Ezekiel 16:34
Ezekiel 16:34 in Multiple Translations
So 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!
And the contrary is in thee from other women in thy whoredoms, whereas none followeth thee to commit whoredoms: and in that thou givest a reward, and no reward is given unto thee, therefore thou art contrary.
And thou art different from other women in thy whoredoms, in that none followeth thee to play the harlot; and whereas thou givest hire, and no hire is given unto thee, therefore thou art different.
And in your loose behaviour you are different from other women, for no one goes after you to make love to you: and because you give payment and no payment is given to you, in this you are different from them.
So you're the opposite of other prostitutes. No one comes to you asking for sex, and you pay the prostitute's fee instead of receiving it. You're the exact opposite!
And the contrary is in thee from other women in thy fornications, neither the like fornication shall be after thee: for in that thou giuest a rewarde, and no reward is giuen vnto thee, therefore thou art contrary.
And the contrary is in thee from women in thy whoredoms, That after thee none doth go a-whoring; And in thy giving a gift, And a gift hath not been given to thee; And thou art become contrary.
You are different from other women in your prostitution, in that no one follows you to play the prostitute; and whereas you give hire, and no hire is given to you, therefore you are different.”’
And the contrary is in thee from other women in thy unlawful commerce, whereas none followeth thee to commit lewdness: and in that thou givest a reward, and no reward is given to thee, therefore thou art contrary.
And it hath happened in thee contrary to the custom of women in thy fornications, and after thee there shall be no such fornication: for in that thou gavest rewards, and didst not take rewards, the contrary hath been done in thee.
So although you act like [MET] a prostitute, you are not like other prostitutes: No one needs to request you to have sex [EUP] with them. You are the opposite of other prostitutes; instead of them giving any money to you, you give men money to have sex with you.
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 16:34
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 16:34 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יְהִי
בָ֨/ךְ
הֵ֤פֶךְ
מִן
הַ/נָּשִׁים֙
בְּ/תַזְנוּתַ֔יִ/ךְ
וְ/אַחֲרַ֖יִ/ךְ
לֹ֣א
זוּנָּ֑ה
וּ/בְ/תִתֵּ֣/ךְ
אֶתְנָ֗ן
וְ/אֶתְנַ֛ן
לֹ֥א
נִתַּן
לָ֖/ךְ
וַ/תְּהִ֥י
לְ/הֶֽפֶךְ
וַ/יְהִי
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
בָ֨/ךְ
Prep | Suff
הֵ֤פֶךְ
hephek
H2016
contrariness
N-ms
מִן
min
H4480
from
Prep
הַ/נָּשִׁים֙
ʼishshâh
H802
woman
Art | N-fp
בְּ/תַזְנוּתַ֔יִ/ךְ
taznûwth
H8457
fornication
Prep | N-fp | Suff
וְ/אַחֲרַ֖יִ/ךְ
ʼachar
H310
after
Conj | Prep | Suff
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
זוּנָּ֑ה
zânâh
H2181
to fornicate
V-Pual-Perf-3ms
וּ/בְ/תִתֵּ֣/ךְ
nâthan
H5414
to give
Conj | Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff
אֶתְנָ֗ן
ʼethnan
H868
wages
N-ms
וְ/אֶתְנַ֛ן
ʼethnan
H868
wages
Conj | N-ms
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
נִתַּן
nâthan
H5414
to give
V-Niphal-Perf-3ms
לָ֖/ךְ
Prep | Suff
וַ/תְּהִ֥י
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
לְ/הֶֽפֶךְ
hephek
H2016
contrariness
Prep | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 16:34
וַ/יְהִי
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
בָ֨/ךְ
""
Prep | Suff
הֵ֤פֶךְ
hephek
H2016
"contrariness"
N-ms
Contrariness refers to something that is opposite or reversed, often implying a difference or perversity. It is used to describe something that is contrary to what is expected or normal.
Definition: contrary, opposite, a difference, reversed, contrariness, perversity
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: contrary. See also: Ezekiel 16:34.
מִן
min
H4480
"from"
Prep
This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.
Definition: prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)
Usage: Occurs in 1094 OT verses. KJV: above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, [idiom] neither, [idiom] nor, (out) of, over, since, [idiom] then, through, [idiom] whether, with. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 16:32; Leviticus 14:26.
הַ/נָּשִׁים֙
ʼishshâh
H802
"woman"
Art | N-fp
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.
בְּ/תַזְנוּתַ֔יִ/ךְ
taznûwth
H8457
"fornication"
Prep | N-fp | Suff
Fornication, or taznuth, refers to harlotry or idolatry, often used figuratively to describe spiritual unfaithfulness. In the KJV, it is translated as fornication or whoredom, emphasizing its negative connotation.
Definition: fornication, harlotry
Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: fornication, whoredom. See also: Ezekiel 16:15; Ezekiel 23:7; Ezekiel 23:43.
וְ/אַחֲרַ֖יִ/ךְ
ʼachar
H310
"after"
Conj | Prep | Suff
Achar means backwards or after, used to describe something that happens later or in the rear. It is used in various senses in the Bible, including in 1 Kings 12:18.
Definition: 1) after the following part, behind (of place), hinder, afterwards (of time) 1a) as an adverb 1a1) behind (of place) 1a2) afterwards (of time) 1b) as a preposition 1b1) behind, after (of place) 1b2) after (of time) 1b3) besides 1c) as a conjunction 1c) after that 1d) as a substantive 1d1) hinder part 1e) with other prepositions 1e1) from behind 1e2) from following after
Usage: Occurs in 664 OT verses. KJV: after (that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side), behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from, hereafter, hinder end, [phrase] out (over) live, [phrase] persecute, posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth), when, with. See also: Genesis 5:4; Exodus 18:2; Joshua 8:14.
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
זוּנָּ֑ה
zânâh
H2181
"to fornicate"
V-Pual-Perf-3ms
To fornicate means to commit adultery or be unfaithful, often used to describe idolatry in the Bible. It can also refer to a person being a cult prostitute or causing others to be unfaithful.
Definition: 1) to commit fornication, be a harlot, play the harlot 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be a harlot, act as a harlot, commit fornication 1a2) to commit adultery 1a3) to be a cult prostitute 1a4) to be unfaithful (to God) (fig.) 1b) (Pual) to play the harlot 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to commit adultery 1c2) to force into prostitution 1c3) to commit fornication
Usage: Occurs in 81 OT verses. KJV: (cause to) commit fornication, [idiom] continually, [idiom] great, (be an, play the) harlot, (cause to be, play the) whore, (commit, fall to) whoredom, (cause to) go a-whoring, whorish. See also: Genesis 34:31; Isaiah 57:3; Psalms 73:27.
וּ/בְ/תִתֵּ֣/ךְ
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
Conj | Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
אֶתְנָ֗ן
ʼethnan
H868
"wages"
N-ms
This word refers to the wages or reward of a prostitute or idolatrous practices in the Bible. It is often used to describe the price of sin or unfaithfulness, as seen in the stories of Israel and Tyre.
Definition: 1) hire of prostitute, price 1a) hire (of harlot) 1b) of idolatrous Israel, Jerusalem, Tyre (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: hire, reward. See also: Deuteronomy 23:19; Ezekiel 16:34; Isaiah 23:17.
וְ/אֶתְנַ֛ן
ʼethnan
H868
"wages"
Conj | N-ms
This word refers to the wages or reward of a prostitute or idolatrous practices in the Bible. It is often used to describe the price of sin or unfaithfulness, as seen in the stories of Israel and Tyre.
Definition: 1) hire of prostitute, price 1a) hire (of harlot) 1b) of idolatrous Israel, Jerusalem, Tyre (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: hire, reward. See also: Deuteronomy 23:19; Ezekiel 16:34; Isaiah 23:17.
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
נִתַּן
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
V-Niphal-Perf-3ms
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
לָ֖/ךְ
""
Prep | Suff
וַ/תְּהִ֥י
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
לְ/הֶֽפֶךְ
hephek
H2016
"contrariness"
Prep | N-ms
Contrariness refers to something that is opposite or reversed, often implying a difference or perversity. It is used to describe something that is contrary to what is expected or normal.
Definition: contrary, opposite, a difference, reversed, contrariness, perversity
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: contrary. See also: Ezekiel 16:34.
Study Notes — Ezekiel 16:34
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Ezekiel 16:34 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 16:34
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 16:34
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:34
- Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:34
- Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 16:34
- Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:34
Context — Jerusalem’s Unfaithfulness
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!
35Therefore, O prostitute, hear the word of the LORD! 36This is what the Lord GOD says: Because you poured out your wealth and exposed your nakedness in your promiscuity with your lovers and with all your detestable idols, and because of the blood of your children which you gave to them,Ezekiel 16:34 Summary
Ezekiel 16:34 is saying that Israel's sin is unique because they were the ones chasing after other lovers, rather than being chased, and this is a picture of how we often seek after things that are not God, as warned against in 1 John 2:15-17. Instead of seeking fulfillment in God, we try to find it in other things, and this is a form of idolatry, as described in Romans 1:25. We can learn from this verse by recognizing the ways in which we may be seeking comfort or fulfillment in things other than God, and instead seeking to cultivate a deep and intimate relationship with Him, as described in Psalm 42:1-2 and Matthew 22:37-40.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main point of Ezekiel 16:34?
The main point of Ezekiel 16:34 is that Israel's spiritual prostitution is unique in that they paid to be with their lovers, rather than being paid, as seen in the BSB text, which is the opposite of how other women engaged in prostitution, and this is a reflection of their idolatrous heart, as described in Ezekiel 16:32-33 and Deuteronomy 31:16.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the chapter?
This verse is part of a larger condemnation of Israel's idolatry and spiritual adultery, as seen in Ezekiel 16:32-36, and is a call to repentance, as seen in Ezekiel 18:30-32, where God says He will judge each person according to their own ways.
What does it mean to be 'the very opposite'?
To be 'the very opposite' means that Israel's actions are a complete reversal of what is expected, and this is a result of their rebellion against God, as seen in Isaiah 48:8, where it says 'You have neither heard nor understood, nor have you followed from the beginning'.
How can we apply this verse to our own lives?
We can apply this verse to our own lives by recognizing the ways in which we may be seeking fulfillment or comfort in things other than God, as warned against in 1 John 2:15-17, and instead seeking to cultivate a deep and intimate relationship with Him, as described in Psalm 42:1-2 and Matthew 22:37-40.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I may be 'paying' to be with the things of this world, rather than seeking God's presence and provision?
- How can I identify the 'lovers' in my own life that are distracting me from my relationship with God?
- What are some practical steps I can take to turn away from idolatry and seek a deeper intimacy with God?
- In what ways can I be a light in the darkness, pointing others to the true and living God, as seen in Matthew 5:14-16?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 16:34
And the contrary is in thee from [other] women in thy whoredoms,.... Of which an instance is given before, and another is added, with the repetition of the former: whereas none followeth thee to
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 16:34
They give gifts to all whores: but thou givest thy gifts to all thy lovers, and hirest them, that they may come unto thee on every side for thy whoredom.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:34
That which subverts the order of nature, is contrary to the innate modesty of thy sex. Thou followest them, treatest, importunest, promisest, payest, and caressest them. Thus, as a shameless adulteress, Israel had carried it toward her God, who espoused, enriched, beautified, and delighted in her; but she hired the nations round about her to enter covenant with her; entertained and maintained all their idolatrous worship, gave the nuptial gifts to hateful idols.
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:34
Ezekiel 16:34 And the contrary is in thee from [other] women in thy whoredoms, whereas none followeth thee to commit whoredoms: and in that thou givest a reward, and no reward is given unto thee, therefore thou art contrary.Ver. 34. And the contrary is in thee, &c.] The Jews, before the Babylonish captivity, were madly and above measure set upon the sin of idolatry, say their own Rabbis; so that if one clothed never so richly had seen an idol on the further side of a broad pool, he would have gone through thick and thin, etiam in cloacalem foetulentam, end even in foul smelling sewers to have worshipped it. Oecolamp.
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 16:34
34. from other women] Point thus: “from other women: in that thou committest whoredom, and none goeth a whoring after thee; and in that thou givest hire, and no hire is given unto thee; therefore thou art contrary.” Hosea 8:9, Ephraim hireth lovers; Jeremiah 2:23-25; Jeremiah 3:1-2.
Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:34
34. Whereas — Literally, seeing that. A reward — Literally, hire.