20 "She lusted after their paramours , whose flesh is like the flesh of donkeys and whose issue is like the issue of horses . 21 "Thus you longed for the lewdness of your youth , when the Egyptians handled your bosom because of the breasts of your youth
22 "Therefore , O Oholibah , thus says the Lord GOD , 'Behold I will arouse your lovers against you, from whom you were alienated , and I will bring them against you from every side : 23 the Babylonians e and all the Chaldeans , Pekod and Shoa and Koa , and all the Assyrians with them; desirable young men , governors and officials all of them, officers and men of renown , all of them riding on horses . 24 'They will come against you with weapons , chariots and wagons , and with a company of peoples . They will set themselves against you on every side with buckler and shield and helmet ; and I will commit the judgment to them, and they will judge you according to their customs . 25 'I will set My jealousy against you, that they may deal with you in wrath . They will remove your nose and your ears ; and your survivors will fall by the sword . They will take your sons and your daughters ; and your survivors will be consumed by the fire . 26 'They will also strip you of your clothes and take away your beautiful jewels . 27 'Thus I will make your lewdness and your harlotry brought from the land of Egypt to cease from you, so that you will not lift up your eyes to them or remember Egypt anymore .'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ezekiel 23:20-27
Chapter Contents
A history of the apostacy of God's people from him, and the aggravation thereof.
In this parable, Samaria and Israel bear the name Aholah, "her own tabernacle;" because the places of worship those kingdoms had, were of their own devising. Jerusalem and Judah bear the name of Aholibah, "my tabernacle is in her," because their temple was the place which God himself had chosen, to put his name there. The language and figures are according to those times. Will not such humbling representations of nature keep open perpetual repentance and sorrow in the soul, hiding pride from our eyes, and taking us from self-righteousness? Will it not also prompt the soul to look to God continually for grace, that by his Holy Spirit we may mortify the deeds of the body, and live in holy conversation and godliness?