BibleWord.ai› Bible› Ezekiel› Chapter 23› Verse 16

Ezekiel 23:16

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Ezekiel 23:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And as soon as she saw them she doted upon them, and sent messengers unto them into Chaldea.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And as soon as she saw them she doted upon them, and sent messengers unto them into Chaldea.
Ezekiel 23:16 — American Standard Version

Context — Ezekiel 23

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13And I saw that she was defiled; they both took one way.
14And she increased her whoredoms; for she saw men portrayed upon the wall, the images of the Chaldeans portrayed with vermilion,
15girded with girdles upon their loins, with flowing turbans upon their heads, all of them princes to look upon, after the likeness of the Babylonians in Chaldea, the land of their nativity.
16And as soon as she saw them she doted upon them, and sent messengers unto them into Chaldea.
17And the Babylonians came to her into the bed of love, and they defiled her with their whoredom, and she was polluted with them, and her soul was alienated from them.
18So she uncovered her whoredoms, and uncovered her nakedness: then my soul was alienated from her, like as my soul was alienated from her sister.
19Yet she multiplied her whoredoms, remembering the days of her youth, wherein she had played the harlot in the land of Egypt.
← Ezekiel 23:15Ezekiel 23:17 →
← Full Chapter 23 Ezekiel Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And as soon as she saw them with her eyes, she doted upon them, &c.] As lustful women, on the sight of the pictures of men, fall in love with them, and are mad after them; such a vehement desire after the idols of the Chaldeans prevailed, upon seeing their images: and sent messengers unto them in Chaldea; to make alliances with the Chaldeans, and to have their idols, and worship them.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“sent messengers . . . into Chaldea-- (Eze 16:29). It was she that solicited the Chaldeans, not they her. Probably the occasion was when Judah sought to strengthen herself by a Chaldean alliance against a menaced attack by Egypt (compare Kg2 23:29-35; Kg2 24:1-7). God made the object of their sinful desire the instrument of their punishment. Jehoiakim, probably by a stipulation of tribute, enlisted Nebuchadnezzar against Pharaoh, whose tributary he previously had been; failing to keep his stipulation, he brought on himself Nebuchadnezzar's vengeance.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The sending of “messengers” refers to the act of Ahaz 2 Kings 16:7. return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“as soon as she saw them with her eyes: Heb. at the sight of her eyes, Eze 16:29; Gen 3:6, Gen 6:2, Gen 39:7; Sa2 11:2; Kg2 24:1; Job 31:1; Psa 119:37; Pro 6:25, Pro 23:33; Mat 5:28 and sent: Eze 23:40, Eze 23:41, Eze 16:17, Eze 16:29; Pe2 2:14 Ezekiel 23:17”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Ezekiel 23 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification