Ezekiel 23:6

[Which were] clothed with blue, captains and rulers, all of them desirable young men, horsemen riding upon horses.

Which were clothed ^{H3847} with blue ^{H8504}, captains ^{H6346} and rulers ^{H5461}, all of them desirable ^{H2531} young men ^{H970}, horsemen ^{H6571} riding ^{H7392} upon horses ^{H5483}.

dressed in blue, governors, rulers, all of them good-looking young men riding on horseback.

clothed in blue, governors and commanders, all desirable young men, horsemen mounted on steeds.

who were clothed with blue, governors and rulers, all of them desirable young men, horsemen riding upon horses.

Commentary on Ezekiel 23:6 KJV

Ezekiel 23:6 is part of a vivid and disturbing allegory in which the prophet Ezekiel describes the spiritual harlotry of God's people, Israel and Judah, personified as two sisters, Oholah (Samaria, representing the northern kingdom of Israel) and Oholibah (Jerusalem, representing the southern kingdom of Judah). This verse specifically details the attractive and powerful nature of the Assyrian allies whom Oholah (and later Oholibah) pursued instead of remaining faithful to God.

Context

The entire chapter of Ezekiel 23 uses the metaphor of prostitution to illustrate the nations' idolatry and their reliance on foreign political alliances, which God viewed as a profound betrayal of their covenant with Him. Having been chosen by God and given His law (Exodus 19:5), Israel and Judah were meant to be exclusively devoted to Him. However, they repeatedly turned to powerful neighboring empires for protection and adopted their pagan practices, effectively committing spiritual adultery.

Verse 6 describes the Assyrians, the first major paramour of Oholah (Samaria). They are presented here not just as military might, but as alluring figures, indicating the seductive appeal these alliances held for God's people. The description emphasizes their outward splendor and martial prowess, which drew Israel away from their divine Protector.

Key Themes

The Allure of Worldly Alliances: The verse highlights the attractive and powerful nature of the Assyrian military and leadership. "Desirable young men, horsemen riding upon horses" speaks to their strength, charm, and perceived invincibility, making them a tempting alternative to trusting in God.
Spiritual Adultery and Idolatry: The pursuit of these foreign alliances, described as "harlotry," was a direct violation of God's covenant with Israel. It wasn't just political maneuvering; it was a deep spiritual betrayal, as it often involved adopting the gods and customs of these nations (see also Ezekiel 16:15).
Deceptive Appearances: The "blue" clothing and "desirable" appearance suggest outward splendor and power that masked the spiritual danger and ultimate destructiveness of these alliances. What appeared strong and beautiful was, in God's eyes, a path to ruin and judgment.

Linguistic Insights

"Clothed with blue": In the ancient Near East, blue dye was costly and often associated with royalty, wealth, and high status. For the Assyrians, this attire would have signified their power, prestige, and perhaps even divine favor in their own cultural context, enhancing their appeal to the Israelites.
"Desirable young men": The Hebrew word for "desirable" (חֶמְדָּה, chemdah) implies something highly coveted, beautiful, or precious. This emphasizes the seductive quality of these foreign leaders and armies, making it clear why Israel and Judah were drawn to them.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 23:6 serves as a powerful reminder for believers today about the dangers of seeking solutions, security, or satisfaction outside of God. Like ancient Israel and Judah, we can be easily drawn to the "desirable" and seemingly powerful systems, philosophies, or material pursuits of the world. These may appear attractive, offering immediate gratification or perceived stability, but they ultimately lead us away from true faithfulness to God.

This verse challenges us to examine where our trust truly lies: in the strength of human institutions, personal achievements, or worldly comforts, or in the unfailing power and faithfulness of God. True security and fulfillment are found only in an undivided devotion to Him, rather than in alliances that compromise our spiritual integrity.

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 23:23

The Babylonians, and all the Chaldeans, Pekod, and Shoa, and Koa, [and] all the Assyrians with them: all of them desirable young men, captains and rulers, great lords and renowned, all of them riding upon horses.