Ezekiel 23:22

Hebrew Bible Modern 1977

לכן אהליבה כה אמר אדני יהוה הנני מעיר את מאהביך עליך את אשר נקעה נפשך מהם והבאתים עליך מסביב:

What Does This Mean?

In this verse, God is speaking to Aholibah, warning her that He will bring her former lovers against her because she has become distant from them. This shows that God can use past relationships to bring judgment or correction.

Explained for Children

Imagine you have some old friends you've stopped talking to. One day, your mom says, 'I'm going to have those friends come and see you, even though you don't want to.' This is like God saying He will bring Aholibah's old friends back to her, even if she doesn't want them anymore.

Historical Background

This verse is part of the book of Ezekiel, written by the prophet Ezekiel around 593-571 BCE. Ezekiel's audience was the exiled Israelites, and he used this allegory to warn them about their unfaithfulness to God.

Living It Out Today

In a modern scenario, if someone has been unfaithful in a relationship and then tries to return to it, they might find that the other person brings their past betrayals back into the spotlight as a form of correction or to teach a lesson.

Topics

• judgment
• faithfulness
• punishment
• correction
• warning
• relationship

Related Verses

• Hosea 2:4
• Ezekiel 16:35
• Romans 1:24
• Jeremiah 3:1
• Ezekiel 23:27

Recommended Reading

Commentary Ezekiel Commentaries → Get This Bible Hebrew Bible Modern Study Bible →

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Aholibah in Ezekiel 23:22?

Aholibah is a symbol used in the book of Ezekiel to represent the kingdom of Judah, which was unfaithful to God, much like a wife who has been unfaithful to her husband.

What does it mean to be 'alienated' in this context?

Being 'alienated' here means that Aholibah has become distant from her former lovers, just as the people of Judah had become distant from God and His commands.

What is the significance of God bringing 'former lovers' against Aholibah?

This is a metaphor for God bringing the consequences of Judah's unfaithfulness upon them, using the very relationships they had betrayed as a means of judgment.

Can this verse be applied to personal relationships?

Yes, it can teach that past betrayals or unfaithfulness can come back to haunt us, and that sometimes, facing those past relationships can be a form of correction or learning experience.