Ezekiel 23:7

Thus she committed her whordomes with them, with all them that were the chosen men of Assyria, and with all on whom she doted, with all their idoles she defiled her selfe. Ezekiel 23:7 (KJV)

that were

the chosen men of Assyria, and with all on whom she doted: with all their idols she defiled herself. Ezekiel 23:7 (KJV)

Ezekiel 23 presents a vivid metaphor of two sisters, Oholah and Oholibah, who stand for the northern kingdom of Israel (Samaria) and the southern kingdom of Judah respectively. The prophet uses their story to illustrate how both kingdoms abandoned their covenant relationship with God and turned to the idolatrous practices of surrounding nations.

The verse in focus reads, “And she committed her fornications (or bestowed her whoredoms) with them, whose flesh is as the flesh of asses, and whose issue is like the issue of horses.” This graphic language is not a literal description but a symbolic portrayal of the extreme sexual immorality and unrestrained desire that characterized Judah’s spiritual state.

The phrase “whose flesh is as the flesh of asses, and whose issue is like the issue of horses” functions as a metaphorical image. By comparing the people to animals known for prolific and indiscriminate mating, the text emphasizes the excessive and uncontrolled nature of their illicit practices. The comparison underscores how far the nation had strayed from the purity of God’s covenant.

In the broader narrative, these idolatrous activities are presented as spiritual adultery. Oholah and Oholibah have forsaken the exclusive relationship with Yahweh, embracing foreign gods and pagan rituals. The harsh, vivid wording serves as a stark reminder of the seriousness of this betrayal and the depth of the nation’s moral decay.

The graphic imagery also prepares the reader for the coming judgment. Subsequent verses describe how God will bring severe punishment upon the unfaithful sisters, highlighting the inevitable shame and devastation that follow such spiritual infidelity. The intensity of the language mirrors the severity of the divine response.

It is essential to read Ezekiel’s portrayal within its historical and literary context, recognizing that the book frequently employs symbolic language and striking images to convey theological truths. The central message of this chapter is the unfaithfulness of God’s people and the inevitable consequences that arise when they abandon their covenant and pursue idolatry.