Ezekiel 23:6
Ezekiel 23:6 in Multiple Translations
clothed in blue, governors and commanders, all desirable young men, horsemen mounted on steeds.
Which were clothed with blue, captains and rulers, all of them desirable young men, horsemen riding upon horses.
who were clothed with blue, governors and rulers, all of them desirable young men, horsemen riding upon horses.
Who were clothed in blue, captains and rulers, all of them young men to be desired, horsemen seated on horses.
They were soldiers dressed in blue, leaders and commanders, all of them handsome young men in the cavalry.
Which were clothed with blewe silke, both captaines and princes: they were all pleasant yong men, and horsemen riding vpon horses.
Clothed with blue — governors and prefects, Desirable young men all of them, Horsemen, riding on horses,
who were clothed with blue—governors and rulers, all of them desirable young men, horsemen riding on horses.
Who were clothed with blue, captains and rulers, all of them desirable young men, horsemen riding upon horses.
Who were clothed with blue, princes, and rulers, beautiful youths, all horsemen, mounted upon horses.
Some of them were army officers and commanders. They wore beautiful blue uniforms. They were all handsome young men. Some of them rode horses.
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 23:6
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 23:6 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
לְבֻשֵׁ֤י
תְכֵ֨לֶת֙
פַּח֣וֹת
וּ/סְגָנִ֔ים
בַּח֥וּרֵי
חֶ֖מֶד
כֻּלָּ֑/ם
פָּרָשִׁ֕ים
רֹכְבֵ֖י
סוּסִֽים
לְבֻשֵׁ֤י
lâbash
H3847
to clothe
Adj
תְכֵ֨לֶת֙
tᵉkêleth
H8504
blue
N-fs
פַּח֣וֹת
pechâh
H6346
governor
N-mp
וּ/סְגָנִ֔ים
çâgân
H5461
ruler
Conj | N-mp
בַּח֥וּרֵי
bâchûwr
H970
youth
N-mp
חֶ֖מֶד
chemed
H2531
delight
N-ms
כֻּלָּ֑/ם
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms | Suff
פָּרָשִׁ֕ים
pârâsh
H6571
horse
N-mp
רֹכְבֵ֖י
râkab
H7392
to ride
V-Qal
סוּסִֽים
çûwç
H5483
swallow
N-mp
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 23:6
לְבֻשֵׁ֤י
lâbash
H3847
"to clothe"
Adj
To clothe means to wrap something around or put on a garment. In the Bible, it can be used literally or figuratively, as in putting on clothes or being clothed with a certain attitude.
Definition: 1) to dress, wear, clothe, put on clothing, be clothed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to put on clothes, be clothed, wear 1a2) to put on, be clothed with (fig.) 1b) (Pual) to be fully clothed 1c) (Hiphil) to clothe, array with, dress Aramaic equivalent: le.vash (לְבֵשׁ "to clothe" H3848)
Usage: Occurs in 102 OT verses. KJV: (in) apparel, arm, array (self), clothe (self), come upon, put (on, upon), wear. See also: Genesis 3:21; Job 27:17; Psalms 35:26.
תְכֵ֨לֶת֙
tᵉkêleth
H8504
"blue"
N-fs
Describes the color blue or violet, obtained from a specific type of mussel, used to dye fabrics in Exodus 28. It is a distinct color in the biblical spectrum.
Definition: 1) violet, violet stuff 1a) violet thread 1b) violet stuff or fabric 2) (TWOT) blue (covering spectrum from brilliant red through deep purple)
Usage: Occurs in 49 OT verses. KJV: blue. See also: Exodus 25:4; Exodus 39:1; Jeremiah 10:9.
פַּח֣וֹת
pechâh
H6346
"governor"
N-mp
This Hebrew word refers to a governor or leader of a city or region. In the Bible, it describes officials in the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, such as those appointed by King Solomon or King David.
Definition: governor Aramaic equivalent: pe.chah (פֶּחָה "governor" H6347)
Usage: Occurs in 27 OT verses. KJV: captain, deputy, governor. See also: 1 Kings 10:15; Esther 8:9; Isaiah 36:9.
וּ/סְגָנִ֔ים
çâgân
H5461
"ruler"
Conj | N-mp
A ruler is a person with authority and power, like a prince or governor. In the Bible, this word is used to describe leaders in Assyria and Babylon, who had control over provinces and people.
