Ezekiel 16:32
Ezekiel 16:32 in Multiple Translations
You adulterous wife! You receive strangers instead of your own husband!
But as a wife that committeth adultery, which taketh strangers instead of her husband!
A wife that committeth adultery! that taketh strangers instead of her husband!
The untrue wife who takes strange lovers in place of her husband!
You're a wife that loves adultery! You sleep with strangers instead of your husband!
But as a wife that playeth the harlot, and taketh others for her husband:
The wife who committeth adultery — Under her husband — doth receive strangers.
“‘“Adulterous wife, who takes strangers instead of her husband!
But as a wife that committeth adultery, who taketh strangers instead of her husband!
But as an adulteress, that bringeth in strangers over her husband.
You are like [MET] a woman who commits adultery: You prefer to have sex with strangers rather than with your husband.
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 16:32
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Ezekiel 16:32 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הָ/אִשָּׁ֖ה
הַ/מְּנָאָ֑פֶת
תַּ֣חַת
אִישָׁ֔/הּ
תִּקַּ֖ח
אֶת
זָרִֽים
הָ/אִשָּׁ֖ה
ʼishshâh
H802
woman
Art | N-fs
הַ/מְּנָאָ֑פֶת
nâʼaph
H5003
to commit adultery
Art | V-Piel
תַּ֣חַת
tachath
H8478
underneath
Prep
אִישָׁ֔/הּ
ʼîysh
H376
man
N-ms | Suff
תִּקַּ֖ח
lâqach
H3947
to take
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
זָרִֽים
zûwr
H2114
be a stranger
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 16:32
הָ/אִשָּׁ֖ה
ʼishshâh
H802
"woman"
Art | N-fs
The Hebrew word for woman, used to describe a female person, wife, or animal, appears in many biblical passages, including Genesis and Exodus, and is often translated as woman, wife, or female.
Definition: : woman 1) woman, wife, female 1a) woman (opposite of man) 1b) wife (woman married to a man) 1c) female (of animals) 1d) each, every (pronoun)
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. See also: Genesis 2:22; Genesis 34:4; Numbers 5:12.
הַ/מְּנָאָ֑פֶת
nâʼaph
H5003
"to commit adultery"
Art | V-Piel
This word means to commit adultery or be unfaithful, like in the story of David and Bathsheba. It can also mean to worship idols, which is a form of spiritual adultery. In the Bible, it is used to describe both physical and spiritual unfaithfulness.
Definition: 1) to commit adultery 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to commit adultery 1a1a) usually of man 1a1a1) always with wife of another 1a1b) adultery (of women) (participle) 1a2) idolatrous worship (fig.) 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to commit adultery 1b1a) of man 1b1b) adultery (of women) (participle) 1b2) idolatrous worship (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 26 OT verses. KJV: adulterer(-ess), commit(-ing) adultery, woman that breaketh wedlock. See also: Exodus 20:14; Jeremiah 23:10; Psalms 50:18.
תַּ֣חַת
tachath
H8478
"underneath"
Prep
This Hebrew word means underneath or below, often used to describe physical locations or positions. It appears in various books, including Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to indicate something is under or beneath something else. The word has several related meanings.
Definition: : under/below 1) the under part, beneath, instead of, as, for, for the sake of, flat, unto, where, whereas n m 1a) the under part adv accus 1b) beneath prep 1c) under, beneath 1c1) at the foot of (idiom) 1c2) sweetness, subjection, woman, being burdened or oppressed (fig) 1c3) of subjection or conquest 1d) what is under one, the place in which one stands 1d1) in one's place, the place in which one stands (idiom with reflexive pronoun) 1d2) in place of, instead of (in transferred sense) 1d3) in place of, in exchange or return for (of things mutually interchanged) conj 1e) instead of, instead of that 1f) in return for that, because that in compounds 1g) in, under, into the place of (after verbs of motion) 1h) from under, from beneath, from under the hand of, from his place, under, beneath
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: as, beneath, [idiom] flat, in(-stead), (same) place (where...is), room, for...sake, stead of, under, [idiom] unto, [idiom] when...was mine, whereas, (where-) fore, with. See also: Genesis 1:7; Deuteronomy 7:24; 1 Kings 20:42.
אִישָׁ֔/הּ
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
N-ms | Suff
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
תִּקַּ֖ח
lâqach
H3947
"to take"
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
This Hebrew word means to take or get something, and it is used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to take a wife, to take possession of something, or to receive a gift. For example, in Genesis 2:22, God takes a rib from Adam to create Eve.
