Ezekiel 23:16
Ezekiel 23:16 in Multiple Translations
At the sight of them, she lusted for them and sent messengers to them in Chaldea.
And as soon as she saw them with her eyes, she doted upon them, and sent messengers unto them into Chaldea.
And as soon as she saw them she doted upon them, and sent messengers unto them into Chaldea.
And when she saw them she was full of desire for them, and sent servants to them in Chaldaea.
When she saw the paintings of them, she wanted to have sex with them and sent messengers to them in Chaldea.
Assoone, I say, as she sawe them, she doted vpon them, and sent messengers vnto them into Caldea.
And she doteth on them at the sight of her eyes, And sendeth messengers to them, to Chaldea.
As soon as she saw them, she lusted after them and sent messengers to them into Chaldea.
And as soon as she saw them with her eyes she doted upon them, and sent messengers to them into Chaldea.
She doted upon them with the lust of her eyes, and she sent messengers to them into Chaldea.
As soon as she saw those drawings, she wanted to have sex with those men, and she sent messages to them in Babylonia.
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 23:16
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Ezekiel 23:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
ו/תעגב
וַ/תַּעְגְּבָ֥/ה
עֲלֵי/הֶ֖ם
לְ/מַרְאֵ֣ה
עֵינֶ֑י/הָ
וַ/תִּשְׁלַ֧ח
מַלְאָכִ֛ים
אֲלֵי/הֶ֖ם
כַּשְׂדִּֽימָ/ה
ו/תעגב
ʻăgab
H5689
to lust
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
וַ/תַּעְגְּבָ֥/ה
ʻăgab
H5689
to lust
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs | Suff
עֲלֵי/הֶ֖ם
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep | Suff
לְ/מַרְאֵ֣ה
marʼeh
H4758
appearance
Prep | N-ms
עֵינֶ֑י/הָ
ʻayin
H5869
eye
N-cd | Suff
וַ/תִּשְׁלַ֧ח
shâlach
H7971
to send
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
מַלְאָכִ֛ים
mălʼâk
H4397
messenger
N-mp
אֲלֵי/הֶ֖ם
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep | Suff
כַּשְׂדִּֽימָ/ה
Kasdîy
H3778
Chaldea
N-proper | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 23:16
ו/תעגב
ʻăgab
H5689
"to lust"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
To have a strong sensual desire or lust for someone. In the Bible, it is used to describe the love of Solomon for his many wives in 1 Kings 11:1.
Definition: 1) (Qal) to have inordinate affection or lust 1a) lust (participle) 1b) paramours (participle as subst)
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: dote, lover. See also: Jeremiah 4:30; Ezekiel 23:9; Ezekiel 23:20.
וַ/תַּעְגְּבָ֥/ה
ʻăgab
H5689
"to lust"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs | Suff
To have a strong sensual desire or lust for someone. In the Bible, it is used to describe the love of Solomon for his many wives in 1 Kings 11:1.
Definition: 1) (Qal) to have inordinate affection or lust 1a) lust (participle) 1b) paramours (participle as subst)
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: dote, lover. See also: Jeremiah 4:30; Ezekiel 23:9; Ezekiel 23:20.
עֲלֵי/הֶ֖ם
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
לְ/מַרְאֵ֣ה
marʼeh
H4758
"appearance"
Prep | N-ms
This Hebrew word refers to a sight or appearance, and can describe something beautiful or a supernatural vision. It encompasses various aspects of seeing, including physical and mental perceptions, and is used in different contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: 1) sight, appearance, vision 1a) sight, phenomenon, spectacle, appearance, vision 1b) what is seen 1c) a vision (supernatural) 1d) sight, vision (power of seeing)
Usage: Occurs in 82 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] apparently, appearance(-reth), [idiom] as soon as beautiful(-ly), countenance, fair, favoured, form, goodly, to look (up) on (to), look(-eth), pattern, to see, seem, sight, visage, vision. See also: Genesis 2:9; Job 41:1; Isaiah 11:3.
עֵינֶ֑י/הָ
ʻayin
H5869
"eye"
N-cd | Suff
This word can mean a spring or fountain, but also refers to the eye or a source of something. It is often translated as affliction, outward appearance, or countenance, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : eye 1) eye 1a) eye 1a1) of physical eye 1a2) as showing mental qualities 1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 828 OT verses. KJV: affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). See also: Genesis 3:5; Exodus 34:9; Deuteronomy 28:67.
וַ/תִּשְׁלַ֧ח
shâlach
H7971
"to send"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
To send or depart is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which has various applications in the Bible. It can describe sending someone or something away, or letting something go.
