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Ezekiel 23:6

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Ezekiel 23:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “who were clothed with blue, governors and rulers, all of them desirable young men, horsemen riding upon horses.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

who were clothed with blue, governors and rulers, all of them desirable young men, horsemen riding upon horses.
Ezekiel 23:6 — American Standard Version

Context — Ezekiel 23

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
3and they played the harlot in Egypt; they played the harlot in their youth; there were their breasts pressed, and there was handled the bosom of their virginity.
4And the names of them were Oholah the elder, and Oholibah her sister: and they became mine, and they bare sons and daughters. And as for their names, Samaria is Oholah, and Jerusalem Oholibah.
5And Oholah played the harlot when she was mine; and she doted on her lovers, on the Assyrians [her] neighbors,
6who were clothed with blue, governors and rulers, all of them desirable young men, horsemen riding upon horses.
7And she bestowed her whoredoms upon them, the choicest men of Assyria all of them; and on whomsoever she doted, with all their idols she defiled herself.
8Neither hath she left her whoredoms since [the days of] Egypt; for in her youth they lay with her, and they handled the bosom of her virginity; and they poured out their whoredom upon her.
9Wherefore I delivered her into the hand of her lovers, into the hand of the Assyrians, upon whom she doted.
← Ezekiel 23:5Ezekiel 23:7 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Which were clothed with blue, &c.] A colour the Assyrians were fond of, and clothed their soldiers in, and was taking to the eye; and is mentioned, because that men, finely clothed find beautifully arrayed, are more engaging to women, who are fond of dress: captains and rulers; men of power and authority in military and civil affairs, either in the camp, or in the court; officers either in the army, or in the king’s palace; and which was a recommendation of them: desirable young men; for their youth, strength, beauty, and honourable employments and offices: horsemen riding upon horses: of which there was a scarcity in Judea; wherefore such were the more desirable to them, as appearing more…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“blue--rather, "purple" [FAIRBAIRN]. As a lustful woman's passions are fired by showy dress and youthful appearance in men, so Israel was seduced by the pomp and power of Assyria (compare Isa 10:8). horsemen--cavaliers.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The army of the Assyrians is described. War-horses formed an important part in the armies of Assyria and Egypt; Israel was deficient in this respect Isaiah 36:8. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Horsemen - Skillful in riding, and well furnished with choice horses. Ezekiel 23:7”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“all of: Eze 23:12-15 Ezekiel 23:7”
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Related study paths

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

Sources and verification