King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 16:34 Mean?

Ezekiel 16:34 in the King James Version says “And the contrary is in thee from other women in thy whoredoms, whereas none followeth thee to commit whoredoms: and in t...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Ezekiel 16:34 · KJV

Context

32

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

33

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. hirest: Heb. bribest

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.

35

Wherefore, O harlot, hear the word of the LORD:

36

Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thy filthiness was poured out, and thy nakedness discovered through thy whoredoms with thy lovers, and with all the idols of thy abominations, and by the blood of thy children, which thou didst give unto them;

Read Ezekiel 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. The Hebrew hephek (הֵפֶךְ, "contrary") means perversion or reversal—Jerusalem's behavior inverted normal patterns of sin. The phrase "none followeth thee" means no one pursued her; she pursued them. "Thou givest a reward, and no reward is given unto thee" underscores the economic inversion: she paid instead of being paid.

This repetition emphasizes the shocking uniqueness of Jerusalem's sin. Her idolatry surpassed ordinary unfaithfulness in its aggressive pursuit of lovers and willingness to pay for rejection. The theological point cuts deep: when God's people abandon Him, they sink below common sinners in degradation. Those who possess divine revelation but spurn it become more corrupt than pagans who never knew truth (Romans 2:17-24, Luke 12:47-48).

Paul makes this principle explicit: "If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise" (1 Corinthians 3:18). Jerusalem's "wisdom" in political alliances proved ultimate folly. The church faces identical temptation—using worldly methods to achieve spiritual goals, seeking culture's approval through doctrinal compromise, or marketing Christ to make Him palatable. Such inverted strategies reveal deeper unfaithfulness than honest paganism.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This verse concludes the prostitution allegory (vv. 23-34) before announcing judgment (vv. 35-43). Ezekiel's original audience—exiles in Babylon—needed this stark assessment to understand why God permitted catastrophic defeat. They viewed themselves as unfortunate victims of geopolitics; God exposed them as uniquely depraved covenant-breakers.

The "contrary" nature of their sin explains why judgment was so severe. Nations without revelation face judgment for violating natural law (Romans 1:18-32), but Israel possessed Scripture, prophets, temple, priesthood, and Davidic covenant. Greater privilege brings greater accountability (Amos 3:2). Jerusalem's aggressive pursuit of idolatry despite incomparable advantages made her sin unprecedented. The exiles needed this diagnosis to pursue genuine repentance rather than self-pity.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does privilege in knowing Scripture increase rather than decrease your accountability before God?
  2. In what ways might you be 'contrary'—inverting spiritual priorities or using divine gifts for worldly approval?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַתְּהִ֥י1 of 17

“unto thee therefore thou art”

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בָ֨ךְ2 of 17
H0
לְהֶֽפֶךְ׃3 of 17

“And the contrary”

H2016

a turn, i.e., the reverse

מִן4 of 17
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַנָּשִׁים֙5 of 17

“is in thee from other women”

H802

a woman

בְּתַזְנוּתַ֔יִךְ6 of 17

“in thy whoredoms”

H8457

harlotry, i.e., (figuratively) idolatry

וְאַחֲרַ֖יִךְ7 of 17

“whereas none followeth”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

לֹ֣א8 of 17
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

זוּנָּ֑ה9 of 17

“thee to commit whoredoms”

H2181

to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (

נִתַּן10 of 17

“and in that thou givest”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

וְאֶתְנַ֛ן11 of 17

“a reward”

H868

a gift (as the price of harlotry or idolatry)

וְאֶתְנַ֛ן12 of 17

“a reward”

H868

a gift (as the price of harlotry or idolatry)

לֹ֥א13 of 17
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

נִתַּן14 of 17

“and in that thou givest”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לָ֖ךְ15 of 17
H0
וַתְּהִ֥י16 of 17

“unto thee therefore thou art”

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לְהֶֽפֶךְ׃17 of 17

“And the contrary”

H2016

a turn, i.e., the reverse

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 16:34 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Test Your Knowledge

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