Ezekiel 24:25

KJV

Also, thou son of man, [shall it] not [be] in the day when I take from them their strength, the joy of their glory, the desire of their eyes, and that whereupon they set their minds, their sons and their daughters,

KJV (with Strong's)

Also, thou son {H1121} of man {H120}, shall it not be in the day {H3117} when I take {H3947} from them their strength {H4581}, the joy {H4885} of their glory {H8597}, the desire {H4261} of their eyes {H5869}, and that whereupon they set {H4853} their minds {H5315}, their sons {H1121} and their daughters {H1323},

Complete Jewish Bible

"As for you, human being, on the day when I take away from them their stronghold, their crowning joy, the delight of their eyes, their heart's desire, their sons and daughters -

Berean Standard Bible

And you, son of man, know that on the day I take away their stronghold, their pride and joy—the desire of their eyes which uplifted their souls—and their sons and daughters as well,

American Standard Version

And thou, son of man, shall it not be in the day when I take from them their strength, the joy of their glory, the desire of their eyes, and that whereupon they set their heart, their sons and their daughters,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 24:25 is a solemn prophetic declaration from the Lord to Ezekiel, foretelling the precise moment when the devastating news of Jerusalem's fall will reach the exiles in Babylon. It describes the comprehensive nature of the judgment, emphasizing that God will strip away everything the people of Judah cherished and relied upon: their perceived strength, the source of their national pride and joy, the objects of their deepest affection, and most poignantly, their beloved children. This verse marks a pivotal transition, signaling the end of the period of symbolic warnings and the beginning of a new phase where the prophecies of judgment become a stark, undeniable reality.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 24:25 concludes a profound section of judgment prophecies against Jerusalem, specifically following the powerful parable of the boiling pot in [Ezekiel 24:1-14](/ezekiel/24-1 "Ezekiel 24 - The Parable of the Boiling Pot"). This parable vividly portrays Jerusalem as a city filled with corruption, destined to be consumed by the fires of God's wrath. Immediately preceding verse 25, God delivers a deeply personal and symbolic message to Ezekiel: the sudden death of his wife, whom he is forbidden to mourn publicly ([Ezekiel 24:15-24](/ezekiel/24-15 "Ezekiel 24:15-24 - Ezekiel's Wife as a Sign")). This act serves as a prophetic sign to the exiles, indicating that when Jerusalem and its Temple are destroyed, the shock and overwhelming grief will be so profound that the survivors will be too stunned to engage in traditional mourning rituals. Verse 25 then looks forward to the moment when a messenger will arrive with concrete news of the city's destruction, marking the culmination of these prophecies and the beginning of a new phase in Ezekiel's ministry.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy in Ezekiel 24:25 is set against the backdrop of the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem, which began in 588 BC and culminated in the city's destruction in 586 BC. The first wave of exiles, including Ezekiel, had already been taken to Babylon in 597 BC, following King Jehoiachin's surrender. For those in exile, Jerusalem remained the symbolic heart of their nation, their religious identity, and their hope for restoration. The Temple, in particular, was considered inviolable, the dwelling place of Yahweh, and its destruction was an unthinkable catastrophe. Furthermore, children were considered a supreme blessing and the continuation of the family line, representing security, legacy, and hope for the future. The threat of losing them, especially in a violent siege, represented the ultimate devastation for a family and a nation. The cultural understanding of "strength" often encompassed not just military might but also divine protection and the security of one's homeland and institutions.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Ezekiel and the broader prophetic literature. It underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment**, demonstrating God's unwavering resolve to punish Judah for its persistent idolatry, rebellion, and moral corruption, as detailed throughout [Ezekiel 20](/ezekiel/20 "Ezekiel 20 - Israel's Rebellions and God's Faithfulness") and [Ezekiel 22](/ezekiel/22 "Ezekiel 22 - Jerusalem's Sins"). The profound losses described highlight the theme of **Utter Desolation and Loss**, signaling the complete stripping away of everything the people held dear—their physical security, their national pride centered on the Temple, and their very future embodied in their children. This unparalleled suffering serves to validate God's prophetic word and to bring the exiles to a point of profound realization regarding their sin. Furthermore, it sets the stage for the theme of **God's Sovereignty and Vindication**, as the fulfillment of these dire predictions will ultimately reveal God's absolute control over history and His faithfulness to His covenant, even through judgment, paving the way for future restoration.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Strength (Hebrew, _mâʻôwz'_):** The word H4581, _mâʻôwz_, denotes "a fortified place; figuratively, a defence; force, fort(-ress), rock, strength(-en), ([idiom] most) strong (hold)." In this context, "their strength" refers primarily to Jerusalem itself—its formidable walls, its perceived impregnability, and its military capacity. It also encompasses the broader sense of national security and the false confidence the people placed in their city and its defenses, believing it would protect them from divine judgment.
