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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ezekiel 23:3 and they played in Egypt, prostituting themselves from their youth. Their breasts were fondled there, and their virgin bosoms caressed.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ezekiel/23-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/26_Ezk_23_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ezekiel 23:3 - The Adultery of Oholah and Oholibah" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="and they played in Egypt, prostituting themselves from their youth. 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In that land their breasts were fondled and their virgin bosoms caressed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/23.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />They became prostitutes in Egypt. Even as young girls, they allowed men to fondle their breasts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ezekiel/23.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />They played the whore in Egypt; they played the whore in their youth; there their breasts were pressed and their virgin bosoms handled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />and they played in Egypt, prostituting themselves from their youth. Their breasts were fondled there, and their virgin bosoms caressed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/23.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ezekiel/23.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />They committed harlotry in Egypt, They committed harlotry in their youth; Their breasts were there embraced, Their virgin bosom was there pressed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ezekiel/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />and they prostituted themselves in Egypt. They prostituted themselves in their youth; there their breasts were squeezed and there their virgin breasts were handled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/23.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />and they played the harlot in Egypt. They played the harlot in their youth; there their breasts were pressed and there their virgin bosom was handled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ezekiel/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />and they played the harlot in Egypt. They played the harlot in their youth; there their breasts were pressed, and there their virgin bosom was handled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ezekiel/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />and they played the harlot in Egypt. They played the harlot in their youth; there their breasts were pressed, and there their virgin bosom was handled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ezekiel/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />and they prostituted themselves in Egypt. From their youth they were grossly immoral; in that place their breasts were embraced and their virgin bosom was grasped.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ezekiel/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />who acted like prostitutes in Egypt, behaving promiscuously in their youth. Their breasts were fondled there, and their virgin nipples caressed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ezekiel/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />who acted like prostitutes in Egypt, behaving promiscuously in their youth. Their breasts were fondled there, and their virgin nipples caressed. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ezekiel/23.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ezekiel/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />While they were young and living in Egypt, they became prostitutes. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ezekiel/23.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ezekiel/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />They became prostitutes in Egypt when they were young. There men fondled and caressed their breasts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ezekiel/23.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />When they were young, living in Egypt, they lost their virginity and became prostitutes. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ezekiel/23.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />They committed sexual immorality in Egypt. They did this in their youth. There, their breasts were caressed. Their virgin breasts were fondled. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ezekiel/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />and they played in Egypt, prostituting themselves from their youth. Their breasts were fondled there, and their virgin bosoms caressed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ezekiel/23.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They engaged in prostitution in Egypt; in their youth they engaged in prostitution. Their breasts were squeezed there; lovers fondled their virgin nipples there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ezekiel/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />and they played the prostitute in Egypt; they played the prostitute in their youth; there were their breasts pressed, and there was handled the bosom of their virginity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ezekiel/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And they committed lewd deeds in Egypt; they committed lewd deeds in their youth: there were their breasts pressed, and there they were first corrupted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ezekiel/23.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They played the prostitute in Egypt. They played the prostitute in their youth. Their breasts were fondled there, and their youthful nipples were caressed there. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ezekiel/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And they go whoring in Egypt, "" They have gone whoring in their youth, "" There they have bruised their breasts, "" And there they have dealt with the loves of their virginity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ezekiel/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And they go a-whoring in Egypt, In their youth they have gone a-whoring, There they have bruised their breasts, And there they have dealt with the loves of their virginity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ezekiel/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they will commit fornication in Egypt; in their youth they committal fornication: there were their breasts pressed, and the breasts of their virginity fell away.