Definition: : take 1) to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take, take in the hand 1a2) to take and carry along 1a3) to take from, take out of, take, carry away, take away 1a4) to take to or for a person, procure, get, take possession of, select, choose, take in marriage, receive, accept 1a5) to take up or upon, put upon 1a6) to fetch 1a7) to take, lead, conduct 1a8) to take, capture, seize 1a9) to take, carry off 1a10) to take (vengeance) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be captured 1b2) to be taken away, be removed 1b3) to be taken, brought unto 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be taken from or out of 1c2) to be stolen from 1c3) to be taken captive 1c4) to be taken away, be removed 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be taken unto, be brought unto 1d2) to be taken out of 1d3) to be taken away 1e) (Hithpael) 1e1) to take hold of oneself 1e2) to flash about (of lightning)
Usage: Occurs in 909 OT verses. KJV: accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. See also: Genesis 2:15; Genesis 34:17; Exodus 30:23.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
זָרִֽים
zûwr
H2114
"be a stranger"
Adj
This word has several meanings, including being a stranger or foreigner, like when Abraham lived in Egypt as a foreigner. It can also mean to commit adultery, highlighting the idea of turning aside from what is right and proper, as warned against in Proverbs 5.
Definition: 1) to be strange, be a stranger 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to become estranged 1a2) strange, another, stranger, foreigner, an enemy (participle) 1a3) strange woman, prostitute, harlot (meton) 1b) (Niphal) to be estranged 1c) (Hophal) to be a stranger, be one alienated
Usage: Occurs in 76 OT verses. KJV: (come from) another (man, place), fanner, go away, (e-) strange(-r, thing, woman). See also: Exodus 29:33; Proverbs 11:15; Psalms 44:21.
Study Notes — Ezekiel 16:32
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Ezekiel 16:32 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 16:32
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 16:32
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:32
- Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:32
- Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 16:32
- Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:32
- Sermons on Ezekiel 16:32
Context — Jerusalem’s Unfaithfulness
30How weak-willed is your heart, declares the Lord GOD, while you do all these things, the acts of a shameless prostitute!
31But when you built your mounds at the head of every street and made your lofty shrines in every public square, you were not even like a prostitute, because you scorned payment.
32You adulterous wife! You receive strangers instead of your own husband!
33Men give gifts to all their prostitutes, but you gave gifts to all your lovers. You bribed them to come to you from everywhere for your illicit favors. 34So your prostitution is the opposite of that of other women: No one solicited your favors, and you paid a fee instead of receiving one; so you are the very opposite!Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah 2:28 | But where are the gods you made for yourselves? Let them rise up in your time of trouble and save you if they can; for your gods are as numerous as your cities, O Judah. |
| 2 | Ezekiel 23:37 | For they have committed adultery, and blood is on their hands. They have committed adultery with their idols. They have even sacrificed their children, whom they bore to Me, in the fire as food for their idols. |
| 3 | Jeremiah 2:25 | You should have kept your feet from going bare and your throat from being thirsty. But you said, ‘It is hopeless! For I love foreign gods, and I must go after them.’ |
| 4 | Hosea 3:1 | Then the LORD said to me, “Go show love to your wife again, though she is loved by another and is an adulteress. Love her as the LORD loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and offer raisin cakes to idols. ” |
| 5 | Ezekiel 16:8 | Then I passed by and saw you, and you were indeed old enough for love. So I spread My cloak over you and covered your nakedness. I pledged Myself to you, entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine, declares the Lord GOD. |
| 6 | Ezekiel 23:45 | But righteous men will sentence them to the punishment of those who commit adultery and bloodshed, because they are adulteresses with blood on their hands. |
| 7 | Jeremiah 3:8–9 | She saw that because faithless Israel had committed adultery, I gave her a certificate of divorce and sent her away. Yet that unfaithful sister Judah had no fear and prostituted herself as well. Indifferent to her own infidelity, Israel had defiled the land and committed adultery with stones and trees. |
| 8 | Jeremiah 3:20 | But as a woman may betray her husband, so you have betrayed Me, O house of Israel,” declares the LORD. |
| 9 | Hosea 2:2 | Rebuke your mother, rebuke her, for she is not My wife, and I am not her husband. Let her remove the adultery from her face and the unfaithfulness from between her breasts. |
| 10 | 2 Corinthians 11:2–3 | I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. For I promised you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. I am afraid, however, that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may be led astray from your simple and pure devotion to Christ. |
Ezekiel 16:32 Summary
[Ezekiel 16:32 is a powerful verse that reminds us that God sees our spiritual unfaithfulness as a form of adultery, where we turn to other things or people for comfort instead of trusting in Him. This verse is not just about literal adultery, but about the ways we prioritize other things over our relationship with God, as seen in Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:13. By examining our hearts and priorities, we can identify areas where we may be 'receiving strangers instead of our own husband' and turn back to God, just as the prodigal son returned to his father in Luke 15:11-32.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'receive strangers instead of your own husband' in Ezekiel 16:32?
This phrase is a metaphor for spiritual adultery, where God's people turn to idols or other nations for comfort and security instead of trusting in their covenant God, as seen in Exodus 34:15 and Deuteronomy 31:16.
Is Ezekiel 16:32 talking about literal adultery or something more spiritual?
While the language is strong, the context of Ezekiel 16 suggests that God is using the metaphor of adultery to describe His people's spiritual unfaithfulness, as also seen in Hosea 1:2 and Jeremiah 3:20.
How does this verse relate to the concept of covenant in the Bible?
Ezekiel 16:32 highlights the idea that God's people have a covenant relationship with Him, similar to a marriage, and that turning to other 'lovers' is a breach of this covenant, as discussed in Jeremiah 31:32 and Ezekiel 16:8-14.
What is the tone of God's message in Ezekiel 16:32?
The tone is one of sorrow, anger, and heartbreak, as God laments the fact that His people have rejected Him and turned to others for comfort, as seen in the surrounding verses, Ezekiel 16:30-31 and Ezekiel 16:33-34.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I may be 'receiving strangers instead of my own husband' in my own life, and how can I turn back to God?
- How does the concept of spiritual adultery challenge my understanding of my relationship with God, and what changes do I need to make to prioritize my covenant with Him?
- In what ways can I cultivate a deeper sense of trust and dependence on God, rather than turning to other sources of comfort and security?
- How can I balance the reality of God's judgment and discipline with the truth of His love and mercy, as seen in Ezekiel 16:32 and other passages like Romans 11:22?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 16:32
[But as] a wife that committeth adultery,.... Who has a husband, and is provided for with all the necessaries of life, with food and clothing; and so has no need to prostitute herself for a
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 16:32
But as a wife that committeth adultery, which taketh strangers instead of her husband! Which taketh strangers instead of her husband - referring to Numbers 5:19-20; Numbers 5:29.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:32
Here begins the antithesis. A wife, adulteress, such as the prophet compareth this nation to, which hath a most rich, bountiful, and kind husband, she differs from common harlots in this point, she hunts not rewards, but forbidden pleasures.
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:32
Ezekiel 16:32 [But as] a wife that committeth adultery, [which] taketh strangers instead of her husband!Ver. 32. Which taketh strangers instead of her husband.] This is a foul mistake; wedlock should be chaste. The window of the ark shut, that the waters of the flood enter not into it.
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 16:32
32. Seems to break the connexion and has been regarded as a gloss. The words “instead of her husband” should be “under her husband,” though her husband’s (cf. Ezekiel 23:5, when she was mine; Numbers 5:19). The clauses are probably exclamatory: A wife that committeth adultery! though her husband’s (though married) she taketh strangers! It is also possible to take the language as an apostrophe: O adulterous wife, &c. LXX. read differently, and the verse is not without suspicion.
Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:32
32. Many authorities omit this verse. Though the reading is difficult, if not a gloss, the meaning is probably, “O adulterous wife, who, though she is under her husband, yet taketh strangers.” (See
Sermons on Ezekiel 16:32
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Roman Catholicism by Thomas Watson | Thomas Watson preaches a sermon warning against idolatry, specifically addressing the errors and dangers of Roman Catholicism. He highlights the soul-damning nature of idolatry, th |
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Unfailing Love by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker begins by describing how sin can start innocently but gradually takes hold of our lives, just like a fly caught in a spider's web. He uses this analogy |
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Suffering by Howard Norrish | In this sermon, the speaker shares two stories of teams spreading the word of God in challenging circumstances. One team went to a town in Sudan and faced immediate arrest, but wer |
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Hosea and Gomer - God's Endtime Strategy by Art Katz | Art Katz explores God's endtime strategy for restoring Israel through the metaphor of Hosea and Gomer, illustrating God's deep grief over Israel's unfaithfulness. He emphasizes tha |
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Letters: Mr. William Dickson Edinburgh (5) by Andrew Bonar | Andrew Bonar shares a heartfelt message of comfort and encouragement, reflecting on the afflictions faced by Naomi in Ruth 1:21, emphasizing that God, the 'All-sufficient One,' pro |
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Ezekiel 16:8 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith emphasizes the transformation that God brings to our lives, illustrating how He took a lost and polluted people and made them beautiful through His covenant. He reminds |
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Love Him Because of His Love to You by Thomas Shepard | Thomas Shepard preaches about the incredible love of the Lord Jesus towards all, desiring to be espoused to each soul. This love is real, fervent, constant, and pure, demonstrated |