Ezekiel 23:5-8

Context

23:5 “Oholah engaged in prostitution while she was mine.¹ She lusted after her lovers, the Assyrians² – warriors³ 23:6 clothed in blue, governors and officials, all of them desirable young men, horsemen riding on horses. 23:7 She bestowed her sexual favors on them; all of them were the choicest young men of Assyria. She defiled herself with all whom she desired⁴ – with all their idols. 23:8 She did not abandon the prostitution she had practiced in Egypt; for in her youth men had sex with her, fondled her virgin breasts, and ravished her.⁵

[23:5] ¹tn Heb “while she was under me.” The expression indicates that Oholah is viewed as the Lord’s wife. See Num 5:19-20, 29.

[23:5] ²tn Heb “Assyria.”

[23:5] ³tn The term apparently refers to Assyrian military officers; it is better construed with the description that follows. See D. I. Block, Ezekiel (NICOT), 1:738.

[23:7] ⁴tn Heb “lusted after.”

[23:8] ⁵tn Heb “and poured out their harlotry on her.”