Ezekiel 28:24

KJV

And there shall be no more a pricking brier unto the house of Israel, nor [any] grieving thorn of all [that are] round about them, that despised them; and they shall know that I [am] the Lord GOD.

KJV (with Strong's)

And there shall be no more a pricking {H3992} brier {H5544} unto the house {H1004} of Israel {H3478}, nor any grieving {H3510} thorn {H6975} of all that are round about {H5439} them, that despised {H7590} them; and they shall know {H3045} that I am the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"'The house of Isra'el will no longer have a briar pricking away at them, no longer will any of its contemptuous neighbors be a thorn to stab them. Then they will know that I am Adonai ELOHIM.'

Berean Standard Bible

For the people of Israel will no longer face a pricking brier or a painful thorn from all around them who treat them with contempt. Then they will know that I am the Lord GOD.’

American Standard Version

And there shall be no more a pricking brier unto the house of Israel, nor a hurting thorn of any that are round about them, that did despite unto them; and they shall know that I am the Lord Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 28:24 delivers a profound divine promise of future security and restoration for the house of Israel, following a series of judgments against the nations that surrounded and oppressed them. It declares a permanent cessation of the constant irritation and affliction Israel suffered from hostile neighbors, vividly portrayed as "pricking briers" and "grieving thorns." This removal of external threats is not merely an end to pain, but a divinely orchestrated act designed to unequivocally reveal God's sovereign power, faithfulness, and justice, ensuring that both Israel and the nations will definitively "know that I am the Lord GOD." The verse thus encapsulates themes of divine protection, the establishment of lasting peace, and the ultimate vindication of God's holy name through His powerful intervention in history.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 28 is primarily an oracle of judgment against Tyre, particularly its proud and arrogant king, who is depicted as having exalted himself against God. This chapter, along with chapter 27, details Tyre's immense wealth, commercial prowess, and its subsequent downfall due to its hubris and self-deification. However, verse 24 marks a significant and intentional pivot in the prophetic discourse. After pronouncing doom on Tyre and Sidon (as seen in [Ezekiel 28:20-23](/ezekiel/28-20-23 "Ezekiel 28:20-23 - Prophecy Against Sidon")), the prophetic voice shifts abruptly from judgment upon Israel's enemies to a promise of blessing and security for Israel itself. This transition is crucial, as it sets the stage for the broader prophetic themes of Israel's restoration, their return to the land, and their secure dwelling under God's protection, which become central in the latter half of the book, particularly from [Ezekiel 34](/ezekiel/34 "Ezekiel 34 - The Good Shepherd") onwards, including the vision of the valley of dry bones in [Ezekiel 37](/ezekiel/37 "Ezekiel 37 - Valley of Dry Bones") and the promise of a new heart and spirit in [Ezekiel 36](/ezekiel/36 "Ezekiel 36 - Restoration of Israel"). The removal of external threats is presented as a necessary prerequisite for Israel's peaceful re-establishment and flourishing in their covenant land.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At the time of Ezekiel's prophecy, the people of Israel (specifically the southern kingdom of Judah) were in exile in Babylon, having suffered repeated invasions and the eventual destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. Throughout their long history, the Israelites had been plagued by hostile neighbors—nations like the Philistines, Edomites, Ammonites, Moabites, and indeed, Tyre and Sidon—who often harassed, raided, oppressed, and even rejoiced in Israel's misfortunes. These nations frequently despised Israel and their God, seeing their downfall as a sign of their own gods' superiority. The imagery of "pricking brier" and "grieving thorn" would have resonated deeply with an agrarian society, where such thorny plants were common nuisances, constantly irritating, causing pain, and hindering progress in fields and pathways. They symbolize persistent, painful, and debilitating external threats that made life difficult and insecure. The promise in [Ezekiel 28:24](/ezekiel/28-24 "Ezekiel 28:24 - No More Thorns for Israel") thus speaks to a deep yearning for security and freedom from these historical adversaries, a longing for a time when they could dwell safely in their land without constant fear or harassment, a hope that was central to their covenant relationship with God.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully articulates several core themes prevalent throughout the book of Ezekiel and broader prophetic literature. First, **Divine Protection and Security** is paramount, as God Himself promises to actively remove the sources of pain and affliction from His people. This highlights God's active involvement in the affairs of His people and His unwavering commitment to their well-being and covenant promises. Second, **Restoration and Peace for Israel** is a foundational promise, anticipating a future era when Israel will dwell securely in their land, unmolested by enemies, a vision echoed in passages like [Isaiah 11:9](/isaiah/11-9 "Isaiah 11:9 - Peace in God's Holy Mountain") where "they shall not hurt nor destroy" and [Micah 4:4](/micah/4-4 "Micah 4:4 - Everyone Under Their Own Vine and Fig Tree") where "they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid." This peace is not merely the absence of war but a profound sense of security and flourishing under divine favor. Finally, and most significantly, **God's Sovereignty and Self-Revelation** is the ultimate purpose. The recurring refrain "and they shall know that I am the Lord GOD" (found over 70 times in Ezekiel, for instance, in [Ezekiel 6:7](/ezekiel/6-7 "Ezekiel 6:7 - They Shall Know I Am the Lord") and [Ezekiel 36:23](/ezekiel/36-23 "Ezekiel 36:23 - God's Holy Name Sanctified")) underscores that God's powerful acts of judgment against His enemies and His faithfulness in protecting His people are ultimately for the vindication of His holy name and the undeniable demonstration of His supreme authority and justice to both Israel and the nations.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **pricking (Hebrew, _mâʼar'_):** This word, derived from a primitive root (H3992), means "to be bitter" or (causatively) "to embitter," signifying something that causes pain. It carries the sense of a deep, festering, or persistent wound, suggesting not just a momentary prick but an ongoing source of irritation and affliction that can "fret" or "pick" at one's well-being, causing continuous distress.
