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What does 'Whose flesh is like the flesh of donkeys’ mean (Ezekiel 23:20)?

Last Updated: 29.06.2025 09:20

What does 'Whose flesh is like the flesh of donkeys’ mean (Ezekiel 23:20)?

The chapter is a prophetic denunciation of Judah and Samaria, both of which had committed spiritual prostitution, that is, they had gone after false gods and pagan religion with a sort of sexual lustfulness, hence the prophet's words about them being like horny women going after men with huge penises.

וַֽתַּעְגְּבָ֔ה עַ֖ל פִּֽלַגְשֵׁיהֶ֑ם אֲשֶׁ֤ר בְּשַׂר־חֲמֹורִים֙ בְּשָׂרָ֔ם וְזִרְמַ֥ת סוּסִ֖ים זִרְמָתָֽם׃

Here's the translation into English:

Why am I not losing weight despite eating 1500 calories daily? Male 24y 161kg 174cm and obese. My calorie tracking is on point, I mostly eat prepackaged food and occasionally cook for myself measuring only the raw ingredients, yes including the oil.

The full verse is way funnier when translated accurately and in modern English.

And for she lusted/for/her illicit lovers/whose/the flesh/of donkeys/is like/gushing of fluid [as in, the organ that provides that]/of horses/whose gushing of fluid.

Here's the original Hebrew:

Owen Wilson Brings Clever, Funny “Stick” in Under Par - Roger Ebert

Here is that literally word for word:

She lusted after them like the concubines of men whose male members are like those of a donkey and whose genitals are like those of a horse.