Verses 10-11 describe God’s punishment of Oholah, the northern kingdom of Israel.

Therefore I delivered her into the hands of her lovers, into the hands of the Assyrians, upon whom she doted means God handed Oholah over to her Assyrian lovers whom she loved so much (see Ezek 23.5). Hands (literally “hand”) is a metaphor for “power” or “control.” Translators may render this verse as follows:

• So I handed her over to the power of her lovers, the Assyrians whom [or, the ones] she lusted after.

Quoted with permission from Gross, Carl & Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Ezekiel. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .