Ezekiel 23:21
Ezekiel 23:21 in Multiple Translations
So you revisited the indecency of your youth, when the Egyptians caressed your bosom and pressed your young breasts.
Thus thou calledst to remembrance the lewdness of thy youth, in bruising thy teats by the Egyptians for the paps of thy youth.
Thus thou calledst to remembrance the lewdness of thy youth, in the handling of thy bosom by the Egyptians for the breasts of thy youth.
And she made the memory of the loose ways of her early years come back to mind, when her young breasts were crushed by the Egyptians.
You went back to the indecent acts from when you were young, when the Egyptians squeezed your nipples and fondled your young breasts.
Thou calledst to remembrance the wickednes of thy youth, when thy teates were bruised by ye Egyptians: therefore ye paps of thy youth are thus.
Thou lookest after the wickedness of thy youth, In dealing out of Egypt thy loves, For the sake of the breasts of thy youth.
Thus you called to memory the lewdness of your youth, in the caressing of your nipples by the Egyptians because of your youthful breasts.
Thus thou calledst to remembrance the lewdness of thy youth, by being corrupted by the Egyptians in thy youth.
And thou hast renewed the wickedness of thy youth, when thy breasts were pressed in Egypt, and the papa of thy virginity broken.
So she desired to be immoral like she was when she was young, when men in Egypt caressed her bosom and fondled her breasts.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 23:21
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 23:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַֽ/תִּפְקְדִ֔י
אֵ֖ת
זִמַּ֣ת
נְעוּרָ֑יִ/ךְ
בַּ/עְשׂ֤וֹת
מִ/מִּצְרַ֨יִם֙
דַּדַּ֔יִ/ךְ
לְמַ֖עַן
שְׁדֵ֥י
נְעוּרָֽיִ/ךְ
וַֽ/תִּפְקְדִ֔י
pâqad
H6485
to reckon
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-2fs
אֵ֖ת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
זִמַּ֣ת
zimmâh
H2154
wickedness
N-fs
נְעוּרָ֑יִ/ךְ
nâʻûwr
H5271
youth
N-cp | Suff
בַּ/עְשׂ֤וֹת
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
מִ/מִּצְרַ֨יִם֙
Mitsrayim
H4714
Egypt
Prep | N-proper
דַּדַּ֔יִ/ךְ
dad
H1717
breast
N-md | Suff
לְמַ֖עַן
maʻan
H4616
because
Prep
שְׁדֵ֥י
shad
H7699
breast
N-md
נְעוּרָֽיִ/ךְ
nâʻûwr
H5271
youth
N-cp | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 23:21
וַֽ/תִּפְקְדִ֔י
pâqad
H6485
"to reckon"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-2fs
This word means to visit or oversee, and can imply a range of actions, from friendly to hostile. It is used in various contexts, including appointing, avenging, or delivering something into someone's care. The KJV translates it in many ways, including appoint, avenge, or commit.
Definition: : list/count 1) to attend to, muster, number, reckon, visit, punish, appoint, look after, care for 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pay attention to, observe 1a2) to attend to 1a3) to seek, look about for 1a4) to seek in vain, need, miss, lack 1a5) to visit 1a6) to visit upon, punish 1a7) to pass in review, muster, number 1a8) to appoint, assign, lay upon as a charge, deposit 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be sought, be needed, be missed, be lacking 1b2) to be visited 1b3) to be visited upon 1b4) to be appointed 1b5) to be watched over 1c) (Piel) to muster, call up 1d) (Pual) to be passed in review, be caused to miss, be called, be called to account 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to set over, make overseer, appoint an overseer 1e2) to commit, entrust, commit for care, deposit 1f) (Hophal) 1f1) to be visited 1f2) to be deposited 1f3) to be made overseer, be entrusted 1g) (Hithpael) numbered 1h) (Hothpael) numbered
Usage: Occurs in 269 OT verses. KJV: appoint, [idiom] at all, avenge, bestow, (appoint to have the, give a) charge, commit, count, deliver to keep, be empty, enjoin, go see, hurt, do judgment, lack, lay up, look, make, [idiom] by any means, miss, number, officer, (make) overseer, have (the) oversight, punish, reckon, (call to) remember(-brance), set (over), sum, [idiom] surely, visit, want. See also: Genesis 21:1; Numbers 26:47; Psalms 8:5.
