Teks -- Ezekiel 23:1-19 (NET)

Two Sisters

23:1 The word of the Lord came to me: 23:2 “Son of man, there were two women who were daughters of the same mother. 23:3 They engaged in prostitution in Egypt; in their youth they engaged in prostitution. Their breasts were squeezed there; lovers fondled their virgin nipples there. 23:4 Oholah was the name of the older and Oholibah the name of her younger sister. They became mine, and gave birth to sons and daughters. Oholah is Samaria and Oholibah is Jerusalem. 23:5 “Oholah engaged in prostitution while she was mine. She lusted after her lovers, the Assyrians– warriors 23:6 clothed in blue, governors and officials, all of them desirable young men, horsemen riding on horses. 23:7 She bestowed her sexual favors on them; all of them were the choicest young men of Assyria. She defiled herself with all whom she desired– with all their idols. 23:8 She did not abandon the prostitution she had practiced in Egypt; for in her youth men had sex with her, fondled her virgin breasts, and ravished her. 23:9 Therefore I handed her over to her lovers, the Assyrians for whom she lusted. 23:10 They exposed her nakedness, seized her sons and daughters, and killed her with the sword. She became notorious among women, and they executed judgments against her. 23:11 “Her sister Oholibah watched this, but she became more corrupt in her lust than her sister had been, and her acts of prostitution were more numerous than those of her sister. 23:12 She lusted after the Assyrians– governors and officials, warriors in full armor, horsemen riding on horses, all of them desirable young men. 23:13 I saw that she was defiled; both of them followed the same path. 23:14 But she increased her prostitution. She saw men carved on the wall, images of the Chaldeans carved in bright red, 23:15 wearing belts on their waists and flowing turbans on their heads, all of them looking like officers, the image of Babylonians whose native land is Chaldea. 23:16 When she saw them, she lusted after them and sent messengers to them in Chaldea. 23:17 The Babylonians crawled into bed with her. They defiled her with their lust; after she was defiled by them, she became disgusted with them. 23:18 When she lustfully exposed her nakedness, I was disgusted with her, just as I had been disgusted with her sister. 23:19 Yet she increased her prostitution, remembering the days of her youth when she engaged in prostitution in the land of Egypt.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Wesley: Eze 23:2 - Two women

Judah, and Israel, two kingdoms.

Wesley: Eze 23:3 - Whoredoms

Idolatry.

Wesley: Eze 23:4 - Aholah

That is, his own tabernacle; for Israel falling off from the house of David, fell off from the tabernacle, or temple of God; so that all the temple they had was of their own making.

Wesley: Eze 23:4 - The elder

Greater for number of tribes, and for power, wealth, and for multitudes of people.

Wesley: Eze 23:4 - Aholibah

That is, my tabernacle in her: the two tribes had the temple of God with them.

Wesley: Eze 23:4 - Mine

By solemn marriage - covenant.

Wesley: Eze 23:4 - Bare sons

Were fruitful and brought forth children to me; they increased in numbers of people; and among these, some there were that were children of God by faith, love, and obedience.

Wesley: Eze 23:5 - Played the harlot

United in idolatry, with the Assyrians.

Wesley: Eze 23:5 - Mine

When under my government, and protection.

Wesley: Eze 23:6 - Horsemen

Skillful in riding, and well furnished with choice horses.

Wesley: Eze 23:7 - With all

Other nations, with whom she had commerce.

Wesley: Eze 23:10 - Discovered

Stript her naked, and exposed her to shame.

Wesley: Eze 23:10 - Took her sons

Captives.

Wesley: Eze 23:10 - Slew her

The kingdom of Israel, under Hoshea, was by Salmanesar utterly destroyed.

Wesley: Eze 23:10 - They

The Assyrians, had executed God's just displeasure upon her.

Wesley: Eze 23:15 - Girded

With soldiers belts, which includes the rest of the habit of soldiers.

Wesley: Eze 23:15 - In dyed attire

Both rich, comely, large, and of divers colours.

Wesley: Eze 23:15 - Princes

Of princely aspect and majesty.

Wesley: Eze 23:17 - Alienated

She grew weary of the Chaldeans.

Wesley: Eze 23:18 - Discovered

Made it appear to all, far and near.

Wesley: Eze 23:19 - By

Remembering her idolatries in Egypt, her alliance with it in days past, which she now resolved to act over again.

JFB: Eze 23:2 - two . . . of one mother

Israel and Judah, one nation by birth from the same ancestress, Sarah.

JFB: Eze 23:3

Even so early in their history as their Egyptian sojourn, they committed idolatries (see on Eze 20:6-8; Jos 24:14).

JFB: Eze 23:3 - in their youth

An aggravation of their sin. It was at the very time of their receiving extraordinary favors from God (Eze 16:6, Eze 16:22).

JFB: Eze 23:3 - they bruised

Namely, the Egyptians.

JFB: Eze 23:4 - Aholah

That is, "Her tent" (put for worship, as the first worship of God in Israel was in a tent or tabernacle), as contrasted with Aholibah, that is, "My tent in her." The Beth-el worship of Samaria was of her own devising, not of God's appointment; the temple-worship of Jerusalem was expressly appointed by Jehovah, who "dwelt" there, "setting up His tabernacle among the people as His" (Exo 25:8; Lev 26:11-12; Jos 22:19; Psa 76:2).

JFB: Eze 23:4 - the elder

Samaria is called "the elder" because she preceded Judah in her apostasy and its punishment.

JFB: Eze 23:4 - they were mine

Previous to apostasy under Jeroboam, Samaria (Israel, or the ten tribes), equally with Judah, worshipped the true God. God therefore never renounced the right over Israel, but sent prophets, as Elijah and Elisha, to declare His will to them.

JFB: Eze 23:5 - when . . . mine

Literally, "under Me," that is, subject to Me as her lawful husband.

