Ezekiel 16:26

KJV

Thou hast also committed fornication with the Egyptians thy neighbours, great of flesh; and hast increased thy whoredoms, to provoke me to anger.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou hast also committed fornication {H2181} with the Egyptians {H1121}{H4714} thy neighbours {H7934}, great {H1432} of flesh {H1320}; and hast increased {H7235} thy whoredoms {H8457}, to provoke me to anger {H3707}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You had sex with your big-membered Egyptian neighbors and engaged in fornication over and over, just to provoke me.

Berean Standard Bible

You prostituted yourself with your lustful neighbors, the Egyptians, and increased your promiscuity to provoke Me to anger.

American Standard Version

Thou hast also committed fornication with the Egyptians, thy neighbors, great of flesh; and hast multiplied thy whoredom, to provoke me to anger.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 16:26 delivers a piercing indictment against Jerusalem, personified as an unfaithful bride, for her egregious spiritual infidelity. This verse specifically condemns Judah's illicit and forbidden alliances with Egypt, equating such political and religious compromises to acts of profound spiritual prostitution and idolatry. These actions, born of a deep distrust in God's covenant faithfulness, are declared to have provoked the righteous anger of the Lord, who had lovingly chosen, nourished, and covenanted with His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 16 is a profound and extended prophetic allegory, arguably one of the most vivid in the Old Testament, which meticulously traces Jerusalem's spiritual history from her abandoned birth to her lavish adornment as Yahweh's bride, culminating in her scandalous betrayal. The chapter unfolds as a divine "covenant lawsuit," where God meticulously recounts His boundless grace and covenantal commitment (verses 1-14) before cataloging Jerusalem's escalating and pervasive unfaithfulness (verses 15-34). Verse 26 is a specific charge within this comprehensive indictment, immediately following accusations of "whoredom" with Assyria (verse 23) and preceding further condemnations of alliances with Babylon and other nations (verses 28-29). This verse, therefore, is not an isolated accusation but a crucial piece in the cumulative evidence demonstrating Jerusalem's utter rejection of her divine Husband and her persistent pursuit of illicit, idolatrous relationships.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel prophesied during the Babylonian exile (early 6th century BCE), a period marked by intense geopolitical instability. Judah, a small kingdom caught between the great powers of Egypt to the south and Assyria/Babylon to the north, frequently sought security through political alliances. Historically, Egypt represented both a place of past oppression (from which God miraculously delivered Israel, as recounted in [Exodus](/exodus/1 "Exodus - The Book of Deliverance")) and a perpetual temptation for military and economic support. Such alliances were explicitly forbidden by God, who commanded His people to rely solely on Him for protection and provision (e.g., [Deuteronomy 17:16](/deuteronomy/17-16 "Deuteronomy 17:16 - Warning Against Relying on Horses from Egypt") and [Isaiah 31:1](/isaiah/31-1 "Isaiah 31:1 - Woe to Those Who Go Down to Egypt for Help")). For Judah to turn to Egypt was a profound act of spiritual rebellion, signifying a deep-seated lack of faith in God's sovereignty. Culturally, prostitution was a deeply shameful and degrading act, and its metaphorical use here powerfully conveys the moral disgrace and covenantal betrayal inherent in Judah's actions.
* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 16:26 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Ezekiel and the broader prophetic corpus. Firstly, **Spiritual Adultery and Idolatry** is paramount; Israel's pursuit of alliances with pagan nations and adoption of their religious practices is consistently framed as "fornication" and "whoredom," a direct betrayal of her covenant marriage to Yahweh. This echoes the [first commandment](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment") against having other gods and is a recurring motif in prophetic books like [Hosea](/hosea/1 "Hosea - The Prophet of God's Unfailing Love"). Secondly, **Reliance on Worldly Power** is condemned. By seeking security in Egypt's military might rather than God's covenant faithfulness, Judah demonstrated a profound distrust in the Lord, a theme also strongly present in [Isaiah's warnings](/isaiah/30-1 "Isaiah 30:1 - Isaiah's Warning Against Trusting in Egypt"). This misplaced trust is a direct affront to God's exclusive claim over His people. Finally, the verse highlights the theme of **Provoking God's Anger and Righteous Judgment.** The escalating nature of Jerusalem's "whoredoms" directly resulted in God's righteous indignation, underscoring the severity of covenant breaking and the holiness of God, who will not tolerate His people's infidelity indefinitely, as seen throughout the narrative of God's dealings with His people, culminating in exile.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **fornication (Hebrew, _zânâh'_):** H2181, a primitive root meaning "to commit adultery," often used metaphorically to describe idolatry or spiritual unfaithfulness. In this context, it signifies Israel's profound betrayal of her covenant relationship with Yahweh. It describes her actions as spiritual harlotry, where she abandons her divine Husband for illicit alliances with pagan nations and the adoption of their religious practices, thereby violating the exclusive nature of the covenant.
