They played the whore in Egypt; they played the whore in their youth; there their breasts were pressed and their virgin bosoms handled.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The text doesn't just describe Israel's later unfaithfulness, but points to its very beginnings, rooted in their youth and experiences in Egypt. This "whoredom" isn't merely physical acts, but a spiritual adultery of idolatry, happening even while they were God's "virgin" bride.
They played the whore in Egypt; they played the whore in their youth; there their breasts were pressed and their virgin bosoms handled.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage introduces a prophetic allegory comparing the unfaithfulness of Israel and Judah to prostitution, beginning with their earliest history. Ezekiel is told to recount how both kingdoms, symbolized as sisters named Oholah and Oholibah, first "played the whore" – meaning they engaged in idolatry – during their time in Egypt. This spiritual adultery began even in their youth, a time when they should have been pure before God, marking a deep-seated pattern of apostasy that would continue throughout their existence.
The verse paints a stark picture of Israel's actions in Egypt. Did their unfaithfulness start even before they became a nation?
Ezekiel 23:3 tells us Israel "played the whore in Egypt" and "in their youth." This isn't just about physical impurity; in the Old Testament, 'whoredom' and 'adultery' are powerful metaphors for spiritual unfaithfulness, specifically idolatry.
Even while sojourning in Egypt, before they were fully formed as God's covenant people, they were drawn into the idolatrous practices of the Egyptians. This early lapse set a pattern for their future.
The verse uses graphic imagery of physical violation. What does this intensely personal language reveal about the nature of their sin?
The phrases "their breasts were pressed" and "their virgin bosoms handled" are not just descriptive; they are deeply symbolic. They represent the defilement and violation of Israel's purity and their covenant relationship with God.
Before their idolatry, Israel was metaphorically a pure virgin, betrothed to God. Their entanglement with Egyptian idolatry was like a violation that spoiled their innocence and marred their intended chastity before Him.
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Understand the original words
zanah · Hebrew Verb
A metaphorical term used frequently by the prophets to describe Israel’s unfaithfulness to the covenant, specifically through idolatry and turning to other gods, likened to sexual infidelity.
neurim · Hebrew Noun
A state of being in early life characterized by innocence or the initial formation of covenantal history; in this context, it represents Israel's early beginnings and historical relationship with Yahweh.
Ezekiel uses the image of Israel's early unfaithfulness in Egypt, during their 'youth' and 'espousal' to God, to highlight the deep-rooted nature of their spiritual adultery and idolatry, which continued throughout their history.
c. 1446 BC
Israel Exits Egypt
The Israelites leave Egypt after centuries of bondage, marking the beginning of their formation as a nation under God. This period is described as their 'youth' and 'espousal' to God.
c. 1446-1406 BC— this verse
Early Israelite Idolatry
Shortly after leaving Egypt, during their wilderness wanderings, the Israelites fall into idolatry, notably worshipping the golden calf. This is seen as spiritual adultery during their youth.
c. 1406 BC
Entry into the Promised Land
Israel crosses the Jordan River and begins the conquest of Canaan, a land steeped in idolatrous practices. This proximity to Canaanite religion poses a continued spiritual threat.
c. 1050 BC
Monarchy Established
Saul is anointed king, establishing a centralized monarchy. While intended to unite Israel, this period also sees the beginning of increasing political intrigue and spiritual compromise.
c. 931 BC
Division of the Kingdom
Following Solomon's death, the united kingdom splits into two: the Northern Kingdom of Israel (capital Samaria) and the Southern Kingdom of Judah (capital Jerusalem). This division exacerbates existing spiritual and political issues.
This passage shows Israel's spiritual infidelity early in their history, mirroring the 'whoredoms in Egypt' by falling into idolatry with the golden calf shortly after their deliverance.
Joshua 24:14Joshua directly confronts the Israelites about the idolatry their ancestors practiced beyond the Euphrates and in Egypt, highlighting how early and pervasive these spiritual 'whoredoms' were.
Ezekiel 16:26This chapter, also a prophetic allegory from Ezekiel, details Jerusalem's spiritual harlotry beginning in Egypt, using similar imagery of youthful sexual promiscuity to describe their idolatry.
Jeremiah 2:2Jeremiah recalls Israel's early devotion to God as a time of 'espousal' and 'love of a bride,' contrasting it with their later unfaithfulness, which echoes the theme of corrupted youth in Ezekiel 23.
cambridgeEzekiel 23:3: "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."
3 . The two kingdoms are represented ideally as already existing in Egypt. This is not so far from the truth. The great tribes of Judah and Ephraim from the first stood apart, and in their attitude there lay already the germs of the two kingdoms, as appears in the song of Deborah. On the idea of the prophet that id…
ellicottEzekiel 23:3: "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."
(3) In Egypt. —The idolatries of Israel in Egypt have already been spoken of in the Note to Ezekiel 20:8 . (See also Ezekiel 23:19 below.)
The text doesn't just describe Israel's later unfaithfulness, but points to its very beginnings, rooted in their youth and experiences in Egypt. This "whoredom" isn't merely physical acts, but a spiritual adultery of idolatry, happening even while they were God's "virgin" bride.
This passage introduces a prophetic allegory comparing the unfaithfulness of Israel and Judah to prostitution, beginning with their earliest history. Ezekiel is told to recount how both kingdoms, symbolized as sisters named Oholah and Oholibah, first "played the whore" – meaning they engaged in idolatry – during their time in Egypt. This spiritual adultery began even in their youth, a time when they should have been pure before God, marking a deep-seated pattern of apostasy that would continue throughout their existence.
This passage introduces a prophetic allegory comparing the unfaithfulness of Israel and Judah to prostitution, beginning with their earliest history. Ezekiel is told to recount how both kingdoms, symbolized as sisters named Oholah and Oholibah, first "played the whore" – meaning they engaged in idolatry – during their time in Egypt. This spiritual adultery began even in their youth, a time when they should have been pure before God, marking a deep-seated pattern of apostasy that would continue throughout their existence.
"They played the whore in Egypt; they played the whore in their youth; there their breasts were pressed and their virgin bosoms handled." — The text doesn't just describe Israel's later unfaithfulness, but points to its very beginnings, rooted in their youth and experiences in Egypt. This "whoredom" isn't merely physical acts, but a spir…
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Last reviewed October 2026