Ezekiel 23:23
the Babylonians and all the Chaldeans, Pekod and Shoa and Koa, and all the Assyrians with them, desirable young men, governors and commanders all of them, officers and men of renown, all of them riding on horses.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The names "Pekod," "Shoa," and "Koa" aren't just random tribal names; they likely represent titles or descriptive terms for Babylonian officials, highlighting their power, wealth, and prestigious roles. This makes the description of them as "desirable young men" riding on horses even more pointed, as these are the very attributes of worldly power and appeal that Israel mistakenly pursued instead of God.
Ezekiel has just described Oholibah's (Judah's) corruptions and her lustful gaze towards foreign powers, specifically Babylon. This verse marks the dramatic arrival of that power as a destructive force, listing not just the general Babylonians and Chaldeans, but specific groups and all the Assyrians as well. These are depicted as a formidable and desirable fighting force, ready to descend upon the land.
Ezekiel lists a string of seemingly obscure names like Pekod, Shoa, and Koa. Are these just random labels, or do they carry deeper meaning?
Names with Impact
The prophet Ezekiel doesn't just throw around random names when describing the invading Babylonian army. These aren't just place names or tribal designations; many scholars suggest they were actually descriptive titles or ranks within the military and government structure.
Regardless of the precise translation, these terms collectively paint a vivid picture of a highly organized, powerful, and elite military force. They weren't just a mob; they were the 'visitation,' the 'nobles,' the 'princes,' all riding forth.
Ezekiel uses the term 'desirable young men' to describe the invading army. How can men who were once 'desirable' become instruments of such terror?
The Irony of Judgment
There's a powerful irony at play in Ezekiel's description. The very qualities that made these foreign military leaders 'desirable' or attractive in the past now make them terrifying.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, exiling many of its people. This marks a significant shift in regional power, paving the way for Babylonian dominance later.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Under Nebuchadnezzar II, Babylon defeats Assyria and Egypt at Carchemish. Jerusalem experiences its first major deportation of citizens and nobility to Babylon, including figures like Daniel.
597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Following a revolt, Jerusalem is besieged again, and King Jehoiachin and a large portion of the population, including the prophet Ezekiel, are exiled to Babylon.
586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Destruction of Temple
After a prolonged siege and rebellion, Nebuchadnezzar's forces destroy Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling the remaining population to Babylon. This is the catastrophic event that Ezekiel is prophesying about.
c. 550 BC
This passage is directly referenced in the commentary, identifying 'Pekod' as a province and linking it to judgment, which parallels the punitive nature of the Babylonian army described in Ezekiel.
Ezekiel 23:6This verse describes the 'desirable young men' as objects of lust for Samaria and Jerusalem, directly connecting to the 'desirable young men' in verse 23 who now represent a terrifying force.
Isaiah 22:5The commentary notes that 'Shoa' can be translated as 'shouting' in Isaiah 22:5, which resonates with the imagery of a formidable, powerful army on the move as depicted in Ezekiel 23:23.
Amos 6:1The word 'renowned' for the soldiers in Ezekiel 23:23 is linked to 'called men' or princes in Amos 6:1, highlighting the high status and authority of the invading forces.
ellicottEzekiel 23:23: "The Babylonians, and all the Chaldeans, Pekod, and Shoa, and Koa, and all the Assyrians with them: all of them desirable young men, captains and rulers, great lords and renowned, all of them riding upon horses."
(23) Pekod, and Shoa, and Koa. —These words were taken as proper names by our translators, and are still considered by some as indicating small Chaldæan tribes; but it is better, with the Vulg. and most modern commentators, to understand them as the names of officers, “r…
barnesEzekiel 23:23: "The Babylonians, and all the Chaldeans, Pekod, and Shoa, and Koa, and all the Assyrians with them: all of them desirable young men, captains and rulers, great lords and renowned, all of them riding upon horses."
Pekod, and Shoa, and Koa - Possibly words expressive of rank, or names of small Chaldaean tribes, selected for their resemblance to expressive Hebrew words.
The names "Pekod," "Shoa," and "Koa" aren't just random tribal names; they likely represent titles or descriptive terms for Babylonian officials, highlighting their power, wealth, and prestigious roles. This makes the description of them as "desirable young men" riding on horses even more pointed, as these are the very attributes of worldly power and appeal that Israel mistakenly pursued instead of God.
Ezekiel has just described Oholibah's (Judah's) corruptions and her lustful gaze towards foreign powers, specifically Babylon. This verse marks the dramatic arrival of that power as a destructive force, listing not just the general Babylonians and Chaldeans, but specific groups and all the Assyrians as well. These are depicted as a formidable and desirable fighting force, ready to descend upon the land.
Ezekiel has just described Oholibah's (Judah's) corruptions and her lustful gaze towards foreign powers, specifically Babylon. This verse marks the dramatic arrival of that power as a destructive force, listing not just the general Babylonians and Chaldeans, but specific groups and all the Assyrians as well. These are depicted as a formidable and desirable fighting force, ready to descend upon the land.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Ezekiel 23:23 is available in the Sola app.
God uses what was once an object of sinful desire to become an agent of terrifying judgment. It's a stark reminder that the very things we might admire in the world can, when disconnected from God, become tools for His righteous wrath.
Rise of the Neo-Babylonian Empire
The Babylonian Empire, at its height of power, controls a vast territory and exerts significant influence over surrounding nations, including the remnants of Judah.
539 BC
Fall of Babylon to Persia
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon, marking the end of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. This event eventually leads to the decree allowing Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem.
"the Babylonians and all the Chaldeans, Pekod and Shoa and Koa, and all the Assyrians with them, desirable young men, governors and commanders all of them, officers and men of renown, all of them riding on horses." — The names "Pekod," "Shoa," and "Koa" aren't just random tribal names; they likely represent titles or descriptive terms for Babylonian officials, highlighting their power, wealth, and prestigious rol…
