Ezekiel 23:8
Neither left she her whoredoms brought from Egypt: for in her youth they lay with her, and they bruised the breasts of her virginity, and poured their whoredom upon her.
Original Language Analysis
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
1 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
תַזְנוּתָ֖ם
she her whoredoms
H8457
תַזְנוּתָ֖ם
she her whoredoms
Strong's:
H8457
Word #:
2 of 16
harlotry, i.e., (figuratively) idolatry
מִמִּצְרַ֙יִם֙
brought from Egypt
H4714
מִמִּצְרַ֙יִם֙
brought from Egypt
Strong's:
H4714
Word #:
3 of 16
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
4 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
6 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אוֹתָהּ֙
H854
אוֹתָהּ֙
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
7 of 16
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
שָׁכְב֣וּ
they lay
H7901
שָׁכְב֣וּ
they lay
Strong's:
H7901
Word #:
8 of 16
to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)
בִנְעוּרֶ֔יהָ
for in her youth
H5271
בִנְעוּרֶ֔יהָ
for in her youth
Strong's:
H5271
Word #:
9 of 16
(only in plural collective or emphatic form) youth, the state (juvenility) or the persons (young people)
עִשּׂ֖וּ
with her and they bruised
H6213
עִשּׂ֖וּ
with her and they bruised
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
11 of 16
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
דַּדֵּ֣י
the breasts
H1717
דַּדֵּ֣י
the breasts
Strong's:
H1717
Word #:
12 of 16
the breast (as the seat of love, or from its shape)
בְתוּלֶ֑יהָ
of her virginity
H1331
בְתוּלֶ֑יהָ
of her virginity
Strong's:
H1331
Word #:
13 of 16
(collectively and abstractly) virginity; by implication and concretely, the tokens of it
וַיִּשְׁפְּכ֥וּ
and poured
H8210
וַיִּשְׁפְּכ֥וּ
and poured
Strong's:
H8210
Word #:
14 of 16
to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc
Cross References
Exodus 32:4And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.Ezekiel 23:19Yet she multiplied her whoredoms, in calling to remembrance the days of her youth, wherein she had played the harlot in the land of Egypt.Ezekiel 23:3And 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.1 Kings 12:28Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.2 Kings 17:16And they left all the commandments of the LORD their God, and made them molten images, even two calves, and made a grove, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served Baal.2 Kings 10:29Howbeit from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, Jehu departed not from after them, to wit, the golden calves that were in Beth-el, and that were in Dan.
Historical Context
Despite the Exodus, golden calf incident (Exodus 32), and repeated calls to put away foreign gods (Joshua 24:14, 23), Israel retained syncretistic tendencies throughout her history. Excavations of Israelite sites reveal Egyptian religious artifacts across all periods, confirming persistent Egyptian influence on Israelite religion.
Questions for Reflection
- What early spiritual influences still shape our patterns of thought and behavior?
- How can deeply ingrained sinful habits be broken and transformed?
- Why is superficial reformation insufficient without heart transformation?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Neither left she her whoredoms brought from Egypt exposes the persistence of idolatrous patterns across centuries. From Egypt through wilderness, conquest, judges, and monarchy—Israel never fully repented. The root problem wasn't environment but heart corruption. For in her youth they lay with her emphasizes Egypt's formative influence. Early spiritual compromises become ingrained patterns resistant to change. They bruised the breasts of her virginity repeats crude imagery to hammer home total corruption from national adolescence. God's people were violated by idolatry from their origins, establishing habits that persisted throughout history despite multiple reformation attempts.