Ezekiel 23:17
And the Babylonians came to her into the bed of love, and they defiled her with their whoredom, and she was polluted with them, and her mind was alienated from them.
Original Language Analysis
בְנֵֽי
And the Babylonians
H1121
בְנֵֽי
And the Babylonians
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
3 of 14
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בָבֶל֙
H894
בָבֶל֙
Strong's:
H894
Word #:
4 of 14
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
לְמִשְׁכַּ֣ב
to her into the bed
H4904
לְמִשְׁכַּ֣ב
to her into the bed
Strong's:
H4904
Word #:
5 of 14
a bed (figuratively, a bier); abstractly, sleep; by euphemism, carnal intercourse
דֹּדִ֔ים
of love
H1730
דֹּדִ֔ים
of love
Strong's:
H1730
Word #:
6 of 14
(figuratively) to love; by implication, a love-token, lover, friend; specifically an uncle
וַתִּ֨טְמָא
and she was polluted
H2930
וַתִּ֨טְמָא
and she was polluted
Strong's:
H2930
Word #:
7 of 14
to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)
אוֹתָ֖הּ
H853
אוֹתָ֖הּ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּתַזְנוּתָ֑ם
her with their whoredom
H8457
בְּתַזְנוּתָ֑ם
her with their whoredom
Strong's:
H8457
Word #:
9 of 14
harlotry, i.e., (figuratively) idolatry
וַתִּ֨טְמָא
and she was polluted
H2930
וַתִּ֨טְמָא
and she was polluted
Strong's:
H2930
Word #:
10 of 14
to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)
וַתֵּ֥קַע
was alienated
H3363
וַתֵּ֥קַע
was alienated
Strong's:
H3363
Word #:
12 of 14
properly, to sever oneself, i.e., (by implication) to be dislocated; figuratively, to abandon; causatively, to impale (and thus allow to drop to piece
Cross References
Ezekiel 23:22Therefore, O Aholibah, thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will raise up thy lovers against thee, from whom thy mind is alienated, and I will bring them against thee on every side;Ezekiel 23:28For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will deliver thee into the hand of them whom thou hatest, into the hand of them from whom thy mind is alienated:
Historical Context
Judah's alliance with Babylon began positively but soured as Babylonian dominance became oppressive. King Jehoiakim rebelled after three years of vassalage (2 Kings 24:1), triggering Babylonian invasion. What seemed politically and economically advantageous became destructive. The pattern repeated under Zedekiah, whose rebellion brought final judgment (2 Kings 24-25).
Questions for Reflection
- Why do sinful pursuits promise satisfaction but deliver disillusionment?
- How does God sometimes grant our sinful desires to reveal their emptiness?
- What should we do when we realize our chosen path has defiled us?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And the Babylonians came to her into the bed of love describes Judah receiving what she pursued. The phrase 'bed of love' drips with irony—what she thought would be romantic alliance became violent violation. And they defiled her with their whoredom indicates the very relationship Judah sought corrupted her. Babylonian alliance required religious compromise—acknowledging Babylonian gods, adopting cultic practices. And her mind was alienated from them marks the turning point: after experiencing what she desired, Judah became disillusioned. But alienation came too late—defilement was permanent, consequences unavoidable. Sin promises satisfaction but delivers emptiness. We pursue eagerly, then recoil in disgust once possessing it—but damage is done.