Ezekiel 16:26
You also played the whore with the Egyptians, your lustful neighbors, multiplying your whoring, to provoke me to anger.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse doesn't just speak of political alliances, but hints at the "great of flesh" as a description of Egyptian idolatry itself – a sensuous worship of nature that mirrored Israel's own growing, base desires. It suggests that Israel was drawn to Egypt not just for its power, but for its openly carnal and immodest practices.
In this vivid, allegorical vision, God is exposing Jerusalem's deep betrayal. Having already been depicted as abandoning her divine husband for many nations, she now turns to her sensual, powerful neighbors, the Egyptians. This alliance isn't just political; it's a replication of their "lustful" and idolatrous ways, an active choice to provoke God’s anger.
God's people were warned not to follow the ways of the nations around them. But Jerusalem, in its spiritual harlotry, actively sought out alliances that led to sin.
The Allure of 'Neighbors'
The verse speaks of Jerusalem's 'whoredom with the Egyptians.' This wasn't just about religious syncretism, but also political and military alliances. Egypt, a powerful neighbor, represented a temptation – a source of strength and security apart from God.
The description of Egyptian practices as 'great of flesh' points to a deeply disturbing aspect of their worship. What does this reveal about the nature of the sin Jerusalem embraced?
Worship That Corrupts
The phrase 'great of flesh' is a stark description of Egyptian idolatry, suggesting it was intensely sensual, even crude, and focused on physical gratification.
Understand the original words
zanah · Hebrew Verb
In a biblical and prophetic context, this term is used metaphorically to describe spiritual unfaithfulness, idolatry, and the abandonment of the covenant relationship with God in favor of foreign alliances or false gods. It emphasizes the deep betrayal and lack of exclusive devotion to the Lord.
basar · Hebrew Adjective
A state of intense, uncontrolled desire or craving, often used in Scripture to describe sinful appetites or affections that are misdirected away from God toward created things. It implies a lack of self-control and a departure from divine wisdom.
ka'as · Hebrew Verb
To stir up, excite, or incite someone to a reaction, specifically used in the Old Testament to describe actions by Israel that incite God’s holy jealousy and righteous indignation due to their covenant breaking.
Ezekiel's vivid imagery of Judah's 'whoredom' with Egypt highlights a persistent pattern of political and religious betrayal. Time and again, Judah turned to the sensuous idolatry and political might of Egypt for security, instead of trusting in the Lord, ultimately provoking God's judgment.
c. 664 BC
Assyrian influence wanes in Egypt
The Assyrian Empire, which had previously exerted significant control over Egypt, began to weaken. This created a power vacuum and encouraged Egypt to reassert its independence and engage more actively with neighboring kingdoms.
c. 626-609 BC
Egypt's resurgence under Psamtik I and Necho II
Egypt experienced a period of revival and expansion under rulers like Psamtik I and his son Necho II. Necho II, in particular, pursued an ambitious foreign policy, intervening in the affairs of the Levant, including Judah.
c. 609 BC
Battle of Carchemish
Necho II led an Egyptian army north to support the collapsing Assyrian Empire against the rising Babylonians. In this decisive battle, the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar II crushed the Egyptian forces.
c. 609 BC
Josiah's death at Megiddo
During Necho II's campaign, the Judean king Josiah attempted to intercept the Egyptian army. Josiah was killed in the ensuing battle at Megiddo, a significant event that destabilized Judah and paved the way for increased Egyptian influence.
This passage reflects God's perspective on His people's early relationship with Egypt, calling them out of it like a son called out of Egypt, highlighting the deep historical connection and the repeated tendency to stray towards Egyptian influence.
Jeremiah also confronts Judah for seeking help and alliance with Egypt, framing it as spiritual infidelity and a turning away from God's protection, mirroring Ezekiel's accusation of whoredom.
This verse further elaborates on the 'flesh' and 'lustful' nature of foreign entanglements, directly comparing Israel's spiritual adultery to the lustful desires and idolatry associated with Egypt and Babylon.
1 Kings 12:28-30This historical account shows Jeroboam establishing golden calves in Dan and Bethel, partly influenced by Egyptian religious practices, illustrating the long-standing allure and adoption of sensuous idolatry that Ezekiel is condemning.
cambridgeEzekiel 16:26: "Thou hast also committed fornication with the Egyptians thy neighbours, great of flesh; and hast increased thy whoredoms, to provoke me to anger."
26 . Egyptian idolatry. hast also committed ] and thou didst commit. The narrative tense should be used throughout. great of flesh ] In an obscene sense. Cf. ch. Ezekiel 23:20 . The expression is chosen probably to represent the brutality of the Egyptian idolatries, which in some ways were baser than those of any people.
clarkeEzekiel 16:26: "Thou hast also committed fornication with the Egyptians thy neighbours, great of flesh; and hast increased thy whoredoms, to provoke me to anger."
Great of flesh - The most extensive idolaters. Bene vasatis-longa mensura incognita nervy - Juv. Sat. 9:34. This is the allusion.
This verse doesn't just speak of political alliances, but hints at the "great of flesh" as a description of Egyptian idolatry itself – a sensuous worship of nature that mirrored Israel's own growing, base desires. It suggests that Israel was drawn to Egypt not just for its power, but for its openly carnal and immodest practices.
In this vivid, allegorical vision, God is exposing Jerusalem's deep betrayal. Having already been depicted as abandoning her divine husband for many nations, she now turns to her sensual, powerful neighbors, the Egyptians. This alliance isn't just political; it's a replication of their "lustful" and idolatrous ways, an active choice to provoke God’s anger.
In this vivid, allegorical vision, God is exposing Jerusalem's deep betrayal. Having already been depicted as abandoning her divine husband for many nations, she now turns to her sensual, powerful neighbors, the Egyptians. This alliance isn't just political; it's a replication of their "lustful" and idolatrous ways, an active choice to provoke God’s anger.
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c. 605 BC
First Babylonian deportation of Judeans
Following their victory at Carchemish, the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar II conquered the region. They deported a group of Judean elites, including the prophet Daniel, to Babylon, marking the beginning of the Judean exile.
c. 597 BC
Second Babylonian deportation
After further Judean rebellion and seeking Egyptian alliance, Nebuchadnezzar II again besieged Jerusalem. He deported King Jehoiachin and thousands more Judeans to Babylon, further weakening the kingdom.
c. 586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and destruction of the Temple
Zedekiah's final rebellion, fueled by reliance on Egyptian promises of aid, led to the complete destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by the Babylonians. This event marked the end of the Judean monarchy and the beginning of the major phase of the exile.
"You also played the whore with the Egyptians, your lustful neighbors, multiplying your whoring, to provoke me to anger." — This verse doesn't just speak of political alliances, but hints at the "great of flesh" as a description of Egyptian idolatry itself – a sensuous worship of nature that mirrored Israel's own growing,…
