The Church Fathers on this verse

Ezekiel 23:40Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

They sent for men coming from afar, to whom they had sent a messenger: and behold they came: for whom thou didst wash thyself, and didst paint thy eyes, and wast adorned with women's ornaments.

Douay-Rheims

וְאַ֗ף כִּ֤י תִשְׁלַ֙חְנָה֙ לַֽאֲנָשִׁ֔ים בָּאִ֖ים מִמֶּרְחָ֑ק אֲשֶׁ֨ר מַלְאָ֜ךְ שָׁל֤וּחַ אֲלֵיהֶם֙ וְהִנֵּה־בָ֔אוּ לַאֲשֶׁ֥ר רָחַ֛צְתְּ כָּחַ֥לְתְּ עֵינַ֖יִךְ וְעָ֥דִית עֶֽדִי׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

One Church Father comments on this verse

Theodoret of Cyrus

5th centuryChurch Father

All of these elements represent the unfaithful spouse and symbolize their past partnership with the Assyrians and Chaldeans, along with the immorality adopted from these nations. They also highlight the adornments used in festivals dedicated to false gods, indulgence, shifts in attire, and various other practices typical of such celebrations. This interpretation includes the additional context. I presented My incense and My oil before them, meaning before the idols, and reveled in these offerings. For the joy derived from demonic sources leads to the destruction of humanity. Yet, beyond this, declares the Lord,

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.