JFB: Eze 23:5 - neighbours

On the northeast the kingdom of Israel bordered on that of Assyria; for the latter had occupied much of Syria. Their neighborhood in locality was emblematical of their being near in corruption of morals and worship. The alliances of Israel with Assyria, which are the chief subject of reprobation here, tended to this (2Ki 15:19; 2Ki 16:7, 2Ki 16:9; 2Ki 17:3; Hos 8:9).

JFB: Eze 23:6 - blue

Rather, "purple" [FAIRBAIRN]. As a lustful woman's passions are fired by showy dress and youthful appearance in men, so Israel was seduced by the pomp and power of Assyria (compare Isa 10:8).

JFB: Eze 23:6 - horsemen

Cavaliers.

JFB: Eze 23:7 - all their idols

There was nothing that she refused to her lovers.

JFB: Eze 23:8 - whoredoms brought from Egypt

The calves set up in Dan and Beth-el by Jeroboam, answering to the Egyptian bull-formed idol Apis. Her alliances with Egypt politically are also meant (Isa 30:2-3; Isa 31:1). The ten tribes probably resumed the Egyptian rites, in order to enlist the Egyptians against Judah (2Ch 12:2-4).

JFB: Eze 23:9

God, in righteous retribution, turned their objects of trust into the instruments of their punishment: Pul, Tiglath-pileser, Esar-haddon, and Shalmaneser (2Ki 15:19, 2Ki 15:29; 2Ki 17:3, 2Ki 17:6, 2Ki 17:24; Ezr 4:2, Ezr 4:10). "It was their sin to have sought after such lovers, and it was to be their punishment that these lovers should become their destroyers" [FAIRBAIRN].

JFB: Eze 23:10 - became famous

Literally, "she became a name," that is, as notorious by her punishment as she had been by her sins, so as to be quoted as a warning to others.

JFB: Eze 23:10 - women

That is, neighboring peoples.

JFB: Eze 23:11

Judah, the southern kingdom, though having the "warning" (see on Eze 23:10) of the northern kingdom before her eyes, instead of profiting by it, went to even greater lengths in corruption than Israel. Her greater spiritual privileges made her guilt the greater (Eze 16:47, Eze 16:51; Jer 3:11).

JFB: Eze 23:12

(Eze 23:6, Eze 23:23).

JFB: Eze 23:12 - most gorgeously

Literally, "to perfection." GROTIUS translates, "wearing a crown," or "chaplet," such as lovers wore in visiting their mistresses.

JFB: Eze 23:13 - one way

Both alike forsaking God for heathen confidences.

JFB: Eze 23:14 - vermilion

The peculiar color of the Chaldeans, as purple was of the Assyrians. In striking agreement with this verse is the fact that the Assyrian sculptures lately discovered have painted and colored bas-reliefs in red, blue, and black. The Jews (for instance Jehoiakim, Jer 22:14) copied these (compare Eze 8:10).

JFB: Eze 23:15 - exceeding in dyed attire

Rather, "in ample dyed turbans"; literally, "redundant with dyed turbans." The Assyrians delighted in ample, flowing, and richly colored tunics, scarfs, girdles, and head-dresses or turbans, varying in ornaments according to the rank.

JFB: Eze 23:15 - Chaldea, . . . land of their nativity

Between the Black and Caspian Seas (see on Isa 23:13).

JFB: Eze 23:15 - princes

Literally, a first-rate military class that fought by threes in the chariots, one guiding the horses, the other two fighting.

JFB: Eze 23:16 - sent messengers . . . into Chaldea

(Eze 16:29). It was she that solicited the Chaldeans, not they her. Probably the occasion was when Judah sought to strengthen herself by a Chaldean alliance against a menaced attack by Egypt (compare 2Ki 23:29-35; 2Ki 24:1-7). God made the object of their sinful desire the instrument of their punishment. Jehoiakim, probably by a stipulation of tribute, enlisted Nebuchadnezzar against Pharaoh, whose tributary he previously had been; failing to keep his stipulation, he brought on himself Nebuchadnezzar's vengeance.

JFB: Eze 23:17 - alienated from them

Namely, from the Chaldeans: turning again to the Egyptians (Eze 23:19), trying by their help to throw off her solemn engagements to Babylon (compare Jer 37:5, Jer 37:7; 2Ki 24:7).

JFB: Eze 23:18 - my mind was alienated from her

Literally, "was broken off from her." Just retribution for "her mind being alienated (broken off) from the Chaldeans" (Eze 23:17), to whom she had sworn fealty (Eze 17:12-19). "Discovered" implies the open shamelessness of her apostasy.

JFB: Eze 23:19

Israel first "called" her lusts, practised when in Egypt, "to her (fond) remembrance," and then actually returned to them. Mark the danger of suffering the memory to dwell on the pleasure felt in past sins.

Clarke: Eze 23:2 - Son of man, there were two women

Son of man, there were two women - All the Hebrews were derived from one source, Abraham and Sarah; and, till the schism under Rehoboam, formed but one people: but as these ten tribes and a half separated from Judah and Benjamin, they became two distinct people under different kings; called the kingdom of Judah, and the kingdom of Israel. They are called here, because of their consanguinity, two sisters. The elder, Samaria, (for there was the seat of government for the kingdom of Israel), was called אהלה aholah , "a tent."The younger, Judah, was called אהליבה aholibah , "my tent is in her,"because the temple of God was in Jerusalem, the seat of the government of the kingdom of Judah.

