Girded with girdles upon their loins, exceeding in dyed attire upon their heads, all of them princes to look to, after the manner of the Babylonians of Chaldea, the land of their nativity:

EZEKIEL 23:15KJV
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Ezekiel 23:15 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 23:15 mean?

Ezekiel 23:15 describes men dressed in elaborate, colorful clothing and headgear, looking like noblemen or princes, in the style of the Babylonians from Chaldea, the land where they were born. The verse paints a vivid picture of these men’s striking appearance and their cultural background.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to the people of Israel, using imagery to describe the allure and influence of Babylonian men. The context is a larger metaphor where Israel and Judah are compared to two sisters who are drawn to foreign nations and their ways, highlighting the temptation and attraction of Babylonian culture and power.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 23:15

  • גְּדוּרֵי (girded, gədurē): This word means "girded" or "belted," emphasizing the way these men wore their clothing tightly bound around their waists, which was a mark of style and status.
  • מִשְׁנֶה (princes, mišneh): Here, the word is used to describe men who look like nobles or high-ranking officials, not just ordinary people, which adds to their appeal and the sense of luxury.
  • תַּבְנִית (manner, tavnith): This word means "pattern" or "style," pointing out that their appearance follows the specific customs of Babylon, making their identity and influence clear.
  • בָּבֶל (Babylon, bavel) and כַּשְׂדִּים (Chaldea, kasdim): These names ground the description in a real place and people, showing that the attraction is not just to the individuals but to the whole culture and its origins.

Why Ezekiel 23:15 matters

  • This verse clears up that the attraction Israel and Judah felt was not just about individuals but about the broader appeal of Babylonian culture, style, and power.
  • The verse emphasizes how foreign influence was seen as both visually appealing and spiritually dangerous, setting up the warning that follows in the passage.
  • Understanding the detailed description helps the reader see how Ezekiel uses vivid imagery to make the warning memorable and relatable to his audience.

Where else these words appear

“Girded” Hebrew H2289 · used in 4 verses

  • 1 Samuel 18:4 And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.
  • 2 Samuel 20:8 When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa went before them. And Joab's garment that he had put on was girded unto him, and upon it a girdle with a sword fastened upon his loins in the sheath thereof; and as he went forth it fell out.
  • Proverbs 31:24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

“exceeding” Hebrew H5628 · used in 7 verses

  • Exodus 26:12 And the remnant that remaineth of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that remaineth, shall hang over the backside of the tabernacle.
  • Jeremiah 49:7 Concerning Edom, thus saith the LORD of hosts; Is wisdom no more in Teman? is counsel perished from the prudent? is their wisdom vanished?
  • Amos 6:4 That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall;

“girdles” Hebrew H232 · used in 12 verses

  • 2 Kings 1:8 And they answered him, He was an hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite.
  • Isaiah 11:5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.
  • Jeremiah 13:6 And it came to pass after many days, that the LORD said unto me, Arise, go to Euphrates, and take the girdle from thence, which I commanded thee to hide there.

“princes” Hebrew H7991 · used in 19 verses

  • Exodus 14:7 And he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over every one of them.
  • 2 Kings 7:17 And the king appointed the lord on whose hand he leaned to have the charge of the gate: and the people trode upon him in the gate, and he died, as the man of God had said, who spake when the king came down to him.
  • 1 Chronicles 12:18 Then the spirit came upon Amasai, who was chief of the captains, and he said, Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse: peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thine helpers; for thy God helpeth thee. Then David received them, and made them captains of the band.