Ezekiel 16:37

KJV

Behold, therefore I will gather all thy lovers, with whom thou hast taken pleasure, and all [them] that thou hast loved, with all [them] that thou hast hated; I will even gather them round about against thee, and will discover thy nakedness unto them, that they may see all thy nakedness.

KJV (with Strong's)

Behold, therefore I will gather {H6908} all thy lovers {H157}, with whom thou hast taken pleasure {H6149}, and all them that thou hast loved {H157}, with all them that thou hast hated {H8130}; I will even gather {H6908} them round about {H5439} against thee, and will discover {H1540} thy nakedness {H6172} unto them, that they may see {H7200} all thy nakedness {H6172}.

Complete Jewish Bible

therefore, look! I am going to gather all your lovers, to whom you have been so very nice, all the ones you hate right along with all the ones you love - I will gather them against you from all over the place and expose your private parts to them, so that they will see you completely naked.

Berean Standard Bible

therefore I will surely gather all the lovers with whom you found pleasure, all those you loved and all those you hated. I will gather them against you from all around and expose you before them, and they will see you completely naked.

American Standard Version

therefore behold, I will gather all thy lovers, with whom thou hast taken pleasure, and all them that thou hast loved, with all them that thou hast hated; I will even gather them against thee on every side, and will uncover thy nakedness unto them, that they may see all thy nakedness.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 16:37 serves as a stark declaration of divine judgment against Jerusalem, personified as an unfaithful wife or harlot. This verse reveals God's sovereign intent to gather the very nations with whom Jerusalem had formed illicit alliances ("lovers") and those she had opposed ("hated") to publicly expose her spiritual nakedness and shame. It underscores the severe consequences of covenant unfaithfulness and the futility of relying on worldly powers instead of the Lord.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 16 is one of the most profound and extended allegories in the prophetic literature, meticulously detailing God's relationship with Jerusalem. The chapter opens with God finding Jerusalem as an abandoned, helpless infant, extending His grace, raising her, adorning her with splendor, and entering into a solemn covenant with her, making her His own ([Ezekiel 16:1-14](/ezekiel/16-14 "Ezekiel 16:1-14 - God's Grace to Jerusalem")). However, despite this lavish divine favor, Jerusalem became prideful, prostituted herself to foreign gods, and sought security through alliances with pagan nations like Egypt and Assyria, which God viewed as spiritual adultery ([Ezekiel 16:15-34](/ezekiel/16-34 "Ezekiel 16:15-34 - Jerusalem's Spiritual Prostitution")). Verse 37 falls within the section (vv. 35-43) where God pronounces the severe judgment for this profound unfaithfulness, explicitly stating that He will use the very "lovers" and "haters" as instruments of her public disgrace and punishment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the period leading up to and during the Babylonian exile. Jerusalem, the capital of Judah, had a long history of vacillating between loyalty to Yahweh and alliances with powerful regional empires (Egypt, Assyria, Babylon) for political and military security. These alliances often involved adopting foreign religious practices and deities, which was a direct violation of the covenant God made with Israel at Sinai ([Exodus 20:3-5](/exodus/20-5 "Exodus 20:3-5 - The First Commandments")). Culturally, public nakedness in the ancient Near East was the ultimate symbol of shame, humiliation, and utter defeat, often inflicted upon conquered enemies, slaves, or unfaithful women as a punitive measure. The imagery of "discovering nakedness" would have evoked a powerful sense of disgrace and vulnerability, signifying the complete stripping away of Jerusalem's false glory and self-reliance.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Ezekiel and the broader prophetic tradition. It highlights **Divine Judgment**, emphasizing God's active, righteous, and inescapable role in bringing about the consequences of Israel's persistent sin and covenant breaking. Central to the chapter is the theme of **Spiritual Adultery** or harlotry, where Jerusalem's unfaithfulness to God through idolatry and foreign alliances is depicted as a betrayal of her sacred marriage covenant. The phrase "discover thy nakedness" underscores the theme of **Exposure of Shame**, signifying public humiliation and complete disgrace, where God Himself will reveal Jerusalem's true, depraved state before the very nations she sought to impress or manipulate. Finally, it illustrates the **Consequences of Misplaced Alliance**, demonstrating the futility and danger of relying on human powers and worldly systems over unwavering faithfulness to the Lord, as those very alliances become instruments of judgment. This theme is echoed in other prophets, such as Hosea, who also uses the imagery of spiritual harlotry to describe Israel's unfaithfulness ([Hosea 1:2](/hosea/1-2 "Hosea 1:2 - Hosea's Marriage as a Sign of Israel's Unfaithfulness")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **gather (Hebrew, _qâbats'_):** This primitive root means "to grasp, i.e. collect; assemble (selves), gather (bring) (together, selves together, up), heap, resort, [idiom] surely, take up." Here, it emphasizes God's active and deliberate orchestration of the nations. It is not a passive event but a sovereign act of bringing together disparate entities for a specific, punitive purpose.
* **taken pleasure (Hebrew, _ʻârêb'_):** This root, related to the idea of close association, means "to be agreeable; be pleasant(-ing), take pleasure in, be sweet." It highlights the consensual and even delightful nature of Jerusalem's illicit alliances. She willingly engaged with these nations, finding them "agreeable" or "pleasant," which underscores the depth of her spiritual betrayal and the justice of her impending judgment.
