יחזקאל, פרק כ״ג, פסוק מ״ב

The prophetic vision illustrates the deep moral and spiritual decay of the nation, comparing it to a woman who openly and shamelessly chases after the affection of foreign nations and their idols. Rather than hiding in fear, the scene is filled with a festive, public commotion of sin that draws massive crowds from all directions to take part in spiritual adultery. A great hum of tens of thousands of people fills the air, but it is a sound of peace and ease, not of war or panic [רש״י, מצודת דוד, רד״ק]. The nation deliberately creates a grand impression on these foreigners, actively inviting them in to build alliances [רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This atmosphere of peace serves to highlight the sheer boldness of the sinners. While such shameful acts are naturally done in secret and out of fear, this betrayal is carried out publicly, loudly, and with absolute confidence [מלבי״ם].

Joining this massive gathering are additional men brought in from the desert [מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון, רד״ק]. Commentators offer different views on their identity. One perspective identifies them as the Sabeans, a specific Cushite nation living in the desert [מצודות, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Despite this nation being known for its cruel and wicked people, a state of peace existed with them [מצודת דוד]. Another view suggests these men represent the neighboring nations surrounding the land, such as Ammon and Moab [רש״י]. A third interpretation views them not as a specific nation, but as groups of wild drunkards from the desert who were brought in by the masses [מלבי״ם].

The gathering is further marked by the wearing of arm bracelets and beautiful crowns [מצודת ציון, רד״ק]. The primary approach among commentators is that the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, represented in the vision as two women, put these ornaments on themselves. They dressed up to find favor in the eyes of the foreign nations and to fully surrender to idol worship [רש״י, מצודת דוד]. Conversely, some explain that it was the foreign visitors who gifted the jewelry to their hostesses in an attempt to win their hearts [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. A more unique perspective suggests that the organizers of this gathering took the lowly, drunken men from the desert and dressed them in fine jewelry and crowns. By making these wild men look like respected officials, they magnified the public spectacle and the profound disgrace of the sin [מלבי״ם].