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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.
(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.
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SUMMARY
Ezekiel 16:38 delivers a chilling declaration of divine judgment against Jerusalem, personified as an unfaithful wife. This verse climaxes an extended allegory portraying God's covenant relationship with Israel, His lavish provision, and her subsequent profound betrayal through spiritual harlotry and the horrific shedding of innocent blood. God's response is presented as a righteous, furious, and jealous retribution, mirroring the severity of her covenant infidelity and promising an outpouring of violence commensurate with her crimes.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Ezekiel 16:38 is rich in literary devices that amplify its message of divine judgment. The entire chapter functions as an extended Allegory, with Jerusalem personified as an unfaithful wife. This Personification allows for the complex and intimate relationship between God and His covenant people to be explored through the relatable dynamics of a marriage, making the betrayal all the more poignant. The phrase "as women that break wedlock and shed blood are judged" employs a striking Simile, directly comparing Jerusalem's impending fate to the severe legal and social consequences faced by adulteresses and murderers under the law, thereby emphasizing the severity and justification of her punishment. The terms "break wedlock" and "shed blood" also function as Metaphors for spiritual apostasy (idolatry) and child sacrifice/societal violence, respectively, translating abstract spiritual and moral transgressions into concrete, visceral imagery. Finally, the description of God's response as being "in fury and jealousy" is an instance of Anthropomorphism, attributing human emotions to God. However, these are not human failings but rather righteous attributes reflecting His holy indignation, zealous commitment to His covenant, and unwavering demand for exclusive devotion.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 16:38 profoundly underscores the biblical principle that God is a God of both immense, steadfast love and unwavering, righteous justice. His initial covenant with Jerusalem, described as nurturing a helpless infant into a queen, showcases His boundless grace and covenant faithfulness. Yet, her persistent and egregious betrayal of this covenant, particularly through spiritual harlotry (idolatry) and the horrific practice of child sacrifice, elicits His righteous indignation. This verse reveals that God's holiness and justice demand a response to sin, especially when His covenant people desecrate His name and flagrantly violate His commands. His "fury and jealousy" are not capricious emotions but a holy zeal for His own honor and the purity of the relationship He established. The judgment declared here serves as a stark reminder of the dire consequences of apostasy and the seriousness with which God views covenant faithfulness, demonstrating that His love does not negate His justice but rather works in concert with it to uphold His righteous character.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 16:38, while historically specific to ancient Jerusalem, offers timeless and profound lessons for believers today, serving as a powerful mirror for self-examination. The imagery of "breaking wedlock" serves as a potent metaphor for spiritual idolatry, reminding us that anything that takes God's rightful place as supreme in our affections, allegiance, and worship constitutes unfaithfulness. This can manifest in subtle but pervasive ways: placing career success, personal comfort, human relationships, material possessions, social status, or even self-image above our wholehearted devotion to God. The "shedding of blood" can be understood metaphorically as any act that devalues human life, compromises on justice, or sacrifices moral integrity for personal gain, echoing the societal injustices and violence that plagued ancient Judah. This verse calls us to a radical self-examination, urging us to identify and dismantle any "idols" in our lives and to repent of any "bloodshed"—any action or inaction that diminishes the sacredness of life, justice, or compassion. It reinforces God's unwavering character: He is both merciful and just, infinitely loving yet utterly intolerant of sin. His "fury and jealousy" are not to be feared by the faithful but understood as a holy zeal that protects His honor, upholds His righteousness, and calls His people to exclusive devotion. This passage ultimately serves as a powerful call to faithfulness, reminding us that true life, blessing, and security are found only in wholehearted, undivided commitment to our covenant God.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "break wedlock" mean in the context of Ezekiel 16:38?
Answer: In this context, "break wedlock" (Hebrew, nâʼaph') is a powerful and deeply evocative metaphor for spiritual adultery. It signifies Jerusalem's profound betrayal of her exclusive covenant relationship with God (Yahweh) by engaging in widespread idolatry—worshiping other gods and forming illicit political alliances with pagan nations. Just as a wife's infidelity shatters the marriage bond and brings dishonor, Israel's idolatry shattered her unique and intimate relationship with the one true God, who had chosen, nurtured, and cherished her as His bride. This theme of Israel's unfaithfulness as harlotry is a recurring motif throughout the Old Testament prophetic books, such as Jeremiah 3 and Hosea 4.
What is the "blood" that God promises to "give" Jerusalem in this verse?
Answer: The "blood" that God promises to "give" Jerusalem in fury and jealousy refers to violent retribution and bloodshed upon the city and its inhabitants. It is a direct, retributive judgment for two primary offenses: first, the actual shedding of innocent blood through heinous practices like child sacrifice to pagan deities (e.g., Molech in the Valley of Hinnom), and second, the general violence, injustice, and moral corruption that characterized Jerusalem's society. Therefore, God's promise to "give thee blood" signifies that Jerusalem will experience the same kind of violent death, devastation, and suffering that she inflicted upon others and that she justly deserved for her heinous sins. This judgment was historically fulfilled in the devastating destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 BC.
Is God's "jealousy" (H7068, qinʼâh') a negative attribute in this passage?
Answer: No, God's "jealousy" in this context is not a negative human emotion like envy, insecurity, or petty possessiveness. Instead, it is a holy and righteous attribute, signifying His zealous passion for His own exclusive honor, His covenant integrity, and the purity of His relationship with His people. God is "jealous" because He is the one true God, and He will not tolerate His people's worship of other gods or their spiritual infidelity, which amounts to a betrayal of their sacred vows to Him. His jealousy is a protective zeal for His unique status and the integrity of His covenant, ensuring that His people remain faithful to Him alone. This divine jealousy is rooted in His holiness and His profound love for His people, as seen in passages like Exodus 34:14 where He declares His name to be "Jealous," indicating it is a core aspect of His divine character.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 16:38 vividly portrays the devastating consequences of covenant unfaithfulness and spiritual harlotry, culminating in God's righteous judgment poured out "in fury and jealousy." While this judgment fell upon unfaithful Jerusalem under the Old Covenant, it profoundly foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment of God's righteous judgment in Christ. Humanity, in its fallen state, has collectively broken wedlock with God through pervasive idolatry and shed innocent blood through sin, incurring divine wrath and meriting condemnation. However, Jesus Christ, the perfect Bridegroom, willingly absorbed the full weight of God's "fury and jealousy" on the cross. He bore the penalty for our spiritual adultery and the shedding of innocent blood, becoming the ultimate sacrifice that cleanses us from all unrighteousness Isaiah 53:5; Romans 5:8-9. Through His atoning work, believers are reconciled to God, no longer condemned as unfaithful harlots but cleansed, sanctified, and presented as a pure bride to Christ, without stain or wrinkle Ephesians 5:25-27. The judgment poured out on Jerusalem served as a stark warning and a testament to God's holiness, but in Christ, God's righteous wrath is fully satisfied, paving the way for grace, forgiveness, and the promise of an eternal, faithful covenant with His redeemed people, the Church, His beloved bride, eagerly awaiting the glorious marriage supper of the Lamb Revelation 19:7-8.