Ezekiel 23:42
And a voice of a multitude being at ease was with her: and with the men of the common sort were brought Sabeans from the wilderness, which put bracelets upon their hands, and beautiful crowns upon their heads.
Original Language Analysis
הָמוֹן֮
of a multitude
H1995
הָמוֹן֮
of a multitude
Strong's:
H1995
Word #:
2 of 19
a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth
שָׁלֵ֣ו
being at ease
H7961
שָׁלֵ֣ו
being at ease
Strong's:
H7961
Word #:
3 of 19
tranquil; (in a bad sense) careless; abstractly, security
אֲנָשִׁים֙
H376
אֲנָשִׁים֙
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
6 of 19
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
אָדָ֔ם
H120
אָדָ֔ם
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
8 of 19
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
מוּבָאִ֥ים
were brought
H935
מוּבָאִ֥ים
were brought
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
9 of 19
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
מִמִּדְבָּ֑ר
from the wilderness
H4057
מִמִּדְבָּ֑ר
from the wilderness
Strong's:
H4057
Word #:
11 of 19
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
וַֽיִּתְּנ֤וּ
which put
H5414
וַֽיִּתְּנ֤וּ
which put
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
12 of 19
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
יְדֵיהֶ֔ן
upon their hands
H3027
יְדֵיהֶ֔ן
upon their hands
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
15 of 19
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
תִּפְאֶ֖רֶת
and beautiful
H8597
תִּפְאֶ֖רֶת
and beautiful
Strong's:
H8597
Word #:
17 of 19
ornament (abstractly or concretely, literally or figuratively)
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern treaty ceremonies involved elaborate rituals, gift exchanges, and feasting. Both parties exchanged tokens of commitment and performed religious rites acknowledging each other's gods. Judah's participation in such ceremonies with pagan nations implicitly acknowledged foreign gods and violated covenant exclusivity, yet was done with festive celebration rather than solemn awareness of covenant breach.
Questions for Reflection
- How do celebrations of compromise mask spiritual betrayal?
- What contemporary covenant-makings violate our exclusive devotion to God?
- Why do we often celebrate precisely what we should mourn?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And a voice of a multitude being at ease was with her describes festive atmosphere—carefree celebration, thoughtless enjoyment. And with the men of the common sort indicates lower-class participants. Were brought Sabeans from the wilderness implies hiring mercenaries or importing foreign entertainment. Which put bracelets upon their hands, and beautiful crowns upon their heads details exchange of gifts and honors in covenant-making ceremonies. Treaties were celebrated with gift exchanges, feasting, and mutual honor. But covenant-making with foreigners violated exclusive covenant with Yahweh. Each diplomatic covenant was spiritual adultery, each gift exchange a token of unfaithfulness. The festive tone highlights moral oblivion—they celebrated their adultery, unaware of or unconcerned by their betrayal of God.