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ezekiel/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And they committed fornication in Egypt, in their youth they committed fornication: there were their breasts pressed down, and the teats of their virginity were bruised. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ezekiel/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />and they fornicated in Egypt; they committed fornication in their youth. In that place, their breasts were conquered; the breasts of their adolescence were subdued.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ezekiel/23.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Even as young girls, they were prostitutes, serving as prostitutes in Egypt. There the Egyptians fondled their breasts and caressed their virgin nipples.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ezekiel/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />they played the whore in Egypt; they played the whore in their youth; their breasts were caressed there, and their virgin bosoms were fondled.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ezekiel/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And they committed whoredom in Egypt in their youth; there were their breasts fondled, there was their virginity broken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ezekiel/23.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And they committed fornication in Egypt in their youth. There they bruised their breasts and there they lost virginity<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ezekiel/23.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />and they committed harlotries in Egypt; they committed harlotries in their youth; there were their bosoms pressed, and there their virgin breasts were bruised.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ezekiel/23.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />and they went a-whoring in Egypt in their youth: there their breasts fell, there they lost their virginity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ezekiel/23-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vET3Gmwku4s?start=6346" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/23.htm">The Adultery of Oholah and Oholibah</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>“Son of man, there were two women, daughters of the same mother, <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2181.htm" title="2181: wat·tiz·ne·nāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fp) -- To commit fornication, be a harlot. A primitive root; to commit adultery; figuratively, to commit idolatry.">and they played</a> <a href="/hebrew/4714.htm" title="4714: ḇə·miṣ·ra·yim (Prep-b:: N-proper-fs) -- A son of Ham, also his desc. and their country in N.W. Africa. Dual of matsowr; Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt.">in Egypt,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2181.htm" title="2181: zā·nū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To commit fornication, be a harlot. A primitive root; to commit adultery; figuratively, to commit idolatry.">prostituting themselves</a> <a href="/hebrew/5271.htm" title="5271: bin·‘ū·rê·hen (Prep-b:: N-mpc:: 3fp) -- Or naur; and nturah; properly, passive participle from na'ar as denominative; youth, the state or the persons.">from their youth.</a> <a href="/hebrew/7699.htm" title="7699: šə·ḏê·hen (N-mdc:: 3fp) -- The breast of a, woman, animal. Or shod; probably from shuwd contracted; the breast of a woman or animal.">Their breasts</a> <a href="/hebrew/8033.htm" title="8033: wə·šām (Conj-w:: Adv) -- There, thither. A primitive particle; there then; often thither, or thence."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4600.htm" title="4600: mō·‘ă·ḵū (V-Pual-Perf-3cp) -- To press, squeeze. A primitive root; to press, i.e. To pierce, emasculate, handle.">were fondled</a> <a href="/hebrew/8033.htm" title="8033: māh (Adv:: 3fs) -- There, thither. A primitive particle; there then; often thither, or thence.">there,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1331.htm" title="1331: bə·ṯū·lê·hen (N-mpc:: 3fp) -- Virginity. Masculine plural of the same as bthuwlah; virginity; by implication and concretely, the tokens of it.">and their virgin</a> <a href="/hebrew/1717.htm" title="1717: dad·dê (N-mdc) -- Breast, teat, nipple. Apparently from the same as dowd; the breast.">bosoms</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ‘iś·śū (V-Piel-Perf-3cp) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">caressed.</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>The older was named Oholah, and her sister was named Oholibah. They became Mine and gave birth to sons and daughters. As for their identities, Oholah is Samaria, and Oholibah is Jerusalem.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/3-6.htm">Jeremiah 3:6-9</a></span><br />Now in the days of King Josiah, the LORD said to me, “Have you seen what faithless Israel has done? She has gone up on every high hill and under every green tree to prostitute herself there. / I thought that after she had done all these things, she would return to Me. But she did not return, and her unfaithful sister Judah saw it. / She saw that because faithless Israel had committed adultery, I gave her a certificate of divorce and sent her away. Yet that unfaithful sister Judah had no fear and prostituted herself as well. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/2-2.htm">Hosea 2:2-5</a></span><br />Rebuke your mother, rebuke her, for she is not My wife, and I am not her husband. Let her remove the adultery from her face and the unfaithfulness from between her breasts. / Otherwise, I will strip her naked and expose her like the day of her birth. I will make her like a desert and turn her into a parched land, and I will let her die of thirst. / I will have no compassion on her children, because they are the children of adultery. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/17-7.htm">2 Kings 17:7-18</a></span><br />All this happened because the people of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. They had worshiped other gods / and walked in the customs of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites, as well as in the practices introduced by the kings of Israel. / The Israelites secretly did things against the LORD their God that were not right. From watchtower to fortified city, they built high places in all their cities. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/2-20.htm">Jeremiah 2:20</a></span><br />“For long ago you broke your yoke and tore off your chains, saying, ‘I will not serve!’ Indeed, on every high hill and under every green tree you lay down as a prostitute.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/1-2.htm">Hosea 1:2</a></span><br />When the LORD first spoke through Hosea, He told him, “Go, take a prostitute as your wife and have children of adultery, because this land is flagrantly prostituting itself by departing from the LORD.