Definition: And the Babylonians came to her into the bed of love, and they defiled her with their whoredom, and she was polluted with them, and her mind was alienated from them.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezekiel 23:17. It's a pretty serious and poetic description of a very painful event in the Old Testament. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a situation where Babylon (a powerful city-state in ancient Middle East) became deeply involved in a corrupted, immoral relationship with a woman – a symbol representing Israel. It's essentially saying that Babylon’s actions were causing significant harm and disruption to God’s people. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Ezekiel 23:17” : This is the verse itself, coming from a prophecy written by Ezekiel, a prophet in ancient Jerusalem. “And the Babylonians came to her into the bed of love…” : This refers to Babylonian rulers and officials who were involved in a very secretive and passionate affair with a woman – representing Israel. "Bed of Love" is a metaphor for this intense, potentially destructive relationship. “…and they defiled her with their whoredom…” : “Whoredom” means sexual immorality, deceitfulness, or wickedness. The Babylonians were engaging in a morally corrupt and unholy way. It's like they were acting out of lust and disregard for God’s laws. “and she was polluted with them…” : This is a more figurative phrase. "Polluted" means to be contaminated or corrupted. The Babylonian influence was making Israel (and, by extension, God's people) morally weak and tainted. “and her mind was alienated from them.” : This is the most crucial part. It means that the Babylonians’ influence had taken root in the minds of those who were affected – both Israelites and those around them – leading to a loss of faith, wisdom, and understanding. They became disconnected from God's truth and goodness. What does it mean for us today? This verse is often interpreted as a warning about the dangers of: Moral corruption: It speaks to the potential for sin and wickedness to spread and corrupt even powerful societies. Uncontrolled desires: It highlights how unchecked lust or immoral behavior can have devastating consequences. Loss of spiritual connection: It suggests that when we allow ourselves to be influenced by things outside God, our minds and hearts become disconnected from His guidance. Important Note: The verse is complex and has been interpreted in various ways throughout history. It's a powerful image designed to emphasize the importance of resisting temptation and maintaining a right relationship with God. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse further? Connect it to a specific theme (like sin, temptation, or faithfulness)? Provide a different interpretation of the verse?