The Church Fathers on this verse

Ezekiel 16:37Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Behold, I will gather together all thy lovers with whom thou hast taken pleasure, and all whom thou hast loved, with all whom thou hast hated: and I will gather them together against thee on every side, and will discover thy shame in their sight, and they shall see all thy nakedness.

Douay-Rheims

לָ֠כֵן הִנְנִ֨י מְקַבֵּ֤ץ אֶת־כָּל־מְאַהֲבַ֙יִךְ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָרַ֣בְתְּ עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם וְאֵת֙ כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר אָהַ֔בְתְּ עַ֖ל כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר שָׂנֵ֑את וְקִבַּצְתִּי֩ אֹתָ֨ם עָלַ֜יִךְ מִסָּבִ֗יב וְגִלֵּיתִ֤י עֶרְוָתֵךְ֙ אֲלֵהֶ֔ם וְרָא֖וּ אֶת־כָּל־עֶרְוָתֵֽךְ׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

One Church Father comments on this verse

Theodoret of Cyrus

5th centuryChurch Father

I will collect all your desires and those whom you have associated with, both those you cherished and those you despised, and I will bring them against you from every direction. I will bring judgment upon you through your own allies; you have engaged in wicked competition with the Chaldeans, Assyrians, Canaanites, and Egyptians, and I will utilize them as instruments of your punishment, delivering a retribution that matches your deeds. To those you love, I will also add those who stand against you so that they may witness your profound iniquity. I will expose your wickedness to them, allowing them to behold all your disgrace.

Read more (59 words)

I will deliver judgment upon you in accordance with the wrath of your lovers and those who commit acts of violence, and you shall be immersed in the blood of passion and fervor. You will endure the consequences typically reserved for murderers and faithless spouses; you have unlawfully emulated them, and alongside them, you will experience the same fate.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.