Definition: 1) ruler, prefect, governor, a subordinate ruler 1a) prefects (of Assyria and Babylon) 1b) petty rulers or officials Aramaic equivalent: se.gan (סְגַן "prefect" H5460)
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: prince, ruler. See also: Ezra 9:2; Nehemiah 13:11; Isaiah 41:25.
בַּח֥וּרֵי
bâchûwr
H970
"youth"
N-mp
In the Bible, this word refers to a young person, often a chosen or select individual, like a young man in his prime. It appears in various contexts, including descriptions of young soldiers. The term emphasizes the idea of being selected or set apart.
Definition: youth, young man
Usage: Occurs in 45 OT verses. KJV: (choice) young (man), chosen, [idiom] hole. See also: Deuteronomy 32:25; Jeremiah 18:21; Psalms 78:31.
חֶ֖מֶד
chemed
H2531
"delight"
N-ms
This word refers to a strong feeling of delight or pleasure, often used to describe something or someone highly valued. It's about finding joy and happiness in a person, place, or thing. The Bible uses it to talk about the beauty of God's world.
Definition: desire, delight, beauty, desirable, pleasant
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: desirable, pleasant. See also: Isaiah 27:2; Ezekiel 23:12; Isaiah 32:12.
כֻּלָּ֑/ם
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms | Suff
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
פָּרָשִׁ֕ים
pârâsh
H6571
"horse"
N-mp
This word means a horseman or a cavalry soldier, like those who rode chariots in battle. In the Bible, it describes the riders of horses and chariots, like in Exodus 14:9 where the Egyptian horsemen pursued the Israelites.
Definition: horse, steed, warhorse
Usage: Occurs in 54 OT verses. KJV: horseman. See also: Genesis 50:9; 2 Chronicles 8:6; Isaiah 21:7.
רֹכְבֵ֖י
râkab
H7392
"to ride"
V-Qal
This Hebrew verb means to ride an animal or vehicle, and can also mean to place someone or something on a horse or chariot. It is used to describe riding horses or chariots in the Bible.
Definition: 1) to mount and ride, ride 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to mount, mount and sit or ride 1a2) to ride, be riding 1a3) rider (subst) 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to ride, cause to (mount and) ride 1b2) to cause to draw (plough, etc) 1b3) to cause to ride upon (fig)
Usage: Occurs in 75 OT verses. KJV: bring (on (horse-) back), carry, get (oneself) up, on (horse-) back, put, (cause to, make to) ride (in a chariot, on, -r), set. See also: Genesis 24:61; 2 Kings 23:30; Psalms 18:11.
סוּסִֽים
çûwç
H5483
"swallow"
N-mp
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a horse, often referring to chariot horses. It also describes a swallow due to its swift flight, as seen in the book of Jeremiah. The word is used to describe strong and fast animals.
Definition: swallow, swift
Usage: Occurs in 130 OT verses. KJV: crane, horse (-back, -hoof). Compare H6571 (פָּרָשׁ). See also: Genesis 47:17; Psalms 76:7; Psalms 20:8.
Study Notes — Ezekiel 23:6
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Ezekiel 23:6 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 23:6
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 23:6
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 23:6
- Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 23:6
- Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 23:6
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 23:6
- Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 23:6
- Barnes' Notes on Ezekiel 23:6
- Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 23:6
Context — The Two Adulterous Sisters
4The older was named Oholah, and her sister was named Oholibah. They became Mine and gave birth to sons and daughters. As for their identities, Oholah is Samaria, and Oholibah is Jerusalem.
5Oholah prostituted herself while she was still Mine. She lusted after her lovers, the Assyrians—warriors
6clothed in blue, governors and commanders, all desirable young men, horsemen mounted on steeds.
