Ezekiel 28:24

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.

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}.

"'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.'

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.’

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

Context

Ezekiel 28 primarily contains a prophetic oracle against the city and king of Tyre, detailing their immense pride, wealth, and eventual downfall due to their arrogance against God. However, verse 24 marks a distinct shift in focus. Following prophecies of judgment on Tyre and Sidon (mentioned in the preceding verses), this verse turns to a promise of future security and blessing for the house of Israel. This promise sets the stage for the broader theme of Israel's restoration and peaceful dwelling in their land, free from hostile neighbors, which is a significant part of Ezekiel's later prophecies concerning God's faithfulness to His covenant people.

Key Themes

  • Divine Protection and Security: The core promise is God's active removal of hostile elements. The vivid imagery of "pricking brier" and "grieving thorn" portrays the constant irritation, pain, and oppression Israel experienced from surrounding nations who despised them. God assures that these sources of affliction will be eliminated, guaranteeing a future time of peace and safety for His people.
  • Restoration and Peace for Israel: This verse anticipates a future era when Israel will dwell securely, unmolested by enemies. It speaks to a profound peace and security, a recurring theme in prophetic literature concerning Israel's ultimate restoration to their land under God's protection.
  • God's Sovereignty and Self-Revelation: The concluding phrase, "and they shall know that I am the Lord GOD," is a foundational and frequently repeated motif throughout the book of Ezekiel. It signifies that through His powerful acts of judgment against Israel's enemies and His unwavering faithfulness in protecting and restoring His people, God's true identity, supreme power, and righteous justice will be undeniably revealed and acknowledged by all. This is a vindication of His holy name, as seen in Ezekiel 36:23.

Linguistic Insights

The imagery of "pricking brier" (Hebrew: qav mam'ir) and "grieving thorn" (Hebrew: qots makh'iv) powerfully conveys the nature of Israel's hostile neighbors. Mam'ir suggests something that causes a festering sore or corruption, indicating a deep, persistent wound. Makh'iv directly means "painful" or "causing grief," emphasizing the emotional and physical suffering inflicted. These terms highlight the constant, irritating, and debilitating effect these nations had on Israel, not just physically but also psychologically and spiritually. The removal of these elements signifies not just physical protection but a deep healing and lasting peace.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 28:24 offers profound encouragement for believers today, reminding us that:

  • God is Our Protector: Just as God promised to remove the "thorns" and "briers" from Israel's side, He is faithful to protect His people from spiritual and often physical opposition. We can trust in His sovereign hand to deal with those who oppose His will or His followers.
  • Ultimate Peace is Coming: This verse points to a future hope where all sources of pain and opposition will be removed, culminating in the ultimate peace and security found in God's eternal kingdom. This promise resonates with the New Testament's vision of a new heaven and new earth, where there will be no more sorrow or pain.
  • God Will Be Known: Through His powerful actions, God continually reveals Himself. Our experiences, both trials and triumphs, serve to deepen our understanding and knowledge of Him as the sovereign Lord. When God delivers His people, it is ultimately so that He might be glorified and known by all.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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]: