Ezekiel 16:34

And the contrary is in thee from [other] women in thy whoredoms, whereas none followeth thee to commit whoredoms: and in that thou givest a reward, and no reward is given unto thee, therefore thou art contrary.

And the contrary {H2016} is in thee from other women {H802} in thy whoredoms {H8457}, whereas none followeth {H310} thee to commit whoredoms {H2181}: and in that thou givest {H5414} a reward {H868}, and no reward {H868} is given {H5414} unto thee, therefore thou art {H1961} contrary {H2016}.

You are the opposite of other women - you solicit the fornication, you aren't solicited; and you pay them, they don't pay you - you're the opposite!

So your prostitution is the opposite of that of other women: No one solicited your favors, and you paid a fee instead of receiving one; so you are the very opposite!

And thou art different from other women in thy whoredoms, in that none followeth thee to play the harlot; and whereas thou givest hire, and no hire is given unto thee, therefore thou art different.

Commentary

Ezekiel 16:34 is a stark and deeply illustrative verse within the larger allegory of Jerusalem's spiritual unfaithfulness, depicting her as a prostitute whose depravity surpasses even that of literal harlots. The prophet Ezekiel uses vivid, sometimes shocking, imagery to convey the depth of Israel's rebellion against God.

Context

The entire chapter of Ezekiel 16 presents a detailed, extended parable where God recounts His relationship with Jerusalem (representing the nation of Israel). He describes finding her as a helpless, abandoned infant, raising her, adorning her, and entering into a covenant with her, making her His bride. However, she then turns to idolatry, forming alliances with pagan nations and worshipping their gods, which God considers spiritual prostitution or "whoredom." This verse specifically highlights the unique and perverse nature of her sin compared to typical prostitution.

Key Themes

  • Unprecedented Depravity: The core message is that Jerusalem's spiritual "whoredom" was uniquely scandalous. Unlike a common prostitute who is paid for her services, Jerusalem actively sought out and paid her "lovers" (foreign nations and their deities) to engage in idolatry and political alliances. This reversal of roles emphasizes the extreme and self-degrading nature of her unfaithfulness.
  • Active Pursuit of Sin: The verse underscores that Israel was not merely tempted or passively led astray; she aggressively pursued false gods and worldly alliances, even expending her own resources to do so. This speaks to a deliberate and costly rejection of God's covenant.
  • Covenant Unfaithfulness: At its heart, this passage is about the breaking of the sacred covenant between God and His people. Israel's idolatry was not just a religious misstep but a profound betrayal of the divine relationship, akin to a wife betraying her husband. This theme is also explored in other prophetic books, such as Hosea and Jeremiah.

Linguistic Insights

  • The KJV word "whoredoms" translates the Hebrew term zanรปt (ื–ึธื ื•ึผืช), which refers to prostitution, but in this context, it unequivocally signifies spiritual unfaithfulness and idolatry. It vividly portrays the breaking of the covenant relationship as an act of adultery.
  • The phrase "contrary is in thee" and "thou art contrary" comes from the Hebrew hipkรข (ื”ึดืคึฐื›ึผึธื”), meaning "reversed," "perverse," or "opposite." It highlights the utterly abnormal and shocking nature of Jerusalem's actions in the divine perspective. She inverted the natural order of harlotry by paying for her illicit spiritual affairs.

Practical Application

While the imagery is specific to ancient Israel, the principles resonate deeply for believers today:

  • The Danger of Spiritual Idolatry: We are warned against seeking fulfillment, security, or identity outside of God. Modern "idols" can include wealth, power, status, relationships, or even intellectual pursuits that take precedence over our devotion to the Creator. The verse reminds us that actively pursuing such things, especially at the expense of our relationship with God, is a profound form of spiritual unfaithfulness.
  • Active Pursuit of Worldly Values: Just as Jerusalem paid her lovers, we can "pay" (with our time, energy, resources, and loyalty) for worldly acceptance or fleeting pleasures that draw us away from God. This includes compromising our convictions for social standing or chasing fleeting trends rather than standing firm in faith.
  • God's Expectation of Faithfulness: The severity of God's language underscores His deep desire for exclusive devotion from His people. Our relationship with God is meant to be one of profound commitment and faithfulness, echoing the biblical emphasis on serving one Master and not loving the world.
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Cross-References

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