Ezekiel Chapter 23 · Verse 3

Authorized King James Version

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And they committed whoredoms in Egypt; they committed whoredoms in their youth: there were their breasts pressed, and there they bruised the teats of their virginity.

Original Language Analysis

זָנ֑וּ And they committed whoredoms H2181
זָנ֑וּ And they committed whoredoms
Strong's: H2181
Word #: 1 of 11
to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (
בְמִצְרַ֔יִם in Egypt H4714
בְמִצְרַ֔יִם in Egypt
Strong's: H4714
Word #: 2 of 11
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
בִּנְעוּרֵיהֶ֖ן in their youth H5271
בִּנְעוּרֵיהֶ֖ן in their youth
Strong's: H5271
Word #: 3 of 11
(only in plural collective or emphatic form) youth, the state (juvenility) or the persons (young people)
זָנ֑וּ And they committed whoredoms H2181
זָנ֑וּ And they committed whoredoms
Strong's: H2181
Word #: 4 of 11
to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (
שָׁ֚מָּה H8033
שָׁ֚מָּה
Strong's: H8033
Word #: 5 of 11
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
מֹעֲכ֣וּ pressed H4600
מֹעֲכ֣וּ pressed
Strong's: H4600
Word #: 6 of 11
to press, i.e., to pierce, emasculate, handle
שְׁדֵיהֶ֔ן there were their breasts H7699
שְׁדֵיהֶ֔ן there were their breasts
Strong's: H7699
Word #: 7 of 11
the breast of a woman or animal (as bulging)
וְשָׁ֣ם H8033
וְשָׁ֣ם
Strong's: H8033
Word #: 8 of 11
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
עִשּׂ֔וּ and there they bruised H6213
עִשּׂ֔וּ and there they bruised
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 9 of 11
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
דַּדֵּ֖י the teats H1717
דַּדֵּ֖י the teats
Strong's: H1717
Word #: 10 of 11
the breast (as the seat of love, or from its shape)
בְּתוּלֵיהֶֽן׃ of their virginity H1331
בְּתוּלֵיהֶֽן׃ of their virginity
Strong's: H1331
Word #: 11 of 11
(collectively and abstractly) virginity; by implication and concretely, the tokens of it

Analysis & Commentary

The phrase 'in their youth' refers to Israel's bondage in Egypt before the Exodus and Sinai covenant. Even in slavery, Israel began adopting Egyptian idolatry (Exodus 32, Joshua 24:14), revealing the depth of human sin and the persistence of spiritual rebellion. This establishes a pattern of unfaithfulness from the very beginning of their national existence.

Historical Context

Archaeological evidence confirms Israel absorbed Egyptian religious practices during their 400-year sojourn. The golden calf incident (Exodus 32) reflected Egyptian bull-worship, particularly the Apis bull cult.

Questions for Reflection