Ezekiel 23:12,13 - Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

Bible Comments

“She doted on the Assyrians, governors and rulers, her neighbours, clothed most gorgeously, horsemen riding on horses, all of them desirable young men. And I saw that she was defiled. They both took one way.”

Her first ‘affair' was with the Assyrians. This probably has in mind the approach of Ahaz to Assyria for assistance (2 Kings 16:8), which necessarily resulted in having to pay tribute and make submission. Isaiah (Ezekiel 7:7-13) made clear that this approach was not necessary, and was indeed sinful, based on a lack of trust in Yahweh. Again the picture is of seeking the most desirable and prestigious of men, for which compare on Ezekiel 23:5-6. The result was that she was defiled (ravished).

‘They both took one way.' Both Oholah and Oholibah behaved similarly.

Ezekiel 23:12-13

12 She doted upon the Assyrians her neighbours, captains and rulers clothed most gorgeously, horsemen riding upon horses, all of them desirable young men.

13 Then I saw that she was defiled, that they took both one way,