God allows the unfaithful sister, symbolizing Samaria, to be taken by those she trusted, revealing that false alliances lead to inevitable judgment.
In this passage, the prophet Ezekiel continues his portrayal of the two sisters Oholah and Oholibah, representing Samaria and Jerusalem. He presents how one of the sisters (Oholah, standing for Samaria) faced dire judgment because of her unfaithfulness to the LORD through political and spiritual alliances with other nations. Ezekiel declares, “Therefore, I gave her into the hand of her lovers, into the hand of the Assyrians, after whom she lusted.” (v.9). This shows that the very nations she relied upon—out of her spiritual infidelity—became her instrument of punishment. The Assyrians, who ruled a vast empire around the time of the 8th century BC and conquered the northern kingdom of Israel in 722 BC, are the recipients of Israel’s trust, but they prove unfaithful themselves and turn against her (2 Kings 17).
The geographical location of Assyria, centered in the region of Mesopotamia with cities such as Nineveh, held considerable political and military power during Ezekiel’s era. They often loomed as a threat to the smaller kingdoms in the Levant, including Israel and Judah. By describing how God “gave her into the hand” of the Assyrians, the prophet highlights a divine handing over—God allowing the consequence of Israel’s sinful choices to unfold. In this situation, Samaria’s pursuit of idolatrous relationships finally brought about the destruction she had naively hoped to avoid, demonstrating the seriousness of spiritual infidelity in the eyes of the LORD.
The verse offers a stark warning that reliance on worldly power and idol worship leads to ruin. Just as Samaria placed its hopes in earthly alliances and was eventually betrayed, the New Testament also warns believers about placing hope in temporary structures rather than in God (Colossians 3:2). This cannot be disconnected from the overarching message of redemption found in Jesus Christ, who calls sinners to turn away from falsehood and find lasting security in Him alone ( John 14:6). God’s character is both just and merciful: He disciplines Israel for her unfaithfulness but continues to call His people into covenant relationship.
Set to dark mode
Ezekiel 23:9 meaning
In this passage, the prophet Ezekiel continues his portrayal of the two sisters Oholah and Oholibah, representing Samaria and Jerusalem. He presents how one of the sisters (Oholah, standing for Samaria) faced dire judgment because of her unfaithfulness to the LORD through political and spiritual alliances with other nations. Ezekiel declares, “Therefore, I gave her into the hand of her lovers, into the hand of the Assyrians, after whom she lusted.” (v.9). This shows that the very nations she relied upon—out of her spiritual infidelity—became her instrument of punishment. The Assyrians, who ruled a vast empire around the time of the 8th century BC and conquered the northern kingdom of Israel in 722 BC, are the recipients of Israel’s trust, but they prove unfaithful themselves and turn against her (2 Kings 17).
The geographical location of Assyria, centered in the region of Mesopotamia with cities such as Nineveh, held considerable political and military power during Ezekiel’s era. They often loomed as a threat to the smaller kingdoms in the Levant, including Israel and Judah. By describing how God “gave her into the hand” of the Assyrians, the prophet highlights a divine handing over—God allowing the consequence of Israel’s sinful choices to unfold. In this situation, Samaria’s pursuit of idolatrous relationships finally brought about the destruction she had naively hoped to avoid, demonstrating the seriousness of spiritual infidelity in the eyes of the LORD.
The verse offers a stark warning that reliance on worldly power and idol worship leads to ruin. Just as Samaria placed its hopes in earthly alliances and was eventually betrayed, the New Testament also warns believers about placing hope in temporary structures rather than in God (Colossians 3:2). This cannot be disconnected from the overarching message of redemption found in Jesus Christ, who calls sinners to turn away from falsehood and find lasting security in Him alone ( John 14:6). God’s character is both just and merciful: He disciplines Israel for her unfaithfulness but continues to call His people into covenant relationship.