Clarke: Eze 23:5 - And Aholah played the harlot

And Aholah played the harlot - Without entering into detail here, or following the figures, they both became idolatrous, and received the impure rites of the Egyptians, Assyrians, and Chaldeans, of which connection the prophet speaks here as he did in chap. 16, which see

In this chapter there are many of what we would call indelicate expressions, because a parallel is run between idolatry and prostitution, and the circumstances of the latter illustrate the peculiarities of the former. In such cases, perhaps, the matter alone was given to the prophet, and he was left to use his own language, and amplify as he saw good. Ezekiel was among the Jews what Juvenal was among the Romans, - a rough reprover of the most abominable vices. They both spoke of things as they found them; stripped vice naked, and scourged it publicly. The original is still more rough than the translation; and surely there is no need of a comment to explain imagery that is but too generally understood. I have said enough on Ezekiel 16, and to that I must refer the reader. It is true that there are a few things here in the shade that might be illustrated by anatomy; and it would not be difficult to do it: but they are not necessary to salvation, and I shall not take off the covering. They were sufficiently understood by those for whose use they were originally designed.

Clarke: Eze 23:6 - Clothed with blue

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.

Clarke: Eze 23:14 - Men pourtrayed upon the wall

Men pourtrayed upon the wall - See on Eze 8:10 (note).

Defender: Eze 23:4 - Aholibah

This long chapter is a graphic account of the spiritual harlotry of Israel and Judah and their respective capitals, Samaria and Jerusalem, under the figure of two wanton sisters, Aholah ("her tent") and Aholibah ("my tent is in her"). The extended and lurid account of their whoredoms evidently has the dual purpose of condemning Israel's blatant spiritual prostitution, and also of reaffirming God's hatred of actual sexual activity - especially promiscuity - outside the marriage relation. Both warnings seem urgent today as well."

TSK: Eze 23:2 - two

two : Eze 16:44, Eze 16:46; Jer 3:7-10

TSK: Eze 23:3 - in Egypt // in their

in Egypt : Eze 20:8; Lev 17:7; Deu 29:16; Jos 24:14

in their : Eze 23:8, Eze 23:19, Eze 23:21, Eze 16:22; Hos 2:15

TSK: Eze 23:4 - the names // the elder // they were // Aholah // Aholibah

the names : The kingdom of Israel, of which Samaria was the capital, containing ten tribes, and occupying a larger extent of country than that of Judah, is therefore called ""her elder sister;""and Aholah, the name given to her, implies that the whole religious establishment in Israel was a human invention, a temple and service of their own, and not of God’ s appointment. Aholibah, the name given to Judah, implies that the worship established there was from God, and that His temple was truly at Jerusalem.

the elder : Eze 16:40; 1Ki 12:20

they were : Eze 16:8, Eze 16:20; Exo 19:5, Exo 19:6; Psa 45:11-16; Jer 2:2, Jer 2:3; Rom 7:4

Aholah : that is, His tent, or tabernacle, 1Ki 12:26-33; Joh 4:22

Aholibah : that is, My tabernacle in her, 1Ki 8:29; Psa 76:2, Psa 132:13, Psa 132:14

TSK: Eze 23:5 - Aholah // doted // on the

Aholah : The Israelites, in addition to their former gross idolatries, received the impure idolatrous worship of the Assyrians, who became their neighbours by the conquest of Syria. 1Ki 14:9, 1Ki 14:16, 1Ki 15:26, 1Ki 15:30, 1Ki 16:31, 1Ki 16:32, 1Ki 21:26; 2Ki 17:7-18

doted : Eze 23:7, Eze 23:9, Eze 23:12, Eze 23:16, Eze 23:20, Eze 16:37; Jer 50:38

on the : Eze 16:28; 2Ki 15:19, 2Ki 16:7, 2Ki 17:3; Hos 5:13, Hos 8:9, Hos 8:10, Hos 10:6, Hos 12:1

TSK: Eze 23:6 - all of

all of : Eze 23:12-15

TSK: Eze 23:7 - committed her whoredoms with them // the chosen men of Assyria // with all their

committed her whoredoms with them : Heb. bestowed her whoredoms upon them, Eze 16:15

the chosen men of Assyria : Heb. the choice of the children of Asshur, Gen 10:22

with all their : Eze 23:30, Eze 20:7, Eze 22:3, Eze 22:4; Psa 106:39; Hos 5:3, Hos 6:10

TSK: Eze 23:8 - whoredoms

whoredoms : Eze 23:3, Eze 23:19, Eze 23:21; Exo 32:4; 1Ki 12:28; 2Ki 10:29, 2Ki 17:16

TSK: Eze 23:9

2Ki 15:29, 2Ki 17:3-6, 2Ki 17:23, 2Ki 18:9-12; 1Ch 5:26; Hos 11:5; Rev 17:12, Rev 17:13, Rev 17:16

TSK: Eze 23:10 - discovered // they took // famous

discovered : Eze 23:29, Eze 16:37-41; Hos 2:3, Hos 2:10

they took : Eze 23:47

famous : Heb. a name, Eze 23:48; Jer 22:8, Jer 22:9

TSK: Eze 23:11 - her sister // was more corrupt in her inordinate love than she

her sister : Eze 23:4; Jer 3:8

was more corrupt in her inordinate love than she : Heb. she corrupted her inordinate love more than she. her sister in her whoredoms. Heb. the whoredoms of her sister. Eze 16:47-51; Jer 3:8-11

TSK: Eze 23:12 - upon // captains

upon : Eze 23:5, Eze 16:28; 2Ki 16:7-15; 2Ch 28:16-23

captains : Eze 23:6, Eze 23:23

TSK: Eze 23:13 - that they

that they : Eze 23:31; 2Ki 17:18, 2Ki 17:19; Hos 12:1, Hos 12:2

TSK: Eze 23:14 - portrayed // vermilion

portrayed : Eze 8:10; Isa 46:1; Jer 50:2

vermilion : Jer 22:14

TSK: Eze 23:15 - with girdles // all of // look to

with girdles : 1Sa 18:4; Isa 22:21

all of : Jdg 8:18; 2Sa 14:25

look to : That is, ""princes in appearance;""which seem to have been the deified men worshipped by the Chaldeans. The inhabitants of Judah, like the Israelites, connected themselves with the Assyrians, and were enamoured with their idols; and then with the Chaldeans, and followed their idols; still retaining their attachment to the Egyptians and their idolatrous rites.