* **Egyptians (Hebrew, _Mitsrayim'_):** H4714, referring to Upper and Lower Egypt. This specific mention highlights Judah's historical and contemporary temptation to rely on this powerful nation, from which God had previously delivered them. It represents a specific, forbidden political and religious alliance that demonstrated a lack of faith in God's ability to protect and provide for His people, choosing instead to trust in human strength.
* **great of flesh (Hebrew, _gâdêl bâsâr'_):** H1432 (great) and H1320 (flesh). This phrase describes the Egyptians, likely referring to their perceived physical or military strength, their robust and sensual pagan culture, or their material abundance. It underscores the allure of Egypt's worldly power and sensuality, which made them an attractive but ultimately destructive alliance for Israel, drawing them away from God and into spiritual compromise.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou hast also committed fornication with the Egyptians thy neighbours, great of flesh":** This clause directly accuses Jerusalem (personified as an unfaithful woman) of engaging in spiritual "fornication" by forming forbidden alliances with Egypt. The term "neighbours" emphasizes the accessibility and ease with which these illicit relationships were forged. The description "great of flesh" characterizes Egypt not just as a political entity, but as a nation embodying worldly power, perceived strength, and perhaps even a decadent, sensual culture that enticed Judah away from their covenant purity. This alliance was a profound act of unfaithfulness to God, a turning away from divine sufficiency to human might.
* **"and hast increased thy whoredoms":** This phrase indicates a disturbing pattern of escalating infidelity. It's not a singular act but a continuous and growing series of betrayals, implying a deepening commitment to idolatry and reliance on foreign powers. The plural "whoredoms" suggests a multiplicity of such acts, reinforcing the pervasive and habitual nature of Judah's spiritual corruption, demonstrating a persistent rebellion against God's commands and love.
* **"to provoke me to anger":** This final phrase reveals the divine consequence and emotional impact of Jerusalem's actions. Her persistent and escalating unfaithfulness directly incited God's righteous indignation and wrath. It highlights God's holiness, His covenant faithfulness, and His jealousy for His people, demonstrating that His anger is a just and holy response to their deliberate and repeated rebellion against His love, commands, and exclusive claim upon them.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 16:26 is rich in literary devices that amplify its message and emotional impact. The predominant device is **Metaphor**, where Jerusalem's political and religious alliances are depicted as "fornication" and "whoredoms." This powerful metaphor transforms abstract theological concepts of covenant breaking and idolatry into concrete, visceral images of sexual betrayal, making the spiritual offense profoundly tangible, scandalous, and emotionally charged. The entire chapter functions as an extended **Allegory**, with Jerusalem personified as a woman whose life story mirrors the nation of Israel's relationship with God, from abandonment to covenant, and then to a tragic fall into infidelity. The phrase "great of flesh" to describe the Egyptians employs **Synecdoche** or **Metonymy**, where a part (flesh/physicality) or an attribute (greatness/power) stands for the whole nation, implying their perceived might, their carnal allure, and the idolatrous sensuality they represented to Judah. Furthermore, God's declaration "to provoke me to anger" is an example of **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human emotions (anger, indignation) to God to convey the depth of His righteous indignation and personal offense at His people's deliberate and repeated betrayal of His covenant love. The cumulative effect of these devices is to paint a vivid, disturbing, and deeply impactful picture of Israel's profound spiritual rebellion and the justness of divine judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 16:26 profoundly underscores the covenantal nature of God's relationship with Israel, often depicted as a sacred marriage. God, as the faithful Husband, expected exclusive devotion and unwavering loyalty from His bride, Jerusalem. Her "fornication" with Egypt represents a fundamental and egregious breach of this sacred covenant, a rejection of God's sufficiency and sovereignty in favor of worldly power and pagan influences. This act of spiritual adultery is not merely a political miscalculation but a theological offense of the highest order, provoking the holy and jealous God to righteous anger. It highlights the pervasive biblical theme that idolatry—whether overt worship of false gods or subtle reliance on human systems and strength—is a profound betrayal of the one true God, leading inevitably to divine judgment. The verse serves as a stark reminder that God demands undivided loyalty from His people, and that their pursuit of security or satisfaction outside of Him is an affront to His character and a path to spiritual and physical destruction.

* [Hosea 1:2](/hosea/1-2 "Hosea 1:2 - God Commands Hosea to Marry a Harlot")
* [Jeremiah 3:8](/jeremiah/3-8 "Jeremiah 3:8 - Israel's Unfaithfulness and Divorce")
* [Deuteronomy 32:16](/deuteronomy/32-16 "Deuteronomy 32:16 - Israel's Provocation of God to Jealousy")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 16:26 serves as a timeless and challenging mirror for believers today, compelling us to deeply examine the true nature of our devotion to God. Just as ancient Judah was tempted to seek security and strength in worldly alliances and human power rather than in the Lord, we too face constant and subtle pressures to trust in human systems, financial stability, political influence, or personal achievements more than in God's sovereign provision and protection. Any pursuit of external forces that diminishes our absolute dependence on God, or any affection that rivals our supreme love for Him, can be seen as a contemporary form of spiritual "adultery" or "whoredom." This verse calls us to an undivided heart, reminding us that our primary allegiance belongs exclusively to God alone. It compels us to ask: Where do we genuinely seek our true security and satisfaction? What "Egypts" or "fleshly" strengths do we turn to when facing fear, uncertainty, or the allure of worldly success? Cultivating a pure and exclusive devotion to Christ, our true Husband, requires constant vigilance against the subtle allure of worldly solutions that promise much but ultimately lead to spiritual compromise, broken fellowship, and provoke divine displeasure.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I tempted to rely on worldly "flesh" (e.g., financial security, social status, human approval) rather than God's unfailing provision and sovereign control?**
* **What alliances, dependencies, or pursuits in my life might be subtly provoking God's anger by diminishing my absolute trust and devotion to Him?**
* **How can I cultivate a more undivided, exclusive, and passionate devotion to God in my daily walk, mirroring the faithful bride Christ desires?**
* **What practical steps can I take to identify and dismantle any "idols" of security, comfort, or success that compete with my covenant relationship with Christ?**