* **Joy (Hebrew, _mâsôws'_):** The word H4885, _mâsôws_, means "delight, concretely (the cause or object) or abstractly (the feeling); joy, mirth, rejoice." When paired with "their glory" (H8597, _tiphʼârâh_, meaning "ornament, beauty, glory, honor, majesty"), "the joy of their glory" unequivocally points to the Temple. The Temple was the epitome of Judah's splendor, the center of their worship, and the source of their national pride and spiritual joy. Its destruction would signify the complete removal of their most cherished and glorious possession.
* **Desire (Hebrew, _machmâd'_):** The word H4261, _machmâd_, signifies "delightful; hence, a delight, i.e., object of affection or desire; beloved, goodly, lovely, pleasant (thing)." "The desire of their eyes" is a deeply poignant phrase, indicating something gazed upon with intense affection, longing, and cherished value. Given its immediate juxtaposition with "their sons and their daughters," it specifically refers to their children, who were the objects of their deepest love, their hope for the future, and the continuation of their lineage. This phrase encapsulates the profound emotional attachment and the ultimate personal loss they would endure.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Also, thou son of man,"**: This opening phrase is a characteristic address from God to Ezekiel, emphasizing the divine origin and authoritative nature of the message. It serves to direct Ezekiel's attention and prepare him for a crucial revelation.
* **"[shall it] not [be] in the day when I take from them their strength,"**: This rhetorical question functions as an emphatic declaration, asserting that the prophesied event will indeed occur. "The day" refers to the specific time of Jerusalem's fall. "Their strength" alludes to Jerusalem's fortifications, its military power, and the false sense of security the people derived from their city's perceived invincibility and divine protection. God explicitly states that He will be the one to remove this strength, underscoring His sovereignty over the impending judgment.
* **"the joy of their glory,"**: This phrase refers to the Temple, which was the crowning glory of Jerusalem and the source of immense national and religious pride and joy for the people of Judah. Its destruction would represent the ultimate desecration and loss of their most sacred and cherished possession, symbolizing the removal of God's manifest presence from among them due to their sin.
* **"the desire of their eyes,"**: This deeply emotional phrase signifies that which is most beloved and precious, gazed upon with affection and longing. It represents the objects of their deepest attachment and affection, which they cherished and delighted in.
* **"and that whereupon they set their minds,"**: This clause further clarifies and intensifies "the desire of their eyes," indicating that these cherished objects were not merely superficial possessions but were central to their thoughts, hopes, and affections—that which they focused their entire being upon.
* **"their sons and their daughters,"**: This final, devastating specification reveals the ultimate and most personal loss. The "sons and daughters" are explicitly identified as the primary objects of "the desire of their eyes" and "that whereupon they set their minds." The loss of children, whether through famine, sword, or exile, represented the crushing of family lines, the obliteration of future hopes, and the most profound and irreparable sorrow a parent could experience, signifying the complete devastation of their society and future.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 24:25 employs several powerful literary devices to convey the depth of the impending judgment. **Metonymy** is prominent, as "strength," "joy of their glory," and "desire of their eyes" stand in for Jerusalem's defenses, the Temple, and their beloved children, respectively. These abstract concepts represent concrete realities that were central to Judah's identity and security. The rhetorical question, "shall it not be in the day when I take from them...?" functions as a form of **emphatic affirmation**, leaving no doubt about the certainty and imminence of the judgment. The successive listing of precious possessions that will be taken away—strength, joy, desire, and finally, sons and daughters—builds a powerful sense of **climax** and **pathos**, culminating in the most heartbreaking and personal loss. This progression highlights the comprehensive nature of God's judgment, stripping away every layer of their security and affection.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 24:25 serves as a stark theological declaration of God's unwavering justice and His sovereign prerogative to judge a rebellious people. It underscores that the consequences of persistent sin and idolatry are severe and comprehensive, affecting every aspect of life—from national security to the most intimate family bonds. The verse reveals God's willingness to remove even the most cherished blessings when they become objects of idolatry or when His people refuse to turn from their wickedness. The profound loss described is not arbitrary but is a direct consequence of Judah's covenant unfaithfulness, designed to bring them to a point of utter despair and, ultimately, to acknowledge God's righteous hand in their suffering. This divine action aims to strip away all false securities, forcing the people to confront the true source of their hope and strength, which they had abandoned.

* [Deuteronomy 28:53-57](/deuteronomy/28-53 "Deuteronomy 28:53-57 - Curses for Disobedience") - Foreshadows the horrific consequences of siege, including cannibalism, and the loss of children, directly connecting to the severity of judgment in Ezekiel.
* [Lamentations 1:1-5](/lamentations/1-1 "Lamentations 1:1-5 - Jerusalem's Desolation") - Describes the utter desolation of Jerusalem after its fall, echoing the profound loss and grief prophesied in Ezekiel 24:25.
* [Hosea 13:16](/hosea/13-16 "Hosea 13:16 - Ephraim's Judgment") - Another prophetic warning of the severe judgment on a rebellious Israel, including the dashing of their infants and ripping open of pregnant women, highlighting the tragic loss of children in divine judgment.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 24:25 offers profound and sobering insights for contemporary believers. It serves as a powerful reminder that God takes sin seriously, and persistent rebellion against His will can lead to severe consequences, even the removal of things we hold most dear. This passage challenges us to examine where our ultimate strength, joy, and desires truly lie. Do we place our confidence in earthly securities—our possessions, careers, relationships, or even our families—more than in God Himself? When God allows us to experience loss, whether personal or communal, it is often a painful but necessary process of stripping away idols, revealing the emptiness of false securities, and redirecting our hearts back to Him as our sole and sufficient source of strength, joy, and fulfillment. It calls us to cultivate a posture of humility and repentance, recognizing that true security is found not in what we possess or achieve, but in an obedient and dependent relationship with our Creator.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "strength," "joy of glory," or "desire of your eyes" might you be placing your ultimate trust in, apart from God?**
* **How does this verse challenge your understanding of God's justice and His methods of bringing about repentance?**
* **In what ways might God be seeking to strip away false securities in your life to draw you closer to Him?**
* **How can you ensure that your deepest affections and hopes are primarily set on God, rather than on temporary earthly blessings?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of God taking away "their strength, the joy of their glory, the desire of their eyes, and their sons and their daughters"?**

Answer: This comprehensive list signifies the complete and utter devastation that would befall Judah. "Their strength" primarily refers to Jerusalem's fortifications and its perceived invincibility, which the people trusted in more than God. "The joy of their glory" points directly to the Temple, the physical manifestation of God's presence among them and the source of their national pride and spiritual joy. "The desire of their eyes" and "that whereupon they set their minds" are poignant phrases that, when followed by "their sons and their daughters," clearly refer to their beloved children. By removing these, God was stripping away every false security, every object of idolatrous affection, and every source of human pride and hope. It was a judgment designed to expose their idolatry and force them to recognize that their true hope and security lay only in Him, not in earthly possessions or even their progeny. The severity of the loss underscores the gravity of their sin and God's righteous judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezekiel 24:25 vividly portrays the stripping away of earthly securities and the profound loss experienced under divine judgment, it also foreshadows a deeper, Christ-centered fulfillment. The "strength" and "glory" that Israel lost were ultimately shadows of the true strength and glory found in Christ. The Temple, the "joy of their glory," was a physical structure pointing to the ultimate dwelling of God among His people, which is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. As Jesus declared, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," referring to [the temple of his body](/john/2-19 "John 2:19 - Jesus and the Temple"). Through His death and resurrection, Christ became the new and living Temple, the ultimate place of worship and the true glory of God ([John 2:21](/john/2-21 "John 2:21 - Jesus and the Temple")). Furthermore, the "desire of their eyes"—their children, representing their future and legacy—finds its ultimate hope not in earthly progeny alone, but in the spiritual children born into God's family through faith in Christ ([John 1:12](/john/1-12 "John 1:12 - Children of God")). The judgment described in Ezekiel, though devastating, ultimately paved the way for a new covenant, where God's presence would not be confined to a physical temple but would indwell believers through the Spirit ([1 Corinthians 3:16](/1_corinthians/3-16 "1 Corinthians 3:16 - You are God's Temple")). Thus, the stripping away of Israel's earthly securities points to the necessity of finding our ultimate strength, joy, and desire in Christ alone, who is our true "fortress" ([Psalm 18:2](/psalm/18-2 "Psalm 18:2 - The Lord is my rock")), our "glory" ([Psalm 3:3](/psalm/3-3 "Psalm 3:3 - God is my glory")), and the "desire of all nations" ([Haggai 2:7](/haggai/2-7 "Haggai 2:7 - The Desire of All Nations")). In Him, we find an enduring strength, an eternal joy, and a secure future that no earthly judgment can take away.

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 24:21

Speak unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will profane my sanctuary, the excellency of your strength, the desire of your eyes, and that which your soul pitieth; and your sons and your daughters whom ye have left shall fall by the sword.

Psalms 48:2

Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, [is] mount Zion, [on] the sides of the north, the city of the great King.

Psalms 50:2

Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.

Jeremiah 11:22

Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, I will punish them: the young men shall die by the sword; their sons and their daughters shall die by famine:

Psalms 122:1

¶ A Song of degrees of David. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

Psalms 122:9

Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good.

Jeremiah 52:10

And the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes: he slew also all the princes of Judah in Riblah.