But as a wife that committeth adultery, which taketh strangers instead of her husband!

EZEKIEL 16:32KJV
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Ezekiel 16:32 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 16:32 mean?

Ezekiel 16:32 compares Jerusalem to an unfaithful wife who chooses strangers over her own husband, highlighting a betrayal of a close, committed relationship. The verse uses the image of adultery to describe how Jerusalem has turned away from God to seek after other nations and their practices.

In this passage, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to the people of Jerusalem. The situation is one of accusation: God is confronting Jerusalem for abandoning Him, despite the special relationship they shared. The verse uses strong language to make clear how serious this betrayal is, emphasizing the depth of unfaithfulness by likening it to a wife who willingly seeks out others instead of remaining loyal to her husband.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 16:32

  • wife (אִשָּׁה, ishah): This word means "woman" or "wife," and here it stresses the closeness and covenant nature of the relationship between God and Jerusalem.
  • adultery (נָאַף, na'af): This word refers to marital unfaithfulness, often used in the prophets to symbolize spiritual betrayal or idolatry.
  • taketh (לָקַח, laqach): This verb means "to take" or "to seize," showing that the action is deliberate and chosen, not accidental.
  • strangers (זָר, zar): This word means "strangers" or "foreigners," pointing to those outside the relationship—here, foreign nations and their gods.
  • husband (אִישׁ, ish): This word means "man" or "husband," highlighting the rightful partner in the relationship, which in this context is God.

Why Ezekiel 16:32 matters

  • The verse clears up that the accusation is not about accidental mistakes but about a willful turning away from God, using the strong image of adultery to show the seriousness.
  • The language emphasizes how Jerusalem's alliances and idolatries are seen as personal betrayals, not just political or religious choices.
  • Understanding this verse helps clarify the larger message of Ezekiel 16, where God lays out the history of His relationship with Jerusalem and the pain of their repeated unfaithfulness.

Where else these words appear

“adultery” Hebrew H5003 · used in 26 verses

  • Exodus 20:14 Thou shalt not commit adultery.
  • Jeremiah 3:8 And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.
  • 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.

“strangers” Hebrew H2114 · used in 76 verses

  • Exodus 29:33 And they shall eat those things wherewith the atonement was made, to consecrate and to sanctify them: but a stranger shall not eat thereof, because they are holy.
  • Psalms 54:3 For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Selah.
  • Isaiah 28:21 For the LORD shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act.