אֵ֖ת
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.
זִמַּ֣ת
zimmâh
H2154
"wickedness"
N-fs
This Hebrew word refers to a wicked or evil plan, and can include things like adultery, incest, and idolatry. It is used to describe the bad intentions or schemes of people in the Bible.
Definition: 1) plan, device, wickedness, evil plan, mischievous purpose 1a) plan, purpose 1b) evil device, wickedness 1c) not chaste, incest, licentiousness, adultery, idolatry, harlotry
Usage: Occurs in 27 OT verses. KJV: heinous crime, lewd(-ly, -ness), mischief, purpose, thought, wicked (device, mind, -ness). See also: Leviticus 18:17; Ezekiel 16:27; Psalms 26:10.
נְעוּרָ֑יִ/ךְ
nâʻûwr
H5271
"youth"
N-cp | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to the state of being young or a group of young people, as seen in Isaiah 47:12. It describes a stage of life, like childhood or adolescence. This concept is also mentioned in Jeremiah 31:19.
Definition: youth, early life Also means: na.ur (נְעוּרוֹת "youth" H5271B)
Usage: Occurs in 46 OT verses. KJV: childhood, youth. See also: Genesis 8:21; Isaiah 54:6; Psalms 25:7.
בַּ/עְשׂ֤וֹת
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
מִ/מִּצְרַ֨יִם֙
Mitsrayim
H4714
"Egypt"
Prep | 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.
דַּדַּ֔יִ/ךְ
dad
H1717
"breast"
N-md | Suff
The breast is a symbol of love and nurturing, often referring to the seat of emotions. In the Bible, it represents a place of comfort and closeness. It can also mean the nipple or teat, providing sustenance.
Definition: breast, nipple, teat
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: breast, teat. See also: Proverbs 5:19; Ezekiel 23:8; Ezekiel 23:21.
לְמַ֖עַן
maʻan
H4616
"because"
Prep
This Hebrew word means because of something or for a specific purpose. It is used to explain why something happens or is done. In the Bible, it is used to describe God's intentions or purposes.
Definition: 1) purpose, intent prep 1a) for the sake of 1b) in view of, on account of 1c) for the purpose of, to the intent that, in order to conj 1d) to the end that
Usage: Occurs in 252 OT verses. KJV: because of, to the end (intent) that, for (to,... 's sake), [phrase] lest, that, to. See also: Genesis 12:13; 2 Kings 13:23; Psalms 5:9.
שְׁדֵ֥י
shad
H7699
"breast"
N-md
The Hebrew word for breast, describing a woman's or animal's breast as swollen. It is used in the Bible to describe nursing or motherly care. The KJV translates it as 'breast' or 'pap'.
Definition: 1) breast, bosom, (female) breast 1a) breast (of woman) 1b) breast (of animal) 1c) breast (of both human and animal) Also means: shod (שֹׁד "breast" H7699B)
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: breast, pap, teat. See also: Genesis 49:25; Isaiah 28:9; Psalms 22:10.
נְעוּרָֽיִ/ךְ
nâʻûwr
H5271
"youth"
N-cp | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to the state of being young or a group of young people, as seen in Isaiah 47:12. It describes a stage of life, like childhood or adolescence. This concept is also mentioned in Jeremiah 31:19.
Definition: youth, early life Also means: na.ur (נְעוּרוֹת "youth" H5271B)
Usage: Occurs in 46 OT verses. KJV: childhood, youth. See also: Genesis 8:21; Isaiah 54:6; Psalms 25:7.
Study Notes — Ezekiel 23:21
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Ezekiel 23:21 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 23:21
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 23:21
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 23:21
- Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 23:21
- Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 23:21
- Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 23:21
Context — The Two Adulterous Sisters
19Yet she multiplied her promiscuity, remembering the days of her youth, when she had prostituted herself in the land of Egypt
20and lusted after their lovers, whose genitals were like those of donkeys and whose emission was like that of stallions.
