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.
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}.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
Ezekiel 23:42 is part of a vivid and disturbing allegory in which the prophet Ezekiel denounces the spiritual infidelity of God's people, particularly the kingdoms of Samaria (Oholah) and Judah (Oholibah).
Context
Chapter 23 employs the metaphor of two sisters, Oholah and Oholibah, representing Samaria (the northern kingdom of Israel) and Judah (the southern kingdom), respectively. Both are depicted as engaging in spiritual harlotry by pursuing idolatry and forming illicit political alliances with foreign powers, rather than trusting in the Lord. Verse 42 describes the decadent atmosphere and the foreign elements involved in Oholibah's (Judah's) debauchery, specifically highlighting the allure and perceived benefits of these unholy connections.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "men of the common sort" (KJV) comes from the Hebrew 'am hahamon (עם ההמון), which literally means "people of the multitude." Some ancient versions, like the Septuagint and Vulgate, interpret this more strongly as "drunkards" or "revelers," emphasizing the debauched nature of the gathering. The "Sabeans" refer to people from Sheba, an ancient kingdom known for its wealth and trade, particularly in spices, gold, and precious stones (see 1 Kings 10:2). Their presence here emphasizes the luxurious and tempting nature of the foreign entanglements.
Historical & Cultural Significance
Historically, Judah frequently sought political and military alliances with powerful nations like Egypt and Assyria, despite God's warnings to trust in Him alone. These alliances often came with the adoption of foreign deities and customs, polluting their worship and society. The "Sabeans" in this context represent the exotic and seemingly beneficial aspects of these foreign connections, which were ultimately destructive, leading to divine judgment and exile. The imagery of lavish adornments like bracelets and crowns reflects the perceived prestige and prosperity that Judah sought through these forbidden relationships.
Practical Application
Ezekiel's vivid allegory serves as a powerful warning against spiritual compromise today. It reminds believers of the dangers of pursuing worldly comforts, alliances, or ideologies that contradict God's will. Like ancient Judah, we can be tempted by the allure of what seems advantageous or pleasurable, only to find that it leads us away from true spiritual prosperity and into trouble. The verse challenges us to examine where our allegiances lie and to avoid any "harlotry" that would defile our relationship with God. It emphasizes that forsaking the Lord for worldly gain ultimately leads to bitterness and destruction.