* **grieving (Hebrew, _kâʼab'_):** From a primitive root (H3510) meaning "to feel pain," this word extends to "grieve" or "spoil." It emphasizes the emotional and psychological suffering inflicted, indicating that the "thorn" caused not only physical discomfort but also deep sorrow, distress, and a marring or spoiling of Israel's peace and prosperity.
* **know (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** This highly significant Hebrew verb (H3045) encompasses a vast range of meanings, from simple factual knowledge ("to ascertain by seeing") to intimate personal acquaintance, recognition, and even experiential understanding. In the context of "knowing God," it implies a profound, transformative realization of His character, power, and justice, often achieved through His mighty acts of judgment and deliverance. It's not just intellectual assent but a profound, lived understanding that compels acknowledgment and submission.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And there shall be no more a pricking brier unto the house of Israel,"**: This clause introduces the core promise of cessation of affliction. The "pricking brier" (Hebrew: _çillôwn mâʼar_) symbolizes a persistent, painful, and irritating presence. The phrase "unto the house of Israel" specifically identifies the beneficiaries of this divine intervention, emphasizing God's covenant faithfulness to His people (H1004, H3478). The declaration "no more" signifies a definitive, permanent end to this particular form of harassment, promising an era of security and rest.
* **"nor [any] grieving thorn of all [that are] round about them, that despised them;"**: This expands and intensifies the imagery, using another term for a painful plant, "grieving thorn" (Hebrew: _qôwts kâʼab_), to reinforce the nature of the affliction (H6975, H3510). The phrase "of all that are round about them" (H5439) clearly identifies the source of these "thorns" as the surrounding hostile nations. The critical descriptor "that despised them" (H7590) reveals the malicious intent and contempt these nations held for Israel, highlighting their active role in causing distress and pain, and thus justifying God's righteous intervention on behalf of His people.
* **"and they shall know that I [am] the Lord GOD."**: This concluding clause reveals the ultimate theological purpose behind God's actions. The cessation of external threats is not an end in itself, but a means to a greater end: the profound and undeniable self-revelation of God. "They shall know" (H3045) implies an experiential, transformative recognition of God's true identity, power, and sovereignty. "The Lord GOD" (Hebrew: _ʼĂdônây Yᵉhôvih_) combines two of God's most significant titles (H136, H3069), emphasizing His supreme authority as Master and His covenant faithfulness as the self-existent, eternal God (YHWH). This knowledge will be forced upon both Israel and the nations through God's mighty acts of judgment and deliverance.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 28:24 employs potent **Symbolism** and **Metaphor** to convey its message. The "pricking brier" and "grieving thorn" are not literal plants but powerful metaphors for the hostile, irritating, and painful neighboring nations that constantly afflicted Israel. This imagery effectively communicates the persistent, debilitating nature of the external threats, akin to a constant physical and emotional wound. The phrase "that despised them" adds a layer of **Personification** to these abstract threats, attributing malicious intent and active animosity to the nations. Furthermore, the concluding declaration, "and they shall know that I am the Lord GOD," is a recurring **Refrain** throughout the book of Ezekiel. This repetition serves as a powerful theological motif, emphasizing God's ultimate purpose in all His judgments and acts of salvation: to reveal His supreme sovereignty and vindicate His holy name before all creation. The verse also exhibits **Parallelism** in its use of two similar phrases ("pricking brier" and "grieving thorn") to describe the same oppressive reality, enhancing the emphasis on the severity of the past affliction and the completeness of the promised deliverance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 28:24 is a powerful testament to God's unwavering covenant faithfulness and His sovereign control over history. It demonstrates that God is not merely an observer but an active participant who intervenes to protect His people and fulfill His promises. The removal of the "briers" and "thorns" signifies God's commitment to establishing a secure and peaceful dwelling for Israel, a theme that resonates throughout prophetic literature concerning the eschatological age. Ultimately, this act of divine deliverance serves the greater purpose of God's self-revelation, ensuring that His supreme identity and power are undeniably acknowledged by all, both those who benefit from His protection and those who suffer His judgment. This promise of ultimate peace and the vindication of God's name finds its ultimate fulfillment in the new heavens and new earth, where all sources of pain and opposition are permanently removed, and God's reign is fully established in perfect peace.

