Ezekiel 16:26
Ezekiel 16:26 in Multiple Translations
You prostituted yourself with your lustful neighbors, the Egyptians, and increased your promiscuity to provoke Me to anger.
Thou hast also committed fornication with the Egyptians thy neighbours, great of flesh; and hast increased thy whoredoms, to provoke me to anger.
Thou hast also committed fornication with the Egyptians, thy neighbors, great of flesh; and hast multiplied thy whoredom, to provoke me to anger.
And you went with the Egyptians, your neighbours, great of flesh; increasing your loose ways, moving me to wrath.
You gave yourself as a prostitute to your Egyptian neighbors with their large sexual organs, making me angry as you became even more promiscuous.
Thou hast also committed fornication with the Egyptians thy neighbours, which haue great members, and hast encreased thy whoredome, to prouoke me.
And dost go a-whoring unto sons of Egypt, Thy neighbours — great of appetite! And thou dost multiply thy whoredoms, To provoke Me to anger.
You have also committed sexual immorality with the Egyptians, your neighbors, great of flesh; and have multiplied your prostitution, to provoke me to anger.
Thou hast also committed fornication with the Egyptians thy neighbors, great of flesh; and hast multiplied thy lewd deeds, to provoke me to anger.
And thou hast committed fornication with the Egyptians thy neighbours, men of large bodies, and hast multiplied thy fornications to provoke me.
It was as though [MET] you had sex with men from Egypt who were eager to have sex with you, men who lived near to Israel. You caused me to become very angry because you became more eager to have sex with more and more of them.
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 16:26
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Ezekiel 16:26 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/תִּזְנִ֧י
אֶל
בְּנֵֽי
מִצְרַ֛יִם
שְׁכֵנַ֖יִ/ךְ
גִּדְלֵ֣י
בָשָׂ֑ר
וַ/תַּרְבִּ֥י
אֶת
תַּזְנֻתֵ֖/ךְ
לְ/הַכְעִיסֵֽ/נִי
וַ/תִּזְנִ֧י
zânâh
H2181
to fornicate
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-2fs
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
בְּנֵֽי
bên
H1121
son
N-mp
מִצְרַ֛יִם
Mitsrayim
H4714
Egypt
N-proper
שְׁכֵנַ֖יִ/ךְ
shâkên
H7934
neighboring
Adj | Suff
גִּדְלֵ֣י
gâdêl
H1432
growing
V-Qal
בָשָׂ֑ר
bâsâr
H1320
flesh
N-ms
וַ/תַּרְבִּ֥י
râbâh
H7235
to multiply
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-2fs
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
תַּזְנֻתֵ֖/ךְ
taznûwth
H8457
fornication
N-fs | Suff
לְ/הַכְעִיסֵֽ/נִי
kaʻaç
H3707
to provoke
Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 16:26
וַ/תִּזְנִ֧י
zânâh
H2181
"to fornicate"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-2fs
To fornicate means to commit adultery or be unfaithful, often used to describe idolatry in the Bible. It can also refer to a person being a cult prostitute or causing others to be unfaithful.
Definition: 1) to commit fornication, be a harlot, play the harlot 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be a harlot, act as a harlot, commit fornication 1a2) to commit adultery 1a3) to be a cult prostitute 1a4) to be unfaithful (to God) (fig.) 1b) (Pual) to play the harlot 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to commit adultery 1c2) to force into prostitution 1c3) to commit fornication
Usage: Occurs in 81 OT verses. KJV: (cause to) commit fornication, [idiom] continually, [idiom] great, (be an, play the) harlot, (cause to be, play the) whore, (commit, fall to) whoredom, (cause to) go a-whoring, whorish. See also: Genesis 34:31; Isaiah 57:3; Psalms 73:27.
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
בְּנֵֽי
bên
H1121
"son"
N-mp
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
מִצְרַ֛יִם
Mitsrayim
H4714
"Egypt"
N-proper
This word means Egypt, a country in northeastern Africa, and is used in the Bible to describe the land and its people. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah, often referring to the Nile River and the Egyptians. Egypt is an important setting for many biblical events.
Definition: § Egypt = "land of the Copts" a country at the northeastern section of Africa, adjacent to Palestine, and through which the Nile flows Egyptians = "double straits" adj 2) the inhabitants or natives of Egypt
Usage: Occurs in 569 OT verses. KJV: Egypt, Egyptians, Mizraim. See also: Genesis 10:6; Exodus 6:13; Exodus 34:18.