* **discover (Hebrew, _gâlâh'_):** A primitive root meaning "to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal." This word implies not just uncovering, but a forceful, public revelation of something hidden or shameful. It is an act of exposure that leads to disgrace and vulnerability, often associated with the stripping of captives or the shaming of the unfaithful.
* **nakedness (Hebrew, _ʻervâh'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to be bare," this noun signifies "nudity, literally (especially the pudenda) or figuratively (disgrace, blemish)." In this context, it is primarily figurative, representing Jerusalem's utter disgrace, moral depravity, and vulnerability. It is the ultimate symbol of shame and humiliation in ancient culture, often associated with sexual impropriety or the public shaming of a prostitute.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Behold, therefore I will gather all thy lovers, with whom thou hast taken pleasure,"**: This clause declares God's active role in orchestrating judgment. The "lovers" represent the foreign nations (e.g., Egypt, Assyria, Babylon) with whom Jerusalem made alliances, finding "pleasure" or advantage in these relationships, which constituted spiritual adultery against God.
* **"and all [them] that thou hast loved, with all [them] that thou hast hated;"**: This expands the scope of the gathered nations. It includes not only those she courted and "loved" for alliance but also those she "hated" or opposed, demonstrating God's absolute sovereignty over all nations, using both friends and foes as instruments of His judgment.
* **"I will even gather them round about against thee,"**: This emphasizes the encirclement and hostile intent of the gathered nations. Jerusalem will be surrounded by her former allies and enemies, signifying a complete lack of escape and the overwhelming nature of the impending doom.
* **"and will discover thy nakedness unto them, that they may see all thy nakedness."**: This is the climactic act of public humiliation. God will strip Jerusalem of her false glory and expose her utter moral and spiritual depravity before the very nations she sought to impress or manipulate. The repetition of "nakedness" underscores the completeness and severity of her disgrace and vulnerability.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 16:37 is rich in literary devices that amplify its powerful message. The entire chapter functions as an extended **Allegory**, where Jerusalem is personified as an unfaithful wife or harlot, and God is depicted as her wronged husband. This verse specifically employs **Personification** by attributing human relationships ("lovers," "loved," "hated") to abstract entities (nations) and to Jerusalem herself. The central image of "discovering thy nakedness" is a potent **Metaphor** for public shame, disgrace, and vulnerability, drawing on the cultural understanding of physical nakedness as the ultimate humiliation. There is also a strong element of **Irony**, as the very nations Jerusalem relied upon for security and pleasure will be the instruments of her downfall and public exposure. The repetition of the word "nakedness" ("discover thy nakedness unto them, that they may see all thy nakedness") serves as **Emphasis**, underscoring the profound and inescapable nature of her disgrace.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 16:37 profoundly illustrates God's unwavering commitment to His covenant and His righteous indignation against spiritual idolatry and unfaithfulness. It reveals that God's judgment is not arbitrary but a just consequence of persistent rebellion, where the very sources of a people's misplaced trust become the instruments of their downfall. This verse underscores the absolute sovereignty of God over all nations, using both allies and enemies to accomplish His divine purposes. It serves as a stark reminder that true security and honor come only from exclusive devotion to the Lord, and that spiritual harlotry inevitably leads to public disgrace and divine retribution.

* [Hosea 2:9-10](/hosea/2-10 "Hosea 2:9-10 - God's Judgment and Exposure of Israel's Shame")
* [Lamentations 1:8](/lamentations/1-8 "Lamentations 1:8 - Jerusalem's Shame and Nakedness")
* [Nahum 3:5](/nahum/3-5 "Nahum 3:5 - God Exposing Nineveh's Nakedness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 16:37, though a passage of severe judgment, offers profound lessons for believers today. It calls us to a sober reflection on the nature of our covenant relationship with God, reminding us that He desires our undivided loyalty and exclusive devotion. Just as Jerusalem's spiritual adultery led to public shame, so too can our compromises with worldly values, our pursuit of fleeting pleasures, or our reliance on human systems over divine truth lead to spiritual barrenness and a loss of our witness. This verse challenges us to examine where our true affections lie and to repent of any "spiritual nakedness"—any areas of our lives where we have traded God's glory for something less. It encourages us to cultivate a deep, abiding trust in God alone, recognizing that He is our ultimate source of security, significance, and satisfaction, and that true honor is found in humble faithfulness to Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be prone to "spiritual adultery" by seeking security or satisfaction in worldly alliances or idols rather than in God alone?**
* **How does the concept of God "discovering nakedness" challenge my understanding of sin and its consequences, both personally and corporately?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a more undivided loyalty to Christ in my daily life, ensuring my trust is solely in Him?**
* **How does this verse inspire me to live a life of greater transparency and humility before God, acknowledging my dependence on His grace?**