* [Isaiah 35:9-10](/isaiah/35-9-10 "Isaiah 35:9-10 - The Redeemed Walk There") - "No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up on it; it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there: And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away."
* [Zechariah 8:13](/zechariah/8-13 "Zechariah 8:13 - A Blessing Among the Nations") - "And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, but let your hands be strong."
* [Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears, Pain, or Death") - "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 28:24 offers profound spiritual encouragement for believers today, reminding us of God's enduring faithfulness and His ultimate victory over all opposition. Just as God promised to remove the "pricking briers" and "grieving thorns" from Israel's side, we can trust that He is sovereign over every source of pain, irritation, and opposition in our lives—whether they be spiritual attacks, relational conflicts, systemic injustices, or personal struggles. This verse invites us to rest in the assurance that God is actively working to bring about peace and security for His people, both individually and corporately. It points us toward a future hope where all suffering will cease, and God's perfect reign will be fully established. Furthermore, it underscores that God's ultimate purpose in our trials and triumphs is not just our comfort, but the revelation of His own glory. Our experiences, therefore, become opportunities for us and others to "know that I am the Lord GOD" more deeply, witnessing His power, justice, and love in action. This should inspire us to live with confident hope, knowing that our God is both our protector and the one who will ultimately be glorified through all things, bringing about His perfect and eternal peace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "briers" or "thorns" in your life currently cause you pain or irritation, and how does this verse encourage you to trust God with them?**
* **How have you personally experienced God revealing Himself as "the Lord GOD" through challenging circumstances or acts of deliverance?**
* **In what ways can we, as the "house of Israel" in a spiritual sense, live in anticipation of the ultimate peace and security promised in this verse?**

### FAQ

**Who are the "pricking brier" and "grieving thorn" in Ezekiel 28:24?**

Answer: The "pricking brier" and "grieving thorn" are **metaphorical representations** of the surrounding nations that historically harassed, oppressed, and despised the house of Israel. While the immediate context of Ezekiel 28 focuses on Tyre and Sidon, the phrase "all that are round about them" suggests a broader reference to any and all hostile neighbors who caused Israel pain and irritation throughout their history. These nations rejoiced in Israel's downfall and often acted as instruments of God's judgment, but also as sources of constant affliction, symbolized by these painful plants. God's promise is to remove these sources of perpetual torment, ensuring Israel's future security and peace in their land, as part of His covenant faithfulness.

