The Jealousy of God

God is a jealous God. Exodus 20:4-5 states, "You shall not make for yourself a carved image...You shall not bow down to them [other gods] or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God."

"...for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God." - Exodus 34:14

"God’s jealousy (קִנְאָה, ζηλος), mentioned repeatedly (Exod. 20:5; 34:14; Deut. 4:24; 5:9; 6:15; Josh. 24:19; Nah. 1:2), is provoked when Israel, YHWH’s bride, violates his rights as groom and husband by following after other gods (Deut. 32:16, 21; 1 Kings 14:22; Ps. 78:58; Ezek. 8:3, 5), and manifests itself when yhwh on his part provokes Israel to jealousy by choosing another people (Deut. 32:21; Ps. 79:5; Ezek. 5:13; 16:38; 23:25; Rom. 10:19)." - Herman Bavinck

"Jealousy is used in the Scriptures in both a positive and a negative sense. When jealousyis used as an attribute of God, it is obviously used in a positive sense. Probably themost striking example of the anthropomorphic portrayal of God is in those passages wherehe is said to be jealous. The language is based upon the relationship of husband and wifeand is frequently associated with Israel's unfaithfulness to God." - Alan N. Winkler