שְׁכֵנַ֖יִ/ךְ
shâkên
H7934
"neighboring"
Adj | Suff
This word describes someone who lives near you, like a neighbor or a fellow citizen. It's used in books like Genesis and Jeremiah to talk about the people around you.
Definition: 1) inhabitant, neighbour 1a) inhabitant 1b) neighbour
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: inhabitant, neighbour, nigh. See also: Exodus 3:22; Psalms 89:42; Psalms 31:12.
גִּדְלֵ֣י
gâdêl
H1432
"growing"
V-Qal
This Hebrew word means growing or becoming great, like a child growing up or something increasing in size. It is used in the Bible to describe things that are large or impressive. In the KJV, it is translated as 'great' or 'grew'.
Definition: becoming great, growing up
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: great, grew. See also: Genesis 26:13; 2 Chronicles 17:12; Ezekiel 16:26.
בָשָׂ֑ר
bâsâr
H1320
"flesh"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for flesh refers to the body or a person, and can also describe living things or animals. In the Bible, it is used to describe humans and animals, as in Genesis and Leviticus.
Definition: 1) flesh 1a) of the body 1a1) of humans 1a2) of animals 1b) the body itself 1c) male organ of generation (euphemism) 1d) kindred, blood-relations 1e) flesh as frail or erring (man against God) 1f) all living things 1g) animals 1h) mankind Aramaic equivalent: be.shar (בְּשַׁר "flesh" H1321)
Usage: Occurs in 241 OT verses. KJV: body, (fat, lean) flesh(-ed), kin, (man-) kind, [phrase] nakedness, self, skin. See also: Genesis 2:21; Numbers 11:21; Psalms 16:9.
וַ/תַּרְבִּ֥י
râbâh
H7235
"to multiply"
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-2fs
This word means to increase or grow, like a plant shooting up. It is used in the Bible to describe something getting bigger or more abundant. The KJV translates it as abundance or bring up.
Definition: 1) be or become great, be or become many, be or become much, be or become numerous 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to become many, become numerous, multiply (of people, animals, things) 1a2) to be or grow great 1b) (Piel) to make large, enlarge, increase, become many 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to make much, make many, have many 1c1a) to multiply, increase 1c1b) to make much to do, do much in respect of, transgress greatly 1c1c) to increase greatly or exceedingly 1c2) to make great, enlarge, do much Aramaic equivalent: re.vah (רְבָה "to grow great" H7236)
Usage: Occurs in 215 OT verses. KJV: (bring in) abundance ([idiom] -antly), [phrase] archer (by mistake for H7232 (רָבַב)), be in authority, bring up, [idiom] continue, enlarge, excel, exceeding(-ly), be full of, (be, make) great(-er, -ly, [idiom] -ness), grow up, heap, increase, be long, (be, give, have, make, use) many (a time), (any, be, give, give the, have) more (in number), (ask, be, be so, gather, over, take, yield) much (greater, more), (make to) multiply, nourish, plenty(-eous), [idiom] process (of time), sore, store, thoroughly, very. See also: Genesis 1:22; 2 Chronicles 33:6; Psalms 16:4.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
תַּזְנֻתֵ֖/ךְ
taznûwth
H8457
"fornication"
N-fs | Suff
Fornication, or taznuth, refers to harlotry or idolatry, often used figuratively to describe spiritual unfaithfulness. In the KJV, it is translated as fornication or whoredom, emphasizing its negative connotation.
Definition: fornication, harlotry
Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: fornication, whoredom. See also: Ezekiel 16:15; Ezekiel 23:7; Ezekiel 23:43.
לְ/הַכְעִיסֵֽ/נִי
kaʻaç
H3707
"to provoke"
Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a | Suff
This verb means to provoke or make someone angry, like in Psalm 106 where it describes the Israelites' actions that angered God. It can also mean to grieve or be indignant. It's a strong emotion.
Definition: 1) to be angry, be vexed, be indignant, be wroth, be grieved, provoke to anger and wrath 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be vexed, be indignant 1a2) to be angry 1b) (Piel) to provoke to anger 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to vex 1c2) to vex, provoke to anger
Usage: Occurs in 53 OT verses. KJV: be angry, be grieved, take indignation, provoke (to anger, unto wrath), have sorrow, vex, be wroth. See also: Deuteronomy 4:25; 2 Chronicles 28:25; Psalms 78:58.