TSK: Eze 23:16 - as soon as she saw them with her eyes // and sent

as soon as she saw them with her eyes : Heb. at the sight of her eyes, Eze 16:29; Gen 3:6, Gen 6:2, Gen 39:7; 2Sa 11:2; 2Ki 24:1; Job 31:1; Psa 119:37; Pro 6:25, Pro 23:33; Mat 5:28

and sent : Eze 23:40,Eze 23:41, Eze 16:17, Eze 16:29; 2Pe 2:14

TSK: Eze 23:17 - Babylonians // and her // alienated

Babylonians : Heb. children of Babel, Gen 10:10, Gen 11:9

and her : Eze 23:22, Eze 23:28, Eze 16:37; 2Sa 13:15

alienated : Heb. loosed, or disjointed

TSK: Eze 23:18 - discovered // then

discovered : Eze 16:36, Eze 21:24; Isa 3:9; Jer 8:12; Hos 7:1

then : Deu 32:19; Psa 78:59, Psa 106:40; Jer 6:8, Jer 12:8, Jer 15:1; Lam 2:7; Hos 2:2; Amo 6:8; Zec 11:8

TSK: Eze 23:19 - multiplied // in calling

multiplied : Eze 23:14, Eze 16:25, Eze 16:29, Eze 16:51; Amo 4:4

in calling : Eze 23:3, Eze 23:8, Eze 23:21, Eze 16:22, Eze 20:7

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: Eze 23:2 - Two women // Daughters of one mother

Two women Judah and Israel, the two kingdoms.

Daughters of one mother sprung from Sarah; or, as some, daughters of the synagogue. They rose from one family; these two were daughters, that is parts, and the mother is the whole posterity of the twelve tribes.

Poole: Eze 23:3 - They committed whoredoms in Egypt // In their youth // There were their breasts pressed

They committed whoredoms in Egypt when they came down into Egypt, and sojourned there: possibly they might commit bodily whoredoms, but spiritual whoredoms, i.e. idolatry, they did certainly commit, as appears Jos 24:14 Eze 20:7,8 , which see; in a low condition, by converse with the idolatrous Egyptians they fell in with their idolatry.

In their youth early; though it is no where said when they began, yet by this it appears that it was not long after their coming down into Egypt.

There were their breasts pressed: this and what follows is an allusion, which illustrates what was before spoken; while they were constant to God and his worship, they were as beautiful, chaste, and lovely virgins; when seduced to idolatry, they became as loathsome harlots or strumpets.

Poole: Eze 23:4 - Aholah // The elder // Aholibah // They were mine // They bare sons and daughters // Samaria // Jerusalem

That we might know them, they are described.

Aholah which, rendered in English, is, His own tabernacle; for Israel, falling off from the house of David, also fell off from the tabernacle or temple of God, so that all the temple and worship they had amongst them was of their own making.

The elder greater for number of tribes, being ten of twelve; and greater for power, wealth, and multitudes of people.

Aholibah: this, rendered in English, is, My tabernacle in her: the two tribes had the temple and worship of God with them; God’ s own tent was pitched there, and his solemn services.

They were mine by solemn marriage covenant, Eze 16:18 .

They bare sons and daughters were fruitful, and brought forth children to me, saith God; they increased in numbers of people, and among these, some there were that were children of God by faith, love, and obedience.

Samaria the chief city of the apostate ten tribes.

Jerusalem the chief city of the two tribes.

Poole: Eze 23:5 - Aholah // played the harlot // When she was mine // Doted // Her lovers // The Assyrians // Her neighbours

Aholah the kingdom of Israel, or the ten tribes,

played the harlot united in confederacy in civil concerns, and in idolatry as to religious concerns, with the Assyrians.

When she was mine when under my government and protection, or in my presence, or before I had abdicated and cast her off.

Doted were madly enamoured with the Assyrian idols, temples, and manner of worship.

Her lovers whom she loved, not that I find they so much loved her.

The Assyrians so often mentioned, nothing needs be said of them.

Her neighbours so they were now by their seizing of Syria, and possessing it as their own 2Ki 15:19 .

Poole: Eze 23:6 - Clothed with blue // Captains // Rulers // Desirable young men // Horsemen riding upon horses

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, Hos 14:3 .

Poole: Eze 23:7 - Thus // With all them // And with all // on whom she doted

Thus by the eye and familiar converse, she fell to idolatry. Committed her whoredoms: see Eze 23:3 .

With all them she embraced the friendship and religion of all of them, and relied on the Assyrian’ s idols for deliverance and peace.

And with all i.e. other nations with whom she had commerce and made leagues,

on whom she doted like an adulterous wife, she was mad in her love to them, to their persons, customs, idols, and religion, with all which she polluted herself.

Poole: Eze 23:8 - Neither left she her whoredoms brought from Egypt // In her youth

Neither left she her whoredoms brought from Egypt though she took in so many gods of the Assyrians, yet she did not renounce or cast off the gods of Egypt, but kept them too. It is plain the Israelites learnt idolatry in Egypt, carried it with them out of Egypt, and retained it to the last.

In her youth & c. see Eze 23:3 .

Poole: Eze 23:9 - Wherefore // I have delivered her // Into the hand of the Assyrians

Wherefore for this boundless idolatry and lewdness

I have delivered her long ago I have delivered the ten tribes: first, Pul put them under tribute, 2Ki 15:19,20 , about two hundred years before our prophet’ s time; then Tiglath-pileser, 2Ki 15:29 ; and finally into Shalmaneser’ s hand, who destroyed the kingdom, 2Ki 17:6 .

