Ezekiel 23:42

Translations

Modern

…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.

Traditional

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.

Literal

And the voice of a crowd at ease was with her, and to men from the multitude of mankind were brought drunkards from the wilderness, and they gave bracelets to their wrists and crowns of beauty upon their heads.

Latin

Et vox multitudinis exsultantis erat in ea: et in viris, qui de multitudine hominum adducebantur, et veniebant de deserto, posuerunt armillas in manibus eorum, et coronas speciosas in capitibus eorum.

Original

Hebrew

English

…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.

Notes

Ezekiel 23:36–43

The prophet again took the role of a prosecuting attorney. A prosecuting attorney is a person who brings charges against someone in court. His task was to confront Jerusalem with her sins (detailed in Ezekiel 22).

Jerusalem and Samaria were supposed to be holy cities, set apart for God. Instead, they had become like worn-out prostitutes. This picture shows that they had been unfaithful to God. Their only attraction was their availability, meaning they were ready to give themselves to anyone.

The prophet used this strong image to show how serious their unfaithfulness was. They had turned away from the Lord and given their loyalty to other gods and foreign nations.

Ezekiel 23:1–49

This chapter, like chapter 16, tells the history of the northern and southern kingdoms of Israel and Judah. It does this through an extended metaphor (a comparison that continues through many verses).

In this comparison, Samaria and Jerusalem, the capital cities, are described as two immoral women. The language is strong and direct.

This metaphor shows that their judgment was certain and deserved.

Events

Prophecies of Ezekielc. 593 BC

Related verses

Ezekiel 16:11–12
I adorned you with jewelry, and I put bracelets on your wrists and a chain around your neck.
Joel 3:8
I will sell your sons and daughters into the hands of the people of Judah, and they will sell them to the Sabeans—to a distant nation.” Indeed, the LORD has spoken.
Job 1:15
…the Sabeans swooped down and took them away. They put the servants to the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you!”
Hosea 13:6
When they had pasture, they became satisfied; when they were satisfied, their hearts became proud, and as a result they forgot Me.
Amos 6:1–6
Woe to those at ease in Zion and those secure on Mount Samaria, the distinguished ones of the foremost nation, to whom the house of Israel comes.
Genesis 24:30
As soon as he saw the ring, and the bracelets on his sister’s wrists, and heard Rebekah’s words, “The man said this to me,” he went and found the man standing by the camels near the spring.
Exodus 32:6
So the next day they arose, offered burnt offerings, and presented peace offerings. And the people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.
Revelation 12:3
Then another sign appeared in heaven: a huge red dragon with seven heads, ten horns, and seven royal crowns on his heads.
Exodus 32:18–19
But Moses replied: “It is neither the cry of victory nor the cry of defeat; I hear the sound of singing!”

People

Sheba: Descendants of Cush, known for wealth and trade

Glossary

Aholah Aholibah Crown Ezekiel, Book of Oholah and Oholibah

Topics

Crown: An Ornament Idolatry: Wicked Practices of Licentiousness of Jewels: Worn by Men Prophecies Concerning Israel: Captivity of Great Wickedness is the Cause of Their Adversity Sabeans: Proverbial Drunkards

Ezekiel 23:42

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