For jealousy
The Hebrew word for "jealousy" is "קִנְאָה" (qin'ah), which conveys a deep, consuming passion that can be both protective and destructive. In the context of marriage, this jealousy is a fierce guarding of the sanctity and exclusivity of the marital relationship. Historically, this reflects the cultural and religious importance placed on fidelity within the covenant of marriage, as seen throughout the Old Testament. Jealousy here is not a petty emotion but a profound response to betrayal, echoing God's own jealousy for His people when they turn to other gods.

enrages
The term "enrages" translates from the Hebrew "חֵמָה" (chemah), meaning heat, fury, or wrath. This word paints a vivid picture of the intense emotional upheaval that jealousy can provoke. In the ancient Near Eastern context, emotions were often described in terms of physical sensations, such as heat or burning, indicating the overwhelming nature of the husband's response. This rage is not merely anger but a consuming fire that demands action, reflecting the seriousness with which marital fidelity was regarded.

a husband
The word "husband" here is "אִישׁ" (ish), which can mean man or husband, depending on the context. In this verse, it specifically refers to the male partner in a marriage, highlighting the patriarchal structure of ancient Israelite society where the husband was seen as the protector and head of the household. This role carried with it the responsibility to uphold the honor and integrity of the family unit, making any threat to that unit a matter of grave concern.

and he will show no mercy
The phrase "will show no mercy" is derived from the Hebrew "לֹא־יַחְמוֹל" (lo-yachmol), indicating a complete absence of compassion or leniency. In the biblical context, mercy is often associated with God's character, yet here, the husband's response to infidelity is portrayed as devoid of such mercy. This underscores the severity of the offense and the cultural expectation of retribution. The lack of mercy is a reflection of the deep wound inflicted by betrayal, which in ancient times could lead to severe consequences.

in the day of vengeance
"Day of vengeance" translates from "בְּיוֹם נָקָם" (beyom naqam), a phrase that signifies a specific time set aside for retribution or justice. In the biblical narrative, vengeance is often associated with divine justice, where God avenges wrongs done to His people. Here, it is the husband who assumes the role of avenger, emphasizing the personal and societal implications of infidelity. This phrase also serves as a warning of the inevitable consequences of betrayal, reminding the reader of the moral and ethical standards upheld by the community.

(34) For jealousy is the rage of a man.--That is jealousy is furious, and cannot be appeased by bribes.

Verse 34. - For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance. The first hemistich is adduced as a reason for what has preceded, while the concluding hemistich and the following and last verses are a deduction strengthening what has been stated before, and also showing that the punishment will be inevitable. The general consensus of commentators and texts is to connect the two hemistiches of this verse. Thus the LXX., Μεστὸς γὰρ ζήλου θυμὸς ἀνδρὸς αὐτῆς οὐ φεισεται ἐν ἡμέρα κρίσεως, "For the wrath of her husband filled with jealousy shall not spare in the day of judgment;" the Vulgate, Quia zelus et furor viri non parcet in die vindictae, "For the jealousy and rage of a man shall not spare in the day of vengeance;" the Syriac, Nam quia furor mariti plenus est zelotypia non parcet in die retributionis, "For because rage of a husband is full of jealousy he shall not spare in the day of retribution." So the Arabic, and the Tigarina Versio, and among the commentators Durandus. Dathe, Doderlein, Holden. But the Hebrew simply makes the statement, ki-kimah khamath-gaver, quia zelus excandescentia viri, i.e., as in the Authorized Version, "for jealousy is the rage of a man," ki, equivalent to the Greek γὰρ, "for" and kinah is the subject of the sentence. The Hebrew kinah is "jealousy" as in Proverbs 27:4, "Who is able to stand before envy?" or, as margin, "jealousy." The ordinary copulative verb "is" is best understood as connecting the subject and the predicate; "the rage of a man," Hebrew kamath-gaver, as above, i.e. "the glow of a man's anger" (Delitzsch), or "a man's fierce anger" (Zockler). Jealousy awakens and inflames the wrath and anger of a man or husband to its highest pitch. It evokes the strongest feelings for revenge. Man; Hebrew, gaver, equivalent to ish, "a man," in opposition to "a wife" - "a husband," as here. The word is chiefly found in poetry. Its derivation, from gavar, "to be strong," serves to bring out the idea also of the intensity or force of the jealousy - it burns or rages with all the might of the man. The latter part of the verse in the Hebrew is simply, "and he will not spare (v'lo-yakh'mol) in the day of vengeance." The Authorized Version "therefore" serves to bring out the deduction, though it does net occur in the original. He will not spare; i.e. the injured husband will not show any clemency or mercy to the adulterer, the man who has wronged him so deeply. In the day of vengeance; Hebrew, b'yom nakam. The expression may refer to the time when the adulterer is brought before the judges, but more probably to every occasion on which the husband can exercise his vengeance. So Gejerus. For the expression, cf. Isaiah 34:8, "The day of the Lord's vengeance;" Job 20:28, "The day of his wrath;" and Proverbs 11:4, "The day of wrath." Jealousy is implacable (see Song of Solomon 8:6, "Jealousy is cruel as the grave").

Parallel Commentaries ...


For
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

jealousy
קִנְאָ֥ה (qin·’āh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7068: Ardor, zeal, jealousy

enrages a husband,
חֲמַת־ (ḥă·maṯ-)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 2534: Heat, anger, poison

and he will show no
וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

mercy
יַ֝חְמ֗וֹל (yaḥ·mō·wl)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2550: To commiserate, to spare

in the day
בְּי֣וֹם (bə·yō·wm)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3117: A day

of vengeance.
נָקָֽם׃ (nā·qām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5359: Vengeance


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 6:34 For jealousy arouses the fury (Prov. Pro Pr)