Ezekiel 23:22
Therefore, 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;
Original Language Analysis
לָכֵ֣ן
H3651
לָכֵ֣ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
1 of 19
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
כֹּֽה
H3541
כֹּֽה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
3 of 19
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מְאַהֲבַ֙יִךְ֙
thy lovers
H157
מְאַהֲבַ֙יִךְ֙
thy lovers
Strong's:
H157
Word #:
10 of 19
to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)
עָלַ֔יִךְ
H5921
עָלַ֔יִךְ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
11 of 19
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֵ֛ת
H853
אֵ֛ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
13 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נַפְשֵׁ֖ךְ
against thee from whom thy mind
H5315
נַפְשֵׁ֖ךְ
against thee from whom thy mind
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
15 of 19
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
וַהֲבֵאתִ֥ים
and I will bring
H935
וַהֲבֵאתִ֥ים
and I will bring
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
17 of 19
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Historical Context
Babylon, whom Judah initially courted then rebelled against, laid siege to Jerusalem from multiple directions. Nebuchadnezzar's army besieged Jerusalem twice (597 and 586 BC), with the final siege lasting 30 months (January 588 - July 586 BC), resulting in complete destruction, temple burning, and mass deportation.
Questions for Reflection
- How do our betrayed alliances return as instruments of judgment?
- What does it mean that God 'raises up' historical agents for His purposes?
- How does punishment fitting the crime demonstrate divine justice?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Therefore, O Oholibah, thus saith the Lord GOD transitions from accusation to sentence. Behold, I will raise up thy lovers against thee announces judgment's mechanism—her chosen allies become destroyers. From whom thy mind is alienated means those she now rejects will return as conquerors. I will bring them against thee on every side describes comprehensive encirclement. God orchestrates historical events as judicial punishment. Those Judah pursued for security, then rejected when disillusioned, will surround her for destruction. Divine irony: our idols become punishment, rejected lovers become executioners. This is lex talionis (law of retaliation) at cosmic scale—justice measured precisely to the crime. Sin carries its own judgment seeds.