This verse summarizes Oholah’s sinfulness.

She did not give up her harlotry which she had practiced since her days in Egypt: See Ezek 23.3. New Century Version says “She continued the prostitution she began in Egypt.”

For in her youth men had lain with her: For in her youth, see Ezek 23.3. Men had lain with her means “men slept with her” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New International Version; similarly New Century Version, Jerusalem Bible/New Jerusalem Bible), that is, they had sex with her.

And handled her virgin bosom: See Ezek 23.3.

And poured out their lust upon her: This clause is similar the last one in 16.15 and may mean that they had sex with her “freely” (Moffatt), that is, “over and over again” (New Jerusalem Bible). But the Hebrew verb rendered poured out suggests that it may have a coarser meaning as well, namely that they ejaculated their semen over her body during their sexual activities. Both meanings fit the context well.

In some languages translators will find it more natural to reorder the verse. Models that do this are:

• When she was still young in Egypt, she had sex with men for the first time. They fondled her breasts and made love to her very often [or, sprayed her with their semen]. She continued acting like a prostitute in this way.

• When she was still young in Egypt, men slept [or, had sex] with her. They fondled her body for the first time and made her the object of their lust. She continued acting like a prostitute in this way.

Quoted with permission from Gross, Carl & Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Ezekiel. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .