Bible Strands
Ezekiel 23:12
She too lusted after the Assyrians—governors and commanders, warriors dressed in splendor, horsemen riding on steeds, all desirable young men.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The prophet Ezekiel delivers God’s judicial pronouncement to the exiled community in Babylon, using the allegory of two sisters to trace Judah and Samaria’s covenant betrayal. At this narrative juncture, the focus shifts to Oholibah’s specific political and sexual alliance with the Assyrian empire.
The words — The Hebrew עָגָבָה ('a.Ga.vah) literally renders "she lusted," while פַּח֨וֹת (pa.Chot) denotes "governors" or provincial rulers. These terms ground the text’s explicit description of the military and administrative figures she pursued.
The thread — This diplomatic entanglement mirrors King Ahaz’s appeal for Assyrian intervention recorded in 2 Kings 16:7 and 2 Chronicles 28:16. Ezekiel later confirms the same recurring pattern of unfulfilled political idolatry in Ezekiel 16:28.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to acknowledge that substituting covenant trust for foreign military protection constitutes structural infidelity. It demands a clear-eyed assessment of any reliance on secular power that supplants divine provision.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
She doted upon the Assyrians her neighbours, captains and rulers clothed most gorgeously, horsemen riding upon horses, all of them desirable young men.
Cross-references
- 2 Kings 16:7 So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, saying, “I am your servant and your son. Come up and save me from the hands of the kings of Aram and Israel, who are rising up against me.”
- 2 Chronicles 28:16 At that time King Ahaz sent for help from the king of Assyria.
- Ezekiel 16:28 Then you prostituted yourself with the Assyrians, because you were not yet satisfied. Even after that, you were still not satisfied.
- Ezekiel 23:5 Oholah prostituted herself while she was still Mine. She lusted after her lovers, the Assyrians—warriors
- 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.