יחזקאל, פרק כ״ג, פסוק י״ז

The relationship between the Kingdom of Judah and the Babylonian Empire unfolds through stark imagery drawn from the world of prostitution. What began as a friendly and loving alliance gradually deteriorated into subjugation, spiritual impurity, and ultimately, absolute disgust and open rebellion. The initial connection was marked by deep affection and the forging of a treaty. Historically, [רש״י] and [ביאור שטיינזלץ] trace this early warmth to the era of King Hezekiah. When Babylonian representatives traveled from a distant land, Hezekiah received them with great enthusiasm. He hosted them at his table and revealed all the hidden treasures of his kingdom. However, God was angered by this growing intimacy, and the Prophet Isaiah warned that these warm ties would eventually escalate into a grave danger.

Over time, this amicable bond twisted into an exploitative and destructive force. The deterioration occurred on two interconnected fronts. On a spiritual and cultural level, the Babylonians introduced the people of Judah to their foreign practices. They taught them idolatry and other offensive customs, intentionally blending their cultures to make the Judean way of life mirror their own [רד״ק, מלבי״ם]. Psychologically and politically, Judah’s intense infatuation with Babylon caused the nation to lose its independent will, surrendering entirely to Babylonian demands [מצודת דוד]. The relationship turned openly oppressive when the Babylonians conquered Judah, reducing the nation to a subjugated state forced to pay heavy taxes [מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

This prolonged exploitation eventually led to a severe breaking point, characterized by a complete uprooting of the previous affection. The desire and will of the Judean people were forcefully disconnected from their former allies, much like the biblical description of Jacob's dislocated hip. A radical emotional shift took place, transforming deep attachment into profound hatred, revulsion, and distance [רש״י, רד״ק, מצודת ציון, מלבי״ם]. The commentators agree that this psychological disgust and total alienation ultimately materialized in the historical realm, sparking the open rebellion led by the Judean kings, Jehoiakim and Zedekiah, against the Babylonian Empire.