They even sent for men to come from afar, to whom a messenger was sent; and behold, they came. For them you bathed yourself, painted your eyes, and adorned yourself with ornaments.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse reveals an almost shocking level of personal investment in seeking out foreign alliances. It's not just about sending a delegation; it’s about actively preparing and presenting oneself in the most appealing way, like a woman adorning herself to attract a lover, for these distant nations. This highlights that these political entanglements were deeply personal and driven by a desire for acceptance and validation from the outside world, rather than relying on their covenant with God.
They even sent for men to come from afar, to whom a messenger was sent; and behold, they came. For them you bathed yourself, painted your eyes, and adorned yourself with ornaments.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The prophet continues the vivid, harsh allegory of two unfaithful sisters, Samaria and Jerusalem, representing the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Having described their idolatry and seeking alliances with foreign powers, Ezekiel now illustrates how they actively enticed these nations to join them. This verse portrays them as a prostitute preparing herself with bathing, cosmetics, and jewelry specifically to receive and impress the foreign men (nations) they invited.
The text describes a shocking level of self-adornment. What does this intense preparation reveal about spiritual adultery?
Ezekiel uses the stark imagery of a prostitute preparing for new lovers to describe Israel and Judah's relationship with foreign nations.
The Art of Seduction
This wasn't just about political deals. What deeper sin was being committed through these foreign entanglements?
The profound spiritual danger in Ezekiel's message is that these 'lovers' – the foreign nations – brought their gods with them.
More Than Just Politics
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Ezekiel's vivid imagery of Israel and Judah sending for foreign powers and adorning themselves like harlots directly critiques their political alliances and idolatrous practices, especially in the context of their repeated betrayals and subsequent exiles.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The northern kingdom of Israel, with its capital Samaria, fell to the Neo-Assyrian Empire. This event marked the end of the northern kingdom and led to the dispersal of its people.
c. 626 BC - 586 BC
Assyrian and Babylonian Influence
The region experienced shifting powers, with the Neo-Babylonian Empire rising to prominence after defeating the Assyrians. Judah became a vassal state, leading to political instability and attempts to form alliances.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
The Neo-Babylonian Empire, under Nebuchadnezzar II, conquered Jerusalem and destroyed the First Temple. This resulted in a widespread deportation of the Judean elite to Babylon, initiating the Babylonian Exile.
c. 593 BC - 571 BC— this verse
Ezekiel's Ministry in Exile
The prophet Ezekiel ministered to the exiled Judeans in Babylon during this period. He used powerful metaphors and visions, including the allegory of Aholah and Aholibah, to address their unfaithfulness to God.
c. 539 BC
Fall of Babylon to Persia
The Persian Empire, led by Cyrus the Great, conquered Babylon. This event paved the way for the return of some Jewish exiles to Jerusalem.
This passage vividly describes Judah's abandonment to foreign powers using similar imagery of a woman adorning herself and seeking lovers, highlighting the spiritual adultery and political entanglements that led to destruction.
Proverbs 7:10-21This text provides a direct parallel to Ezekiel's imagery, depicting a seductive, adulterous woman who meticulously prepares herself to entice a naive young man, mirroring the deceptive allure of foreign alliances and idolatry.
2 Kings 9:30This verse mentions Jezebel painting her eyes, a practice directly alluded to in Ezekiel's description, linking the allure of paganism and idolatry to destructive political actions and spiritual unfaithfulness.
Isaiah 57:7-9Here, the prophet condemns Israel for seeking alliances and engaging in idolatry, comparing their actions to a harlot adorning herself for many lovers, echoing the themes of spiritual prostitution and seeking favor from foreign nations.
ellicottEzekiel 23:40: "And furthermore, that ye have sent for men to come from far, unto whom a messenger was sent; and, lo, they came: for whom thou didst wash thyself, paintedst thy eyes, and deckedst thyself with ornaments,"
(40) Paintedst thine eyes. —The figure is that of a lewd woman preparing herself for her paramour, and awaiting his arrival. Painting the eyes, or rather the lids and lashes, was an ancient custom, still preserved in the East. (Comp. 2Kings 9:30 .)
bensonEzekiel 23:40: "And furthermore, that ye have sent for men to come from far, unto whom a messenger was sent; and, lo, they came: for whom thou didst wash thyself, paintedst thy eyes, and deckedst thyself with ornaments,"
Ezekiel 23:40-42 . And furthermore, ye have sent for men to come from far, &c. — Here the same thing which was spoken of in the former part of the chapter, is mentioned again in other words, namely, their courting the alliances of foreign nations, by complying with their idolat…
This verse reveals an almost shocking level of personal investment in seeking out foreign alliances. It's not just about sending a delegation; it’s about actively preparing and presenting oneself in the most appealing way, like a woman adorning herself to attract a lover, for these distant nations. This highlights that these political entanglements were deeply personal and driven by a desire for acceptance and validation from the outside world, rather than relying on their covenant with God.
The prophet continues the vivid, harsh allegory of two unfaithful sisters, Samaria and Jerusalem, representing the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Having described their idolatry and seeking alliances with foreign powers, Ezekiel now illustrates how they actively enticed these nations to join them. This verse portrays them as a prostitute preparing herself with bathing, cosmetics, and jewelry specifically to receive and impress the foreign men (nations) they invited.
The prophet continues the vivid, harsh allegory of two unfaithful sisters, Samaria and Jerusalem, representing the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Having described their idolatry and seeking alliances with foreign powers, Ezekiel now illustrates how they actively enticed these nations to join them. This verse portrays them as a prostitute preparing herself with bathing, cosmetics, and jewelry specifically to receive and impress the foreign men (nations) they invited.
"They even sent for men to come from afar, to whom a messenger was sent; and behold, they came. For them you bathed yourself, painted your eyes, and adorned yourself with ornaments." — This verse reveals an almost shocking level of personal investment in seeking out foreign alliances. It's not just about sending a delegation; it’s about actively preparing and presenting oneself in…
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Last reviewed October 2026