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-21.htm">Isaiah 1:21</a></span><br />See how the faithful city has become a harlot! She once was full of justice; righteousness resided within her, but now only murderers!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/13-27.htm">Jeremiah 13:27</a></span><br />Your adulteries and lustful neighings, your shameless prostitution on the hills and in the fields—I have seen your detestable acts. Woe to you, O Jerusalem! How long will you remain unclean?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/4-12.htm">Hosea 4:12-14</a></span><br />My people consult their wooden idols, and their divining rods inform them. For a spirit of prostitution leads them astray and they have played the harlot against their God. / They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because their shade is pleasant. And so your daughters turn to prostitution and your daughters-in-law to adultery. / I will not punish your daughters when they prostitute themselves, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery. For the men themselves go off with prostitutes and offer sacrifices with shrine prostitutes. So a people without understanding will come to ruin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/17-1.htm">Revelation 17:1-5</a></span><br />Then one of the seven angels with the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters. / The kings of the earth were immoral with her, and those who dwell on the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her immorality.” / And the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, where I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/3-1.htm">Jeremiah 3:1-3</a></span><br />“If a man divorces his wife and she leaves him to marry another, can he ever return to her? Would not such a land be completely defiled? But you have played the harlot with many lovers—and you would return to Me?” declares the LORD. / “Lift up your eyes to the barren heights and see. Is there any place where you have not been violated? You sat beside the highways waiting for your lovers, like a nomad in the desert. You have defiled the land with your prostitution and wickedness. / Therefore the showers have been withheld, and no spring rains have fallen. Yet you have the brazen look of a prostitute; you refuse to be ashamed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/9-1.htm">Hosea 9:1</a></span><br />Do not rejoice, O Israel, with exultation like the nations, for you have played the harlot against your God; you have made love for hire on every threshing floor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/57-3.htm">Isaiah 57:3-8</a></span><br />“But come here, you sons of a sorceress, you offspring of adulterers and prostitutes! / Whom are you mocking? At whom do you sneer and stick out your tongue? Are you not children of transgression, offspring of deceit, / who burn with lust among the oaks, under every luxuriant tree, who slaughter your children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/5-7.htm">Jeremiah 5:7-9</a></span><br />“Why should I forgive you? Your children have forsaken Me and sworn by gods that are not gods. I satisfied their needs, yet they committed adultery and assembled at the houses of prostitutes. / They are well-fed, lusty stallions, each neighing after his neighbor’s wife. / Should I not punish them for these things?” declares the LORD. “Should I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/2-20.htm">Revelation 2:20-22</a></span><br />But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads My servants to be sexually immoral and to eat food sacrificed to idols. / Even though I have given her time to repent of her immorality, she is unwilling. / Behold, I will cast her onto a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her will suffer great tribulation unless they repent of her deeds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/31-22.htm">Jeremiah 31:22</a></span><br />How long will you wander, O faithless daughter? For the LORD has created a new thing in the land—a woman will shelter a man.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And they committed prostitutions in Egypt; they committed prostitutions in their youth: there were their breasts pressed, and there they bruised the teats of their virginity.</p><p class="hdg">in Egypt</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/20-8.htm">Ezekiel 20:8</a></b></br> But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/17-7.htm">Leviticus 17:7</a></b></br> And they shall no more offer their sacrifices unto devils, after whom they have gone a whoring. This shall be a statute for ever unto them throughout their generations.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/29-16.htm">Deuteronomy 29:16</a></b></br> (For ye know how we have dwelt in the land of Egypt; and how we came through the nations which ye passed by;</p><p class="hdg">in their</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/23-8.htm">Ezekiel 23:8,19,21</a></b></br> Neither left she her whoredoms <i>brought</i> from Egypt: for in her youth they lay with her, and they bruised the breasts of her virginity, and poured their whoredom upon her… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/16-22.htm">Ezekiel 16:22</a></b></br> And in all thine abominations and thy whoredoms thou hast not remembered the days of thy youth, when thou wast naked and bare, <i>and</i> wast polluted in thy blood.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hosea/2-15.htm">Hosea 2:15</a></b></br> And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezekiel/22-29.htm">Acting</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-36.htm">Behaviour</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-12.htm">Bosom</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-7.htm">Breasts</a> <a href="/isaiah/53-5.htm">Bruised</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-21.htm">Caressed</a> <a href="/ezekiel/22-29.htm">Committed</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-47.htm">Corrupted</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-16.htm">Crushed</a> <a href="/ezekiel/22-28.htm">Deeds</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-36.htm">Egypt</a> <a href="/revelation/12-7.htm">Engaging</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-40.htm">First</a> <a href="/isaiah/66-12.htm">Fondled</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-11.htm">Handled</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-30.htm">Harlot</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-34.htm">Harlotries</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-30.htm">Lewd</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-28.htm">Played</a> <a