What does Ezekiel 16:38 mean?
"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." - Ezekiel 16:38
Ezekiel 16:38 in the King James Version of the Bible reads, "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."
This verse comes from a larger passage in the book of Ezekiel that uses the metaphor of an unfaithful wife to describe the unfaithfulness of Israel to God. In the passage, God speaks through the prophet Ezekiel to rebuke and condemn Israel for their idolatry and unfaithfulness. The passage describes how God had taken Israel as his own and blessed them, but they turned away from him and engaged in idolatry and sin.
In this particular verse, God is declaring that he will judge Israel for their unfaithfulness in a manner that is befitting of women who commit adultery and shed blood. This language is meant to convey the severity of God's judgment upon Israel for their sins. It is a warning of the punishment that will befall them for their unfaithfulness and disobedience.
The themes present in this verse are judgment, faithfulness, and the consequences of sin. God is portrayed as a righteous judge who will not tolerate unfaithfulness and sin. The verse serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and engaging in sinful behavior. It speaks to the importance of faithfulness and the severity of the judgment that will be faced for disobedience.
In its larger context, the passage in which this verse is found serves as a powerful indictment of Israel's unfaithfulness. It uses vivid and graphic language to convey the severity of Israel's sin and the judgment that will come as a result. The metaphor of an unfaithful wife is a poignant and powerful way to convey the depth of Israel's betrayal of God and the consequences they will face.
The symbolism in this verse is also significant. The image of God judging Israel as women who break wedlock and shed blood are judged is a powerful and vivid metaphor. It conveys the idea of God's righteous judgment and the severity of the consequences of sin. The mention of "blood in fury and jealousy" speaks to the intensity of God's anger and the severity of the judgment that will come.
Overall, Ezekiel 16:38 is a powerful and sobering reminder of the consequences of unfaithfulness and the severity of God's judgment. It serves as a warning to Israel and to all who read it of the importance of remaining faithful to God and the serious consequences of turning away from Him. It also conveys the enduring themes of God's righteousness, faithfulness, and the consequences of sin that are present throughout the Bible.
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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."
"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." - Ezekiel 16:38
Ezekiel 38:1-3
Ezekiel 38:16 - "And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes."
Ezekiel 38:1 - "And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"
Ezekiel 38:5 - "Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet:"
Ezekiel 40:38 - "And the chambers and the entries thereof were by the posts of the gates, where they washed the burnt offering."
Exodus 38:16 - "All the hangings of the court round about were of fine twined linen."
"And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying," - Ezekiel 38:1
Ezekiel 38:6 - "Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee."
Job 38:16 - "Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth?"
Acts 16:38 - "And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans."
Ezekiel 38:7 - "Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them."
Ezekiel 38:19 - "For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel;"
Ezekiel 23:38 - "Moreover this they have done unto me: they have defiled my sanctuary in the same day, and have profaned my sabbaths."
Ezekiel 38:23 - "Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the LORD."
Ezekiel 38:3 - "And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal:"
Ezekiel 38:2 - "Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him,"
1 Chronicles 16:38 - "And Obed-edom with their brethren, threescore and eight; Obed-edom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah to be porters:"
"Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet:" - Ezekiel 38:5
Ezekiel 38:9 - "Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee."
Ezekiel 38:21 - "And I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord GOD: every man's sword shall be against his brother."
Ezekiel 36:38 - "As the holy flock, as the flock of Jerusalem in her solemn feasts; so shall the waste cities be filled with flocks of men: and they shall know that I am the LORD."
Ezekiel 38:10 - "Thus saith the Lord GOD; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought:"
Ezekiel 38:14 - "¶ Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say unto Gog, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In that day when my people of Israel dwelleth safely, shalt thou not know it?"
Ezekiel 38:18 - "And it shall come to pass at the same time when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, that my fury shall come up in my face."
Ezekiel 38:15 - "And thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts, thou, and many people with thee, all of them riding upon horses, a great company, and a mighty army:"
"And the chambers and the entries thereof were by the posts of the gates, where they washed the burnt offering." - Ezekiel 40:38
Ezekiel 38:22 - "And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone."
Isaiah 38:16 - "O Lord, by these things men live, and in all these things is the life of my spirit: so wilt thou recover me, and make me to live."