Definition: : depart/send 1) to send, send away, let go, stretch out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to send 1a2) to stretch out, extend, direct 1a3) to send away 1a4) to let loose 1b) (Niphal) to be sent 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to send off or away or out or forth, dismiss, give over, cast out 1c2) to let go, set free 1c3) to shoot forth (of branches) 1c4) to let down 1c5) to shoot 1d) (Pual) to be sent off, be put away, be divorced, be impelled 1e) (Hiphil) to send
Usage: Occurs in 790 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, [idiom] earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out). See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 9:27; Joshua 14:11.
מַלְאָכִ֛ים
mălʼâk
H4397
"messenger"
N-mp
A messenger or representative, often of God, like an angel, prophet, or priest, as seen in Isaiah 42:19 and Haggai 1:13, carrying out God's will.
Definition: : messenger 1) messenger, representative 1a) messenger 1b) angel 1c) the theophanic angel
Usage: Occurs in 196 OT verses. KJV: ambassador, angel, king, messenger. See also: Genesis 16:7; 2 Samuel 24:16; Psalms 34:8.
אֲלֵי/הֶ֖ם
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
כַּשְׂדִּֽימָ/ה
Kasdîy
H3778
"Chaldea"
N-proper | Suff
Chaldea refers to a region in Mesopotamia and its inhabitants, known for wisdom and astrology, as seen in Daniel 1:4. The Chaldeans lived near the Persian Gulf and were considered wise. They are mentioned in 2 Kings 25:11.
Definition: § Chaldea or Chaldeans = "clod-breakers" 1) a territory in lower Mesopotamia bordering on the Persian Gulf 2) the inhabitants of Chaldea, living on the lower Euphrates and Tigris 3) those persons considered the wisest in the land (by extension)
Usage: Occurs in 80 OT verses. KJV: Chaldeans, Chaldees, inhabitants of Chaldea. See also: Genesis 11:28; Jeremiah 37:13; Isaiah 13:19.
Study Notes — Ezekiel 23:16
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Ezekiel 23:16 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 23:16
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 23:16
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 23:16
- Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 23:16
- Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 23:16
- Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 23:16
- Barnes' Notes on Ezekiel 23:16
- Sermons on Ezekiel 23:16
Context — The Two Adulterous Sisters
14But Oholibah carried her prostitution even further. She saw the men portrayed on the wall, images of the Chaldeans, engraved in vermilion,
15wearing belts on their waists and flowing turbans on their heads; all of them looked like officers of the Babylonians in Chaldea, the land of their birth.
16At the sight of them, she lusted for them and sent messengers to them in Chaldea.
17Then the Babylonians came to her, to the bed of love, and in their lust they defiled her. But after she had been defiled by them, she turned away in disgust. 18When Oholibah openly prostituted herself and exposed her nakedness, I turned away from her in disgust, just as I had turned away from her sister.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezekiel 16:29 | So you extended your promiscuity to Chaldea, the land of merchants—but even with this you were not satisfied! |
| 2 | Matthew 5:28 | But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. |
| 3 | Job 31:1 | “I have made a covenant with my eyes. How then could I gaze with desire at a virgin? |
| 4 | Genesis 39:7 | and after some time his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph and said, “Sleep with me.” |
| 5 | Proverbs 6:25 | Do not lust in your heart for her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes. |
| 6 | Ezekiel 23:40–41 | Furthermore, you sisters sent messengers for men who came from afar; and behold, when they arrived, you bathed for them, painted your eyes, and adorned yourself with jewelry. You sat on a couch of luxury with a table spread before it, on which you had set My incense and My oil, |
| 7 | Genesis 6:2 | the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they took as wives whomever they chose. |
| 8 | 2 Samuel 11:2 | One evening David got up from his bed and strolled around on the roof of the palace. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing—a very beautiful woman. |
| 9 | 2 Kings 24:1 | During Jehoiakim’s reign, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon invaded. So Jehoiakim became his vassal for three years, until he turned and rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar. |
| 10 | 2 Peter 2:14 | Their eyes are full of adultery; their desire for sin is never satisfied; they seduce the unstable. They are accursed children with hearts trained in greed. |
Ezekiel 23:16 Summary
[This verse shows how Oholibah, who represents the kingdom of Judah, gave in to her desires and sent messengers to the Chaldeans, which led to her downfall. This is a picture of what happens when we turn away from God and follow after our own desires, as warned in Galatians 6:7-8. We must be careful not to let our hearts be led astray by the temptations of the world, and instead choose to follow after God with all our hearts, as encouraged in Deuteronomy 6:5. By doing so, we can avoid the consequences of spiritual adultery and experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from a deep and abiding relationship with God.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of Oholibah's actions in this verse?
Oholibah's actions in Ezekiel 23:16 represent the spiritual adultery of Israel, as they turned away from God to follow after other nations and their idols, as seen in Exodus 34:15-16 and Deuteronomy 31:16.
Who are the men portrayed on the wall in Ezekiel 23:14-15?
