Ezekiel 16:36

Translation
King James Version
Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thy filthiness was poured out, and thy nakedness discovered through thy whoredoms with thy lovers, and with all the idols of thy abominations, and by the blood of thy children, which thou didst give unto them;
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KJV (with Strong's)
Thus saith H559 the Lord H136 GOD H3069; Because thy filthiness H5178 was poured out H8210, and thy nakedness H6172 discovered H1540 through thy whoredoms H8457 with thy lovers H157, and with all the idols H1544 of thy abominations H8441, and by the blood H1818 of thy children H1121, which thou didst give H5414 unto them;
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Complete Jewish Bible
Adonai ELOHIM says: 'Because your filth has been poured out and your privates exposed through your acts of fornication with your lovers, and because of all the idols of your disgusting practices, and because of the blood of your children, which you gave them,
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Berean Standard Bible
This is what the Lord GOD says: Because you poured out your wealth and exposed your nakedness in your promiscuity with your lovers and with all your detestable idols, and because of the blood of your children which you gave to them,
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American Standard Version
Thus saith the Lord Jehovah, Because thy filthiness was poured out, and thy nakedness uncovered through thy whoredoms with thy lovers; and because of all the idols of thy abominations, and for the blood of thy children, that thou didst give unto them;
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World English Bible Messianic
Thus says the Lord GOD, Because your filthiness was poured out, and your nakedness uncovered through your prostitution with your lovers; and because of all the idols of your abominations, and for the blood of your children, that you gave to them;
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Geneva Bible (1599)
Thus sayeth the Lord God, Because thy shame was powred out, and thy filthinesse discouered through thy fornications with thy louers, and with all the idoles of thine abominations, and by the blood of thy children, which thou didest offer vnto them,
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Young's Literal Translation
Thus said the Lord Jehovah: Because of thy brass being poured forth, And thy nakedness is revealed in thy whoredoms near thy lovers, And near all the idols of thy abominations, And according to the blood of thy sons, Whom thou hast given to them;
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See also
Ezekiel 23:10Ezekiel 22:15Revelation 3:18Lamentations 1:9Ezekiel 24:13Ezekiel 16:15Ezekiel 16:22
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Jerusalem the Adulterous Wife
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In the KJVVerse 20,799 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Ezekiel 16:36 delivers a scathing divine indictment against Jerusalem, personified as an unfaithful wife. The Lord God declares that her profound spiritual adultery, manifested through rampant idolatry and the horrific practice of child sacrifice, has reached a point of public exposure and utter shame. This verse underscores the deep betrayal of God's covenant love and sets the stage for the severe judgment that Jerusalem's abominable actions have justly provoked, revealing the depth of her moral depravity and the righteousness of divine wrath.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: Ezekiel 16 is a sustained and powerful allegory, portraying Jerusalem's history as a narrative of God's unconditional love and her persistent unfaithfulness. The chapter begins with God finding Jerusalem as an abandoned infant, nurturing her, adorning her with splendor, and entering into an unbreakable covenant with her (Ezekiel 16:1-14). However, Jerusalem, intoxicated by her beauty and prosperity, turned to spiritual prostitution, defiling herself with foreign alliances and, most egregiously, with idolatry (Ezekiel 16:15-34). Verse 36 marks a pivotal point in God's detailed accusation, explicitly listing the most heinous aspects of her betrayal—her "filthiness" and "nakedness" exposed through "whoredoms," "idols," and the "blood of thy children." This verse directly precedes the declaration of God's impending judgment and the description of the severe punishment that will befall her as a consequence of her treachery (Ezekiel 16:37-43).
  • Historical & Cultural Context: The book of Ezekiel was written during the Babylonian exile (c. 593-571 BC), with the prophet addressing the exiles and those remaining in Jerusalem. Jerusalem, at this time, was either under siege or had recently fallen (586 BC). The historical context is one of profound national crisis and spiritual apostasy. The "whoredoms" and "lovers" refer to Judah's political alliances with pagan nations (e.g., Egypt, Assyria, Babylon) and, more importantly, her adoption of their idolatrous practices. The mention of "idols of thy abominations" points to the pervasive syncretism where foreign deities were worshipped alongside Yahweh, often involving fertility cults and abhorrent rituals. Crucially, "the blood of thy children, which thou didst give unto them" refers to the horrific practice of child sacrifice, particularly to Molech, which was practiced in the Valley of Hinnom (Gehenna) outside Jerusalem. This was a grave violation of the Mosaic Law and a deeply entrenched cultural abomination, as seen in passages like 2 Kings 16:3 and Jeremiah 32:35.
  • Key Themes: Ezekiel 16:36 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the chapter and the book of Ezekiel. The primary theme is God's Covenant Faithfulness versus Israel's Spiritual Adultery. God, as the faithful husband, recounts His unwavering commitment, contrasting it sharply with Jerusalem's profound betrayal, illustrated by her "whoredoms" and "lovers." This highlights the gravity of idolatry, which is not merely a ritualistic error but a profound rejection of the exclusive covenant relationship with Yahweh. The verse also emphasizes the theme of exposure and shame, as Jerusalem's hidden sins are "poured out" and her "nakedness discovered," foreshadowing the public humiliation of divine judgment. Furthermore, the explicit mention of child sacrifice underscores the theme of moral depravity and the sanctity of life, revealing the depths of Israel's rebellion and the heinous nature of practices that are an "abomination" to God, as seen in passages like Leviticus 18:21 and Deuteronomy 12:31. Ultimately, the verse sets the stage for the theme of divine judgment and justice, demonstrating that God's righteous wrath is a direct and necessary response to such egregious sin.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • Filthiness (Hebrew, nᵉchôsheth', H5178): While primarily meaning "copper" or "brass," in this context (H5178), the KJV's "filthiness" is a figurative translation that captures the moral impurity and base nature of Jerusalem's actions. It implies a hardened, brazen, or corrupt state, akin to dross or base metal, contrasting sharply with the purity expected of God's covenant people. The pouring out of this "filthiness" suggests an overflowing, uncontained moral corruption that has become overtly manifest.
  • Whoredoms (Hebrew, taznûwth', H8457): This term (H8457) literally means "harlotry" or "fornication." In the context of Ezekiel 16, it is a powerful and pervasive metaphor for spiritual adultery, representing Israel's unfaithfulness to God through pursuing illicit alliances with foreign nations and, more significantly, adopting their idolatrous worship practices. It signifies a profound betrayal of the exclusive covenant relationship with Yahweh, who is depicted as Israel's faithful husband.
  • Children (Hebrew, bên', H1121): This common word (H1121) for "son" or "child" here carries a particularly tragic and horrifying weight. The phrase "the blood of thy children" (H1818, dâm) refers to the literal shedding of innocent blood through child sacrifice. The subsequent phrase, "which thou didst give unto them" (H5414, nâthan), underscores the active, deliberate, and willing choice Jerusalem made to offer her own offspring as sacrifices to pagan deities, a practice utterly condemned by God and representing the pinnacle of her spiritual apostasy and moral depravity.

Verse Breakdown

  • "Thus saith the Lord GOD;": This authoritative declaration serves as a divine pronouncement, emphasizing that the following words are not human opinion but the direct, unchallengeable word of Yahweh (H3069, Yᵉhôvih) Himself, the sovereign Lord (H136, ʼĂdônây). It sets a tone of absolute certainty, divine authority, and impending judgment.
  • "Because thy filthiness was poured out, and thy nakedness discovered": This clause describes the public exposure of Jerusalem's moral corruption. "Filthiness" (H5178, nᵉchôsheth) refers to her moral depravity and spiritual impurity, which has become so pervasive that it overflows and is openly manifested. Her "nakedness" (H6172, ʻervâh), symbolizing shame and disgrace, is "discovered" (H1540, gâlâh), meaning it has been uncovered for all to see, leaving her vulnerable and humiliated before God and the nations.
  • "through thy whoredoms with thy lovers, and with all the idols of thy abominations,": This specifies the means by which Jerusalem's shame was exposed. "Whoredoms" (H8457, taznûwth) is a powerful metaphor for spiritual adultery, representing Israel's unfaithfulness to God through pursuing illicit alliances. "Thy lovers" (H157, ʼâhab) refer to the foreign nations and their gods with whom Jerusalem sought security and spiritual gratification outside of her covenant with Yahweh. The "idols of thy abominations" (H1544, gillûwl and H8441, tôwʻêbah) directly points to the detestable pagan worship practices she adopted, which were an affront to God's holiness.
  • "and by the blood of thy children, which thou didst give unto them;": This final clause highlights the most heinous of Jerusalem's sins: child sacrifice. The "blood of thy children" (H1818, dâm and H1121, bên) refers to the literal shedding of innocent blood. The phrase "which thou didst give unto them" (H5414, nâthan) underscores the active, deliberate choice Jerusalem made to offer her own offspring as sacrifices to pagan deities, a practice utterly condemned by God and a pinnacle of her spiritual apostasy.

Literary Devices

Ezekiel 16:36 is rich in allegory and metaphor, continuing the extended portrayal of Jerusalem as an unfaithful wife. The central metaphor of "whoredoms" and "lovers" powerfully conveys the spiritual adultery of Israel, likening their idolatry and foreign alliances to marital infidelity against their divine Husband. The imagery of "filthiness was poured out, and thy nakedness discovered" employs vivid sensory language and personification to emphasize the public exposure and profound shame of Jerusalem's sin. This is a form of divine judgment where the consequences of sin are made visible. The phrase "idols of thy abominations" uses hyperbole and strong negative connotation to underscore the detestable nature of pagan worship in God's eyes. Finally, the explicit mention of "the blood of thy children" is a stark and shocking literal detail that grounds the metaphorical language in the horrific reality of their practices, serving as a powerful indictment and a testament to the depth of their moral depravity.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Ezekiel 16:36 profoundly reveals God's righteous indignation against spiritual unfaithfulness and the abhorrent practices that stem from it. The verse underscores the exclusivity of God's covenant love and His demand for singular devotion from His people. It highlights that idolatry is not a minor transgression but a deep betrayal, likened to spiritual adultery, which defiles both the worshipper and the land. The horrific act of child sacrifice, explicitly mentioned, serves as the ultimate demonstration of Israel's moral corruption and their complete disregard for the sanctity of life and the holiness of God. This passage reminds us that God's justice is a necessary response to persistent rebellion and that sin, left unrepented, inevitably leads to public exposure and severe consequences.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

While Ezekiel 16:36 is a historical indictment against ancient Jerusalem, its spiritual principles resonate powerfully with believers today. The passage challenges us to examine our own hearts for any "filthiness" or "nakedness" that might be exposed before God. Modern idolatry rarely involves physical statues but can manifest as anything that usurps God's rightful place in our lives—be it career, wealth, relationships, comfort, or even self-image. We are called to an exclusive and unreserved devotion to Christ, recognizing that any divided loyalty is a form of spiritual "whoredom." The condemnation of child sacrifice, though extreme, reinforces the profound sanctity of human life, from conception to natural end, and calls us to uphold justice and protect the vulnerable. This verse serves as a sober reminder that sin, especially unconfessed and unrepented, leads to spiritual exposure and separation from God, urging us towards genuine repentance, a life of purity, and unwavering faithfulness to the Lord.

Questions for Reflection

  • What "lovers" or "idols" might be competing for my ultimate devotion to God in my life today?
  • In what ways might my "filthiness" or "nakedness" (unconfessed sin, hidden compromises) be manifesting, or at risk of being "discovered," in my spiritual walk?
  • How does the severity of God's condemnation of child sacrifice in this verse inform my understanding of the sanctity of life in contemporary ethical issues?
  • What practical steps can I take to cultivate a more exclusive and unwavering faithfulness to the Lord, guarding against spiritual adultery in all its forms?

FAQ

What does "filthiness was poured out" mean in this context?

Answer: In Ezekiel 16:36, "filthiness was poured out" signifies the overflowing and public manifestation of Jerusalem's moral and spiritual corruption. The Hebrew word for "filthiness" (H5178, nᵉchôsheth) can refer to bronze or copper, which might imply a brazenness or hardness in sin, or it could metaphorically represent the dross or impurity that is exposed when a metal is refined. The imagery of "pouring out" suggests that Jerusalem's depravity had become so pervasive and uncontained that it was openly displayed for all to see, leading to her utter disgrace and shame, rather than being hidden or contained. This public exposure is a part of God's judgment, revealing the true nature of her rebellion.

How does "whoredoms with thy lovers" relate to Jerusalem's relationship with God?

Answer: The phrase "whoredoms with thy lovers" is a powerful metaphor used throughout Ezekiel 16 to describe Jerusalem's spiritual adultery against God. God had entered into a covenant relationship with Israel, likening it to a marriage (Ezekiel 16:8). Just as a wife's infidelity breaks the marriage covenant, Israel's pursuit of "lovers"—which refers to forming political alliances with pagan nations (e.g., Egypt, Assyria) for security and prosperity, and, more significantly, adopting their idolatrous worship practices—was a profound betrayal of her exclusive covenant with Yahweh. This spiritual "whoredom" was an act of disloyalty and a direct affront to God's holiness and His demand for singular devotion, as highlighted in passages like Exodus 20:3.

What is the significance of "the blood of thy children, which thou didst give unto them"?

Answer: This phrase refers to the horrific practice of child sacrifice, which was a deeply condemned abomination in ancient Israel. It was often associated with the worship of pagan deities like Molech, where children were offered as burnt offerings (Leviticus 18:21). The inclusion of this detail in Ezekiel 16:36 underscores the extreme moral depravity and spiritual apostasy into which Jerusalem had fallen. It represents the ultimate violation of God's covenant and His commands, demonstrating a complete disregard for human life, which God values supremely, and a profound insult to His holiness. This act was a pinnacle of their rebellion and a primary reason for God's severe judgment.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Ezekiel 16:36, with its graphic portrayal of Jerusalem's spiritual adultery and the shedding of innocent blood, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the stark contrast between humanity's sin and God's redemptive love in Jesus Christ. While Israel's "filthiness was poured out" and her "nakedness discovered" through her "whoredoms" and child sacrifice, Christ's perfect righteousness and sacrificial blood provide the covering for our shame. He is the faithful Bridegroom who remains true even when His people are unfaithful (2 Timothy 2:13). The "blood of thy children" offered to idols tragically foreshadows the ultimate, perfect sacrifice of the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. Unlike the defiling blood offered to false gods, Christ's blood cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7) and establishes a new, unbreakable covenant (Hebrews 9:14). Through His death, Jesus not only exposes the depth of human depravity but also provides the means for reconciliation, transforming those who were spiritually naked and defiled into a pure and spotless bride, adorned for Him (Ephesians 5:27). He is the one who delivers us from the "idols of our abominations" and calls us to an exclusive, life-giving relationship, fulfilling the true covenant faithfulness that Israel failed to uphold.

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Commentary on Ezekiel 16 verses 35–43

Adultery was by the law of Moses made a capital crime. This notorious adulteress, the criminal at the bar, being in the foregoing verses found guilty, here has sentence passed upon her. It is ushered in with solemnity, Eze 16:35. The prophet, as the judge, in God's name calls to her, O harlot! hear the word of the Lord. Our Saviour preached to harlots, for their conversion, to bring them into the kingdom of God, not as the prophet here, to expel them out of it. Note, An apostate church is a harlot. Jerusalem is so if she become idolatrous. How has the faithful city become a harlot! Rome is so represented in the Revelation, when it is marked for ruin, as Jerusalem here. Rev 17:1, Come, and I will show thee the judgments of the great whore. Those who will not hear the commanding word of the Lord and obey it shall be made to hear the condemning word of the Lord and shall tremble at it. Let us attend while judgment is given.

I. The crime is stated and the articles of the charge are summed up (Eze 16:36) and (as is usual) with the attendant aggravations (Eze 16:43); for when God speaks in wrath he will be justified, and clear when he judges, clear when he is judged; and sinners, when they are condemned, shall have their sins so set in order before them that their mouth shall be stopped and they shall not have a word to object against the equity of the sentence. The crimes which this harlot stands convicted of, and is now to be condemned for, are, 1. The violation of the first two commandments of the first table by idolatry, which is here called her whoredoms with her lovers (so she called them, Hos 2:12, because she loved them as if they had been indeed her benefactors), that is, with all the idols of her abominations, the abominable idols which she served and worshipped. This was the sin which provoked God to jealousy. 2. The violation of the first two commandments of the second table by the murder of their own innocent infants: The blood of thy children which thou didst give unto them. It is not strange if those that have cast off God and his fear break through the strongest and most sacred bonds of natural affection. Their sins are aggravated from the consideration, (1.) Of the dishonour they had thereby done to themselves: "Hereby thy filthiness was poured out; the uncleanness that was in thy heart was hereby discovered and brought to light, and thy nakedness was exposed to view, and thou wast thereby exposed to contempt." God is displeased with his professing people for shaming themselves by their sins. (2.) Their base ingratitude is another aggravation of their sins: "Thou hast not remembered the days of thy youth, and the kindness that was done thee then, when otherwise thou wouldst have perished," Eze 16:43. And, (3.) The vexation which their sins gave to God, whom they ought to have pleased: "Thou hast fretted me in all these things, not only angered me, but grieved me." It is a strange expression, and, one would think, enough to melt a heart of stone, that the great God, who cannot admit any uneasiness, is pleased to speak of the sins and follies of his professing people as fretting to him. Forty years long was I grieved with this generation.

II. The sentence is passed in general: I will judge thee as women that break wedlock and shed blood are judged (Eze 16:38), and those two crimes were punished with death, with an ignominious death. "Thou hast shed blood, and therefore I will give thee blood; thou hast broken wedlock, and therefore I will give it thee, not only in justice, but in jealousy, not only as a righteous Judge, but as an injured and incensed husband, who will not spare in the day of vengeance," Pro 6:34, Pro 6:35. He will recompense their way upon their head, Eze 16:43. In all the judgments God executes upon sinners we must see their own way recompensed upon their head; they are dealt with not only as they deserved, but as they procured. It is the end which their sin, as a way, had a direct tendency to. More particularly, 1. This criminal must be (as is usually done with criminals) exposed to public shame, Eze 16:37. Malefactors are not executed privately, but are made a spectacle to the world. Care is here taken to bring spectators together: "All those whom thou hast loved, with whom thou hast taken pleasure, shall come to be witnesses of the execution, that they may take warning and prevent their own like ruin; and those also whom thou hast hated, who will insult over thee and triumph in thy fall." Both ways the calamities of Jerusalem will be aggravated, that they will be the grief of her friends and the joy of her foes. These shall not only be gathered around her, but gathered against her; even those with whom she took unlawful pleasure, with whom she contracted unlawful leagues, the Egyptians and Assyrians, shall now contribute to her ruin. As, when a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him, so when a man's ways displease the Lord he makes even his friends to be at war with him; and justly makes those a scourge and a plague to sinners, and instruments of their destruction, who were their tempters, and with whom they were partakers in wickedness. Those whom they have suffered to strip them of their virtue shall see them stripped, and perhaps help to strip them, of all their other ornaments; to see the nakedness of the land will they come. It is added, to the same purport (Eze 16:41), I will execute judgments upon thee in the sight of many women; thou shalt be made an example of in terrorem - that others may see and fear and do no more presumptuously. 2. The criminal is condemned to die, for her sins are such as death is the wages of (Eze 16:40): They shall bring up a company (that is, a company shall be brought up) against thee, and they shall stone thee with stones, and thrust thee through with their swords; so great a death, so many deaths in one, is this adulteress adjudged to. When the walls of Jerusalem were battered down with stones shot against them, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem were put to the sword, then this sentence was executed in the letter of it. 3. The estate of the criminal is confiscated, and all that belonged to her destroyed with her (Eze 16:39): They shall throw down thy eminent place, and (Eze 16:41) they shall burn thy houses, as the habitations of bad women are destroyed, in detestation of their lewdness. Their high places, erected in honour of their idols, by which they thought to ingratiate themselves with their neighbours, shall be an offence to them, and even they shall break them down. It was long the complaint, even in some of the best reigns of the kings of Judah, that the high places were not taken away; but now the army of the Chaldeans, when they lay all waste, shall break them down. If iniquity be not taken away by the justice of the nation, it shall be taken away by the judgments of God upon the nation. 4. Thus both the sin and the sinners shall be abolished together, and an end put to both: Thou shalt cease from playing the harlot; there shall be no remainders of idolatry in the land, because the inhabitants shall be wholly extirpated, and they shall give no more hire because they shall have no more to give. Some that will not leave their sins live till their sins leave them. When all that with which they honoured their idols is taken from them they shall not give hire any more (Eze 16:41): "Then thou shalt not commit this lewdness of sacrificing thy children, which was a crime provoking above all thy abominations, for thy children shall all be cut off by the sword or carried into captivity, so that thou shalt have none to sacrifice," Eze 16:43. Or it may be meant of the reformation of those of them that escape and survive the punishment; they shall take warning, and shall do no more presumptuously. The captivity in Babylon made the people of Israel to cease for ever from playing the harlot; it effectually cured them of their inclination to idolatry. And then all shall be well, when this is the fruit, even the taking away of sin; then (Eze 16:42) my jealousy shall depart. I will be quiet, and no more angry. When we begin to be at war with sin God will be at peace with us; for he continues the affliction no longer than till it has done its work. When sin departs God's jealousy will soon depart, for he is never jealous but when we give him just cause to be so. Yet some understand this as a threatening of utter ruin, that God will make a full end and the fire of his anger shall burn as long as there is any fuel for it. His fury shall rest upon them, and not remove. Compare this with that doom of unbelievers, Joh 3:36. The wrath of God abideth on them. They shall drink the dregs of the cup, and then God will be no more angry, for he is eased of his adversaries (Isa 1:24), is satisfied in the abandoning of them, and therefore will be no more angry, because there are no more for his anger to fasten upon. They had fretted him, when judgment and mercy were contesting; but now he is quiet, as he will be in the eternal damnation of sinners, wherein he will be glorified, and therefore he will be satisfied.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 35–43. Public domain.
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Commentary on Ezekiel
(Verse 35 and following) Therefore, prostitute, listen to the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God: Because your bronze has been poured out, and your disgrace has been revealed in your fornication (in your adulteries), with your lovers, and with the idols of your abominations, in the blood of your sons, whom you have given to them. Behold, I will gather all your lovers, with whom you have mingled, and all those whom you have loved with all those whom you have hated, and I will gather them against you from all sides, and I will uncover your disgrace before them, and they will see all your shame. And I will judge you with the judgments of adulteresses, and those who shed blood, and I will give you into the blood (Vulg. blood) of fury and zeal, and I will give you into their hands, and they will destroy your brothel, and they will demolish your prostitution house, and they will strip you of your clothes, and they will take away the vessels of your beauty, and they will leave you naked, full of shame. And they will bring a multitude upon you, and they will stone you with stones, and they will kill (Al. mutilate) you with their swords. And they will burn your houses with fire, and they will bring judgment upon you in the eyes of many women, and you will cease to fornicate and no longer give bribes. And my indignation will rest on you, and my jealousy will be taken away from you, and I will rest and not