Into the hand of the Assyrians upon whom she doted; punished them for their sins by those who were fellow sinners with her.

Poole: Eze 23:10 - They took her sons and her daughters // Slew her with the sword // She became famous // For they // had executed judgment upon her

These used her as lewd women deserve, stripped her naked, and exposed her to shame, as Eze 23:26 . God her Husband had clothed her, and covered her nakedness, but she lightly esteemed her God, doted on idols, and idolaters strip her.

They took her sons and her daughters made them captives, and carried them away as slaves, to serve the lusts of barbarous conquerors; so both sexes were used.

Slew her with the sword: as a person slain with the sword ceaseth to be, so this kingdom of Israel under Hoshea was by the sword of Shalmaneser utterly destroyed.

She became famous her lewdness made her infamous, and God’ s judgments for it made her more known in the world.

For they the Assyrians, a proud, bitter, and violent enemy,

had executed judgment upon her had executed their own malicious revenges, but God’ s just displeasure, upon her.

Poole: Eze 23:11 - Aholibah // Saw this // She was more corrupt // than her sister, Samaria

Aholibah Judah, yet two tribes.

Saw this both the sins and punishments of the kingdom of Israel, which should have been her admonition.

She was more corrupt ran more violently into both friendship, confederacies, and idolatries with the Assyrians,

than her sister, Samaria Jerusalem had more idols in it, and more abominable idolatry, than any we read of in Samaria that, at present, I can remember.

Poole: Eze 23:12

This verse is the same with Eze 23:6 , which see; only the clothing of blue there is here clothing of beauty; i.e. most beautiful.

Poole: Eze 23:13 - Then // She was defiled

Then when she took not warning, neither feared.

She was defiled her heart was already on her idols. Both Samaria and Jerusalem took one way; chose the same idols and idolatry.

Poole: Eze 23:14 - Increased her whoredoms // When she saw men portrayed upon the wall // The images // With vermilion

Increased her whoredoms added to the number of her idolatries.

When she saw men portrayed upon the wall: wherever it was the Jews saw, there it was they doted on their persons and habits: it is probable enough they might see them in the idol temples, or in the house of the king of Judah, or of the great men, who promoted the friendships and leagues with these nations.

The images the counterfeits of strangers, and such as were far off, as the Chaldeans were.

With vermilion which, as it is a very glossy and shining colour, so, duly mixed with ceruse, doth lively express the colour of man’ s flesh.

Poole: Eze 23:15 - With girdles upon their loins // Exceeding in dyed attire // Princes to look to // After the manner // Of Chaldea

With girdles upon their loins with soldiers’ belts about their loins, which includes the rest of the garb, dress, or habit of soldiers.

Exceeding in dyed attire both rich, comely, large, and of divers colours, and those of the choicest that art or money could prepare.

Princes to look to of princely aspect and majesty.

After the manner agreeable to the garments, of the rich and proud Babylonians.

Of Chaldea which probably was the most fruitful part of that kingdom, and most pleasant, and where the pride and luxury of the inhabitants exceeded others.

Poole: Eze 23:16 - Saw them // She doted upon them // Sent messengers unto them // Into Chaldea

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.

Poole: Eze 23:17 - The Babylonians came // The bed of love // Defiled her // Whoredom // Polluted

The Babylonians came: the prophet prosecuteth the allegory; the adulteress sent, and invited, and here the Chaldeans comply with it, they came, ambassadors no doubt first to make a confederacy, and then free intercourse in trade, and religion too.

The bed of love so the impudently lascivious call the polluted, forbidden bed, as the harlot, Pro 7:18 . It is like with this commerce and confederacy the lustful Babylonians did spread that disease, the Jewish nation were too much inclined to corporal adulteries and fornications; but metaphorically it is a delightful communicating with them in their idolatry in their idol temples and feasts.

Defiled her made her unclean and loathsome.

Whoredom spiritual and corporal.

Polluted greatly defiled, as the doubling the expression imports. Her mind was alienated from them; like an arrant adulteress, wearied, but not satisfied with her adulterers, she changeth mind and friendships, and seeks new ones. So did this people, weary of the Chaldeans, seek new confederates.

Poole: Eze 23:18 - Her nakedness // Then // my mind was alienated // From her // As from her sister

So, by this unsatiableness and change of lovers,

she discovered her whoredoms made it appear to all, far and near, that she was a most notorious and infamous strumpet.

Her nakedness her weakness, and her shame.

Then when I saw the lewdness, impudence, and boundlessness of her adulteries,

my mind was alienated turned from her with abhorrency, I could no longer endure it.

From her Jerusalem, the land of Judea, the kingdom of the two tribes.

As from her sister Samaria, the ten tribes; and I resolved to destroy them both alike by their lovers.

Poole: Eze 23:19 - Yet // Multiplied // In calling to remembrance // The days of her youth

Yet Heb. And.

Multiplied added more and greater to her former sins of idolatry and whoredoms, and persisted in them.

In calling to remembrance: this may refer either to the Jewish nation remembering their idolatries in Egypt, their alliances with and reliance upon it in days past, which she now resolves to act over again; or it may refer to God, who, by these continued courses of Judah’ s lewdness is provoked to remember and punish old perfidious and idolatrous practices.

The days of her youth: see Eze 23:3 .

