King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 16:42 Mean?

Ezekiel 16:42 in the King James Version says “So will I make my fury toward thee to rest, and my jealousy shall depart from thee, and I will be quiet, and will be no ...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“So will I make my fury toward thee to rest, and my jealousy shall depart from thee, and I will be quiet, and will be no more angry.”

Ezekiel 16:42 · KJV

Context

40

They shall also bring up a company against thee, and they shall stone thee with stones, and thrust thee through with their swords.

41

And they shall burn thine houses with fire, and execute judgments upon thee in the sight of many women: and I will cause thee to cease from playing the harlot, and thou also shalt give no hire any more.

42

So will I make my fury toward thee to rest, and my jealousy shall depart from thee, and I will be quiet, and will be no more angry.

43

Because thou hast not remembered the days of thy youth, but hast fretted me in all these things; behold, therefore I also will recompense thy way upon thine head, saith the Lord GOD: and thou shalt not commit this lewdness above all thine abominations.

44

Behold, every one that useth proverbs shall use this proverb against thee, saying, As is the mother, so is her daughter.

Read Ezekiel 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
So will I make my fury toward thee to rest, and my jealousy shall depart from thee, and I will be quiet, and will be no more angry. This remarkable verse announces the cessation of divine wrath after judgment accomplishes its purpose. "I will make my fury toward thee to rest" uses nuach (נוּחַ), meaning to settle or come to rest—God's wrath would be satisfied through executed justice. "My jealousy shall depart from thee" (סָר קִנְאָתִי מִמֵּךְ) indicates the end of covenant passion aroused by unfaithfulness once sin is purged.

"I will be quiet, and will be no more angry" (shaqat velo-ektzoph, שָׁקַטְתִּי וְלֹא־אֶכְעַס) expresses divine peace after righteous indignation is vindicated. This verse is not forgiveness but satisfaction—justice has been served, wrath exhausted, covenant violation adequately punished. The language anticipates fuller revelation in Isaiah 53:10-11, where God's fury against sin is satisfied through the suffering Servant, enabling peace with sinners.

The NT reveals this principle's ultimate expression: God's wrath against sin was fully exhausted on Christ at the cross. "It is finished" (John 19:30) means judgment is complete, fury satisfied, wrath rest. For those in Christ, "there is therefore now no condemnation" (Romans 8:1) because divine anger has departed—not through ignoring sin but through substitutionary atonement. God can be "quiet" toward believers because Christ absorbed the fury we deserved.

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Historical & Cultural Context

After 70 years of exile (586-516 BC), God's anger ceased. Cyrus's decree (538 BC) permitted return, temple rebuilding resumed (Ezra 1-6), and eventual restoration under Ezra and Nehemiah (458-432 BC) occurred. The prophets Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi announced God's renewed favor toward the remnant. Though challenges remained, divine fury had departed—Israel's idolatry was permanently cured.

The exile's limited duration contrasted with permanent judgment on nations like Edom (Obadiah) and Babylon (Jeremiah 50-51). God's covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob guaranteed Israel's preservation despite severe discipline (Leviticus 26:44-45, Jeremiah 30:11). Judgment was purgative for Israel but destructive for nations without covenant promise. This distinction reveals grace—God disciplines His children unto restoration but judges outsiders unto destruction.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding that Christ absorbed God's fury enable you to rest in divine peace rather than fearing ongoing wrath?
  2. What does it mean practically that God's jealousy has 'departed' from believers through Christ's finished work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
וַהֲנִחֹתִ֤י1 of 10

“toward thee to rest”

H5117

to rest, i.e., settle down; used in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, intransitive, transitive and causative (to dwell, stay, l

חֲמָתִי֙2 of 10

“So will I make my fury”

H2534

heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)

בָּ֔ךְ3 of 10
H0
וְסָ֥רָה4 of 10

“shall depart”

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

קִנְאָתִ֖י5 of 10

“and my jealousy”

H7068

jealousy or envy

מִמֵּ֑ךְ6 of 10
H4480

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

וְשָׁ֣קַטְתִּ֔י7 of 10

“from thee and I will be quiet”

H8252

to repose (usually figurative)

וְלֹ֥א8 of 10
H3808

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

אֶכְעַ֖ס9 of 10

“and will be no more angry”

H3707

to trouble; by implication, to grieve, rage, be indignant

עֽוֹד׃10 of 10
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

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 16:42 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 16:42 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 5:13Isaiah 40:1-2Ezekiel 21:17Ezekiel 39:29Zechariah 6:8Isaiah 54:9-10

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