Study Notes — Ezekiel 16:26
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Ezekiel 16:26 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 16:26
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 16:26
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:26
- Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:26
- Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:26
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:26
- Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 16:26
- Barnes' Notes on Ezekiel 16:26
- Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:26
- Sermons on Ezekiel 16:26
Context — Jerusalem’s Unfaithfulness
24you built yourself a mound and made yourself a lofty shrine in every public square.
25At the head of every street you built your lofty shrines and degraded your beauty. With increasing promiscuity, you spread your legs to all who passed by.
26You prostituted yourself with your lustful neighbors, the Egyptians, and increased your promiscuity to provoke Me to anger.
27Therefore I stretched out My hand against you and reduced your portion. I gave you over to the desire of those who hate you, the daughters of the Philistines, who were ashamed of your lewd conduct. 28Then you prostituted yourself with the Assyrians, because you were not yet satisfied. Even after that, you were still not satisfied.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezekiel 23:19–21 | Yet she multiplied her promiscuity, remembering the days of her youth, when she had prostituted herself in the land of Egypt and lusted after their lovers, whose genitals were like those of donkeys and whose emission was like that of stallions. So you revisited the indecency of your youth, when the Egyptians caressed your bosom and pressed your young breasts. |
| 2 | Ezekiel 20:7–8 | And I said to them: ‘Each of you must throw away the abominations before his eyes, and you must not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.’ But they rebelled against Me and refused to listen. None of them cast away the abominations before their eyes, and they did not forsake the idols of Egypt. So I resolved to pour out My wrath upon them and vent My anger against them in the land of Egypt. |
| 3 | Ezekiel 8:10 | So I went in and looked, and engraved all around the wall was every kind of crawling creature and detestable beast, along with all the idols of the house of Israel. |
| 4 | Ezekiel 23:8 | She did not give up the prostitution she began in Egypt, when men slept with her in her youth, caressed her virgin bosom, and poured out their lust upon her. |
| 5 | Jeremiah 7:18–19 | The sons gather wood, the fathers light the fire, and the women knead the dough to make cakes for the Queen of Heaven; they pour out drink offerings to other gods to provoke Me to anger. But am I the One they are provoking? declares the LORD. Is it not themselves they spite, to their own shame? |
| 6 | Joshua 24:14 | Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; cast aside the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. |
| 7 | Ezekiel 8:17 | “Son of man,” He said to me, “do you see this? Is it not enough for the house of Judah to commit the abominations they are practicing here, that they must also fill the land with violence and continually provoke Me to anger? Look, they are even putting the branch to their nose! |
| 8 | Exodus 32:4 | He took the gold from their hands, and with an engraving tool he fashioned it into a molten calf. And they said, “These, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” |
| 9 | Ezekiel 8:14 | Then He brought me to the entrance of the north gate of the house of the LORD, and I saw women sitting there, weeping for Tammuz. |
| 10 | Ezekiel 23:3 | and they played in Egypt, prostituting themselves from their youth. Their breasts were fondled there, and their virgin bosoms caressed. |
Ezekiel 16:26 Summary
[This verse is saying that Israel, as a nation, was like a person who keeps looking for love and acceptance in all the wrong places, like with the Egyptians, and it made God very sad and angry, similar to the situation described in Jeremiah 2:13. Israel was supposed to be faithful to God, but instead, they kept turning to other nations and idols for comfort and security, which is comparable to the warnings in Deuteronomy 8:19-20. We can learn from Israel's mistake by remembering that our choices have consequences, and turning away from God can lead to spiritual corruption, as seen in Romans 1:21-25. By staying faithful to God and seeking His love and acceptance, we can avoid the same mistakes Israel made.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'prostitute yourself' in Ezekiel 16:26?
In this context, 'prostituting yourself' means to give yourself over to idolatry and sinful relationships, just as Israel did with the Egyptians, which is comparable to the spiritual adultery described in Jeremiah 3:6-10 and Hosea 1:2.
Why did God say Israel's actions were meant to 'provoke Me to anger'?
Israel's persistent sin and disobedience, as seen in Ezekiel 16:26, was a deliberate choice to reject God's love and provision, similar to the rebellion described in Deuteronomy 31:27, and it naturally provoked God's righteous anger.
How does this verse relate to the concept of spiritual adultery?
Ezekiel 16:26 illustrates the concept of spiritual adultery, where Israel, as God's chosen people, turned to other 'lovers' (idolatrous nations) instead of remaining faithful to their covenant with God, as warned in Exodus 34:15-16 and Deuteronomy 31:16.
