Ezekiel 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 · King James Version
Meaning
The verse you've quoted talks about how people sometimes go to great lengths to impress others. In this particular context, it refers to a situation where someone has invited guests from afar. They are so eager to make a good impression that they have cleaned themselves, painted their eyes, and adorned themselves with ornaments. This verse serves as a reminder that while it is natural to want to make a good impression on others, true beauty comes from within. It highlights the superficial nature of focusing solely on external appearances and emphasizes the importance of inner qualities such as kindness, empathy, and sincerity. It encourages readers to prioritize inner beauty over external adornments and reminds them that true value lies in their character and actions rather than their physical appearance.
Theological Overview
In this verse, the actions of a woman getting ready to meet men from afar are described in detail. The woman washes herself, paints her eyes, and adorns herself with ornaments to prepare for their arrival. The theological interpretation of this verse can be seen as a reflection of human nature and vanity. The woman's gesture of beautifying herself can symbolize the desire for attention, approval, and admiration from others. It can also highlight the importance of outward appearances and the temptation to rely on physical beauty rather than inner qualities. Word studies on specific terms like "wash," "painted," and "decked" can provide further insight into the cultural context of the verse and shed light on the significance of these actions in ancient times. Overall, this verse serves as a reminder to focus on inner beauty and virtues rather than external adornments, while also acknowledging the human tendency to seek validation through outward appearances.
Ezekiel 23:40 in other translations
American Standard Version
And furthermore ye have sent for men that come from far, unto whom a messenger was sent, and, lo, they came; for whom thou didst wash thyself, paint thine eyes, and deck thyself with ornaments, [
World English Bible
Furthermore you have sent for men who come from far, to whom a messenger was sent, and behold, they came; for whom you did wash yourself, paint your eyes, and decorate yourself with ornaments,
Douay-Rheims
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.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And howe much more is it that they sent for men to come from farre vnto whom a messenger was sent, and loe, they came? for whome thou diddest wash thy selfe, and paintedst thine eyes, and deckedst thee with ornaments,