Ezekiel 16:38 - Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

Bible Comments

“And I will judge you as women who break wedlock and shed blood are judged. And I will bring on you the blood of fury and jealousy.”

Because of her licentious behaviour and sacrifice of her children to idols she will be treated as an adulterous wife and a child exposer, and judged accordingly. ‘Exposure' involved abandoning a new born child somewhere to die. Many a woman, and especially prostitutes, rid themselves of an unwanted child by exposure. The idea is particularly poignant in that that was what God had pictured as happening to Israel in Ezekiel 16:5. Thus the offering of their children by fire to the gods is likened to such child exposure.

‘And I will bring on you the blood of fury and jealousy.' This may mean that she will receive what is due both from those who are angry at her doings, and those who are jealous of her, from her ‘lovers', but more probably the idea is of the fury and jealousy of her divine Husband Who demands the ultimate penalty on such behaviour (compare Ezekiel 16:42). Both adultery and murder incurred the death penalty. All may of course be in mind here for the statement is general.

Ezekiel 16:38

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.