For she doted upon their paramours, whose flesh [is as] the flesh of asses, and whose issue [is like] the issue of horses.
For she doted {H5689} upon their paramours {H6370}, whose flesh {H1320} is as the flesh {H1320} of asses {H2543}, and whose issue {H2231} is like the issue {H2231} of horses {H5483}.
Yes, she lusted after their male prostitutes, whose members are like those of donkeys and who ejaculate like stallions.
and lusted after their lovers, whose genitals were like those of donkeys and whose emission was like that of stallions.
And she doted upon their paramours, whose flesh is as the flesh of asses, and whose issue is like the issue of horses.
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Ezekiel 17:15
But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and much people. Shall he prosper? shall he escape that doeth such [things]? or shall he break the covenant, and be delivered? -
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. -
Ezekiel 16:20
Moreover thou hast taken thy sons and thy daughters, whom thou hast borne unto me, and these hast thou sacrificed unto them to be devoured. [Is this] of thy whoredoms a small matter, -
Jeremiah 5:8
They were [as] fed horses in the morning: every one neighed after his neighbour's wife.
Commentary on Ezekiel 23:20
The prophet Ezekiel frequently used vivid, often shocking, imagery to convey God's message to a rebellious Israel and Judah. Ezekiel 23 continues an extended allegory, portraying two sisters, Aholah (representing Samaria/Israel) and Aholibah (representing Jerusalem/Judah), as prostitutes who have abandoned their covenant with God for illicit relationships with foreign nations. Verse 20 focuses specifically on Aholibah, Jerusalem, and her extreme spiritual unfaithfulness.
Context of Ezekiel 23:20
Ezekiel 23 details the spiritual harlotry of God's people, comparing their idolatry and pursuit of foreign alliances to prostitution. Aholibah, representing Jerusalem, is depicted as even more depraved than her sister Aholah (Samaria). She not only engaged in idolatry but also sought political and military alliances with powerful nations like Assyria and Babylon, trusting in their strength rather than God's. This verse, with its crude and explicit language, serves to underscore the depth of Jerusalem's degradation and the intensity of her lustful devotion to these foreign "paramours" (lovers or illicit partners), reflecting a profound betrayal of her covenant with the Lord. The entire chapter serves as a stark warning of impending judgment, a theme also explored in Ezekiel 16.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic and Figurative Insights
The Hebrew word translated "doted upon" is 'agav (עָגַב), which means to lust after, to be enamored, often in a negative, illicit sense. It conveys an intense, obsessive desire. The phrases "whose flesh [is as] the flesh of asses, and whose issue [is like] the issue of horses" are intensely vulgar and shocking. This is not a literal description of the foreign nations but a highly figurative and metaphorical expression of Aholibah's (Jerusalem's) insatiable and depraved lust for them. The imagery of asses and horses, known for their strong sexual drives, emphasizes the extreme, animalistic nature of this spiritual and political infatuation. It reflects the prophet's use of hyperbole to convey the depth of Jerusalem's spiritual sickness and God's utter revulsion at it. This strong language aims to strip away any pretense or dignity from their actions, exposing them in their most crude and offensive form.
Practical Application
While the language of Ezekiel 23:20 is specific to ancient Israel, its underlying message remains profoundly relevant. For believers today, this verse serves as a powerful warning against:
Ezekiel 23:20 calls us to examine our own hearts and allegiances, ensuring that our devotion remains pure and undivided towards God, avoiding any form of spiritual harlotry.