One of the most interesting attributes of God mentioned in Scripture is the affirmation of God Himself—“For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God” (Ex. 20:5). God even says His “name is Jealous” (Ex. 34:14). In our minds, we may associate envy with jealousy, but that is not the meaning of the word used of God (He is not envious of any man’s possessions or achievements). So, what does it mean?
The Hebrew word qin’ah has as its root meaning, “to be inflamed, to be red,” thus referring to the red in a person’s face as a result of deep emotion (i.e., jealousy). The Greek word zelos is derived from a word that means, “to boil, to heat” (you can see the English word zeal in the Greek word). So, how is this applied to God in Scripture?
Notice where this word is first used of God in Scripture. In establishing a covenant with Israel, Jehovah said, “I am the LORD your God…You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourselves a carved image…you shall not bow down to them nor serve them…” (Ex. 20:2-5). The very next word in Scripture, “For,” gives the divine reason for recognizing, honoring, worshiping and serving Him as the one and only God—“For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God.”
Here’s the concept. God is to have first place in our lives (“You shall have no other gods before/besides Me!”). He is to be the sole object of our worship and primary affection of our lives. There are absolutely no substitutes for God or His glory in our lives. God is jealous—He will not accept second place in any part of our lives. The moment that we allow anything (whether we do it consciously or not) to supersede the Lord, God’s jealousy is inflamed and boils against us.
In the Old Testament, this word was used of God primarily when His people turned to idolatry (cf. Deut. 6:14-15; 29:18-20; Josh. 24:19-20; 1 Kgs. 14:22-23). God was jealous of His people giving unto anything else the honor that was due unto Him! While that sounds scary (and it is, for the same verse calls God “a consuming fire” in Deuteronomy 4:24), His jealousy is also enacted for us, His people, when we are battered by the world (see Nahum 1:2).
Here’s a question to consider. God is jealous (i.e., zealous) for your heart, soul, strength and mind—your all, your loyalty. Are you jealous (i.e., zealous) for God?