7She offered sexual favors to all the elite of Assyria. She defiled herself with all the idols of those for whom she lusted. 8She did not give up the prostitution she began in Egypt, when men slept with her in her youth, caressed her virgin bosom, and poured out their lust upon her.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezekiel 23:23 | the Babylonians and all the Chaldeans, the men of Pekod, Shoa, and Koa, and all the Assyrians with them—all desirable young men, governors and commanders, officers and men of renown, mounted on horses. |
Ezekiel 23:6 Summary
Ezekiel 23:6 describes the Assyrian warriors as strong, attractive, and powerful, which tempted Samaria to idolize and lust after them, rather than remaining faithful to God. This verse teaches us about the dangers of prioritizing worldly attractions over our relationship with God, as seen in 1 John 2:15-17. Just like Samaria, we can be tempted to chase after things that seem appealing and powerful, but ultimately lead us away from God's love and plan for our lives, as warned in Jeremiah 2:13. By staying focused on God's Word and promises, we can resist the allurements of the world and remain faithful to Him, as encouraged in Psalm 119:9-11 and Matthew 4:4.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that the Assyrians were 'clothed in blue' in Ezekiel 23:6?
The phrase 'clothed in blue' likely refers to the fine and expensive clothing worn by the Assyrian nobles, symbolizing their wealth and power, much like the luxurious clothing described in Esther 8:15 and Daniel 5:29.
Why does the Bible emphasize the physical appearance and strength of the Assyrian warriors in Ezekiel 23:6?
The description of the Assyrian warriors as 'all desirable young men, horsemen mounted on steeds' highlights their military might and attractiveness, which contributed to the idolatrous and adulterous actions of Samaria, as also seen in Ezekiel 16:15 and Hosea 2:13.
How does Ezekiel 23:6 relate to the spiritual condition of Samaria and Jerusalem?
The verse illustrates the spiritual adultery of Samaria, as she lusted after the worldly power and attractions of Assyria, rather than remaining faithful to God, as warned in Deuteronomy 31:16 and Jeremiah 3:6-10.
What can we learn from the description of the Assyrian governors and commanders in Ezekiel 23:6?
The description serves as a reminder of the dangers of worldly allurements and the importance of remaining faithful to God, as emphasized in 1 John 2:15-17 and James 4:4, where believers are warned against loving the world and its systems.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I may be tempted to prioritize worldly attractions over my relationship with God, and how can I remain faithful?
- How can I recognize and resist the influence of worldly power and attractions in my own life, as warned in 1 Peter 2:11-12?
- In what ways can I cultivate a deeper love and devotion to God, rather than being drawn to the fleeting allurements of the world, as encouraged in Matthew 22:37-38?
- What does Ezekiel 23:6 reveal about the nature of spiritual adultery, and how can I guard my heart against it, as warned in Proverbs 4:23 and Matthew 5:27-28?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 23:6
Which were clothed with blue,.... A colour the Assyrians were fond of, and clothed their soldiers in, and was taking to the eye; and is mentioned, because that men, finely clothed find beautifully
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 23:6
Which were clothed with blue, captains and rulers, all of them desirable young men, horsemen riding upon horses. Which were clothed with blue ... all of them desirable young men - rather, 'purple' (Fairbairn).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 23:6
Clothed with blue; richly apparelled, and, as the humour of that nation, in rich and beautiful blue, very magnificent to the eye. Captains; daring, valiant men, and fit for wars, who might defend the Jews in time of danger. Rulers; worthy of authority, and fit to govern in times of peace. Desirable young men; young and vigorous, full of beauty and strength to commend them to the desire and choice. Horsemen riding upon horses; skilful in riding, and well furnished with choice horses, on which these deluded apostatizing Israelites relied for help, as appears, .
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 23:6
Ezekiel 23:6 [Which were] clothed with blue, captains and rulers, all of them desirable young men, horsemen riding upon horses.Ver. 6. Which were clothed with blue.] With rich and gorgeous attire. Vestis luxuriae nidus.
Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 23:6
(6) Horsemen.—The Assyrians, like the Egyptians, made large use of cavalry, as was necessary to a warlike nation; the multiplication of horses had on this account been forbidden to the Israelites (Deuteronomy 17:16).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 23:6
Verse 6. Clothed with blue] The purple dye was highly valued among the ancients, and at first was only used by kings, at last it was used among the military, particularly by officers of high rank in the country.
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 23:6
6. captains and rulers] Or, governors and satraps, cf. Nehemiah 4:14; Nehemiah 5:15.
Barnes' Notes on Ezekiel 23:6
The army of the Assyrians is described. War-horses formed an important part in the armies of Assyria and Egypt; Israel was deficient in this respect Isaiah 36:8.
Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 23:6
6. Captains and rulers — Rather, prefects and governors, Toy. (See Nehemiah 4:14; Nehemiah 5:15).