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

EZEKIEL 16:26KJV
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Ezekiel 16:26 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 16:26 mean?

Ezekiel 16:26 describes how Jerusalem, pictured as an unfaithful woman, sought alliances and relationships with Egypt, which God sees as spiritual unfaithfulness and betrayal. The verse says these actions increased Jerusalem’s guilt and provoked God’s anger.

In this chapter, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to the people of Jerusalem, using the image of adultery to describe their political and religious alliances with other nations. The mention of Egypt highlights how the people turned to powerful neighbors for help instead of trusting God, and the language is intentionally strong to show how serious this unfaithfulness is.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 16:26

  • "fornication" (זָנָה, zanah): This word means to be sexually unfaithful, but here it is used as a metaphor for spiritual betrayal or idolatry. It emphasizes how God sees these alliances as a deep violation of trust.
  • "Egyptians" (מִצְרַיִם, Mitsrayim): Refers specifically to the nation of Egypt, a frequent political ally and rival of Israel. The mention of Egypt points to a real historical pattern of seeking help from Egypt instead of relying on God.
  • "great of flesh" (גְּדוֹלֵי בָשָׂר, gedolei basar): This phrase literally means "great of flesh" and is often understood as a reference to Egypt’s power and might, but it may also carry a hint of scorn or mockery about Egypt’s supposed strength.
  • "whoredoms" (תַּזְנוּת, taznut): This word is related to "fornication" and stresses repeated or ongoing acts of unfaithfulness, not just a single event.

Why Ezekiel 16:26 matters

  • This verse clears up that God’s anger was not just about religious rituals but about deep, ongoing betrayal through political and spiritual alliances.
  • The strong language shows how seriously God views turning to other nations for security, making it clear that such actions are more than just politics—they are seen as breaking faith with God.
  • In the wider passage, this verse helps explain why judgment is coming to Jerusalem: it is not only for isolated sins but for a pattern of unfaithfulness that has grown worse over time.

Where else these words appear

“great” Hebrew H1432 · used in 4 verses

  • Genesis 26:13 And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great:
  • 1 Samuel 2:26 And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD, and also with men.
  • 2 Chronicles 17:12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles, and cities of store.

“whoredoms” Hebrew H8457 · used in 19 verses

  • Ezekiel 16:15 But thou didst trust in thine own beauty, and playedst the harlot because of thy renown, and pouredst out thy fornications on every one that passed by; his it was.
  • Ezekiel 16:34 And the contrary is in thee from other women in thy whoredoms, whereas none followeth thee to commit whoredoms: and in that thou givest a reward, and no reward is given unto thee, therefore thou art contrary.
  • Ezekiel 23:17 And the Babylonians came to her into the bed of love, and they defiled her with their whoredom, and she was polluted with them, and her mind was alienated from them.

“neighbours” Hebrew H7934 · used in 20 verses

  • Exodus 3:22 But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians.
  • Psalms 44:13 Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and a derision to them that are round about us.
  • Isaiah 33:24 And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.

“anger” Hebrew H3707 · used in 53 verses

  • Deuteronomy 4:25 When thou shalt beget children, and children's children, and ye shall have remained long in the land, and shall corrupt yourselves, and make a graven image, or the likeness of any thing, and shall do evil in the sight of the LORD thy God, to provoke him to anger:
  • 1 Kings 22:53 For he served Baal, and worshipped him, and provoked to anger the LORD God of Israel, according to all that his father had done.
  • Ecclesiastes 5:17 All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness.