Ezekiel 16 38

Ezekiel 16:38 kjv

And I will judge thee, as women that break wedlock and shed blood are judged; and I will give thee blood in fury and jealousy.

Ezekiel 16:38 nkjv

And I will judge you as women who break wedlock or shed blood are judged; I will bring blood upon you in fury and jealousy.

Ezekiel 16:38 niv

I will sentence you to the punishment of women who commit adultery and who shed blood; I will bring on you the blood vengeance of my wrath and jealous anger.

Ezekiel 16:38 esv

And I will judge you as women who commit adultery and shed blood are judged, and bring upon you the blood of wrath and jealousy.

Ezekiel 16:38 nlt

I will punish you for your murder and adultery. I will cover you with blood in my jealous fury.

Ezekiel 16 verses

Ezekiel 16 38 Meaning

Ezekiel 16:38 declares God's righteous judgment against Jerusalem, personified as an unfaithful woman. The divine verdict is not arbitrary, but corresponds directly to the offenses of spiritual adultery (idolatry) and the shedding of innocent blood (child sacrifice, violence). God Himself will execute this judgment, driven by His holy wrath and intense jealousy for His covenant and glory, resulting in severe punishment and bloodshed.

Ezekiel 16 38 Context

Ezekiel chapter 16 is one of the most vivid and extended allegories in the Bible, depicting Jerusalem's spiritual history. God describes raising Jerusalem from an abandoned infant to a beautiful woman adorned as a queen, symbolizing His gracious covenant with Israel (Ezek 16:1-14). However, Jerusalem, in her prosperity, then engaged in outrageous harlotry by pursuing idolatry and forming alliances with pagan nations (Ezek 16:15-34). This spiritual adultery included horrifying practices like sacrificing her children to idols (Ezek 16:20-21). Verse 38 comes as part of God's announcement of judgment for these abominable acts. It signifies that her punishment will align precisely with the legal consequences for a wife who commits adultery and a person who sheds blood, as stipulated in God's law. This judgment reflects God's profound personal hurt and indignation at His covenant people's betrayal.

Ezekiel 16 38 Word analysis

• And I will judge you
  • "And" (וְ / ve): Connects this verse directly to the preceding pronouncements of judgment.
  • "I will judge" (וְשָׁפַטְתִּ֫י / v'shafat'ti): From the Hebrew verb shaphaṭ (שָׁפַט), meaning to judge, rule, or govern. It conveys both a judicial process and the subsequent execution of a verdict. Here, it signifies divine adjudication, leading to decisive, punitive action by God Himself. This is a direct, active involvement of God in implementing justice.
• according to the judgments
  • "according to the judgments" (בְּמִשְׁפְּטֵ֣י / b^emishp^etê): Mishpaṭ (מִשְׁפָּט) refers to a judicial decree, legal right, or prescribed manner of judgment. This emphasizes that God's punishment is not arbitrary or emotional but follows established legal precedents, reflecting His divine law and righteous standards, albeit in a spiritual, covenantal context. It assures that the punishment fits the crime.
• of adulteresses
  • "of adulteresses" (נֹאֲפֹ֗ות / no'afot): From the root na'af (נָאַף), to commit adultery. This is the feminine plural form. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, adultery by a woman, especially a married one, was a capital crime (Lev 20:10). Spiritually, it symbolizes Israel's breach of the covenant with Yahweh, who is metaphorically their husband (Isa 54:5, Jer 3:20). Her worship of other gods (idolatry) and political alliances with pagan nations are seen as unfaithfulness, prostituting herself to other "lovers."
• and women who shed blood
  • "and women who shed blood" (וְשֹׁכֶ֣כֶת דָּ֑ם / v^eshokhekhet dam): A powerful image combining the participles shokhekhet (שׁוֹכֶכֶת), meaning "shedding, pouring out, pouring forth" (from שׁוּךְ/שָׁכַךְ often linked to violent spilling), with dam (דָּם), meaning blood. This points directly to the heinous practice of child sacrifice to foreign deities (e.g., Molech, mentioned earlier in Ezek 16:20-21). It also encompasses the violence and injustice that were characteristic of Jerusalem's leadership (Ezek 22:3-4). Shedding innocent blood was a grave offense, polluting the land (Num 35:33) and inviting divine judgment.
• and I will bring upon you
  • "and I will bring upon you" (וַהֲבֵאתִ֥י עָלַ֛יִךְ / va'haveti 'alayikh): Haveti (הֲבֵאתִ֫י) from bo' (בּוֹא), meaning "to come, bring, enter." This is the causative form, highlighting God's direct agency in executing the impending doom. It is an active imposition of judgment, not a passive consequence.
• the blood of wrath and jealousy
  • "the blood of wrath" (דַּם־חֵמָ֥ה / dam-khemah): Dam (דָּם) is blood, and khemah (חֵמָה) denotes intense heat, anger, rage, or wrath. This phrase most likely signifies the "bloody execution of God's wrath" or "bloodshed resulting from His wrath." It could also be understood as God recompensing Jerusalem with blood, referring to the severity of the coming judgment which will involve great slaughter and death, directly flowing from God's righteous anger.
  • "and jealousy" (וְקִנְאָֽה / v^eqin'ah): Qin'ah (קִנְאָה) refers to zealousness, passion, or jealousy. God's jealousy is not a human vice but a holy attribute, signifying His zealous defense of His unique right to be worshipped exclusively by His covenant people. When Israel worshipped other gods, God's holiness and covenant relationship were violated, thus igniting His "jealousy" that demands restoration of rightful worship or metes out severe punishment for idolatry (Ex 34:14, Deut 4:24). The judgment involving bloodshed is therefore a manifestation of this divine, righteous jealousy.
• Words-group analysis:
  • "I will judge you according to the judgments of adulteresses and women who shed blood": This phrase underscores God's commitment to justice. Jerusalem's punishment is not arbitrary; it adheres to a known, established legal standard (the divine law concerning capital offenses like adultery and murder/child sacrifice). This emphasizes the ethical basis of God's action. The reference to "adulteresses" makes her infidelity to God deeply personal, akin to spousal betrayal. The "shedding of blood" elevates her offenses to an even more abhorrent level, violating fundamental human and divine principles.
  • "I will bring upon you the blood of wrath and jealousy": This final declaration signifies the terrible consequence of her sin. The "blood" is not merely her own shed blood from earlier acts, but the actual, imminent bloodshed and devastation that God will inflict as punishment. This outpouring is directly fueled by two core divine attributes: His righteous wrath against sin and His holy jealousy for His violated covenant and honor. It encapsulates the depth of God's indignation and the severity of the coming judgment.

Ezekiel 16 38 Bonus section

The phrase "the blood of wrath and jealousy" (dam khemah v^eqin'ah) has been interpreted by some scholars as a genitive of content or apposition, meaning "blood which consists of wrath and jealousy" – implying the judgment itself is soaked in or composed of these divine emotions. More commonly, it is understood as a genitive of cause or result: "blood caused by wrath and jealousy," meaning bloodshed that is the outcome of God's furious, jealous response. This interpretation emphasizes that the devastation and loss of life are direct expressions of God's character when His holiness is defied. The depth of emotion behind God's judgment indicates the severe breakage of the covenant relationship. This passage demonstrates that while God is merciful and loving, He is also absolutely just and will hold His people accountable for their actions, particularly covenant violations and grave sins. The allegorical language in Ezekiel 16 foreshadows literal historical events—the Babylonian conquest and destruction of Jerusalem.

Ezekiel 16 38 Commentary

Ezekiel 16:38 provides a stark declaration of impending divine judgment. The imagery of Jerusalem as an adulterous, murderous woman is not just rhetorical; it carries legal weight from the Mosaic Law. Her "adultery" signifies profound spiritual betrayal—forsaking Yahweh for pagan gods and idolatrous practices. Her "shedding of blood" primarily points to the horrifying practice of child sacrifice, but also encompasses the general violence and injustice within the city. God's judgment is therefore both legal (mishpaṭ) and deeply personal, emanating from His wrath against sin and His jealousy for His exclusive relationship with His people. The "blood of wrath and jealousy" highlights the violent, destructive nature of this divine reckoning. It means that God Himself will bring about widespread death and destruction, directly proportional to Jerusalem's heinous crimes, fueled by His fervent holy character. This verse shows God as the righteous Judge who will not tolerate persistent rebellion and defilement of His covenant.