Ezekiel 16:32

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 16:32 serves as a poignant and damning indictment of Jerusalem's profound spiritual infidelity, likening her actions to those of a wife who not only commits adultery but actively seeks out and embraces "strangers" in place of her devoted husband. This verse encapsulates the climax of Israel's betrayal, highlighting the deliberate and egregious nature of her idolatry and unholy alliances, which constituted a complete abandonment of her covenant relationship with Yahweh, her divine spouse.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel chapter 16 is an extended, vivid, and often shocking allegory detailing God's relationship with Jerusalem, personified as an abandoned infant girl whom God rescues, nurtures, and raises into a beautiful woman, eventually taking her as His bride. The narrative meticulously chronicles God's lavish provision and covenantal commitment, contrasting it sharply with Jerusalem's subsequent descent into spiritual harlotry. She uses God's gifts for idolatrous practices and forms illicit alliances with foreign nations, effectively prostituting herself. Verse 32 functions as a climactic summation of this betrayal, emphasizing the active and willful nature of her unfaithfulness, which culminates in a complete rejection of her "husband," the Lord God. It precedes God's pronouncements of judgment and the eventual, albeit distant, promise of restoration.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Ezekiel ministered during the Babylonian exile, a period of profound national humiliation for Judah. Jerusalem had been conquered, its temple destroyed, and its people deported. This dire situation was understood by the prophets as divine judgment for the nation's persistent idolatry and covenant breaking. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, marriage was a sacred covenant, often involving exclusive devotion and severe penalties for infidelity. God's use of the marriage metaphor throughout the Old Testament (e.g., in [Hosea](/hosea/1 "Hosea - The Prophet of God's Unfailing Love") and [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/2 "Jeremiah 2 - Israel's Forsaking of God")) would have resonated deeply with the Israelites, conveying the gravity of their spiritual unfaithfulness. The "strangers" in this context refer not merely to foreign peoples but specifically to their pagan gods and the unholy political alliances Israel pursued, which were seen as a direct affront to God's exclusive claim on His people.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Ezekiel and the broader prophetic literature. The primary theme is **Spiritual Adultery and Idolatry**, where Israel's worship of foreign gods and reliance on foreign powers is depicted as the ultimate act of marital infidelity against Yahweh, her covenant partner. This underscores the **Covenant Breaking** theme, as Israel's actions directly violated the terms of the covenant established at Sinai, which demanded exclusive loyalty to God (cf. [Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - No Other Gods")). Furthermore, the passage highlights **God's Righteous Indignation and Jealousy**, revealing His deep hurt and anger over His beloved bride's betrayal, a betrayal made more heinous by her active pursuit of "strangers." Despite the severity of the judgment, the broader narrative of Ezekiel also subtly introduces the theme of **God's Unwavering Love and Future Restoration**, hinting that even in the face of such profound unfaithfulness, God's ultimate purpose is to restore a faithful remnant, a theme more fully developed in passages like [Ezekiel 36](/ezekiel/36 "Ezekiel 36 - The Restoration of Israel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **wife (Hebrew, _ʼishshâh'_):** This term refers to a woman, specifically in the context of a marital relationship. In Ezekiel 16, Jerusalem is personified as this "wife," highlighting the intimate, covenantal bond God established with His people. The choice of this word emphasizes the deep personal betrayal inherent in her actions, as a wife's infidelity is a profound violation of trust and intimacy within the most sacred of human relationships.
* **committeth adultery (Hebrew, _nâʼaph'_):** This primitive root explicitly means "to commit adultery" in a literal, sexual sense. Figuratively, as used here, it signifies apostasy or spiritual unfaithfulness. Its application to Israel's relationship with God unequivocally equates idolatry and the pursuit of foreign alliances with the most heinous form of marital betrayal, underscoring the exclusivity God demands in His covenant with His people.
* **strangers (Hebrew, _zûwr'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to turn aside" or "to be foreign," this term refers to those who are alien or outside the established relationship. In this spiritual allegory, "strangers" represent foreign gods, pagan practices, and unholy political alliances that Israel embraced. The word implies a deliberate turning away from the familiar and rightful "husband" (Yahweh) to embrace what is alien and forbidden, thereby polluting the sacred covenant.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But as a wife that committeth adultery":** This clause immediately establishes the core metaphor, drawing a direct parallel between Jerusalem's spiritual state and the most egregious form of marital infidelity. It highlights the active and intentional nature of her sin—she is not merely tempted but "committeth" the act, implying a deliberate choice to violate her covenant vows with God.
* **"which taketh strangers instead of her husband!":** This second clause intensifies the indictment, specifying the nature of the adultery. It's not just a passive falling away but an active "taking" or embracing of "strangers" (foreign gods and nations) in place of her rightful "husband" (Yahweh). The exclamation mark underscores the shocking and outrageous nature of this betrayal, emphasizing the profound depth of her disloyalty and the offense to God's exclusive love.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 16:32 is rich in literary devices, primarily functioning as a powerful **Allegory** within the broader chapter. Jerusalem is allegorically portrayed as a woman, allowing for the extended metaphor of a marriage covenant. This involves profound **Personification**, as the city (representing the nation of Israel) is given human attributes, emotions, and actions, particularly those of a disloyal wife. The language employs **Vivid Imagery**, equating idolatry and foreign alliances with the graphic act of adultery and prostitution, which was designed to shock the audience into recognizing the severity of their sin. The verse also utilizes **Hyperbole** to emphasize the extreme nature of Jerusalem's unfaithfulness—she doesn't just commit adultery, but actively "takes strangers instead of her husband," implying a complete and utter abandonment. The concluding exclamation mark functions as a **Rhetorical Device**, conveying the prophet's (and God's) profound indignation and horror at such a betrayal.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 16:32 powerfully articulates the theological concept of idolatry as spiritual adultery, a recurring theme in the Old Testament. God, as the divine "husband" of Israel, entered into a covenant relationship that demanded exclusive devotion and loyalty. Israel's pursuit of foreign gods and alliances was a direct violation of this sacred bond, akin to a wife abandoning her husband for multiple lovers. This imagery underscores the intimacy and exclusivity of God's relationship with His people and the profound offense caused by their unfaithfulness. It highlights God's holy jealousy for His honor and His righteous judgment against those who break covenant with Him, while simultaneously setting the stage for the New Covenant, where God promises a new heart that will be faithful.

* [Jeremiah 3:20](/jeremiah/3-20 "Jeremiah 3:20 - Israel's Unfaithfulness")
* [Hosea 2:5](/hosea/2-5 "Hosea 2:5 - Israel Pursues Her Lovers")
* [James 4:4](/james/4-4 "James 4:4 - Friendship with the World is Enmity with God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 16:32 serves as a timeless mirror for self-examination, urging believers to consider the exclusivity of their devotion to God. Just as ancient Israel was called to singular loyalty to Yahweh, so too are we called to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. This verse challenges us to identify any "strangers"—whether they be idols of wealth, success, comfort, relationships, or even self-reliance—that might subtly or overtly compete for the supreme place in our affections and priorities. Spiritual adultery is not always overt idolatry but can manifest as anything that diminishes our exclusive allegiance to Christ and His kingdom. Our faithfulness is not merely about avoiding sin, but about actively pursuing and cherishing our relationship with God, recognizing Him as our true and only "husband" and source of life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "strangers" in my life might be competing for the devotion due only to God?**
* **How does my daily life demonstrate my exclusive allegiance to Christ, or where might I be subtly embracing spiritual "adultery"?**
* **In what ways does understanding God's hurt over Israel's unfaithfulness deepen my appreciation for His persistent love and grace towards me?**

### FAQ
**What does "taketh strangers instead of her husband" mean in a spiritual sense?**

Answer: In a spiritual sense, "taketh strangers instead of her husband" refers to Israel's deliberate choice to abandon her covenant relationship with Yahweh (her divine "husband") and instead pursue and embrace foreign gods, pagan religious practices, and unholy political alliances with gentile nations. These "strangers" represent anything that supplants God's rightful place of exclusive worship and trust in the hearts and lives of His people. It signifies a profound act of spiritual infidelity, where Israel actively exchanged the one true God for false deities and unreliable human partnerships, violating the very first commandment to have no other gods before Him (see [Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 16:32, with its stark depiction of Israel's spiritual adultery, finds its ultimate resolution and fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Israel, as God's unfaithful bride, repeatedly turned to "strangers," Jesus embodies the perfectly faithful "husband" and establishes a new covenant relationship with His people, the Church. He is the true Bridegroom who came not to condemn the unfaithful bride, but to redeem her (cf. [Mark 2:19](/mark/2-19 "Mark 2:19 - The Bridegroom is With Them")). Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Christ paid the ultimate price for our spiritual infidelity, cleansing us from all forms of idolatry and unfaithfulness, making us pure and spotless, "without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless" (as described for the Church in [Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25 "Ephesians 5:25 - Christ's Love for the Church")). The New Covenant, inaugurated by His blood, is not dependent on our fickle faithfulness but on His unwavering covenant loyalty. He promises to give us a new heart and a new spirit, enabling us to walk in His statutes and keep His rules (cf. [Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26 - A New Heart and Spirit")). Thus, where Israel failed as an unfaithful wife, Christ triumphs as the faithful Bridegroom, securing an eternal and unbreakable union with His redeemed people, ultimately culminating in the joyous marriage supper of the Lamb (cf. [Revelation 19:7-9](/revelation/19-7 "Revelation 19:7 - The Marriage Supper of the Lamb")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI 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.