Ezekiel 21:25

KJV

And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity [shall have] an end,

KJV (with Strong's)

And thou, profane {H2491} wicked {H7563} prince {H5387} of Israel {H3478}, whose day {H3117} is come {H935}, when {H6256} iniquity {H5771} shall have an end {H7093},

Complete Jewish Bible

As for you, you wicked prince of Isra'el, due to be killed, whose day has come, at the time of final punishment,

Berean Standard Bible

And you, O profane and wicked prince of Israel, the day has come for your final punishment.’

American Standard Version

And thou, O deadly wounded wicked one, the prince of Israel, whose day is come, in the time of the iniquity of the end,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 21:25 delivers a searing prophetic indictment against King Zedekiah, the final monarch of Judah, unequivocally labeling him a "profane wicked prince." This verse dramatically declares that his divinely appointed time of judgment has arrived, marking the culmination of Judah's persistent iniquity. It signifies the imminent and irreversible end of the independent Davidic monarchy and the decisive execution of God's justice through the impending Babylonian conquest, powerfully affirming God's absolute sovereignty over history and His unwavering commitment to righteousness, even amid national collapse.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 21 is a formidable and graphically vivid prophecy, often termed "The Song of the Sword," which immediately follows a series of pronouncements of judgment against Jerusalem and the land of Israel. The chapter opens with a divine command for Ezekiel to prophesy against Jerusalem, declaring that the "sword of the Lord" is drawn, sharpened, and polished, ready to execute judgment upon both the righteous and the wicked within the land ([Ezekiel 21:3](/ezekiel/21-3 "Ezekiel 21:3 - The Lord's Sword Drawn")). This pervasive imagery of a devastating sword underscores the swiftness and totality of the impending divine wrath. Verse 25 intensifies the focus by specifically targeting the "prince of Israel," thereby narrowing the scope of judgment from the general populace to the culpable leadership. This direct address to Zedekiah sets the stage for the subsequent verses, which detail the specific actions of the king of Babylon and the ultimate overthrow of Zedekiah's throne and the Davidic line ([Ezekiel 21:26](/ezekiel/21-26 "Ezekiel 21:26 - Overturning the Crown")). The verse functions as a climactic declaration within this prophetic section, signaling the inevitable demise of the kingdom.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This prophecy was delivered during a critical period in Judah's history, approximately 593-587 BC, when the kingdom existed as a precarious vassal state under the dominion of Babylon. King Zedekiah, originally named Mattaniah, had been installed by Nebuchadnezzar after the first deportation, swearing a solemn oath of allegiance to Babylon. However, in a desperate and ultimately futile attempt to regain independence, Zedekiah rebelled against Babylon, seeking a military alliance with Egypt. This act of disloyalty, coupled with the nation's pervasive idolatry, social injustice, and spiritual apostasy, constituted a profound breach of covenant, provoking God's righteous wrath. In ancient Israel, kings were considered God's anointed representatives, holding a sacred office with the responsibility to uphold divine law and justice. Zedekiah's actions, therefore, were not merely political missteps but a profound demonstration of spiritual rebellion and a profanation of his sacred office, leading to the loss of divine favor and protection. The phrase "whose day is come" resonates with the ancient Near Eastern concept of an appointed "day" for a nation or individual's destiny, frequently associated with a time of reckoning, judgment, or downfall. The impending destruction of Jerusalem and its temple was thus understood not merely as a military defeat but as a theological catastrophe, marking the definitive end of the independent Davidic monarchy and the commencement of the Babylonian exile.
* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 21:25 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes prominent within the book of Ezekiel and the broader prophetic corpus. It emphatically highlights **Divine Judgment on Leadership**, asserting that those in positions of authority, particularly kings who are divinely appointed to uphold justice, will be held supremely accountable for their unrighteousness, rebellion, and failure to lead God's people in faithfulness. Zedekiah's designation as a "profane wicked prince" underscores the theme of the **Desecration of Sacred Office**, demonstrating how human sin can defile even the most hallowed institutions established by God. The declaration that "whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end" speaks profoundly to **God's Sovereign Timing and Inescapable Justice**, revealing that there is a divinely appointed limit to human sin, rebellion, and God's forbearance before judgment is decisively executed. This also ties into the theme of **The End of an Era**, marking the tragic culmination of Judah's persistent unfaithfulness and the definitive termination of the independent Davidic monarchy, leading directly to the Babylonian exile. This severe judgment, though devastating, ultimately serves God's larger redemptive purpose of purification and preparation for future restoration, as hinted at in later prophecies concerning a new covenant and a new heart for Israel ([Ezekiel 36:26](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26 - A New Heart and Spirit")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Profane (Hebrew, _châlâl'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to pierce" or "to defile," this term describes something or someone that has been stripped of its sacredness, rendered common, or polluted. When applied to Zedekiah, it signifies that he, as God's anointed king, had desecrated his holy office through his unrighteous actions and rebellion against God's covenant and will. He had become "profane" by his conduct, thereby forfeiting the divine favor and protection inherently associated with his royal position. The word carries the weight of spiritual defilement.
* **Day (Hebrew, _yôwm'_):** While commonly referring to a literal 24-hour period, in this prophetic context, "day" signifies a divinely appointed period or a specific, climactic time, particularly a time of reckoning, judgment, or downfall. The phrase "whose day is come" emphasizes that the precise, fixed moment for Zedekiah's downfall and the fulfillment of God's judgment against him and the kingdom of Judah has arrived. It is an inevitable and irreversible point in time, determined by God's sovereign decree, marking the end of an era.
* **Iniquity (Hebrew, _ʻâvôn'_):** This word denotes perversity, moral evil, guilt, or the punishment resulting from sin. It encompasses both the act of sin itself and its dire consequences. The phrase "when iniquity shall have an end" does not imply the eradication of all sin from the world, but rather that the full measure of Judah's specific, accumulated sin and rebellion, particularly under Zedekiah's reign, had reached its divinely determined limit. The time for God's forbearance was over, and the just punishment for that particular period of national sin was about to be executed, bringing a definitive end to that era of unrighteousness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel":** This opening clause is a direct, personal, and profoundly condemnatory address to King Zedekiah. The dual descriptors "profane" and "wicked" are highly significant: "wicked" denotes his moral corruption and unrighteous actions, while "profane" indicates a defilement of his sacred office as God's anointed ruler. This highlights his unworthiness to hold the throne, having violated his covenant with God and brought disgrace upon the nation and the Davidic line.
* **"whose day is come":** This succinct yet powerful phrase declares the arrival of a predetermined, climactic moment for Zedekiah. It signifies the divinely appointed time for his judgment and downfall, signaling the imminent end of his reign and, by extension, the end of Judah's independent monarchy. This emphasizes God's sovereign control over historical events and the precise timing of His judgments, demonstrating that no human ruler can escape divine reckoning.
* **"when iniquity [shall have] an end":** This final clause elucidates the nature of the "day" that has arrived. It is the decisive point at which the accumulated sin and rebellion of Judah, particularly exacerbated by Zedekiah's leadership, has reached its full, divinely measured capacity. It signifies the cessation of God's patience and the commencement of His decisive, just punishment, bringing a definitive and irreversible end to that specific era of national unrighteousness and its associated consequences.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 21:25 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of impending and inescapable judgment. **Direct Address** is immediately evident, as the prophet directly confronts "thou, profane wicked prince," creating an intense sense of immediate and personal accountability for Zedekiah. The use of a compound **Epithet** ("profane wicked prince") is exceptionally effective, succinctly summarizing Zedekiah's morally corrupt character and the defiled nature of his rule, which has utterly fallen from its sacred calling. The ominous phrase "whose day is come" functions as both **Foreshadowing** and a poignant example of **Dramatic Irony**, as it points to an inevitable and tragic future event—the king's demise—while simultaneously highlighting the bitter irony of a king who, through his own faithless actions, precipitates his own destruction and the downfall of his kingdom. Furthermore, the declaration "when iniquity shall have an end" utilizes **Hyperbole** to emphasize the finality and totality of the judgment on that specific period of national sin, rather than implying the eradication of all evil from the world. This phrase also functions as a powerful **Metonymy**, where "iniquity" stands in for the severe consequences and divine punishment justly due to that accumulated iniquity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 21:25 stands as a stark and enduring testament to God's unwavering justice and His absolute sovereign control over the rise and fall of nations and their leaders. It profoundly underscores the immense responsibility inherent in leadership, particularly when entrusted with a sacred office or position of divine appointment. Zedekiah's tragic end serves as a powerful biblical illustration that divine patience has definitive limits, and persistent rebellion against God's revealed will ultimately leads to inevitable and severe judgment. This foundational principle extends far beyond ancient Israel, affirming that no human authority, however powerful or seemingly untouchable, is exempt from God's meticulous scrutiny or immune to the dire consequences of unrighteousness and spiritual defilement. The declaration of "the end of iniquity" for Judah signals a divinely orchestrated reset, a painful but absolutely necessary step in God's overarching redemptive plan for His covenant people, paving the way for future restoration and the establishment of a new covenant.