The men portrayed on the wall are the Chaldeans, who were officers of the Babylonians in Chaldea, the land of their birth, and their images were engraved in vermilion, symbolizing the allure and temptation of worldly power and influence, similar to the temptation faced by Israel in Numbers 25:1-3.
What is the result of Oholibah's lust and sending messengers to the Chaldeans?
The result of Oholibah's actions is that the Babylonians came to her, defiled her, and she eventually turned away from them in disgust, as seen in Ezekiel 23:17-18, illustrating the consequences of spiritual adultery and the fleeting nature of worldly pleasures, as warned in Proverbs 7:21-23.
How does this verse relate to God's relationship with His people?
This verse illustrates the pain and sorrow that God experiences when His people turn away from Him to follow after other loves, as seen in Hosea 11:1-4 and Jeremiah 3:20, highlighting the importance of faithfulness and loyalty in our relationship with God, as emphasized in Matthew 22:37-38.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I may be tempted to turn away from God and follow after worldly desires, and how can I guard my heart against such temptations?
- How can I cultivate a deeper sense of loyalty and faithfulness to God, and what are some practical steps I can take to prioritize my relationship with Him?
- In what ways does Oholibah's story serve as a warning to me, and how can I apply the lessons from her experiences to my own life?
- What does this verse reveal about God's character and His heart for His people, and how can I respond to His love and faithfulness in my own life?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 23:16
And as soon as she saw them with her eyes, she doted upon them,.... As lustful women, on the sight of the pictures of men, fall in love with them, and are mad after them; such a vehement desire after
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 23:16
And as soon as she saw them with her eyes, she doted upon them, and sent messengers unto them into Chaldea. Sent messengers unto them into Chaldea - (Ezekiel 16:29). It was she that solicited the Chaldeans, not they her.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 23:16
Saw them; the portraits of them. She doted upon them; like an unsatiable and most impudent adulteress, she fell into most inordinate affection for their persons on sight of their pictures. Sent messengers unto them; courted the love of those strangers, and wooed their embraces, sent to make alliances with them, prostituted herself to them. Into Chaldea: though it was a long journey, troublesome and costly, all this hinders not this extravagant, lewd woman, she sends to these remote parts, and forgets her God.
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 23:16
Ezekiel 23:16 And as soon as she saw them with her eyes, she doted upon them, and sent messengers unto them into Chaldea.Ver. 16. And as soon as she saw them with her eyes.] Here began the mischief. Ut vidi ut perii! Conciliatorem peccati oculum Talmudici nominant. “ Oculi sunt in amore duces. ” Many have died of the wound in the eye. And sent messengers unto them.] Being themselves, therefore, not long after, sent into captivity unto them, that they might have enough of them.
Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 23:16
(16) Saw them with her eyes.—This is to be taken in a sense wide enough to include knowledge obtained in any way, as well as by actual sight. The intercourse between Judæa and Babylon was so close that many of the people had seen the Babylonians personally, while others knew of them through their report. Sent messengers.—Ahaz “sent messengers” to Assyria (2 Kings 16:7), and Hezekiah entertained ambassadors from Babylon (2 Kings 20:13); but besides these, the whole history of the times implies that there must have been frequent embassies of which no special mention is made. One from Zedekiah is incidentally mentioned by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 29:3), of which there is no record in history.
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 23:16
16. Read: and she doted upon them after the sight of her eyes—i.e. with delight and desire (Isaiah 11:3).
Barnes' Notes on Ezekiel 23:16
The sending of “messengers” refers to the act of Ahaz 2 Kings 16:7.
Sermons on Ezekiel 23:16
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Poland) Jesus Loves Sinners by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher shares powerful testimonies of individuals who were living on the streets and trapped in addiction. Through the love of Jesus Christ, they experienced |
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Why Does the Holy Spirit Not Fill the Church by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of judgment and the need for it in order to save humanity. He explains that God saw the moral corruption that had spread througho |
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From Babylon to Jerusalem - (Daniel) ch.1:1-1:8 by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the book of Daniel and its relevance to the end times. The book is divided into two parts: the first six chapters are historical and the last |
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To Live Is Christ, to Die Is Gain (Compilation) by Compilations | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the need for more zeal and a fresh Bible study in the lives of believers. He describes a vision that the prophet Jeremiah had, where he saw |
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Freedom From Masterbation and Sensuality by Tim Conway | This sermon emphasizes the need to flee from sin, particularly addressing the issue of justifying masturbation as not a sin. It highlights the importance of seeking biblical guidan |
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The Sinfulness of Acts and Thoughts of Impurity by W.F. Kumuyi | This sermon emphasizes the importance of holiness and purity in the church and in individual lives. It highlights the need to cut off anything that leads to sin, even if it is as v |
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Are You Keeping Well by Major Ian Thomas | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of the body as a means of communication with the outside world. He explains that while we can recognize others based on their phys |