21So you revisited the indecency of your youth, when the Egyptians caressed your bosom and pressed your young breasts.
22Therefore, Oholibah, this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘I will incite your lovers against you, those from whom you turned away in disgust. And I will bring them against you from every side— 23the Babylonians and all the Chaldeans, the men of Pekod, Shoa, and Koa, and all the Assyrians with them—all desirable young men, governors and commanders, officers and men of renown, mounted on horses.Ezekiel 23:21 Summary
[Ezekiel 23:21 is a verse that talks about how the Israelites went back to their old sinful ways, just like they did when they were younger and were influenced by the Egyptians. This is a reminder that our past experiences can shape who we are today, and that we need to be careful not to fall back into old patterns of sin. As it says in 1 Corinthians 10:13, God is faithful and will help us overcome temptation. We can learn from this verse by being mindful of our own actions and making sure we are living a life that is pleasing to God, as encouraged in Colossians 1:10.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of Ezekiel 23:21 mentioning the Egyptians caressing the bosom and pressing the young breasts?
This verse is referencing the idolatrous and immoral practices of the Israelites in their youth, as they were influenced by the Egyptians, and is a metaphor for their spiritual adultery, as seen in Exodus 32:6 and Deuteronomy 31:16.
How does this verse relate to the overall theme of Ezekiel 23?
Ezekiel 23:21 is part of a larger narrative that condemns the idolatrous and promiscuous behavior of the Israelites, symbolized by the sisters Oholah and Oholibah, and serves as a warning of the consequences of such actions, as stated in Ezekiel 23:22-23 and Jeremiah 3:6-10.
What does this verse teach us about God's view of immorality and idolatry?
This verse, along with others such as Psalm 97:7 and Revelation 21:8, demonstrates that God is a holy and just God who despises immorality and idolatry, and will judge those who engage in such practices.
How can we apply the lessons of Ezekiel 23:21 to our own lives?
We can apply the lessons of this verse by recognizing the dangers of idolatry and immorality, and instead striving to live a life of purity and faithfulness to God, as encouraged in 1 Thessalonians 4:7 and 1 Corinthians 6:18-20.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I may be revisiting the indecency of my own youth, and how can I turn away from such behaviors?
- How can I ensure that my heart remains pure and faithful to God, and not be swayed by the influences of the world around me?
- In what ways can I apply the warning of Ezekiel 23:21 to my own life, and what steps can I take to avoid the consequences of immorality and idolatry?
- What does this verse teach me about the importance of remembering and learning from my past experiences, and how can I use those lessons to grow in my faith?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 23:21
Thus thou calledst to remembrance the lewdness of thy youth,.... By committing the same; the same idolatries their fathers committed in Egypt they now committed, being in alliance with the same
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 23:21
Thus thou calledst to remembrance the lewdness of thy youth, in bruising thy teats by the Egyptians for the paps of thy youth. Thou calledst to remembrance - `thou didst repeat' (Maurer).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 23:21
Calledst to remembrance: see . The lewdness of thy youth: . The paps of thy youth; the beauty and loveliness of them, when God had formed them, allured the Egyptians: this may be understood both politically, of the growing state of the Jewish commonwealth, or literally, of the beauty of their young women.
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 23:21
Ezekiel 23:21 Thus thou calledst to remembrance the lewdness of thy youth, in bruising thy teats by the Egyptians for the paps of thy youth.Ver. 21. Thus thou calledst to remembrance.] See Ezekiel 23:19.
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 23:21
21. calledst to remembrance] didst recall, i.e. renew, cf. Ezekiel 38:8. for the paps] By a slight change of reading (k for n), when thy teats were bruised by them of Egypt, when the breasts of thy youth were pressed (Ezekiel 23:3).
Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 23:21
21. Calledst to remembrance — Rather, soughtest after, renewed. In bruising, etc. — Rather, when they of Egypt did bruise thy teats, for to press the breasts of thy youth. (See Ezekiel 23:3.)