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Ezekiel 23:3-5
New English Translation
Ezekiel 23:3-5
New English Translation
3 They engaged in prostitution in Egypt; in their youth they engaged in prostitution. Their breasts were squeezed there; lovers[a] fondled their virgin nipples there. 4 Oholah was the name of the older and Oholibah[b] the name of her younger sister. They became mine and gave birth to sons and daughters.[c] Oholah is Samaria, and Oholibah is Jerusalem.
5 “Oholah engaged in prostitution while she was mine.[d] She lusted after her lovers, the Assyrians[e]—warriors[f]
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Ezekiel 23:3 tn In the Hebrew text the subject is left unstated and must be supplied from the context.
- Ezekiel 23:4 tn The names Oholah and Oholibah are both derived from the word meaning “tent.” The meaning of Oholah is “her tent,” while Oholibah means “my tent is in her.”
- Ezekiel 23:4 sn In this allegory the Lord is depicted as being the husband of two wives. The OT law prohibited a man from marrying sisters (Lev 18:18), but the practice is attested in the OT (cf. Jacob). The metaphor is utilized here for illustrative purposes and does not mean that the Lord condoned such a practice or bigamy in general.
- Ezekiel 23:5 tn Heb “while she was under me.” The expression indicates that Oholah is viewed as the Lord’s wife. See Num 5:19-20, 29. sn Engaged in prostitution refers to alliances with pagan nations in this context. In Ezek 16 harlotry described the sin of idolatry.
- Ezekiel 23:5 tn Heb “Assyria.”
- Ezekiel 23:5 tn 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.
New English Translation (NET)
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