### FAQ

**Who are "thy lovers" and "them that thou hast hated" in this verse?**
Answer: In the allegory of Ezekiel 16, "thy lovers" refer to the foreign nations with whom Jerusalem (representing Judah) formed political and military alliances, often leading to the adoption of their idolatrous practices. These were nations like Egypt, Assyria, and Babylon, whom Jerusalem sought pleasure or advantage from, effectively prostituting herself spiritually. "Them that thou hast hated" refers to other nations or peoples whom Jerusalem opposed or had hostile relations with, such as the Philistines or Edomites. The verse emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty, using both those Jerusalem trusted and those she opposed as instruments of His righteous judgment.

**What does "discover thy nakedness" mean in this context?**
Answer: "Discover thy nakedness" is a powerful metaphor for public humiliation, disgrace, and the complete exposure of shame. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, public nakedness was a severe form of punishment and a symbol of utter defeat, often inflicted upon conquered enemies or unfaithful women. Spiritually, for Jerusalem, it signifies the stripping away of her false glory, her pride, and her deceptive facade, revealing her true state of moral and spiritual depravity before the very nations she sought to impress or manipulate. It means God will expose her unfaithfulness and the futility of her idolatry for all to see.

**Is God being vindictive or cruel by exposing Jerusalem's nakedness?**
Answer: While the imagery is severe, God's actions are presented not as vindictive cruelty but as righteous judgment and the just consequence of Jerusalem's persistent and egregious covenant unfaithfulness. Throughout Ezekiel 16, God recounts His lavish grace and the covenant He initiated, which Jerusalem repeatedly violated through spiritual adultery and idolatry. The exposure of nakedness is a fitting recompense for a people who had shamelessly prostituted themselves to other gods and nations. It serves to vindicate God's holiness and justice, demonstrating that He will not tolerate unbridled rebellion indefinitely ([Ezekiel 16:43](/ezekiel/16-43 "Ezekiel 16:43 - God's Retribution for Jerusalem's Actions")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 16:37, with its stark imagery of judgment and exposed shame for an unfaithful people, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Israel's nakedness was revealed due to her sin, Christ, the true Israel, perfectly fulfilled the covenant. He voluntarily took upon Himself the ultimate shame and exposure, not for His own sin, but for ours. On the cross, Jesus was stripped bare, literally and figuratively, bearing the "nakedness" of humanity's sin and disgrace ([John 19:23-24](/john/19-24 "John 19:23-24 - Soldiers Divide Jesus' Garments")). He became sin for us, so that in Him, we might become the righteousness of God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Through His atoning sacrifice, the shame and judgment due to our spiritual unfaithfulness are absorbed. Believers, once spiritually "naked" in their sin, are now clothed in the righteousness of Christ ([Galatians 3:27](/galatians/3-27 "Galatians 3:27 - Clothed with Christ")). The New Covenant, established in His blood, ensures that those who are in Christ are no longer exposed to the judgment and shame that fell upon unfaithful Jerusalem, but are instead presented as a pure bride, adorned for her husband ([Revelation 19:7-8](/revelation/19-8 "Revelation 19:7-8 - 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

Hosea 2:3

Lest I strip her naked, and set her as in the day that she was born, and make her as a wilderness, and set her like a dry land, and slay her with thirst.

Hosea 2:10

And now will I discover her lewdness in the sight of her lovers, and none shall deliver her out of mine hand.

Jeremiah 13:22

¶ And if thou say in thine heart, Wherefore come these things upon me? For the greatness of thine iniquity are thy skirts discovered, [and] thy heels made bare.

Revelation 17:16

And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.

Hosea 8:10

Yea, though they have hired among the nations, now will I gather them, and they shall sorrow a little for the burden of the king of princes.

Lamentations 1:8

Jerusalem hath grievously sinned; therefore she is removed: all that honoured her despise her, because they have seen her nakedness: yea, she sigheth, and turneth backward.

Ezekiel 23:9

Wherefore I have delivered her into the hand of her lovers, into the hand of the Assyrians, upon whom she doted.