For thus saith the Lord GOD; I will bring up a company upon them, and will give them to be removed and spoiled.

EZEKIEL 23:46KJV
Know the Bible

Ezekiel 23:46 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 23:46 mean?

Ezekiel 23:46 means that God is declaring He will bring a group of people against the two women (symbolic of Samaria and Jerusalem), allowing them to be taken away and plundered. This is a pronouncement of coming judgment, where these cities will face removal and loss at the hands of others.

In this verse, the speaker is the Lord GOD, addressing the prophet Ezekiel about the fate of Samaria and Jerusalem, who are represented earlier in the chapter as two unfaithful sisters. The situation is one of warning: God is announcing that a "company" or assembly will be brought against them, leading to their downfall. The verse sets the stage for the consequences of the people's actions, as described throughout Ezekiel 23.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 23:46

  • "company" (קָהָל, qāhāl): This word often means an assembly or gathering, sometimes with the sense of a hostile group. Here, it emphasizes that a collective force—likely an invading army—will be brought against the cities.
  • "removed" (זָוָה, zāvāh): This word is often understood as being made an object of horror or terror, not just physically taken away. It highlights the disgrace and fear that will come upon the people, not just their removal.
  • "spoiled" (שָׁסָה, shāsāh): This term means to be plundered or looted. It points to the loss of possessions and dignity that will follow the attack.

Why Ezekiel 23:46 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the judgment coming on Samaria and Jerusalem is not random, but a direct result of God's decision, using outside forces as instruments of justice.
  • The language of "removal" and "spoiling" shows that the punishment involves both disgrace and material loss, not just military defeat.
  • Ezekiel 23:46 connects to the larger theme of the chapter, where the unfaithfulness of the two cities leads to severe consequences, reinforcing the seriousness of turning away from God in the narrative.

Where else these words appear

“removed” Hebrew H2189 · used in 7 verses

  • Deuteronomy 28:25 The LORD shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies: thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them: and shalt be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.
  • Jeremiah 15:4 And I will cause them to be removed into all kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah king of Judah, for that which he did in Jerusalem.
  • Jeremiah 29:18 And I will persecute them with the sword, with the famine, and with the pestilence, and will deliver them to be removed to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse, and an astonishment, and an hissing, and a reproach, among all the nations whither I have driven them:

“spoiled” Hebrew H957 · used in 25 verses

  • Numbers 14:3 And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt?
  • Jeremiah 2:14 Is Israel a servant? is he a homeborn slave? why is he spoiled?
  • Ezekiel 29:19 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will give the land of Egypt unto Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall take her multitude, and take her spoil, and take her prey; and it shall be the wages for his army.

“company” Hebrew H6951 · used in 116 verses

  • Genesis 28:3 And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people;
  • 1 Kings 8:22 And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven:
  • Nehemiah 5:13 Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this promise.