Ezekiel 23:3

3 They became prostitutes in Egypt, engaging in prostitution from their youth. In that land their breasts were fondled and their virgin bosoms caressed.

Ezekiel 23:3 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
3 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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
3 They played the whore in Egypt; they played the whore in their youth; there their breasts were pressed and their virgin bosoms handled.
New Living Translation (NLT)
3 They became prostitutes in Egypt. Even as young girls, they allowed men to fondle their breasts.
The Message Bible (MSG)
3 They became whores in Egypt, whores from a young age. Their breasts were fondled, their young bosoms caressed.
American Standard Version (ASV)
3 and they played the harlot in Egypt; they played the harlot in their youth; there were their breasts pressed, and there was handled the bosom of their virginity.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
3 They became prostitutes in Egypt when they were young. There men fondled and caressed their breasts.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
3 who acted like prostitutes in Egypt, behaving promiscuously in their youth. Their breasts were fondled there, and their virgin nipples caressed.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
3 They became prostitutes in Egypt. They have been unfaithful to me since they were young. In that land they allowed their breasts to be touched. They permitted their virgin breasts to be kissed.

Ezekiel 23:3 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 23:3

And they committed whoredoms in Egypt
When they were but one body, one nation; and while they sojourned as strangers in that land they learned and practised the idolatries of it, ( Joshua 24:14 ) , and so the Targum,

``and they erred in Egypt, after the worship of their idols they erred, and there they corrupted their works:''
they committed whoredoms in their youth;
as soon as they were come out of Egypt, and were formed into a political and ecclesiastical state, had the law of God given them, and promised obedience to him, and were espoused by him, which times are called the days of their youth and espousal, ( Jeremiah 2:2 ) ( Hosea 2:15 ) , and then were they guilty of whoredom, or spiritual adultery, which idolatry, in making and worshipping the golden calf, after the manner of Egypt; and in joining themselves to Baalpeor, the god of the Moabites, ( Exodus 32:1-4 ) ( Numbers 25:2 Numbers 25:3 ) ; there were their breasts pressed, there they bruised the teats of their
virginity;
that is, the Egyptians, who drew them into idolatry, and with whom they committed it; which is expressed by the actions of adulterous persons, suggesting that, before this, they were as chaste and pure virgins to God, adhered to his worship, and served him only, and were not defiled with the superstition and idolatry of the Heathens: or, "they made F12 the teats or paps of their virginity"; that is, made them swell and increase, being impregnated by them, and their idolatry completed; or to move and heave being pressed.
FOOTNOTES:

F12 (ydd wve) "fecerant mammas", Starckius; "fecerent ut earam mammae agrerent", Gussetius; "sese commovendo scilicet, in contentione libidinis aestuantes, et pectoris anheli reciprocationem sequentes", ib. p. 652. "ibi subagitarunt ubera virginum", Coeccius.

Ezekiel 23:3 In-Context

1 The word of the LORD came to me:
2 “Son of man, there were two women, daughters of the same mother.
3 They became prostitutes in Egypt, engaging in prostitution from their youth. In that land their breasts were fondled and their virgin bosoms caressed.
4 The older was named Oholah, and her sister was Oholibah. They were mine and gave birth to sons and daughters. Oholah is Samaria, and Oholibah is Jerusalem.
5 “Oholah engaged in prostitution while she was still mine; and she lusted after her lovers, the Assyrians—warriors

Cross References 4

  • 1. Joshua 24:14
  • 2. S Leviticus 17:7; S Isaiah 1:21
  • 3. S Psalms 25:7
  • 4. S Ezekiel 16:15
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