Ezekiel 23:40

And furthermore, that ye have sent for men to come from far, unto whom a messenger was sent; and, lo, they came: for whom thou didst wash thyself, paintedst thy eyes, and deckedst thyself with ornaments,

Cross-reference

Ezekiel 23:16 describes Oholibah lusting and sending for men from Chaldea – the immediate context leading to the preparation in verse 40.

Ezekiel 16:13-16 earlier describes Jerusalem adorned by God then using her beauty for harlotry – the same allegorical theme as chapter 23.

Jezebel paints her eyes and adorns her head in 2 Kings 9:30 – a similar act of seductive defiance that parallels the harlotry allegory.

2 Kings 20:13–15 Historical context

In 2 Kings 20:13-15, Hezekiah welcomes Babylonian envoys – the historical event behind Ezekiel's allegory of Judah courting foreign nations.

Isaiah 57:9 Parallel

Isaiah 57:9 describes sending messengers far off with ointment and perfumes — the same seeking of foreign alliances as Oholibah's harlotry.

Jeremiah 4:30 uses the same imagery of painting eyes and adorning for lovers who despise – a parallel prophecy against Jerusalem's futile alliances.

Ruth 3:3 Contrast

Ruth 3:3 has a similar ritual of bathing, anointing, and dressing but for a lawful marriage – a contrasting use of the same actions.

Esther 2:12 Contrast

Esther 2:12 describes similar beauty preparations for entering the king's harem – a legitimate context contrasting with Ezekiel's adulterous allegory.

Hosea 2:13 Parallel

In Hosea 2:13, Israel similarly adorns herself with jewels and burns incense to Baal, linking outward beauty to spiritual adultery.