Haydock: Eze 23:3 - Fornication // Down

Fornication. That is, idolatry. (Challoner) ---

Down. Virgins used the stomacher, or (Haydock) fascia pectoralis, Isaias iii. 24. This chapter resembles the 16th. (Calmet)

Haydock: Eze 23:4 - Oolla and Ooliba

Oolla and Ooliba. God calls the kingdom of Israel Oolla, which signifies their own habitation, because they separated themselves from his temple; and the kingdom of Juda Ooliba, which signifies his habitation in her, because of his temple among them in Jerusalem. (Challoner) ---

The ten tribes first gave way to idolatry, and were more numerous. (Calmet) -- In Egypt the people were united, yet abandoned to idolatry in their youth, when they were only beginning to increase. Afterwards the ten tribes set up altars for themselves, at Dan and Bethel. (Worthington)

Haydock: Eze 23:5 - Assyrians

Assyrians. That is, the idols of the Assyrians: for all that is said in this chapter of the fornications of Israel and Juda, is to be understood in a spiritual sense of their disloyalty to the Lord, by worshipping strange gods. (Challoner) (Worthington) ---

The Assyrians taught the worship of Baal, the high places, &c. The Egyptians also promoted their abominations. (Calmet)

Haydock: Eze 23:6 - Blue

Blue, or purple. This was reserved for the principal nobility.

Haydock: Eze 23:8 - Egypt

Egypt. They always retained an affection for those idols, the calf, Adonis, &c.

Haydock: Eze 23:10 - Disgrace // Women

Disgrace: satisfying their passions, ver. 29. (Calmet) ---

Women. Having once lost all sense of decorum, they became more abandoned. (Haydock)

Haydock: Eze 23:11 - This

This; not chastisement, but dissolution.

Haydock: Eze 23:14 - Colours

Colours. She was enamoured at the account or picture of these people, without ever having seen them.

Haydock: Eze 23:16 - Messengers

Messengers. Achaz invited the Assyrians, and imitated their altars, &c., 4 Kings xvi. 2., &c. (Calmet) ---

The Chaldeans afterwards possessed the country. (Haydock)

Haydock: Eze 23:17 - Love

Love. Literally, "of breasts," as Hebrew also signifies. Here it denotes the temples. (Haydock)

Haydock: Eze 23:19 - Remembering

Remembering, or "causing to be remembered" by God, who seemed to have forgotten those ancient scenes of wickedness, chap. xxi. 24.

Gill: Eze 23:1 - The word of the Lord came unto me // saying

The word of the Lord came unto me,.... The word of prophecy, as the Targum; another prophecy, one upon the same subject, as in Eze 16:1,

saying; as follows:

Gill: Eze 23:2 - Son of man, there were two women // the daughters of one mother

Son of man, there were two women,.... Or two nations and kingdoms, the kingdom of Israel or the ten tribes, and the kingdom of Judah or the two tribes. So the Targum,

"son of man, prophesy concerning two provinces, which are as two women:''

the daughters of one mother; either Sarah the wife of Abraham, from whom they sprung; or because they were originally one kingdom and nation; so they were when they came out of Egypt, and during the times of the judges, and in the reigns of David and Solomon; but became two in the days of Rehoboam the son of Solomon, from whom ten tribes revolted, and set up a separate kingdom, with Jeroboam at the head of it.

Gill: Eze 23:3 - And they committed whoredoms in Egypt // they committed whoredoms in their youth // there were their breasts pressed, there they bruised the teats of their virginity

And they committed whoredoms in Egypt,.... When they were but one body, one nation; and while they sojourned as strangers in that land they learned and practised the idolatries of it, Jos 24:14, and so the Targum,

"and they erred in Egypt, after the worship of their idols they erred, and there they corrupted their works:''

they committed whoredoms in their youth; as soon as they were come out of Egypt, and were formed into a political and ecclesiastical state, had the law of God given them, and promised obedience to him, and were espoused by him, which times are called the days of their youth and espousal, Jer 2:2, and then were they guilty of whoredom, or spiritual adultery, which idolatry, in making and worshipping the golden calf, after the manner of Egypt; and in joining themselves to Baalpeor, the god of the Moabites, Exo 32:1;

there were their breasts pressed, there they bruised the teats of their virginity; that is, the Egyptians, who drew them into idolatry, and with whom they committed it; which is expressed by the actions of adulterous persons, suggesting that, before this, they were as chaste and pure virgins to God, adhered to his worship, and served him only, and were not defiled with the superstition and idolatry of the Heathens: or, "they made ^l the teats or paps of their virginity"; that is, made them swell and increase, being impregnated by them, and their idolatry completed; or to move and heave being pressed.

Gill: Eze 23:4 - And the names of them were Aholah the elder // and Aholibah her sister // and they were mine // thus were their names

And the names of them were Aholah the elder,.... Or, "the greater" ^m meaning the ten tribes of Israel, which were more in number than Judah, and greater in power and riches; their name, Aholah, signifies "her tent or tabernacle", which was entirely their own, and not the Lord's: their worship, and places of worship, were of their own appointing, namely, their calves at Dan and Bethel; God had nothing to do with them, there he did not dwell; his tabernacle was not there, that was at Salem, Psa 76:1,

and Aholibah her sister; which name signifies "my tent or tabernacle is in her": this is the name of Judah or the two tribes, in which stood the temple of the Lord, where he was worshipped, and where he dwelt: some think these were proper names of two Egyptian harlots; others think there is allusion to the wife of Esau, Gen 36:2,

and they were mine; or, "I had them ⁿ"; when they were together; they were originally espoused unto him; he avouched them to be his people, and they avouched him to be their God; he chose them for himself above all other people, and they professed themselves to be his, and promised to serve and worship him; and for a while did continue in his service and worship: and they bare sons and daughters; to the Lord, whom they brought up in the fear of God, and taught them to serve him: the phrase is expressive of their increase, and of their happiness and prosperity, while they adhered to the pure worship of God:

thus were their names; this is the application of them: "Samaria is Aholah"; or Aholah signifies Samaria, which was the metropolis of Ephraim, and belonged to the ten tribes, and is put for the whole, Isa 7:9, "and Jerusalem Aholibah"; or Aholibah designs Jerusalem, the head city of Judah, and stands for the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin.

