יחזקאל, פרק ט״ז, פסוק ל״א

The intense desire of the Israelites for idol worship is compared to a woman who boldly constructs public places for illicit encounters. During times of widespread idolatry, they did not merely stumble into foreign practices but actively built a multitude of altars and shrines dedicated to various idols [רש״י, רד״ק, שטיינזלץ]. These elevated places of worship were strategically positioned at the head of every road and in every street. The goal was to make these shrines as prominent and visible as possible, ensuring they were readily available for every passerby [מצודת דוד, רד״ק, שטיינזלץ].

A striking contrast is then drawn between the behavior of the nation and that of a typical prostitute regarding the payment received for her actions [רש״י, מצודת ציון, מלבי״ם]. The primary approach among commentators is that a regular prostitute is driven by financial gain rather than the act itself. If offered a meager payment, she will show disdain and mock the small amount, using this scorn as a tactic to force her client to pay more [מצודת דוד, רד״ק, מצודת ציון, מלבי״ם, שטיינזלץ].

The Israelites, however, possessed such a deep lust for idolatry that they abandoned this basic logic. While it is generally expected that a worshipped deity will reward its followers with blessings, the Israelites worshipped these idols for nothing. They settled for any minimal return and went so far as to pay out of their own pockets, offering their silver and gold to foreign gods out of sheer affection for them [מצודת דוד, רד״ק]. A different perspective understands the comparison to focus on praise rather than mockery. In this view, unlike a typical prostitute who speaks proudly and boasts about a handsome payment she has received, the Israelites do not act in this manner [רש״י].