**What does it mean that "they shall know that I am the Lord GOD"?**

Answer: This phrase is a **key theological refrain** throughout the book of Ezekiel, appearing over 70 times. It signifies a profound, experiential recognition of God's true identity, power, and sovereignty. It's not merely intellectual knowledge but a deep, undeniable understanding that comes through witnessing God's mighty acts—His judgments against the wicked and His deliverance of His people. In this verse, the removal of Israel's tormentors will serve as an irrefutable demonstration of God's unique status as the supreme, covenant-keeping God (YHWH), forcing both Israel and the nations to acknowledge His ultimate authority. This knowledge leads to worship, obedience, or fearful submission, as seen in other passages like [Ezekiel 6:7](/ezekiel/6-7 "Ezekiel 6:7 - They Shall Know I Am the Lord") and [Ezekiel 36:23](/ezekiel/36-23 "Ezekiel 36:23 - God's Holy Name Sanctified").

**How does this verse relate to New Testament prophecy or Christian theology?**

Answer: While Ezekiel 28:24 directly addresses ancient Israel, its themes find **spiritual and eschatological fulfillment** in Christian theology. The promise of freedom from "briers" and "thorns" foreshadows the ultimate peace and security found in Christ's kingdom. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, protects His flock from spiritual enemies (the "thorns" of sin, death, and the devil). The New Testament promises a future where all suffering, pain, and opposition will be eradicated in the new heavens and new earth, as beautifully described in [Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears, Pain, or Death"). Furthermore, the declaration "they shall know that I am the Lord GOD" finds its ultimate expression in the universal acknowledgment of Jesus Christ as Lord, to the glory of God the Father (e.g., [Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10-11 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 28:24, with its promise of the removal of "pricking briers" and "grieving thorns" from the house of Israel, finds its ultimate and profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The constant harassment and pain inflicted by hostile nations on ancient Israel foreshadow the pervasive spiritual oppression and suffering that humanity experiences under the dominion of sin, death, and the powers of darkness. Jesus, as the true [Shepherd of Israel](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd"), came to deliver His people from these ultimate "thorns." Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, He disarmed the spiritual principalities and powers that tormented humanity, triumphing over them (as seen in [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). His resurrection secured the decisive victory over death, the ultimate "thorn" (as triumphantly declared in [1 Corinthians 15:55-57](/1_corinthians/15-55-57 "1 Corinthians 15:55-57 - O Death, Where Is Your Sting?")). The peace promised to Israel—a dwelling free from external threats—is realized in the spiritual peace and security that believers find in Christ, who is our [peace](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Is Our Peace"). Furthermore, the eschatological vision of a new heaven and new earth, where there will be [no more pain, sorrow, or crying](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears, Pain, or Death"), is the full realization of this promise of a thorn-free existence, established by Christ's eternal reign. Finally, the declaration "they shall know that I am the Lord GOD" culminates in the universal acknowledgment of Jesus as Lord, when [every knee will bow and every tongue confess](/philippians/2-10-11 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow") that He is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Thus, the ancient promise to Israel points forward to the comprehensive and eternal deliverance accomplished by Christ for all who believe.

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

Numbers 33:55

But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them [shall be] pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell.

Joshua 23:13

Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out [any of] these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.

2 Corinthians 12:7

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

Ezekiel 2:6

¶ And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns [be] with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they [be] a rebellious house.

Isaiah 55:13

Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign [that] shall not be cut off.

Ezekiel 28:23

For I will send into her pestilence, and blood into her streets; and the wounded shall be judged in the midst of her by the sword upon her on every side; and they shall know that I [am] the LORD.

Isaiah 35:9

No lion shall be there, nor [any] ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk [there]: