Ezekiel 23:10
These discovered her nakedness: 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.
Original Language Analysis
גִּלּ֣וּ
These discovered
H1540
גִּלּ֣וּ
These discovered
Strong's:
H1540
Word #:
2 of 15
to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal
עֶרְוָתָהּ֒
her nakedness
H6172
עֶרְוָתָהּ֒
her nakedness
Strong's:
H6172
Word #:
3 of 15
nudity, literally (especially the pudenda) or figuratively (disgrace, blemish)
בָּנֶ֤יהָ
her sons
H1121
בָּנֶ֤יהָ
her sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
4 of 15
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וּבְנוֹתֶ֙יהָ֙
and her daughters
H1323
וּבְנוֹתֶ֙יהָ֙
and her daughters
Strong's:
H1323
Word #:
5 of 15
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
וְאוֹתָ֖הּ
H853
וְאוֹתָ֖הּ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בַּחֶ֣רֶב
her with the sword
H2719
בַּחֶ֣רֶב
her with the sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
8 of 15
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
וַתְּהִי
H1961
וַתְּהִי
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
10 of 15
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
שֵׁם֙
and she became famous
H8034
שֵׁם֙
and she became famous
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
11 of 15
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
Cross References
Ezekiel 23:29And they shall deal with thee hatefully, and shall take away all thy labour, and shall leave thee naked and bare: and the nakedness of thy whoredoms shall be discovered, both thy lewdness and thy whoredoms.Hosea 2:10And now will I discover her lewdness in the sight of her lovers, and none shall deliver her out of mine hand.
Historical Context
Assyrian conquest involved systematic brutality: destruction of cities, execution of leaders, deportation of populations (the lost ten tribes), and resettlement of foreign peoples in conquered territories. Assyrian records and archaeological evidence confirm the violence. Samaria's fall became proverbial, mentioned in prophetic warnings to Judah for the next century.
Questions for Reflection
- How does sin eventually expose us to public shame?
- What does it mean that God's judgments serve as warnings to others?
- How should we respond to historical examples of divine judgment?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
These discovered her nakedness: they took her sons and her daughters describes comprehensive devastation—public shame, loss of dignity, family destruction. Nakedness in prophetic literature represents exposure, vulnerability, and humiliation (Genesis 9:21; Isaiah 47:3). Her sons and daughters taken indicates mass deportation and enslavement. Her slew they with the sword refers to massacre accompanying Samaria's fall. And she became famous among women; for they had executed judgment upon her transforms Israel into a cautionary tale. Her destruction served as warning to other nations. God's judgments are both punitive and pedagogical, teaching observers as well as punishing transgressors.