href="/jeremiah/17-16.htm">Pressed</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-30.htm">Prostitute</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-33.htm">Prostitutes</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-36.htm">Prostitution</a> <a href="/isaiah/32-12.htm">Teats</a> <a href="/ezekiel/9-6.htm">Virgin</a> <a href="/judges/11-38.htm">Virginity</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-30.htm">Whoredom</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-36.htm">Whoredoms</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-2.htm">Women</a> <a href="/ezekiel/19-6.htm">Young</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-60.htm">Youth</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezekiel/24-19.htm">Acting</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-11.htm">Behaviour</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-8.htm">Bosom</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-8.htm">Breasts</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-8.htm">Bruised</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-8.htm">Caressed</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-7.htm">Committed</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-8.htm">Corrupted</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-8.htm">Crushed</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-7.htm">Deeds</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-8.htm">Egypt</a> <a href="/revelation/12-7.htm">Engaging</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-8.htm">First</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-21.htm">Fondled</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-8.htm">Handled</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-5.htm">Harlot</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-7.htm">Harlotries</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-7.htm">Lewd</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-5.htm">Played</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-21.htm">Pressed</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-5.htm">Prostitute</a> <a href="/hosea/4-14.htm">Prostitutes</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-5.htm">Prostitution</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-21.htm">Teats</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-8.htm">Virgin</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-8.htm">Virginity</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-8.htm">Whoredom</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-7.htm">Whoredoms</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-10.htm">Women</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-6.htm">Young</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-8.htm">Youth</a><div class="vheading2">Ezekiel 23</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/23-1.htm">The unfaithfulness of Aholah and Aholibah</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/23-23.htm">Aholibah is to be plagued by her lovers</a></span><br><span class="reftext">36. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/23-36.htm">The prophet reproves the adulteries of them both</a></span><br><span class="reftext">45. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/23-45.htm">and shows their judgments</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezekiel/23.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezekiel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ezekiel/23.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>and they played in Egypt</b><br>This phrase refers to the Israelites' time in Egypt, which is often depicted as a period of spiritual infidelity. Egypt, in biblical symbolism, represents a place of bondage and idolatry. The Israelites' "playing" suggests engaging in idolatrous practices, which were prevalent in Egyptian culture. This period is significant as it sets the stage for Israel's recurring struggle with idolatry, even after their deliverance from Egypt. The imagery of playing can be linked to the Israelites' later worship of the golden calf (Exodus 32), showing a pattern of spiritual unfaithfulness.<p><b>prostituting themselves from their youth</b><br>The metaphor of prostitution is used throughout the Bible to describe Israel's unfaithfulness to God. From their "youth," or early history, the Israelites were drawn to the pagan practices of surrounding nations. This phrase underscores the idea that Israel's spiritual infidelity began early in their national history, even before they became a distinct nation. The use of "prostituting" highlights the gravity of their actions, as they were meant to be in a covenant relationship with God, akin to a marriage (<a href="/jeremiah/3-6.htm">Jeremiah 3:6-10</a>).<p><b>Their breasts were fondled there</b><br>This vivid imagery emphasizes the intimate nature of Israel's idolatry. It suggests a deep entanglement with the pagan practices of Egypt, indicating not just casual involvement but a profound and personal level of spiritual corruption. This can be seen as a metaphor for how deeply the Israelites were influenced by Egyptian culture and religion, which later affected their worship practices even in the Promised Land (<a href="/ezekiel/20-7.htm">Ezekiel 20:7-8</a>).<p><b>and their virgin bosoms caressed</b><br>The phrase "virgin bosoms" implies purity and innocence that were lost through idolatrous practices. The caressing of their bosoms symbolizes the seduction and allure of pagan worship, which led Israel away from their devotion to God. This imagery serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the loss of spiritual purity. It also foreshadows the continued struggle of Israel with idolatry, as seen in their history of turning to other gods (<a href="/hosea/2-2.htm">Hosea 2:2-5</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/o/oholah_and_oholibah.htm">Oholah and Oholibah</a></b><br>These are symbolic names given to Samaria and Jerusalem, respectively, representing the Northern and Southern Kingdoms of Israel. They are depicted as sisters who engaged in spiritual adultery.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a></b><br>A place of bondage and idolatry for the Israelites. It represents the origin of Israel's unfaithfulness and idolatrous practices.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/p/prostitution.htm">Prostitution</a></b><br>Used metaphorically to describe Israel's unfaithfulness to God through idolatry and alliances with pagan nations.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_adultery.htm">Spiritual Adultery</a></b><br>Just as Israel was unfaithful to God by turning to idols, Christians today must guard against allowing anything to take the place of God in their hearts.