Ezekiel 16:42

KJV

So will I make my fury toward thee to rest, and my jealousy shall depart from thee, and I will be quiet, and will be no more angry.

KJV (with Strong's)

So will I make my fury {H2534} toward thee to rest {H5117}, and my jealousy {H7068} shall depart {H5493} from thee, and I will be quiet {H8252}, and will be no more angry {H3707}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"'Yes, I will satisfy my fury against you. But after that, my jealousy will leave you; and I will calm down and no longer be angry.

Berean Standard Bible

So I will lay to rest My wrath against you, and My jealousy will turn away from you. Then I will be calm and no longer angry.

American Standard Version

So will I cause my wrath toward thee to rest, and my jealousy shall depart from thee, and I will be quiet, and will be no more angry.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 16:42 marks a profound turning point in God's allegorical indictment of Jerusalem, representing the nation of Israel. After a detailed and graphic exposition of her spiritual harlotry and idolatry, this verse declares God's solemn and definitive promise to bring His intense wrath and righteous indignation to an end. It signifies that the period of severe judgment has served its purpose, leading to a cessation of divine anger and a return to a state of quietude and satisfaction for the Almighty, paving the way for eventual reconciliation and the establishment of an everlasting covenant.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 16 is an extended prophetic allegory, a powerful and often shocking narrative depicting Jerusalem (Israel) as an abandoned infant rescued, raised, and adorned by Yahweh, only for her to commit egregious acts of spiritual adultery and idolatry with surrounding nations and their gods. The preceding verses ([Ezekiel 16:1-41](/ezekiel/16-1 "Ezekiel 16:1-41 - Jerusalem's Unfaithfulness and Judgment")) meticulously catalog Jerusalem's unfaithfulness, pride, and abominations, culminating in God's declaration of severe judgment, including exposure, shame, and destruction at the hands of her former lovers. Verse 42, however, shifts the tone dramatically. It signals that this judgment, though severe, has a defined purpose and an eventual cessation, not an endless outpouring of wrath. It foreshadows the possibility of restoration, even after such profound betrayal, and sets the stage for the surprising promise of a renewed covenant in later verses like [Ezekiel 16:60](/ezekiel/16-60 "Ezekiel 16:60 - The Everlasting Covenant").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Ezekiel is set during the Babylonian exile, a period when the people of Judah were grappling with the consequences of their covenant unfaithfulness. Jerusalem had been conquered, its temple destroyed, and its inhabitants deported. This historical reality provides the backdrop for God's severe judgment. Culturally, the allegory of a wife's harlotry was a potent metaphor for Israel's idolatry, as the covenant relationship between God and Israel was often depicted as a marriage (e.g., [Hosea 2](/hosea/2 "Hosea 2 - Israel's Adultery and Restoration")). The "fury" and "jealousy" of God are not human emotions in their sinful sense but rather righteous indignation and zealous passion for His exclusive relationship with His chosen people, a relationship repeatedly violated by their adoption of foreign gods and practices (e.g., [Deuteronomy 32:16-21](/deuteronomy/32-16 "Deuteronomy 32:16-21 - God's Jealousy over Idolatry")). The judgment, therefore, was a necessary act of divine justice to purify His people and uphold His holy character in the face of their persistent spiritual infidelity.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several major themes within Ezekiel and the broader prophetic tradition. The most prominent is **The End of Divine Wrath and Judgment**. It highlights that God's judgments, while severe and necessary, are not arbitrary or eternal in their outpouring; they serve a specific, redemptive purpose. This aligns with the theme of **God's Sovereign Control**, demonstrating that even in His anger, God remains fully in control, determining when His wrath will "rest" and "depart." This underscores His justice tempered with ultimate restorative intent. Furthermore, it subtly introduces the theme of **Hope and Restoration After Judgment**, implying that the purification achieved through judgment paves the way for a renewed relationship, as explicitly stated later in the chapter where God remembers His covenant and establishes an everlasting one ([Ezekiel 16:60](/ezekiel/16-60 "Ezekiel 16:60 - The Everlasting Covenant")). This echoes sentiments found in other prophets, such as [Isaiah 57:16](/isaiah/57-16 "Isaiah 57:16 - God Will Not Contend Forever"), where God declares He will not contend forever.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fury (Hebrew, _chêmâh'_):** This word (H2534) denotes intense heat, figuratively representing anger, rage, or hot displeasure. It is often associated with the burning intensity of God's wrath against sin and unfaithfulness. In this context, it describes the fervent, consuming indignation God has poured out on Jerusalem due to her spiritual harlotry. The promise that it will "rest" signifies a cessation of this fiery outpouring.
* **Jealousy (Hebrew, _qinʼâh'_):** This term (H7068) refers to a passionate zeal or indignation, often in the context of an exclusive relationship. God's jealousy is not a human flaw but a righteous attribute, reflecting His zeal for His covenant with Israel and His intolerance of their spiritual infidelity, which amounted to a betrayal of their divine Husband. Its departure indicates that the righteous indignation provoked by their unfaithfulness has been satisfied through the judgment.
* **Quiet (Hebrew, _shâqaṭ'_):** This word (H8252) means to repose, to be undisturbed, or to settle. It implies a state of calm and rest after a period of turmoil or activity. Here, it conveys that God's emotional state, previously agitated by Israel's sin and expressed through judgment, will become settled and peaceful. This is not merely a cooling off but a profound satisfaction of justice, allowing God to be "at rest" concerning the matter of Jerusalem's sin.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So will I make my fury toward thee to rest":** This clause declares God's sovereign intent to bring His intense, burning anger (fury) against Jerusalem to a complete halt. The verb "to rest" (H5117, _nûwach'_) implies a settling down, a cessation of activity. It signifies that the period of divine judgment, which was the manifestation of His fury, has reached its intended conclusion and will no longer be actively poured out.
* **"and my jealousy shall depart from thee":** Following the resting of His fury, God's righteous indignation (jealousy) will "depart" (H5493, _çûwr'_), meaning to turn off or be removed. This indicates that the cause for His zealous passion against Israel's unfaithfulness has been addressed and satisfied through the disciplinary process. The intense emotional and judicial response to their spiritual harlotry will be lifted.
* **"and I will be quiet, and will be no more angry":** This final clause reiterates and reinforces the previous two, emphasizing the complete cessation of God's wrath. "I will be quiet" (H8252, _shâqaṭ'_) signifies a state of repose and inner peace for God, suggesting that justice has been served and His righteous demands have been met. The definitive statement "and will be no more angry" (H3707, _kaʻaç'_) confirms that the period of divine displeasure and active wrath is definitively over, opening the door for a new phase in His relationship with His people.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 16:42, within the broader context of the chapter, is rich in literary devices. The entire chapter is a masterful **Allegory**, where Jerusalem is personified as a woman, abandoned as an infant, rescued and adorned by God, only to become a harlot. This allegorical framework allows for the vivid and often shocking depiction of Israel's spiritual infidelity. Within this verse, there is prominent **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human emotions and actions—fury, jealousy, resting, departing, being quiet, and being angry—to God. While these are divine attributes, they are described in human terms to make God's righteous response to sin comprehensible to human understanding. The phrase "make my fury... to rest" and "jealousy shall depart" also employs **Metaphor**, portraying abstract concepts as physical entities that can move or settle, emphasizing the tangible impact of God's emotional state on His actions and the cessation of those actions.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 16:42 offers a profound theological insight into the character of God, revealing that His wrath, while intensely righteous and necessary in the face of sin, is not an endless, arbitrary outpouring. Instead, it is purposeful and ultimately limited, serving as a means to purify and restore. This verse underscores God's commitment to His covenant, even when His people are unfaithful. His "fury" and "jealousy" are expressions of His holy love and zeal for His relationship with Israel, not capricious rage. The cessation of this wrath implies that the judgment has achieved its intended effect: to bring His people to a place where they recognize their sin and His holiness, thus preparing them for a renewed relationship. This divine pattern of judgment followed by the promise of restoration is a recurring motif throughout the prophetic literature, demonstrating God's ultimate desire for reconciliation and the fulfillment of His covenant promises.

* [Isaiah 57:16](/isaiah/57-16 "Isaiah 57:16 - God Will Not Contend Forever")
* [Ezekiel 16:60](/ezekiel/16-60 "Ezekiel 16:60 - The Everlasting Covenant")
* [Psalm 30:5](/psalms/30-5 "Psalm 30:5 - His Anger is But for a Moment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 16:42 offers a powerful message of hope and the enduring nature of God's redemptive purpose, even in the midst of severe judgment. For believers today, it reminds us that while God is absolutely just and righteous in His condemnation of sin, His wrath is not unending or without purpose. It is a holy response designed to bring about repentance, purification, and ultimately, reconciliation. This verse encourages us to trust in God's ultimate good intentions, even when we experience the difficult consequences of our own unfaithfulness or witness the brokenness of the world. It points us to the profound truth that God's desire is for peace and renewed relationship, not perpetual anger. It should inspire a deep sense of humility regarding our sin and an even deeper gratitude for His mercy and faithfulness, which always seeks to restore.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's "fury" and "jealousy" as righteous attributes, rather than human flaws, deepen your appreciation for His character?**
* **In what ways have you experienced or observed God's discipline leading to a "resting" of His judgment and a path to restoration?**
* **How does the promise of God's wrath coming to an end inform your understanding of His justice and mercy in your own life?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the purpose of suffering or difficult periods in the life of faith?**

### FAQ
**Does Ezekiel 16:42 mean God stops being angry forever?**

Answer: Ezekiel 16:42 signifies a definitive cessation of God's active, outpouring wrath against Jerusalem for the specific sins detailed in the chapter, particularly her spiritual harlotry. It marks the fulfillment of the judgment's purpose, leading to a state of divine satisfaction and quietude concerning that specific period of unfaithfulness. While God's holy nature means He remains eternally opposed to sin, this verse indicates that the *expression* of His wrath in judgment has concluded, opening the door for reconciliation and restoration, as promised in [Ezekiel 16:60](/ezekiel/16-60 "Ezekiel 16:60 - The Everlasting Covenant") with the establishment of an everlasting covenant. It's a promise of an end to a particular punitive phase.

**How can God's "jealousy" be a positive attribute?**

Answer: In biblical terms, God's "jealousy" (Hebrew, _qinʼâh'_) is not the covetous or envious emotion found in humans. Instead, it is a holy and righteous zeal for His exclusive covenant relationship with His people. Just as a faithful husband is rightfully jealous for his wife's fidelity, God, as the divine Husband of Israel, is passionately zealous for their exclusive devotion. When Israel engaged in idolatry and spiritual harlotry, God's "jealousy" was His righteous indignation at the betrayal of this sacred covenant. Its "departure" in [Ezekiel 16:42](/ezekiel/16-42 "Ezekiel 16:42 - God's Fury Rests") indicates that the justice required for this betrayal has been satisfied, allowing for the restoration of the relationship. This divine jealousy is rooted in His holiness and love, ensuring His people's ultimate good and their adherence to His life-giving commands (e.g., [Exodus 34:14](/exodus/34-14 "Exodus 34:14 - God is a Jealous God")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 16:42, with its declaration of God's fury and jealousy coming to rest, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the verse speaks of a cessation of judgment for Israel after a period of discipline, the New Testament reveals that God's righteous wrath against the sin of all humanity was fully and finally satisfied through the atoning sacrifice of His Son. On the cross, Jesus became the propitiation for our sins ([1 John 2:2](/1_john/2-2 "1 John 2:2 - Jesus, the Propitiation for Our Sins")), meaning He bore the full weight of God's holy wrath, allowing God's "fury" to "rest" and His "jealousy" to "depart" from those who believe. Through Christ, we are reconciled to God ([Romans 5:10](/romans/5-10 "Romans 5:10 - Reconciled Through His Son's Death")), entering into a new covenant relationship where God is "quiet" and "no more angry" with us, not because of our merit, but because of Christ's perfect obedience and sacrifice ([Hebrews 8:6-13](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6-13 - The New Covenant")). Thus, Ezekiel 16:42 foreshadows the ultimate peace and reconciliation offered to all through the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

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

Ezekiel 5:13

Thus shall mine anger be accomplished, and I will cause my fury to rest upon them, and I will be comforted: and they shall know that I the LORD have spoken [it] in my zeal, when I have accomplished my fury in them.

Ezekiel 21:17

I will also smite mine hands together, and I will cause my fury to rest: I the LORD have said [it].

Ezekiel 39:29

Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.

Isaiah 40:1

¶ Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.

Isaiah 40:2

Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD'S hand double for all her sins.

Zechariah 6:8

Then cried he upon me, and spake unto me, saying, Behold, these that go toward the north country have quieted my spirit in the north country.

Isaiah 54:9

For this [is as] the waters of Noah unto me: for [as] I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee.