Figurative: "The breasts of virginity," pressed and bruised (
Eze 23:3,
8 the King James Version), indicative of Ezekiel's belief that Israel practiced idolatry in Egypt (compare
Eze 20:8). "To tear (pluck off) thy breasts" (
Eze 23:34) denotes the anguish of the people in parting with their beloved sin (compare
Ho 2:2). "Its breast of silver" (
Da 2:32) is possibly expressive of the humanity and wealth of the Medo-Persian empire.