Ezekiel 16:38
Ezekiel 16:38 in Multiple Translations
And I will sentence you to the punishment of women who commit adultery and those who shed blood; so I will bring upon you the wrath of your bloodshed and jealousy.
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.
And I will judge thee, as women that break wedlock and shed blood are judged; and I will bring upon thee the blood of wrath and jealousy.
And you will be judged by me as women are judged who have been untrue to their husbands and have taken life; and I will let loose against you passion and bitter feeling.
I will impose on you the punishment for women who commit adultery and those who murder; you will be punished in passionate anger.
And I wil iudge thee after ye maner of them that are harlots, and of them that shead blood, and I wil giue thee the blood of wrath and ielousie.
And I have judged thee — judgments of adulteresses, And of women shedding blood, And have given thee blood, fury, and jealousy.
I will judge you as women who break wedlock and shed blood are judged; and I will bring on you the blood of wrath and jealousy.
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.
And I will judge thee as adulteresses, and they that shed blood are judged: and I will give thee blood in fury and jealousy.
I will punish you like women who commit adultery and who murder people [MTY] are punished. I will get revenge on you and get rid of you because I am extremely angry with you.
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 16:38
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 16:38 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וּ/שְׁפַטְתִּי/ךְ֙
מִשְׁפְּטֵ֣י
נֹאֲפ֔וֹת
וְ/שֹׁפְכֹ֖ת
דָּ֑ם
וּ/נְתַתִּ֕י/ךְ
דַּ֥ם
חֵמָ֖ה
וְ/קִנְאָֽה
וּ/שְׁפַטְתִּי/ךְ֙
shâphaṭ
H8199
to judge
Conj | V-Qal-1cs | Suff
מִשְׁפְּטֵ֣י
mishpâṭ
H4941
justice
N-mp
נֹאֲפ֔וֹת
nâʼaph
H5003
to commit adultery
V-Qal
וְ/שֹׁפְכֹ֖ת
shâphak
H8210
to pour
Conj | V-Qal
דָּ֑ם
dâm
H1818
blood
N-ms
וּ/נְתַתִּ֕י/ךְ
nâthan
H5414
to give
Conj | V-Qal-1cs | Suff
דַּ֥ם
dâm
H1818
blood
N-ms
חֵמָ֖ה
chêmâh
H2534
rage
N-fs
וְ/קִנְאָֽה
qinʼâh
H7068
jealousy
Conj | N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 16:38
וּ/שְׁפַטְתִּי/ךְ֙
shâphaṭ
H8199
"to judge"
Conj | V-Qal-1cs | Suff
To shaphat means to judge or govern, and can also mean to vindicate or punish. In the Bible, this term is often used to describe God's role as a judge, as well as human judges and rulers.
Definition: 1) to judge, govern, vindicate, punish 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to act as law-giver or judge or governor (of God, man) 1a1a) to rule, govern, judge 1a2) to decide controversy (of God, man) 1a3) to execute judgment 1a3a) discriminating (of man) 1a3b) vindicating 1a3c) condemning and punishing 1a3d) at theophanic advent for final judgment 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to enter into controversy, plead, have controversy together 1b2) to be judged 1c) (Poel) judge, opponent-at-law (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 182 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] avenge, [idiom] that condemn, contend, defend, execute (judgment), (be a) judge(-ment), [idiom] needs, plead, reason, rule. See also: Genesis 16:5; Psalms 9:5; Psalms 2:10.
מִשְׁפְּטֵ֣י
mishpâṭ
H4941
"justice"
N-mp
Mishpat means justice or judgment, and is often used to describe God's righteous judgment, as well as human laws and decisions, in books like Deuteronomy and Isaiah.
Definition: : judgement/punishment 1) judgment, justice, ordinance 1a) judgment 1a1) act of deciding a case 1a2) place, court, seat of judgment 1a3) process, procedure, litigation (before judges) 1a4) case, cause (presented for judgment) 1a5) sentence, decision (of judgment) 1a6) execution (of judgment) 1a7) time (of judgment) 1b) justice, right, rectitude (attributes of God or man) 1c) ordinance 1d) decision (in law) 1e) right, privilege, due (legal) 1f) proper, fitting, measure, fitness, custom, manner, plan
Usage: Occurs in 406 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] adversary, ceremony, charge, [idiom] crime, custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due, fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly), (manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order, ordinance, right, sentence, usest, [idiom] worthy, [phrase] wrong. See also: Genesis 18:19; 1 Kings 2:3; Psalms 1:5.
נֹאֲפ֔וֹת
nâʼaph
H5003
"to commit adultery"
V-Qal
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.
וְ/שֹׁפְכֹ֖ת
shâphak
H8210
"to pour"
Conj | V-Qal
To pour or spill something out, like blood or a liquid. In the Bible, it can mean to shed blood or to pour out one's heart in prayer or complaint. For example, in Psalm 42:4, the writer pours out his soul to God.
Definition: : pour 1) to pour, pour out, spill 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pour, pour out 1a2) to shed (blood) 1a3) to pour out (anger or heart) (fig) 1b) (Niphal) to be poured out, be shed 1c) (Pual) to be poured out, be shed 1d) (Hithpael) 1d1) to be poured out 1d2) to pour out oneself
Usage: Occurs in 111 OT verses. KJV: cast (up), gush out, pour (out), shed(-der, out), slip. See also: Genesis 9:6; Jeremiah 6:6; Psalms 22:15.
דָּ֑ם
dâm
H1818
"blood"
N-ms
Blood refers to the liquid that flows through the body, essential for life. In the Bible, blood is often used to symbolize life, guilt, or sacrifice, as seen in the story of Jesus' crucifixion.
Definition: 1) blood 1a) of wine (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 295 OT verses. KJV: blood(-y, -guiltiness, (-thirsty), [phrase] innocent. See also: Genesis 4:10; Numbers 19:5; Psalms 5:7.
וּ/נְתַתִּ֕י/ךְ
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
Conj | V-Qal-1cs | 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.
דַּ֥ם
dâm
H1818
"blood"
N-ms
Blood refers to the liquid that flows through the body, essential for life. In the Bible, blood is often used to symbolize life, guilt, or sacrifice, as seen in the story of Jesus' crucifixion.
Definition: 1) blood 1a) of wine (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 295 OT verses. KJV: blood(-y, -guiltiness, (-thirsty), [phrase] innocent. See also: Genesis 4:10; Numbers 19:5; Psalms 5:7.
חֵמָ֖ה
chêmâh
H2534
"rage"
N-fs
This word means intense anger or rage, like a burning fire. It's used in the Bible to describe God's wrath and human anger, often warning against the dangers of unchecked emotions. In Proverbs and Psalms, it cautions against the destructive power of anger and rage.
Definition: 1) heat, rage, hot displeasure, indignation, anger, wrath, poison, bottles 1a) heat 1a1) fever 1a2) venom, poison (fig.) 1b) burning anger, rage Aramaic equivalent: che.ma (חֱמָא "rage" H2528)
Usage: Occurs in 117 OT verses. KJV: anger, bottles, hot displeasure, furious(-ly, -ry), heat, indignation, poison, rage, wrath(-ful). See H2529 (חֶמְאָה). See also: Genesis 27:44; Isaiah 63:5; Psalms 6:2.
וְ/קִנְאָֽה
qinʼâh
H7068
"jealousy"
Conj | N-fs
This word refers to strong feelings of jealousy or envy, often related to romantic or spiritual passion. It can describe human emotions or God's zeal for His people, as seen in the Bible.
Definition: 1) ardour, zeal, jealousy 1a) ardour, jealousy, jealous disposition (of husband) 1a1) sexual passion 1b) ardour of zeal (of religious zeal) 1b1) of men for God 1b2) of men for the house of God 1b3) of God for his people 1c) ardour of anger 1c1) of men against adversaries 1c2) of God against men 1d) envy (of man) 1e) jealousy (resulting in the wrath of God)
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: envy(-ied), jealousy, [idiom] sake, zeal. See also: Numbers 5:14; Isaiah 9:6; Psalms 69:10.
Study Notes — Ezekiel 16:38
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Ezekiel 16:38 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 16:38
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 16:38
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:38
- Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:38
- Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:38
- Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 16:38
- Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:38
- Sermons on Ezekiel 16:38
Context — Judgment on Jerusalem
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,
37therefore I will surely gather all the lovers with whom you found pleasure, all those you loved and all those you hated. I will gather them against you from all around and expose you before them, and they will see you completely naked.
38And I will sentence you to the punishment of women who commit adultery and those who shed blood; so I will bring upon you the wrath of your bloodshed and jealousy.
39Then I will deliver you into the hands of your lovers, and they will level your mounds and tear down your lofty shrines. They will strip off your clothes, take your fine jewelry, and leave you naked and bare. 40They will bring a mob against you, who will stone you and cut you to pieces with their swords.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leviticus 20:10 | If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress must surely be put to death. |
| 2 | Genesis 9:6 | Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind. |
| 3 | Zephaniah 1:17 | I will bring such distress on mankind that they will walk like the blind, because they have sinned against the LORD. Their blood will be poured out like dust and their flesh like dung. |
| 4 | Jeremiah 18:21 | Therefore, hand their children over to famine; pour out the power of the sword upon them. Let their wives become childless and widowed; let their husbands be slain by disease, their young men struck down by the sword in battle. |
| 5 | Revelation 16:6 | For they have spilled the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink, as they deserve.” |
| 6 | Exodus 21:12 | Whoever strikes and kills a man must surely be put to death. |
| 7 | Matthew 1:18–19 | This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged in marriage to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and was unwilling to disgrace her publicly, he resolved to divorce her quietly. |
| 8 | Ezekiel 23:25 | And I will set My jealous rage against you, and they will deal with you in fury. They will cut off your noses and ears, and your survivors will fall by the sword. They will seize your sons and daughters, and your remnant will be consumed by fire. |
| 9 | Ezekiel 23:45–47 | 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. This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Bring a mob against them and consign them to terror and plunder. The mob will stone them and cut them down with their swords. They will kill their sons and daughters and burn down their houses. |
| 10 | Genesis 38:24 | About three months later, Judah was told, “Your daughter-in-law Tamar has prostituted herself, and now she is pregnant.” “Bring her out!” Judah replied. “Let her be burned to death!” |
Ezekiel 16:38 Summary
[Ezekiel 16:38 is saying that God will judge His people for their spiritual unfaithfulness, just like He would punish someone who commits adultery. This is because our actions have serious consequences, as seen in Galatians 6:7-8. God's wrath and jealousy are a response to the hurt and harm caused by sin, and He wants us to turn back to Him and live in obedience to His commands, as encouraged in Deuteronomy 30:19.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be sentenced to the punishment of women who commit adultery?
In Ezekiel 16:38, this refers to the severe consequences that come with unfaithfulness to God, as seen in Deuteronomy 22:22, where adultery is punished by death. This verse is emphasizing the gravity of Israel's spiritual adultery.
How does God's wrath and jealousy relate to bloodshed in this verse?
The wrath and jealousy mentioned in Ezekiel 16:38 are connected to the bloodshed of innocent lives, particularly the children given to idols, as mentioned in Ezekiel 16:36. This is reminiscent of God's warning in Deuteronomy 12:31, where He condemns child sacrifice.
Is this verse talking about literal or figurative punishment?
While the language used is graphic, the context suggests that Ezekiel 16:38 is speaking of a spiritual and national judgment, rather than solely a physical punishment, as seen in similar prophecies like Isaiah 10:12 and Jeremiah 13:14.
How does this verse relate to God's character?
Ezekiel 16:38 showcases God's holiness and justice, as He will not tolerate sin and unfaithfulness, as stated in Psalm 92:15 and Romans 11:22. This verse highlights the importance of reverence and obedience to God's commands.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I may be committing 'spiritual adultery' in my own life, and how can I return to a faithful relationship with God?
- How does the concept of God's jealousy impact my understanding of His love and care for me?
- In what ways can I honor God's holiness and justice in my daily life, particularly in regards to the value of human life?
- What are some idols or false loves that I may be prioritizing over my relationship with God, and how can I surrender them to Him?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 16:38
And I will judge thee as women that break wedlock,.... The marriage covenant, defile the marriage bed, and were adulteresses, who by the law of Moses were to be punished with death, Leviticus 20:10;
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 16:38
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. I will judge thee, as women that break wedlock - (Leviticus 20:10; cf. Ezekiel 16:2).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:38
And I, who am thy Lord and Husband, whose authority and kindness thou hast so contemned and abused, will judge thee; both condemn thee to suffer what thou deservest, and execute what thou art condemned to; as women that break wedlock, who were sometimes strangled, sometimes stoned, sometimes burnt, were put to death to be sure, . It may intimate the future destruction of her adulterous lovers, for both the adulterer and adulteress were to die. Site was guilty of the unnatural murder of her children, and God will, according to his own law, ,6 Numbers 35:31,32, cause her blood to be shed. Will give thee blood; the like phrase you have , and elsewhere; the like judgment is expressed by watering the land with blood, as , and by preparing one for blood, : Thou gavest the blood of thy children to idols in sacrifice, I will give thee thine own blood to drink; thou didst it in contempt of my law, I will do it in vindication of my law. In fury and jealousy; passions that do usually appear in the revenges that abused husbands take on their wives which have intolerably dishonoured and wronged them; and God expresseth his great indignation, and the severity of his just displeasure, by allusion hereunto.
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:38
Ezekiel 16:38 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.Ver. 38. And I will judge thee as women that break wedlock.] See Leviticus 20:10 Deuteronomy 22:22. The Egyptians cut off the harlot’ s nose, and the adulterer’ s privy members; the Romans beheaded them; the old Germans whipped them through the streets; Canutus, the Danish king in this land, banished them; Tenedius, a king in another land, did cut them in sunder with an axe; by our laws they are to be hanged, as by the Jews’ laws to be stoned. And shed blood.] See Ezekiel 16:35. I will give thee blood.] God loveth to retaliate.
Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:38
(38) Women that break wedlock and shed blood.—Under the Mosaic law the penalty for adultery was death (Leviticus 20:10), and the same penalty also was attached to the devotion of “seed to Moloch” (Leviticus 20:1-5), and to murder (Exodus 21:12). The Jewish method of capital punishment on individuals was by stoning (see Leviticus 20:2, and comp. John 8:5), and of punishing an apostate city was by the sword (Deuteronomy 13:15). Hence both modes are mentioned together in Ezekiel 16:40, though somewhat at the expense of the consistency of the allegory. The last clause would be more exactly translated, “I will make thee blood of fury and jealousy,” the fury referring to the avenging of murder, and the jealousy to the punishment of adultery, each requiring the life, or blood, of the offender.
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 16:38
38. shed blood] Reference to child murder, Ezekiel 16:20; Ezekiel 16:36. Cf. ch. Ezekiel 23:45; Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 22:22. give thee blood in fury] Lit. make thee the blood of fury, i.e. bring on thee the bloody death which fury and jealousy executes. On cons. cf. ch. Ezekiel 26:21, Ezekiel 35:6.
Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:38
38. I will judge thee — The scorn of the nations whose favor she has courted will be the least of her punishment. I will give thee blood in fury and jealousy — Rather, I will make thee to be the blood of fury and jealousy.
Sermons on Ezekiel 16:38
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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003 Joseph Was a Righteous Man by David Servant | This sermon delves into the genealogy of Jesus Christ, emphasizing his credentials as the Messiah through his lineage from Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, and David. It highlights th |
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Moral Purity by Ralph Shallis | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the topic of sex and its significance in the Bible. He emphasizes that sex was originally created by God as a good and beautiful thing, but du |
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The Limits of God's Grace by David Servant | David Servant preaches on the true biblical concept of grace, using the story of Jesus' encounter with the woman caught in adultery to illustrate that grace is not a license to sin |
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Deformation of Image - Inalienable Aspects - Moral Agency by John Murray | In this sermon, the speaker begins by praying for discernment and guidance from the Holy Spirit and the Holy Word. They express a concern about losing contact with the committee an |
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Blood Guild - Sanctity Life Sunday by Erlo Stegen | In this sermon, the preacher reflects on the impact of a young girl's life and the significance of her clothing in reflecting her faith. He also shares the tragic story of an 11-ye |
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09-10-80 7p Part I by Bertha Smith | In this sermon, the preacher begins by sharing an illustration about the question of why God made human beings sinful and selfish. He uses a Chinese word for man to represent all p |
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Abortion & the Campaign for Immorality - John Macarthur by From the Pulpit & Classic Sermons | In this sermon, John MacArthur discusses the recent political conventions and their adoption of a Romans 1 platform. He expresses his concern over the promotion of sexual freedom, |