* [Proverbs 11:21](/proverbs/11-21 "Proverbs 11:21 - Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished")
* [Psalm 75:6-7](/psalm/75-6-7 "Psalm 75:6-7 - For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.")
* [Jeremiah 52:11](/jeremiah/52-11 "Jeremiah 52:11 - Zedekiah's Eyes Put Out")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 21:25 compels us to deeply consider the profound implications of leadership, accountability, and the absolute certainty of divine justice. For those who find themselves in positions of influence, whether within the church, the broader community, or even the family unit, this verse serves as a sober and solemn warning: authority is a sacred trust, a stewardship from God Himself. Its misuse or profanation through unrighteousness, self-interest, or rebellion against God's standards will inevitably lead to divine reckoning. We are therefore called to lead with unwavering integrity, profound humility, and a deep reverence for God's righteous character and His holy standards, always recognizing that our actions, both public and private, have far-reaching and eternal consequences. For all believers, this verse powerfully reinforces the foundational truth that God is utterly sovereign over all of history, and His perfect justice will ultimately and undeniably prevail. While the immediate context is one of severe judgment, it also implicitly extends a profound call for repentance, reminding us that God's ultimate desire is always for His people to turn from their wicked ways so that they might live and experience His mercy. It compels us to diligently examine our own lives for any "profane" attitudes, compromised values, or "wicked" actions that might be defiling our walk with God, urging us to live in continuous alignment with His righteous and holy character.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific ways might I, or leaders within my sphere of influence, be inadvertently "profaning" a sacred trust or position through unrighteous actions, compromised ethics, or ungodly attitudes?**
* **How does the absolute certainty of God's justice, as powerfully demonstrated in this verse, shape my understanding of current global events, societal injustices, or even personal struggles I am facing?**
* **What particular "iniquity" in my own life, my family, or my community needs to "come to an end" through sincere repentance, radical transformation, and renewed commitment to God's ways?**

