Teat
The Term in Biblical Translation
The word "teat" appeared in the King James Version in a few Old Testament passages, translating Hebrew words that more modern versions render as "breast" or "bosom." The two main Hebrew words involved are different terms that both refer to the human breast. Modern translations like the ESV, NIV, and NASB consistently use "breast" or "bosom" instead, making the older term largely obsolete in Bible reading today.
The Passage in Isaiah
In Isaiah 32:12, the prophet describes a scene of mourning and lamentation. The women of Jerusalem are called to beat upon their breasts as a sign of grief over the coming destruction of the land. The KJV rendered this as "lament for the teats," but the correct sense is "beat upon the breasts" — a well-known gesture of mourning in the ancient Near East. The passage is part of a larger warning about complacency, as Isaiah warns the comfortable women of Jerusalem that their ease will be shattered when judgment comes (Isaiah 32:9-14).
The Passages in Ezekiel
In Ezekiel 23:3 and 23:21, the prophet uses vivid and deliberately shocking imagery to describe Israel and Judah's unfaithfulness to God. The allegory of Oholah (Samaria) and Oholibah (Jerusalem) portrays the two kingdoms as sisters who engaged in prostitution in Egypt from their youth. The references to breasts in these verses are part of this extended metaphor, representing the nations' willingness to embrace the idolatrous practices and political alliances of their pagan neighbors. The graphic nature of the language is intentional — Ezekiel uses it to convey the depth of God's offense at his people's spiritual adultery.
Mourning Practices in the Ancient World
The beating of the breast as a sign of grief was a widespread custom throughout the ancient Near East. Egyptian tomb paintings depict mourning women with hands raised to their chests. In Mesopotamia, similar gestures accompanied funeral rites and laments. This practice continued into the New Testament era, where Luke records that crowds beat their breasts after witnessing the crucifixion of Jesus (Luke 23:48). The gesture expressed intense sorrow and was particularly associated with women in public mourning.
Understanding Figurative Language in Scripture
Both the Isaiah and Ezekiel passages demonstrate how biblical writers used physical imagery to communicate spiritual realities. Isaiah's mourning women represent complacent people jolted into awareness of their spiritual condition. Ezekiel's allegory, though uncomfortable to modern readers, powerfully conveys the intensity of covenant unfaithfulness. Understanding these figurative uses helps readers grasp the emotional weight of the prophetic message without getting distracted by archaic terminology.
Biblical Context
The term appears in older translations of Isaiah 32:12 and Ezekiel 23:3, 21. In Isaiah, it belongs to a prophecy warning the women of Jerusalem about coming judgment. In Ezekiel, it is part of an extended allegory about the spiritual unfaithfulness of Israel and Judah depicted as two sisters who prostituted themselves with foreign nations.
Theological Significance
These passages underscore God's jealousy for exclusive devotion from his people. The mourning imagery in Isaiah warns against false security and complacency in times of apparent peace. Ezekiel's allegory reveals how seriously God views spiritual adultery — the pursuit of foreign gods and alliances instead of trusting in the Lord alone. Both themes resonate throughout the prophetic literature.
Historical Background
Breast-beating as a mourning gesture was common across ancient Near Eastern cultures, documented in Egyptian art and Mesopotamian texts. The practice persisted through the Roman period, as evidenced in the New Testament. In the prophetic context, the references to Egypt in Ezekiel 23 reflect the historical reality of Israel's early connections to Egyptian culture and religion during the sojourn and exodus periods.