Ezekiel 16:32

[But as] a wife that committeth adultery, [which] taketh strangers instead of her husband!

But as a wife {H802} that committeth adultery {H5003}, which taketh {H3947} strangers {H2114} instead of her husband {H376}!

Here is a wife who commits adultery, who goes to bed with strangers instead of her husband;

You adulterous wife! You receive strangers instead of your own husband!

A wife that committeth adultery! that taketh strangers instead of her husband!

Commentary

Context of Ezekiel 16:32

Ezekiel chapter 16 is a powerful and graphic allegory where God uses the metaphor of an abandoned infant girl, rescued and raised by Him, who then grows into a beautiful woman, only to become an unfaithful harlot. This narrative describes God's covenant relationship with Jerusalem (representing Israel) from its humble, pagan origins, through His lavish care and blessing, to its eventual widespread spiritual adultery and idolatry. Verse 32, "But as a wife that committeth adultery, which taketh strangers instead of her husband!", serves as a stark summation of Jerusalem's profound betrayal. It emphasizes the active and deliberate nature of her unfaithfulness, choosing foreign gods and alliances over her divine 'husband', the Lord God.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Spiritual Adultery and Idolatry: The primary theme is the severe spiritual unfaithfulness of Israel, depicted as a wife who abandons her husband for "strangers." This imagery underscores the gravity of idolatry, equating it to the most intimate betrayal in a marriage covenant. Israel's pursuit of pagan gods and alliances with foreign nations was a direct rejection of her unique relationship with Yahweh.
  • Covenant Breaking: The verse highlights the breaking of the covenant God established with Israel. Just as a marriage covenant requires exclusive devotion, God's covenant demanded exclusive worship and loyalty. Israel's actions were a direct violation, demonstrating a profound disregard for her vows to God. This concept is foundational to understanding God's relationship with His people throughout the Old Testament, as seen in passages like Jeremiah 3:20.
  • God's Righteous Indignation: The vivid language reflects God's deep hurt and righteous anger over Israel's betrayal. His love for them was unwavering, yet their response was to actively seek out others, making their sin even more heinous in His eyes.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "adultery" here is נאף (na'aph), which directly translates to sexual infidelity. Its use in this spiritual context powerfully conveys the depth of Israel's betrayal against God. The "strangers" (זרים - zarim) are not just foreign people but represent foreign gods and alliances, highlighting the abandonment of the one true God for false deities and unreliable human partnerships. This choice was not passive but an active "taking" or pursuing of these alternatives.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 16:32 serves as a timeless warning against spiritual infidelity. For believers today, it prompts self-examination:

  • Exclusivity in Worship: Are there "strangers" in our lives—idols of money, power, possessions, relationships, or even self-indulgence—that compete for the devotion due only to God? This verse challenges us to consider anything that takes the place of God in our hearts as a form of spiritual adultery, much like the warnings in 1 John 2:15.
  • Covenant Faithfulness: Our relationship with God is a covenant established through Christ. This verse reminds us of the seriousness of our commitment to Him and the importance of living in faithful obedience to His word.
  • God's Enduring Love and Justice: While the passage emphasizes judgment for unfaithfulness, the broader context of Ezekiel (and the Bible) also reveals God's ultimate desire for repentance and restoration. Understanding the severity of sin helps us appreciate the magnitude of God's grace and forgiveness.

The strong imagery ensures that the message of spiritual unfaithfulness and its consequences is deeply imprinted, urging us to remain steadfast in our devotion to the Lord, our true husband and covenant partner.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 2:28

    But where [are] thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: for [according to] the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah.

  • Ezekiel 23:45

    And the righteous men, they shall judge them after the manner of adulteresses, and after the manner of women that shed blood; because they [are] adulteresses, and blood [is] in their hands.

  • Ezekiel 16:8

    Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time [was] the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord GOD, and thou becamest mine.

  • Jeremiah 2:25

    Withhold thy foot from being unshod, and thy throat from thirst: but thou saidst, There is no hope: no; for I have loved strangers, and after them will I go.

  • Hosea 3:1

    ¶ Then said the LORD unto me, Go yet, love a woman beloved of [her] friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the LORD toward the children of Israel, who look to other gods, and love flagons of wine.

  • Hosea 2:2

    Plead with your mother, plead: for she [is] not my wife, neither [am] I her husband: let her therefore put away her whoredoms out of her sight, and her adulteries from between her breasts;

  • Jeremiah 3:20

    ¶ Surely [as] a wife treacherously departeth from her husband, so have ye dealt treacherously with me, O house of Israel, saith the LORD.