### FAQ
**Was Zedekiah the last king of Judah?**

Answer: Yes, Zedekiah was indeed the last reigning king of Judah before the devastating Babylonian exile. His reign concluded tragically with the complete destruction of Jerusalem, the sacred Temple, and the mass deportation of the remaining population to Babylon. The prophecy in [Ezekiel 21:25](/ezekiel/21-25 "Ezekiel 21:25 - The Profane Prince") and the subsequent declaration in [Ezekiel 21:26](/ezekiel/21-26 "Ezekiel 21:26 - Overturning the Crown") directly foretell this definitive end, stating that the crown would be removed and the kingdom utterly overturned. This prophecy found its precise historical fulfillment in the events meticulously recorded in [2 Kings 25](/2_kings/25 "2 Kings 25 - The Fall of Jerusalem"), marking the end of the independent Davidic monarchy.

**What does "when iniquity shall have an end" mean in this context? Does it mean sin will be eradicated?**

Answer: In this specific prophetic context, the phrase "when iniquity shall have an end" ([Ezekiel 21:25](/ezekiel/21-25 "Ezekiel 21:25 - The End of Iniquity")) does not signify the eradication of all sin from the world in a universal sense. Instead, it precisely means that the accumulated measure of Judah's specific, persistent, and corporate sin and rebellion, particularly intensified under Zedekiah's unrighteous reign, had reached its divinely determined and final limit. It marks the appointed time for God's long-suffering patience to cease and for His just, decisive judgment to be executed upon that particular era of national unrighteousness. It is the culmination of their corporate guilt, necessitating the severe consequences of exile and the definitive end of their independent monarchy as a divine act of justice.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 21:25, with its stark declaration of judgment upon the "profane wicked prince" and the pronouncement of an "end" to iniquity, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound reversal in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Zedekiah, a king from the Davidic line, failed miserably in his sacred office and brought about the catastrophic downfall of his kingdom through his unrighteousness and rebellion, Jesus is revealed as the true, righteous, and eternal King from the very same line of David, whose reign is perfectly just and will never end ([Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32-33 "Luke 1:32-33 - Jesus' Eternal Kingdom")). The "day" that came for Zedekiah was one of divine judgment, destruction, and the cessation of his rule; for Christ, His "day" is one of ultimate salvation, redemptive power, and the glorious establishment of an eternal, unshakeable kingdom. The iniquity that found its "end" in Ezekiel 21:25 was the specific, accumulated sin of Judah leading to temporal judgment and exile. In stark contrast, through Christ, iniquity truly meets its definitive end in a redemptive, spiritual, and eternal sense. By His perfect life of obedience, His atoning death on the cross, and His glorious resurrection, Jesus bore the full, crushing weight of humanity's sin, becoming the sacrificial Lamb of God who truly takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Lamb of God")). He is the one who, by His single, perfect sacrifice, definitively puts an end to the power, penalty, and damning presence of sin for all who believe, ushering in a new covenant where forgiveness, righteousness, and eternal life are freely offered ([Hebrews 9:26](/hebrews/9-26 "Hebrews 9:26 - Christ's Sacrifice to Put Away Sin")). Unlike Zedekiah, who profaned his office and brought ruin, Jesus perfectly fulfilled His roles as King, Priest, and Prophet, establishing a kingdom of righteousness and peace that will never be overturned or destroyed ([Daniel 7:14](/daniel/7-14 "Daniel 7:14 - Everlasting Dominion")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 35:5

Because thou hast had a perpetual hatred, and hast shed [the blood of] the children of Israel by the force of the sword in the time of their calamity, in the time [that their] iniquity [had] an end:

Jeremiah 52:2

And he did [that which was] evil in the eyes of the LORD, according to all that Jehoiakim had done.

Ezekiel 17:19

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; [As] I live, surely mine oath that he hath despised, and my covenant that he hath broken, even it will I recompense upon his own head.

2 Chronicles 36:13

And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God: but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart from turning unto the LORD God of Israel.

Ezekiel 21:29

Whiles they see vanity unto thee, whiles they divine a lie unto thee, to bring thee upon the necks of [them that are] slain, of the wicked, whose day is come, when their iniquity [shall have] an end.

Psalms 9:5

Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever.

Psalms 9:6

O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them.