Ezekiel 23:21
Thus thou calledst to remembrance the lewdness of thy youth, in bruising thy teats by the Egyptians for the paps of thy youth.
Original Language Analysis
וַֽתִּפְקְדִ֔י
Thus thou calledst to remembrance
H6485
וַֽתִּפְקְדִ֔י
Thus thou calledst to remembrance
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
1 of 10
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
אֵ֖ת
H853
אֵ֖ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 10
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
נְעוּרָֽיִךְ׃
of thy youth
H5271
נְעוּרָֽיִךְ׃
of thy youth
Strong's:
H5271
Word #:
4 of 10
(only in plural collective or emphatic form) youth, the state (juvenility) or the persons (young people)
בַּעְשׂ֤וֹת
in bruising
H6213
בַּעְשׂ֤וֹת
in bruising
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
5 of 10
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
מִמִּצְרַ֙יִם֙
by the Egyptians
H4714
מִמִּצְרַ֙יִם֙
by the Egyptians
Strong's:
H4714
Word #:
6 of 10
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
דַּדַּ֔יִךְ
thy teats
H1717
דַּדַּ֔יִךְ
thy teats
Strong's:
H1717
Word #:
7 of 10
the breast (as the seat of love, or from its shape)
לְמַ֖עַן
H4616
לְמַ֖עַן
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
8 of 10
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
Historical Context
Despite the Exodus and centuries in Canaan, Egypt remained culturally influential through trade, shared borders, and diplomatic contact. Egyptophile factions in Judah consistently advocated alliance with Egypt against Mesopotamian powers, ignoring that Egypt's power was declining and its influence spiritually toxic. This pro-Egypt party contributed to Judah's wavering and ultimate destruction.
Questions for Reflection
- What past sins or influences do we 'call to remembrance' and revive?
- How does deliberately returning to known sin constitute apostasy?
- What does it take to permanently break from formative corrupting influences?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Thus thou calledst to remembrance the lewdness of thy youth directly accuses Judah of deliberately returning to Egyptian corruption. In that thy teats were bruised by the Egyptians for the paps of thy youth repeats graphic sexual imagery, emphasizing Egypt's formative, violating influence. The progression is clear: early corruption establishes patterns persisting throughout life unless radically transformed. Judah never fully broke from Egypt's influence. In calling it to remembrance, she actively chose to revive what should have been abandoned. This is apostasy—knowing better yet deliberately returning to former sins (2 Peter 2:20-22). The dog returns to vomit; the washed sow to wallowing in mud.