Ezekiel 23:16
And as soon as she saw them with her eyes, she doted upon them, and sent messengers unto them into Chaldea.
Original Language Analysis
עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם
H5921
עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 8
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
לְמַרְאֵ֣ה
And as soon as she saw
H4758
לְמַרְאֵ֣ה
And as soon as she saw
Strong's:
H4758
Word #:
3 of 8
a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape (especially if handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks),
עֵינֶ֑יהָ
them with her eyes
H5869
עֵינֶ֑יהָ
them with her eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
4 of 8
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
וַתִּשְׁלַ֧ח
upon them and sent
H7971
וַתִּשְׁלַ֧ח
upon them and sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
5 of 8
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
Historical Context
After Hezekiah showed Babylon's envoys (from Merodach-baladan) all his treasures (circa 703 BC), Isaiah prophesied that everything would be carried to Babylon and Hezekiah's descendants would serve in Babylon's palace (2 Kings 20:16-18)—precisely fulfilled in 597 and 586 BC. Hezekiah's pride and political calculation initiated Judah's fatal attraction to Babylon.
Questions for Reflection
- How does immediate gratification of desire short-circuit wisdom and discernment?
- What prevents us from pausing between attraction and action?
- How might slowing down help us resist temptation?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And as soon as she saw them with her eyes, she doted upon them captures the immediacy of desire—sight triggered attraction without deliberation. And sent messengers unto them into Chaldea shows transition from attraction to pursuit. Judah initiated contact with Babylon—not Babylonian aggression but Judean infatuation. King Hezekiah's reception of Babylonian envoys (2 Kings 20:12-19) marked this turning point. Isaiah warned that alliance would bring destruction, but Judah persisted. The speed from seeing to sending, from attraction to action, demonstrates covetousness's power. It allows no time for wisdom, prayer, or caution. Impulsive action driven by desire always ends badly, requiring intentional delay between stimulus and response.