Why do we say "Like mother, like daughter"?

Meaning:

A daughter tends to share the traits of her mother

Background:

Some sources trace this expression back to the 1300s, but it certainly predates this time.

For example, it is found in the Book of Ezekiel which forms a part of both the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament.

"Because you did not remember the days of your youth but enraged me with all these things, I will surely bring down on your head what you have done, declares the Sovereign Lord. Did you not add lewdness to all your other detestable practices? Everyone who quotes proverbs will quote this proverb about you: 'Like mother, like daughter'" (NIV: Eziekel 16: 43-44)

Given that Ezekiel clearly expects his audience to be familiar with the expression, it would seem that it was in common use in the Middle East back in the 6th century B.C., over two and a half millennia ago.

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