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_idolatry.htm">The Consequences of Idolatry</a></b><br>The passage warns of the spiritual and moral decay that results from turning away from God. Believers are called to remain faithful and avoid compromising their values.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_call_to_repentance.htm">God's Call to Repentance</a></b><br>Despite Israel's unfaithfulness, God continually calls His people to return to Him. This is a reminder of God's grace and the opportunity for repentance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_returning_to_old_ways.htm">The Danger of Returning to Old Ways</a></b><br>The reference to Egypt highlights the danger of returning to past sins or lifestyles. Christians are encouraged to move forward in their faith journey.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ezekiel_23.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 23</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_ezekiel_23's_imagery_reconciled.htm">How can the graphic sexual imagery in Ezekiel 23:3 and 20 be reconciled with the holiness and purity usually attributed to Scripture? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_are_oholah_and_oholibah.htm">Who were Oholah and Oholibah in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_god_both_merciful_and_vengeful.htm">What explains the apparent inconsistency between God's merciful nature elsewhere and the violent retribution depicted in Ezekiel 23:22-27?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_exodus_23_9_with_harsh_ot_laws.htm">How do we reconcile the command in Exodus 23:9 to treat foreigners kindly with other Old Testament passages that demand harsh treatment of certain groups?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ezekiel/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) <span class= "bld">In Egypt.</span>--The idolatries of Israel in Egypt have already been spoken of in the Note to <a href="/ezekiel/20-8.htm" title="But they rebelled against me, and would not listen to me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury on them, to accomplish my anger against them in the middle of the land of Egypt.">Ezekiel 20:8</a>. (See also <a href="/ezekiel/23-19.htm" title="Yet she multiplied her prostitutions, in calling to remembrance the days of her youth, wherein she had played the harlot in the land of Egypt.">Ezekiel 23:19</a> below.)<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ezekiel/23-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">and they played</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתִּזְנֶ֣ינָה</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tiz·ne·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2181.htm">Strong's 2181: </a> </span><span class="str2">To commit adultery, to commit idolatry</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in Egypt,</span><br /><span class="heb">בְמִצְרַ֔יִם</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·miṣ·ra·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4714.htm">Strong's 4714: </a> </span><span class="str2">Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa</span><br /><br /><span class="word">prostituting themselves</span><br /><span class="heb">זָנ֑וּ</span> <span class="translit">(zā·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2181.htm">Strong's 2181: </a> </span><span class="str2">To commit adultery, to commit idolatry</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from their youth.</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּנְעוּרֵיהֶ֖ן</span> <span class="translit">(bin·‘ū·rê·hen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5271.htm">Strong's 5271: </a> </span><span class="str2">Youth, the state, the persons</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Their breasts</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁדֵיהֶ֔ן</span> <span class="translit">(šə·ḏê·hen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - mdc | third person feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7699.htm">Strong's 7699: </a> </span><span class="str2">The breast of a, woman, animal</span><br /><br /><span class="word">were fondled</span><br /><span class="heb">מֹעֲכ֣וּ</span> <span class="translit">(mō·‘ă·ḵū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Pual - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4600.htm">Strong's 4600: </a> </span><span class="str2">To press, to pierce, emasculate, handle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">there,</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁ֚מָּה</span> <span class="translit">(māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8033.htm">Strong's 8033: </a> </span><span class="str2">There, then, thither</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and their virgin</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּתוּלֵיהֶֽן׃</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ṯū·lê·hen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1331.htm">Strong's 1331: </a> </span><span class="str2">Virginity, the tokens of it</span><br /><br /><span class="word">bosoms</span><br /><span class="heb">דַּדֵּ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(dad·dê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - mdc<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1717.htm">Strong's 1717: </a> </span><span class="str2">Breast, teat, nipple</span><br /><br /><span class="word">caressed.</span><br /><span class="heb">עִשּׂ֔וּ</span> <span class="translit">(‘iś·śū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ezekiel/23-3.htm">Ezekiel 23:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/23-3.htm">Ezekiel 23:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ezekiel/23-3.htm">Ezekiel 23:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/23-3.htm">Ezekiel 23:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/23-3.htm">Ezekiel 23:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ezekiel/23-3.htm">Ezekiel 23:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ezekiel/23-3.htm">Ezekiel 23:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ezekiel/23-3.htm">Ezekiel 23:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ezekiel/23-3.htm">Ezekiel 23:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ezekiel/23-3.htm">Ezekiel 23:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ezekiel/23-3.htm">OT Prophets: Ezekiel 23:3 And they played the prostitute in Egypt (Ezek. Eze Ezk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ezekiel/23-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ezekiel 23:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 23:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ezekiel/23-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ezekiel 23:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 23:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>