaments, and I put bracelets upon thy hands, and a chain on thy neck.

Ezekiel 16:12

And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and earrings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thine head.

Exodus 32:18

And he said, [It is] not the voice of [them that] shout for mastery, neither [is it] the voice of [them that] cry for being overcome: [but] the noise of [them that] sing do I hear.

Exodus 32:19

And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount.

Joel 3:8

And I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the children of Judah, and they shall sell them to the Sabeans, to a people far off: for the LORD hath spoken [it].

Exodus 32:6

And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.

Revelation 12:3

And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.