Wherefore I have delivered her into the hand of her lovers, into the hand of the Assyrians, upon whom she doted.

EZEKIEL 23:9KJV
Know the Bible

Ezekiel 23:9 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 23:9 mean?

Ezekiel 23:9 says that God handed over one of the symbolic sisters (representing Samaria, the capital of Israel) to the nations she had sought after, specifically the Assyrians, whom she had admired. This verse shows that because of her unfaithfulness, she was given into the control of those foreign powers she desired.

In this passage, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to the people of Israel, using the story of two sisters as a metaphor for the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah. The "lovers" are the foreign nations Israel tried to ally with, especially the Assyrians. The verse highlights the consequences of Israel’s political and spiritual alliances with other nations instead of trusting God.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 23:9

  • "Delivered" (נָתַן, natan): This word means to give or hand over. Here, it emphasizes that God actively allowed Israel to fall into the hands of the Assyrians, not just as a passive event but as a direct result of her choices.
  • "Lovers" (אֹהֵב, ohev): This word is often used for those with whom someone has an intimate or affectionate relationship. In this context, it points to Israel’s pursuit of close ties with foreign nations, treating them as trusted partners or even objects of affection.
  • "Doted" (עָגַב, agav): This word means to have strong desire or infatuation. It shows that Israel was not just politically allied with Assyria but was deeply attracted to and obsessed with them, making the betrayal and consequences more pointed.

Why Ezekiel 23:9 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Israel’s downfall to Assyria was not just a political accident but was portrayed as a consequence of her own choices and desires.
  • The language of "lovers" and "doting" reveals the depth of Israel’s misplaced trust and longing for foreign alliances, which is a key theme in Ezekiel’s message.
  • Understanding this verse helps make sense of the larger allegory in Ezekiel 23, where the relationship between Israel, Judah, and foreign nations is described in personal and emotional terms, highlighting the seriousness of their unfaithfulness.

Where else these words appear

“doted” Hebrew H5689 · used in 7 verses

  • Jeremiah 4:30 And when thou art spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair; thy lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life.
  • 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.
  • Ezekiel 23:16 And as soon as she saw them with her eyes, she doted upon them, and sent messengers unto them into Chaldea.

“Assyrians” Hebrew H804 · used in 138 verses

  • Genesis 2:14 And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates.
  • 2 Kings 20:6 And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.
  • Isaiah 36:8 Now therefore give pledges, I pray thee, to my master the king of Assyria, and I will give thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them.