### FAQ

**Why does God use such strong, graphic language like "fornication" and "whoredoms" to describe Israel's actions?**

Answer: The use of such graphic and visceral language is intentional and serves to convey the profound depth and severity of Israel's sin. In the Old Testament, the covenant between God and Israel is often depicted as a sacred marriage, where God is the faithful Husband and Israel is His chosen bride. Therefore, Israel's pursuit of other gods (idolatry) and reliance on foreign alliances (distrust in God's sufficiency) is seen as a direct and egregious betrayal of this sacred marital bond, akin to adultery or prostitution. The terms "fornication" (H2181 `zânâh`) and "whoredoms" (H8457 `taznûwth`) vividly communicate the emotional pain, moral outrage, and broken trust that God experienced due to His people's unfaithfulness. It emphasizes that their actions were not merely political errors but deeply personal affronts to their divine Husband, provoking His righteous anger (H3707 `kaʻaç`). This strong imagery aims to shock the audience into recognizing the gravity of their spiritual infidelity and the devastating consequences of covenant breaking, as seen in other prophetic books like [Hosea](/hosea/1 "Hosea - The Prophet of God's Unfailing Love") and [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/2 "Jeremiah 2 - Israel's Apostasy").

**What is the significance of the "Egyptians thy neighbours, great of flesh" in this verse?**

Answer: The "Egyptians" (H4714 `Mitsrayim`) represent a specific and recurring temptation for Israel throughout their history. Historically, God miraculously delivered Israel from Egyptian bondage, making any return to or reliance upon Egypt a profound act of ingratitude and distrust in His delivering power. Politically, Egypt was a formidable empire, and forming alliances with them was a common strategy for smaller nations like Judah seeking military security against other regional powers. However, for God's covenant people, such alliances were explicitly forbidden because they implied a reliance on human strength and pagan systems rather than divine protection and provision. The phrase "great of flesh" (H1432 `gâdêl` and H1320 `bâsâr`) further emphasizes Egypt's perceived worldly power, military might, and perhaps even its sensual, idolatrous, and materialistic culture. This description highlights the alluring but ultimately destructive nature of worldly strength and pleasure that drew Judah away from their exclusive covenant with God. It underscores the spiritual danger of trusting in the "arm of flesh" (e.g., [Jeremiah 17:5](/jeremiah/17-5 "Jeremiah 17:5 - Cursed is the One Who Trusts in Man")) rather than the living God, who alone is their true refuge.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 16:26, with its stark portrayal of Israel's spiritual harlotry and reliance on worldly powers, profoundly highlights humanity's inherent inability to maintain covenant faithfulness with God. Israel's repeated "fornication" with nations like Egypt underscores the deep-seated sinfulness and spiritual idolatry that alienates humanity from its Creator. This pervasive failure ultimately points to the necessity of a perfect, faithful covenant partner—Jesus Christ. He is the true Israel, the Son of God who perfectly fulfilled the law and maintained unwavering fidelity to the Father, never turning to worldly "flesh" for security or power, even when intensely tempted (as seen in His triumph over temptation in [Matthew 4:1-11](/matthew/4-1-11 "Matthew 4:1-11 - The Temptation of Jesus")). Christ, through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, addresses the very "whoredom" of sin that provoked God's anger. He takes upon Himself the righteous judgment due for humanity's spiritual infidelity, offering forgiveness, cleansing, and reconciliation. Furthermore, in Christ, the Church becomes His pure and spotless bride, cleansed and sanctified by His blood, called to an exclusive devotion that Israel failed to maintain ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ's Love for the Church as His Bride")). The ultimate fulfillment of this longing for a faithful covenant partner is found in the Lamb's marriage supper ([Revelation 19:7-9](/revelation/19-7-9 "Revelation 19:7-9 - The Marriage Supper of the Lamb")), where Christ unites with His purified bride, forever ending the cycle of spiritual adultery and establishing an eternal, unbroken covenant of grace and perfect communion.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 23:19

Yet she multiplied her whoredoms, in calling to remembrance the days of her youth, wherein she had played the harlot in the land of Egypt.

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.

Ezekiel 20:7

Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I [am] the LORD your God.

Ezekiel 20:8

But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.

Jeremiah 7:18

The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead [their] dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger.

Jeremiah 7:19

Do they provoke me to anger? saith the LORD: [do they] not [provoke] themselves to the confusion of their own faces?

Joshua 24:14

Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.