Ezekiel 23:7
Thus she committed her whoredoms with them, with all them that were the chosen men of Assyria, and with all on whom she doted: with all their idols she defiled herself.
Original Language Analysis
וַתִּתֵּ֤ן
Thus she committed
H5414
וַתִּתֵּ֤ן
Thus she committed
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
1 of 13
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
תַּזְנוּתֶ֙יהָ֙
her whoredoms
H8457
תַּזְנוּתֶ֙יהָ֙
her whoredoms
Strong's:
H8457
Word #:
2 of 13
harlotry, i.e., (figuratively) idolatry
עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם
H5921
עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
3 of 13
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מִבְחַ֥ר
with them with all them that were the chosen
H4005
מִבְחַ֥ר
with them with all them that were the chosen
Strong's:
H4005
Word #:
4 of 13
select, i.e., best
בְּנֵֽי
men
H1121
בְּנֵֽי
men
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
5 of 13
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אַשּׁ֖וּר
of Assyria
H804
אַשּׁ֖וּר
of Assyria
Strong's:
H804
Word #:
6 of 13
ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire
כֻּלָּ֑ם
H3605
כֻּלָּ֑ם
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
7 of 13
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
וּבְכֹ֧ל
H3605
וּבְכֹ֧ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
8 of 13
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
9 of 13
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עָֽגְבָ֛ה
and with all on whom she doted
H5689
עָֽגְבָ֛ה
and with all on whom she doted
Strong's:
H5689
Word #:
10 of 13
to breathe after, i.e., to love (sensually)
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
11 of 13
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Hosea 6:10I have seen an horrible thing in the house of Israel: there is the whoredom of Ephraim, Israel is defiled.Hosea 5:3I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me: for now, O Ephraim, thou committest whoredom, and Israel is defiled.Ezekiel 20:7Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
Historical Context
Treaty protocols in the ancient Near East typically included religious clauses. When Israel allied with Assyria, they acknowledged Assyrian gods in treaty ceremonies and often erected Assyrian cult objects in Israelite territories, as evidenced by Ahaz's adoption of an Assyrian altar design for the Jerusalem temple (2 Kings 16:10-16).
Questions for Reflection
- How do seemingly secular decisions carry spiritual implications?
- What compromises do we justify as 'merely political' or practical?
- In what ways does doting on worldly solutions lead to spiritual defilement?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Thus she committed her whoredoms with them indicates sustained, systematic apostasy, not isolated incidents. With all them that were the choice men of Assyria shows indiscriminate spiritual promiscuity—Israel sought multiple Assyrian alliances. And with all on whom she doted—with all their idols she defiled herself demonstrates the inseparable connection between political and religious compromise. Ancient Near Eastern treaties required honoring your ally's gods. Israel couldn't secure Assyrian protection without acknowledging Assyrian deities. Political pragmatism always carries spiritual costs; seemingly secular decisions have theological implications.