Ezekiel 23:5
And Aholah played the harlot when she was mine; and she doted on her lovers, on the Assyrians her neighbours,
Original Language Analysis
וַתִּ֥זֶן
played the harlot
H2181
וַתִּ֥זֶן
played the harlot
Strong's:
H2181
Word #:
1 of 9
to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (
תַּחְתָּ֑י
when she was mine
H8478
תַּחְתָּ֑י
when she was mine
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
3 of 9
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
וַתַּעְגַּב֙
and she doted
H5689
וַתַּעְגַּב֙
and she doted
Strong's:
H5689
Word #:
4 of 9
to breathe after, i.e., to love (sensually)
עַֽל
H5921
עַֽל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 9
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מְאַהֲבֶ֔יהָ
on her lovers
H157
מְאַהֲבֶ֔יהָ
on her lovers
Strong's:
H157
Word #:
6 of 9
to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)
Cross References
Hosea 5:13When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to king Jareb: yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of your wound.2 Kings 16:7So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, saying, I am thy servant and thy son: come up, and save me out of the hand of the king of Syria, and out of the hand of the king of Israel, which rise up against me.2 Kings 15:19And Pul the king of Assyria came against the land: and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand.2 Kings 17:3Against him came up Shalmaneser king of Assyria; and Hoshea became his servant, and gave him presents.Jeremiah 50:38A drought is upon her waters; and they shall be dried up: for it is the land of graven images, and they are mad upon their idols.Ezekiel 16:28Thou hast played the whore also with the Assyrians, because thou wast unsatiable; yea, thou hast played the harlot with them, and yet couldest not be satisfied.
Historical Context
From 752 BC onward, northern Israel became increasingly dependent on Assyria, paying tribute and adopting Assyrian religious elements. King Menahem paid 1,000 talents of silver to Tiglath-Pileser III (2 Kings 15:19), beginning Israel's fatal entanglement with Assyria that would culminate in the 722 BC destruction of Samaria.
Questions for Reflection
- How does knowing God make our sin more grievous rather than less?
- What modern 'lovers' do we pursue while claiming allegiance to God?
- Why do we seek security in worldly alliances rather than divine promises?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Oholah played the harlot when she was mine exposes the aggravated nature of covenant sin—her adultery occurred within marriage, not before it. This distinguishes Israel's sin from pagan ignorance; she knew the true God yet pursued false ones. The phrase taḥtay (under me, while mine) emphasizes relational betrayal. She doted on her lovers, the Assyrians indicates voluntary, passionate pursuit of foreign alliances and their gods. Israel's kings actively sought Assyrian protection (2 Kings 15:19; 17:3), bringing foreign religious practices with military treaties. Political pragmatism produced spiritual apostasy.