be angry anymore, because you have not remembered the days of your youth and you have provoked me in all these things. Therefore, I have given you your ways upon your head, says the Lord God, and I have not acted according to your wickedness in all your abominations. LXX: Therefore, prostitute, hear the word of the Lord: Thus says the Lord God: Because you have poured out your wrath and your shame will be revealed in your prostitution to your lovers, and in all your wicked thoughts, and in the blood of your sons, whom you have given to them. Therefore, behold, I will gather all your lovers, with whom you have mingled, and all those you loved with all those you hated, and I will gather them against you from all around, and I will reveal your evil deeds to them, and they will see all your shame. And I will avenge on you the vengeance of adulteries and the shedding of blood, and I will put you in the blood of fury and zeal, and I will deliver you into their hands: and they shall demolish your brothel, and destroy your foundation, and they shall strip you of your garments, and they shall take away the vessels of your glory, and they shall leave you naked and full of shame, and they shall bring a multitude upon you, and they shall stone you with stones, and they shall cut you with their swords. And they shall set fire to your houses, and they shall execute punishments on you in the presence of many women: and I will turn you away from fornication, and you shall no longer give rewards, and I will unleash my fury upon you, and my zeal shall depart from you, and I will rest and will be no longer concerned: because you have not remembered the days of your infancy, and you have grieved me in all these things. And behold, I will bring your ways upon your head, declares the Lord God, so that you have done wickednesses above all your other wickednesses. We lay the foundations of the story first. Because you have done these things and those things which the previous speech comprehends: therefore hear, O harlot, what you have done and what you will suffer. You poured out your brass which you received from me, and you gave payment to your lovers, which you should have received, and you killed your sons as you offered them to idols: so that you have become not only an adulteress, but also a murderer of your own children. Therefore, I will gather all your lovers with whom you have prostituted yourself, both those whom you have loved and those whom you have hated, and I will expose you as an adulteress and reveal your nakedness, so that all may see your shame and the genitals for which you were once consumed with passion. All these things are said metaphorically of an adulterous and murderous woman, who not only committed acts of adultery against her husband, but also killed her children. They are spoken concerning Jerusalem and the gathering of all the nations against her, of which she worshiped idols and turned all of God's gifts into their worship, and the temple of Baal must be destroyed and the altars of every city must be overturned by fire, so that nothing remains in her. And just as it is customary for all to throw stones at the adulteress and to slay the harlot, so that she may be killed by the wounds of each: so shall all women see the punishment of the fornicator. Thus, in the sight of others, in the surrounding cities and nations, Jerusalem shall be abandoned. And this shall be done, so that she may cease her whoring and no longer give wages to her lovers, and the anger of God may rest, and He may not be angered by her when she ceases to love. From this we understand that there is great offense, not taken care of by God, but allowed for man's crimes and sins. My zeal will be removed from you, I will rest, and no longer be angry, as if it were someone else, and what has departed from me, and which I have handed over to eternal nakedness. But if Jerusalem has endured this, because it fornicated with idols, what do we think it will endure, when it has killed God's Son? And you have done all these things, forgetting past kindnesses, and you have provoked me to anger, or saddened me, when you should have provoked me to joy with your good works. Therefore, I have also rendered your deeds upon your head. And when I destroy you, O adulteress, I will exercise less of my anger against you than you deserve, so that divine mercy may be shown, that sins may be greater than punishments. According to tropology, every soul receives spiritual money from God, according to the Gospel (Mt. 25, Lk. 19) which is spoken in five and two parables, and of one talent, and ten servants receiving each a single mina, who, when they act negligently, become debtors of fifty (or ten) denarii and five hundred, and because of this, in the presence of lovers, whom we understand as demons and contrary virtues, the ignominy of Jerusalem is revealed, either on the day of judgment or at the time of repentance when they are reproached. And indeed only the omnipotent God sees hidden things, as the Gospel says: And the Father who sees in secret (Matthew 6:6). And in another place: God, who searches the heart and reins (Psalm 7:10). And in the book of Kings: You alone know the hearts of all the sons of men (2 Kings 8). But when it is fulfilled: There is nothing hidden that will not be made manifest, nor secret that will not be revealed (Luke 12:2). And in another place: Judge not before the time, until the Lord comes, who will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts; and then shall every man have praise from God (1 Corinthians 4:5); and when the time of correction comes, then shall be fulfilled what Hosea says: Now their own thoughts have surrounded them (Hosea 7:2). And in another place: Mutual accusations or defenses of thoughts, on the day when God will judge the hidden things of men (Rom. II, 15). And again: Behold the man, and his works before his face. And all who had fornicated with her before will see her disgrace, and God will give it to them in the blood of fury and zeal. For the fury of a man is full against an adulterous wife, and it cannot be redeemed at any price. And the blood of the children can be understood in this way, that we call the good thoughts of men implanted by God in them the children of Jerusalem; the adulteress kills them when she turns to evil deeds. It is also advantageous for Jerusalem, that its brothel be dug up, and the entire seedbed of fornication be destroyed. For when this has been done, it will no longer provide wages, and the wrath of God will rest, and he will not be jealous of its chastity: namely, according to those who understand in a positive sense what is said. Others, however, as we have said above, take the opposite view, that it is a great anger of God not to be angry, since he has once despised the fornicator, and has despaired of his salvation. But if heretics who do not accept the old Testament according to the Septuagint edition criticize this passage that was said: And you were grieved in all these; because God not only receives wrath but also submits to sorrow and sadness, let us ask them how they accept what is certainly a commandment of the good God: Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed on the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30). Whatever they may say in defense of that testimony, we will include it in the satisfaction of the present discourse.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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