And furthermore, that ye have sent for men to come from far, unto whom a messenger was sent; and, lo, they came: for whom thou didst wash thyself, paintedst thy eyes, and deckedst thyself with ornaments,
EZEKIEL 23:40KJVWhat does Ezekiel 23:40 mean?
Ezekiel 23:40 describes how the people, represented as women in this vision, prepared themselves with great care—washing, painting their eyes, and adorning themselves with jewelry—to attract men from far away whom they had invited. This verse uses the image of personal adornment to illustrate how eagerly and deliberately they sought out alliances or relationships that were unfaithful to God.
In this chapter, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to the people of Jerusalem and Samaria, using the metaphor of two sisters to represent these cities. The verse paints a vivid picture of the lengths to which these people went to pursue foreign nations and their ways, turning away from their relationship with God. The actions described are not about literal makeup or jewelry, but symbolize spiritual unfaithfulness and the pursuit of alliances that led them away from God.
The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 23:40
- "Wash" (רָחַץ, rachats): This word means to wash or cleanse oneself. In this context, it emphasizes deliberate preparation, suggesting intentional effort to make oneself appealing.
- "Paintedst" (כָּחַל, kachal): This refers to painting or darkening the eyes, a common ancient cosmetic practice. Here, it highlights the act of making oneself attractive for others, symbolizing seduction or allure.
- "Deckedst" (עָדָה, adah) and "ornaments" (עֶדֶה, edeh): Both words relate to adorning or decorating oneself with jewelry or fine things. The repetition underlines the thoroughness and intention behind the preparation, emphasizing eagerness to impress or attract.
Why Ezekiel 23:40 matters
- This verse clears up that the focus is not on outward appearance or cosmetics themselves, but on the deeper issue of seeking out relationships or alliances that are unfaithful to God.
- The verse emphasizes how deliberate and enthusiastic the people were in turning away from God, not by accident but by careful planning and effort.
- Understanding this imagery helps connect the verse to the larger message of Ezekiel 23, where the unfaithfulness of Jerusalem and Samaria is compared to adultery, showing the seriousness of their spiritual betrayal.