Gill: Eze 23:5 - And Aholah played the harlot when she was mine // and she doted on her lovers

And Aholah played the harlot when she was mine,.... His married wife, and so ought to have cleaved to him alone: or, under me ^o; under his cover, power, and protection, and therefore it was their interest to serve him only: or, "instead of me" ^p; or, as the Syriac version, "besides me": they worshipped other gods in the room of the true God, or other gods besides him. The Targum is,

"and Aholah erred from my worship;''

the ten tribes fell into idolatry, when they were God's professing people:

and she doted on her lovers; whom she loved even to madness; she was mad with love, to the idols, temples, altars, and idolatrous worship of the Heathens; particularly doted "on the Assyrians her neighbours"; who were become so by the conquest of Syria; and these they treated as their neighbours, and sought to have them to be their allies and confederates; courted their help and assistance, and gave them much money for that purpose; as Menahem gave to Pul king of Assyria a thousand talents of silver, to confirm the kingdom in his hand, 2Ki 15:19.

Gill: Eze 23:6 - Which were clothed with blue // captains and rulers // desirable young men // horsemen riding upon horses

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 arrayed, are more engaging to women, who are fond of dress:

captains and rulers; men of power and authority in military and civil affairs, either in the camp, or in the court; officers either in the army, or in the king's palace; and which was a recommendation of them:

desirable young men; for their youth, strength, beauty, and honourable employments and offices:

horsemen riding upon horses: of which there was a scarcity in Judea; wherefore such were the more desirable to them, as appearing more grand, and being more serviceable and helpful to them.

Gill: Eze 23:7 - Thus she committed her whoredoms with them // with all them that were the chosen men of Assyria // and with all on whom she doted // with all their idols she defiled herself

Thus she committed her whoredoms with them,.... Entered into alliance with them, and joined them in their idolatrous worship:

with all them that were the chosen men of Assyria; before described by their habit, office, and age:

and with all on whom she doted; had an insatiable desire and lust after:

with all their idols she defiled herself; worshipped all the idols the Assyrians did; and which were defiling, as they must needs be, since, as the word used signifies, they were dunghill gods.

Gill: Eze 23:8 - Neither left she her idols brought from Egypt // for in her youth they lay with her // and they bruised the breasts of her virginity // and poured their whoredom upon her

Neither left she her idols brought from Egypt,.... Though the Israelites took in the gods of the Assyrians into their worship, they did not relinquish the golden calves set up at Dan and Bethel, in imitation of the Egyptian deities; the idolatrous worship of which they learned in Egypt, and brought from thence:

for in her youth they lay with her; the Egyptians enticed the Israelites to idolatry when among them, as soon as they began to be a people; See Gill on Eze 23:3,

and they bruised the breasts of her virginity; who before retained the pure worship of God, and was like a chaste virgin:

and poured their whoredom upon her; expressive of the numerous acts of idolatry committed together by them.

Gill: Eze 23:9 - Wherefore I have delivered her into the hand of her lovers // into the hand of the Assyrians, on whom she doted

Wherefore I have delivered her into the hand of her lovers,.... To destruction; their persons, families, riches, and kingdom itself:

into the hand of the Assyrians, on whom she doted; first into the hands of Pul, then Tiglathpileser, then Shalmaneser, all kings of Assyria, by whom they were spoiled or carried captive; by the two first in part, by the last wholly; see 2Ki 15:19.

Gill: Eze 23:10 - These discovered her wickedness // they took her sons and her daughters // and slew her with the sword // and she became famous among women // for they had executed judgment upon her

These discovered her wickedness,.... That is, stripped them of all their substance:

they took her sons and her daughters; and carried them captive:

and slew her with the sword; put an end to the kingdom of Israel, or the ten tribes, and which was never recovered to this day:

and she became famous among women; or among the provinces, as the Targum; she became famous, or rather infamous, among other nations; was talked of for her sins, her whoredoms and idolatries, and the vengeance of God upon her for them; she became a byword and a proverb among the kingdoms of the world for her wickedness and her destruction:

for they had executed judgment upon her; that is, the Assyrians, who were the instruments in God's hand in doing justice to her, and inflicting his judgments on her, and for that she became famous.

Gill: Eze 23:11 - And when her sister Aholibah saw this // she was more corrupt in her inordinate love than she // and in her whoredoms more than her sister in her whoredoms

And when her sister Aholibah saw this,.... The two tribes of Judah and Benjamin, when, they saw the idolatries the ten tribes fell into, and the destruction which came upon them for the same; instead of receiving instruction, and taking caution by all this,

she was more corrupt in her inordinate love than she; in courting the friendship, alliance, and help of their Heathen neighbours:

and in her whoredoms more than her sister in her whoredoms; guilty of more idolatries than the ten tribes, as in the times of Manasseh; see Jer 2:28.

Gill: Eze 23:12 - She doted upon the Assyrians her neighbours // captains and rulers clothed most gorgeously // horsemen riding upon horses, all of them desirable young men

She doted upon the Assyrians her neighbours,.... As in the times of Ahaz, who sent to Tiglathpileser, king of Assyria, for help; and from whence he took the pattern of an altar, and had one built like it at Jerusalem, and offered upon it, 2Ki 16:7,

captains and rulers clothed most gorgeously; or "perfectly" ^q; with all kind of precious garments, and of all manner of colours; not with blue only, but purple, scarlet, crimson, &c.

horsemen riding upon horses, all of them desirable young men; See Gill on Eze 23:6.

Gill: Eze 23:13 - Then I saw that she was defiled // that they took both one way

Then I saw that she was defiled,.... With idols, and the worship of them, Eze 23:7,

that they took both one way; the same way of idolatry; worshipped the same idols, lived the same course of life, were guilty of the same sin, both Israel and Judah.

