“They Whored in Egypt” (Ezek 23:3)—When?

Abstract In this essay I make three arguments on Ezek 23:3–4: first, “in Egypt … in their youth” (v. 3) does not refer to Israel’s time before the exodus, but early political histories of Samaria and Jerusalem. Second, statement ותהיינה לי 4) should be rendered “and they became mine” (referring event marriage), rather were fact marriage). Third, vocabulary used vv. 3–4 functions at local level within argument 23:1–27, also a larger as part editorial coordination 16 23. The allegory 23:1–27 can therefore understood coherent critique Judahite foreign policy, without any reference traditions origins Egypt.