Ezekiel 17:18

Seeing he despised the oath by breaking the covenant, when, lo, he had given his hand, and hath done all these [things], he shall not escape.

Seeing he despised {H959} the oath {H423} by breaking {H6565} the covenant {H1285}, when, lo, he had given {H5414} his hand {H3027}, and hath done {H6213} all these things, he shall not escape {H4422}.

because he despised the oath by breaking the covenant to which he had sworn allegiance; having done all these things, he will not escape unpunished.'

He despised the oath by breaking the covenant. Seeing that he gave his hand in pledge yet did all these things, he will not escape!โ€™

For he hath despised the oath by breaking the covenant; and behold, he had given his hand, and yet hath done all these things; he shall not escape.

Commentary

Ezekiel 17:18 is a powerful declaration of divine judgment against King Zedekiah of Judah, emphasizing the severe consequences of breaking solemn covenants.

Context

This verse is part of a complex allegory presented by God through the prophet Ezekiel, often referred to as the parable of the two eagles and the vine (Ezekiel 17:1-10). The first great eagle represents King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, who had besieged Jerusalem and taken King Jehoiachin captive to Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar then set up Zedekiah, Jehoiachin's uncle, as a vassal king in Judah, making him swear a solemn oath of allegiance. The vine represents the kingdom of Judah, and Zedekiah is the "tender one" transplanted by the eagle.

However, Zedekiah, despite his oath and the covenant he made with Babylon, rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar, secretly seeking military aid from Egypt (represented by the second great eagle). This act of treachery, despising the oath and breaking the covenant, is what God addresses directly in this verse. God, who often uses earthly rulers to execute His will, views Zedekiah's broken promise to Nebuchadnezzar as a direct affront to Him, as the oath was made in God's name or with His implied sanction.

Key Themes

  • The Sanctity of Oaths and Covenants: The passage underscores the extreme seriousness with which God views sworn oaths and covenants, whether between individuals or nations. Zedekiah's disregard for his promise was not merely political maneuvering but a profound moral and spiritual failing. This echoes the biblical emphasis on keeping one's word and honoring vows made before God.
  • Divine Justice and Retribution: God declares unequivocally that Zedekiah "shall not escape." This highlights God's unwavering justice. He is not indifferent to acts of treachery, especially when they involve solemn promises. The breaking of the covenant, despite Zedekiah having "given his hand" as a sign of commitment, ensures that divine judgment will be meted out.
  • Consequences of Disobedience and Rebellion: Zedekiah's actions led directly to the downfall of Judah and the destruction of Jerusalem, fulfilling the warnings given by prophets like Jeremiah and Ezekiel. This serves as a stark reminder that disobedience to God's established order and rebellion against legitimate authority (even if that authority is a foreign power appointed by God for a time) carries severe consequences.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "despised the oath" comes from the Hebrew word bazah (ื‘ึธึผื–ึธื”), which means to scorn, disdain, or treat with contempt. This indicates that Zedekiah's breaking of the covenant was not an accidental oversight but a deliberate act of contempt for the solemnity of the agreement. The idiom "given his hand" (ื ึธืชึทืŸ ื™ึธื“ื•ึน - natan yado) is a powerful expression in Hebrew, signifying a pledge of allegiance, a formal agreement, or a solemn oath, similar to shaking hands today as a sign of commitment.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 17:18 offers timeless lessons for believers today. It calls us to reflect on the importance of integrity and trustworthiness in all our dealings. Whether it's a promise to a friend, a commitment in business, or our covenant relationship with God, our word should be our bond. The verse reminds us that:

  1. God values integrity: He takes seriously our promises and commitments, especially those made before Him.
  2. There are consequences for breaking trust: While Zedekiah faced national catastrophe, individuals today also face consequences for dishonesty and betrayal, whether natural or divine.
  3. God is a God of justice: He will ultimately hold all accountable for their actions, ensuring that no one truly "shall escape" the consequences of their deliberate rebellion against His principles. This truth is foundational to understanding God's character and His eventual final judgment.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Chronicles 29:24

    And all the princes, and the mighty men, and all the sons likewise of king David, submitted themselves unto Solomon the king.

  • 2 Chronicles 30:8

    Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers [were, but] yield yourselves unto the LORD, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever: and serve the LORD your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you.

  • Lamentations 5:6

    We have given the hand [to] the Egyptians, [and to] the Assyrians, to be satisfied with bread.