Gill: Eze 23:14 - And that she increased her whoredoms // for when she saw men portrayed on the wall // the images of the Chaldeans portrayed with vermilion

And that she increased her whoredoms,.... Added to the number of her idols, increased her idols, and even was guilty of more than her sister:

for when she saw men portrayed on the wall; of the temple, as idols were, Eze 8:10 or upon the wall of a private house, where they were worshipped as household gods:

the images of the Chaldeans portrayed with vermilion: the images of their heroes, who after death were deified; and these, being drawn upon the wall with vermilion, which, being mixed with ceruse, made a flesh colour, were worshipped; as Bel, Nebo, Merodach, which are names of their idols, Isa 46:1 or these were graven on the walls, or etched out upon them with minium or red lead; or rather were "painted" ^r, as some render the word, with minium, vermilion, or cinnabar, which are the same; See Gill on Jer 22:14, and it may be observed, that it was usual with the Heathens to paint the images and statues of their gods with these. Thus Virgil ^s represents Pan, the god of Arcadia, coloured red with minium or vermilion; and Pausanius ^t speaks of the statue of Bacchus being besmeared with cinnabar: and Pliny ^u says the face of the image of Jupiter used to be anointed with minium or vermilion on festival days; and observes, that the nobles of Ethiopia used to colour themselves all over with it; this being the colour of the images of their gods, which they reckoned more august, majestic, and sacred. Hence the Romans, in their triumphs, used to paint themselves with vermilion; particularly it is said of Augustus Caesar, that he did this to make himself the more conspicuous and respectable, after the example of the Assyrians and Medes ^w: and the triumphers chose to be rubbed all over with a red colour, that they might, according to Isidore ^x, resemble the divine fire.

Gill: Eze 23:15 - Girded with girdles upon their loins // all of them princes to look to // after the manner of the Babylonians of Chaldea, the land of their nativity

Girded with girdles upon their loins,.... As a token of dignity and authority; see Isa 11:5, which was the peculiar custom of the Babylonians, as Kimchi, from the Talmudists, observes: "exceeding in dyed attire upon their heads"; having turbans of various colours upon their heads, after the manner of the Persians:

all of them princes to look to; bore the resemblance of kings, princes, and the great men of the earth, and whose images indeed they were; even of such who in their lifetime were famous for military exploits, or for some excellency or another, either real or pretended, and after death reckoned among the gods, and worshipped:

after the manner of the Babylonians of Chaldea, the land of their nativity; either where these heroes were born whose images were portrayed; or where Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation, was born, and so called from thence the land of their nativity; putting them in mind of their original, and of the idolatries of their ancestors, which they were now returning to.

Gill: Eze 23:16 - And as soon as she saw them with her eyes, she doted upon them // and sent messengers unto them in Chaldea

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 the idols of the Chaldeans prevailed, upon seeing their images:

and sent messengers unto them in Chaldea; to make alliances with the Chaldeans, and to have their idols, and worship them.

Gill: Eze 23:17 - And the Babylonians came to her in the bed of love // and they defiled her with their whoredom // and she was polluted with them, and her mind was alienated from them

And the Babylonians came to her in the bed of love,.... Entered into alliance with the Jews, and worshipped together in the same idols' temple. Jarchi thinks this refers to the messengers of the king of Babylon to Hezekiah; who were gladly received by him, and to whom he showed all the treasures of his house:

and they defiled her with their whoredom; or with their idols, as the Targum; they drew them into their idolatrous practices; which were defiling them, and by which they were corrupted from the simplicity of the true worship of God:

and she was polluted with them, and her mind was alienated from them: or "plucked", or "disjoined from them" ^y; the Chaldeans, broke league and covenant with them, hating them as much as before they doted upon them; this was done in the times of Jehoiakim and Zedekiah, who rebelled against the king of Babylon, 2Ki 24:1 as it often is the case with lewd women, when they have satisfied their lust with their gallants, loath and despise them, and cast them off.

Gill: Eze 23:18 - So she discovered her whoredoms, and discovered her nakedness // then my mind was alienated from her, like as my mind was alienated from her sister

So she discovered her whoredoms, and discovered her nakedness,.... The Jews did not cease from their idolatries when they broke with the Babylonians; but were rather more frequent and impudent in them, and courted the friendship and alliance of other Heathen nations, and their worship; even as a lewd woman, when she has cast off her former lovers, does not leave her lewdness, but seeks after others; and by her impudence in discovering her whoredoms, and her nakedness, and by all the signs of a prostitute, draws in others to commit lewdness with her:

then my mind was alienated from her, like as my mind was alienated from her sister; as a virtuous husband is alienated from an adulterous wife, and cannot admit her to his bed and board, so the mind of the Lord was alienated from the Jews, because of their idolatries; nor could he favour them with his presence, and the blessings of his providence and goodness, as he had formerly done; even as his mind had been alienated, on the same account, from the ten tribes of Israel, and which he showed by suffering them to be carried captive.

Gill: Eze 23:19 - Yet she multiplied her whoredoms // in calling to remembrance the days of her youth, wherein she had played the harlot in the land of Egypt

Yet she multiplied her whoredoms,.... Though the Lord frowned upon the Jews in the times of Jehoiakim and Zedekiah, yet still they went on, and increased their alliances and idolatries with the Heathen nations:

in calling to remembrance the days of her youth, wherein she had played the harlot in the land of Egypt; they called to mind with pleasure the idolatries of their fathers in Egypt, and committed the same themselves; they sent ambassadors to Egypt, in the times of Zedekiah, for help and assistance, and to enter into alliance with them, when they renewed among them the idolatries of that nation; see Eze 17:15.