Is God a self-centered being who craved attention?
What does the Bible mean by a “jealous God”?
Site of ancient Temple of Baal-Berith at Shekem
Let’s face it, there are verses in the Bible that use the word “jealous” to describe God. Does that mean that God is some mean, self-centered being? Isn’t jealousy negative and immature – and indicative of some kind of insecurity? What does the Bible mean by a “jealous God”?
The phrase “jealous God” is actually found in the text of the second commandment:
Exo 20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
Exo 20:6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
Is God jealous of us worshipping idols like an insecure wife jealous of a womanizing husband?
The problem lies in a subtle mistranslation or misunderstanding of the Hebrew word qanna [Strong's H7067] – which is derived from the root word qana [Strong's H7065] which really means zealous. Qana can also mean envious or jealous, in negative sense. But can envious rightfully describe God, who owns all things? Does the word jealous – as in a jilted wife – describe God?
Obviously not! Idols are in fact NOTHING as far as God is concerned [1 Cor 8:4].
So how is God “jealous”?
Zec 8:3 Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain.
Zec 8:4 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age.
Zec 8:5 And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof.
Zec 8:6 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes? saith the LORD of hosts.
Zec 8:7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country;
Zec 8:8 And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.
From the above verses it is clear that God’s jealousy is really zeal. God is zealous for us – for our welfare, for our good. Breaking His commandments brings unhappiness and misery – and ultimately death (Rom.6:23). That is why God is vehemently – zealously – against it.
God loves us so much He is willing to give up His only begotten son in order to save us:
That is what a “jealous God” means.