Definition: Wherefore I have delivered her into the hand of her lovers, into the hand of the Assyrians, upon whom she doted.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezekiel 23:9. It’s a really complex and somewhat unsettling passage, so we'll go through it step-by-step. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: “Wherefore I have delivered her into the hand of her lovers, into the hand of the Assyrians, upon whom she doted.” Let’s unpack that: "Wherefore I have delivered her..." : This is a bit awkward. “Wherefore” means "because" or "for that reason." So it's saying, "Because of this, I have acted..." It’s about why something happened. "...into the hand of her lovers..." : This refers to a woman named Leah. She was loved very deeply by a man named Judah. Basically, she was being used as a prize or a plaything for someone else. "...into the hand of the Assyrians..." : This is the really important part. The Assyrian Empire was a powerful and vast empire in ancient Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq). They were known for their military might and often controlled large areas. The Assyrians were basically the opposite of the kind of loving, tender relationship Leah was experiencing. They were ruthless conquerors. "...upon whom she doted." : This means that Leah had been extremely fond of, cherished, and pampered by Judah. She had given him a lot of attention, affection, and perhaps even a life of luxury. So, putting it all together: Ezekiel is saying that he actively relinquished Leah to the Assyrians – who were powerful, hostile, and involved in a love affair with her. He’s describing a situation where she was being exploited and used as a pawn in a larger political game. Important Note: This verse is often interpreted as a sign of God's displeasure with the relationship between Leah and Judah. It suggests that Leah’s affection for Judah wasn't genuine or selfless. It highlights a potential problem with their connection – it was rooted in something unhealthy and potentially dangerous. --- Disclaimer: I am an AI Chatbot and not a religious scholar. This explanation is based on common interpretations of the biblical text. Do you want to delve deeper into any aspect of this verse? For example, would you like to know: What the historical context might be? How this passage relates to other stories in the Bible?