You also played the whore with the Egyptians, your lustful neighbors, multiplying your whoring, to provoke me to anger.
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to skim over "great of flesh" as just referring to Egypt's power, but it points to a more disturbing reality: their worship was deeply sensual and animalistic. This wasn't just about political alliances; Israel was drawn to the crude, lustful practices of Egyptian idolatry, which directly fueled their own spiritual corruption and provoked God's anger.
You also played the whore with the Egyptians, your lustful neighbors, multiplying your whoring, to provoke me to anger.
English Standard Version (ESV)
In this passage, Ezekiel is using a powerful metaphor, portraying Jerusalem as an unfaithful wife who has prostituted herself with various foreign nations. This verse specifically calls out Israel's deep-seated tendency to turn to their neighbors, the Egyptians, for alliances and to adopt their sensuous and idolatrous practices. This turning away from God, particularly through political entanglements and religious syncretism with Egypt, is presented as a deliberate act of provocation against the Lord.
When the Bible talks about 'whoredom' with nations, it's not just about shaky political deals. There's a deeper, more spiritual betrayal happening.
Israel's relationship with Egypt in Ezekiel 16 goes way beyond simple foreign policy. The 'whoredom' described here refers to a dangerous mix:
The text highlights that these alliances were not just pragmatic choices but spiritual compromises, drawing them further into rebellion against God.
The description of the Egyptians as 'great of flesh' isn't just about their physical size. It points to a potent, sensual attraction that drew Israel astray.
The phrase 'great of flesh' (or 'great of body' in some translations) is a striking descriptor for Egypt and its influence.
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This 'greatness' represented a powerful, earthly allure – a form of worship and strength that was appealing to the flesh but ultimately hollow and provoking to God.
This wasn't a one-time slip-up. Israel's actions were a pattern of escalating rebellion, intentionally pushing God's patience to the limit.
The verse doesn't just condemn Israel's dealings with Egypt; it emphasizes the progression and intent behind their actions.
This escalating defiance highlights the seriousness of spiritual unfaithfulness and the deep pain it causes God.
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 uses the intimate and shameful history of Israel's relationship with Egypt—from their liberation to ongoing political and religious entanglements—to expose Judah's profound spiritual unfaithfulness to God.
~1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
God delivers Israel from slavery in Egypt, initiating a covenant relationship with them.
c. 931 BC
Division of the Kingdom
After Solomon's death, the united kingdom splits into Israel (north) and Judah (south), with the north establishing idolatrous worship centers.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern kingdom of Israel, scattering its people and intensifying fears for Judah's future.
c. 609 BC
Josiah's Reforms and Death
King Josiah attempts religious reform, but Pharaoh Necho II kills him, highlighting Judah's entanglement with Egypt.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon attacks Judah, taking skilled workers and some royalty, including Daniel, to Babylon.
597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Jerusalem falls, and King Jehoiachin, along with many more Judeans and artisans, is exiled to Babylon.
c. 593-571 BC— this verse
Ezekiel's Ministry and Visions
Ezekiel, an exile in Babylon, receives visions from God, including the allegorical prophecy of Jerusalem as an unfaithful wife.
This passage shows Israel's earliest example of turning to Egyptian worship, creating a golden calf while Moses was away, mirroring the sensual nature worship described in Ezekiel and illustrating a deep-seated tendency to adopt foreign, often idolatrous, practices.
Jeremiah 2:18Jeremiah also rebukes Israel for seeking alliances with Egypt, calling it a forsaking of God, which directly parallels Ezekiel's accusation of 'whoredom' with the Egyptians for political and spiritual aid.
Ezekiel 23:20This verse uses similar graphic language to describe the lustful desires and idolatrous practices of Samaria with Egypt, reinforcing the 'great of flesh' imagery and the theme of spiritual unfaithfulness as sexual impurity.
Hosea 7:11Hosea describes Israel as being like a 'stupid dove,' easily enticed into alliances and turning to foreign powers instead of God, which speaks to the same pattern of seeking worldly help and falling into sin that Ezekiel highlights with Egypt.
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.
It's easy to skim over "great of flesh" as just referring to Egypt's power, but it points to a more disturbing reality: their worship was deeply sensual and animalistic. This wasn't just about political alliances; Israel was drawn to the crude, lustful practices of Egyptian idolatry, which directly fueled their own spiritual corruption and provoked God's anger.
In this passage, Ezekiel is using a powerful metaphor, portraying Jerusalem as an unfaithful wife who has prostituted herself with various foreign nations. This verse specifically calls out Israel's deep-seated tendency to turn to their neighbors, the Egyptians, for alliances and to adopt their sensuous and idolatrous practices. This turning away from God, particularly through political entanglements and religious syncretism with Egypt, is presented as a deliberate act of provocation against the Lord.
In this passage, Ezekiel is using a powerful metaphor, portraying Jerusalem as an unfaithful wife who has prostituted herself with various foreign nations. This verse specifically calls out Israel's deep-seated tendency to turn to their neighbors, the Egyptians, for alliances and to adopt their sensuous and idolatrous practices. This turning away from God, particularly through political entanglements and religious syncretism with Egypt, is presented as a deliberate act of provocation against the Lord.
"You also played the whore with the Egyptians, your lustful neighbors, multiplying your whoring, to provoke me to anger." — It's easy to skim over "great of flesh" as just referring to Egypt's power, but it points to a more disturbing reality: their worship was deeply sensual and animalistic. This wasn't just about politi…
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Last reviewed October 2026