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.