What can we learn from Israel's mistake in this verse?
We can learn that our choices have consequences, and turning away from God to pursue sinful desires can lead to spiritual corruption and God's discipline, as seen in Hebrews 12:5-11 and Proverbs 3:11-12.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I may be 'prostituting myself' to the world, and how can I turn back to God?
- How do I balance my desire for worldly relationships and influences with my commitment to follow God?
- In what ways can I 'provoke God to anger' in my own life, and how can I repent and turn back to Him?
- What does it mean to 'increase promiscuity' in a spiritual sense, and how can I avoid this in my own walk with God?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 16:26
Thou hast also committed fornication with the Egyptians,.... By entering into leagues and alliances with them, and seeking to them for help and assistance against their enemies; from whose bondage
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 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.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:26
Committed fornication; both figuratively and literally understood; worshipped Egypt’ s gods, made covenants with them, kept up a commerce of trade with them, and prostituted themselves to their lusts too, by cohabitation, while the servitude lasted, and by nearness of place, when in Canaan. The Jewish nation retained too much inclination to those idolatrous and lustful neighbours. Great of flesh; politically they were great in power, and like to defend and help the Jews; naturally of big make, and men of great stature, and such as insatiable adulteresses would covet; and these considerations induced adulterous and idolatrous Israel to unite with them in leagues and religion. To anger; to a fierceness of anger for its degree, and to an abhorring and contemning of the person against whom this anger is stirred.
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:26
Ezekiel 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.Ver. 26. Great of flesh.] Torosi, scil., propter potentiam et petulantiam. The prophet persisteth in the metaphor, from the manner of shamelessly lascivious women: such as was Messalina, the wife of Claudius the emperor; and she in Apuleius that entertained the ass. See Ezekiel 23:20. Flesh is here and elsewhere taken for the privities, quod est membrum prorsus carneum.
Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:26
(26) The Egyptians . . . great of flesh.—The Egyptians are properly named first, because, even in the golden calf of the wilderness, the Israelites turned with avidity to the worship of Egypt. This tendency seems to have been only suppressed, not extinguished, during the subsequent ages, and remained ever ready to develop itself, as in the calves of Jeroboam (1 Kings 12:28-30); but it received great accession of strength during the reigns of Solomon and his successors. The Egyptians are called “great of flesh” from the character of their popular worship, which was a thoroughly sensuous nature worship. The connection of Israel with Egypt in the latter part of the monarchy was not only religious, but political, in bold defiance of the reiterated Divine commands. Especially at this time, a great part of the work of Jeremiah was to oppose the tendency of the successive kings of Judah to alliance with Egypt.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:26
Verse 26. Great of flesh] The most extensive idolaters. Bene vasatis-longa mensura incognita nervy - Juv. Sat. ix. 34. This is the allusion.
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 16:26
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.
Barnes' Notes on Ezekiel 16:26
Egyptian idolatry, a worship of the powers of nature, was eminently sensual.
Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:26
26. Great of flesh — Not obesity, but fleshliness. The Egyptians were given up to the lusts of the flesh.
Sermons on Ezekiel 16:26
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The Message of the Cross by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes the grave sin of idolatry, which provoked God's wrath in the Old Testament and continues to do so today. He warns against a modern form of idolatry that |
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Guidelines to Freedom Part 1 - Who Takes First Place? by Alistair Begg | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the transformative power of the Ten Commandments for believers. He explains that the law of God reveals our sinfulness and leads us to salva |
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Decisions by William MacDonald | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of making decisions in life. He uses examples from biblical stories such as Jonah and Pilate to illustrate the consequences o |
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Dangers in Spiritualist Practices by Jim Logan | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of not synchronizing Spiritistic teachings with Christianity. He refers to the book of Joshua, specifically chapter 24, where J |
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Houston Colonial Hills Conference 1995-05 Joshua 24:14 by William MacDonald | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of making decisions in life, particularly decisions that align with God's will. He encourages listeners to be people of prayer |
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No Other Name by Carl Armerding | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of fearing and serving the Lord in sincerity and truth. He refers to the book of Joshua chapter 24, where Joshua gives his fin |
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A Warning to Us All Relativism by Mark Woodhouse | In this sermon, the preacher begins by reading from Joshua chapter 24, emphasizing the importance of fearing and serving the Lord in sincerity and truth. He warns against the dange |