Ezekiel 33:28

KJV

For I will lay the land most desolate, and the pomp of her strength shall cease; and the mountains of Israel shall be desolate, that none shall pass through.

KJV (with Strong's)

For I will lay {H5414} the land {H776} most {H4923} desolate {H8077}, and the pomp {H1347} of her strength {H5797} shall cease {H7673}; and the mountains {H2022} of Israel {H3478} shall be desolate {H8074}, that none shall pass through {H5674}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Moreover, I will utterly desolate the land; it will cease taking pride in its power; and the mountains of Isra'el will be so desolate that no one will pass through.'

Berean Standard Bible

I will make the land a desolate waste, and the pride of her strength will come to an end. The mountains of Israel will become desolate, so that no one will pass through.

American Standard Version

And I will make the land a desolation and an astonishment; and the pride of her power shall cease; and the mountains of Israel shall be desolate, so that none shall pass through.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 33:28 delivers a stark divine declaration of comprehensive and irreversible judgment upon the land of Israel and its unrepentant inhabitants who remained after Jerusalem's initial fall. It prophesies that God Himself will render the land utterly desolate, stripping away all vestiges of its former glory, strength, and pride. The verse underscores the complete and devastating nature of this desolation, emphasizing that even the enduring "mountains of Israel" will become uninhabitable and impassable, serving as a direct and severe consequence of the people's persistent rebellion and their false sense of security rooted in lineage rather than obedience.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 33 marks a crucial turning point in the prophet's ministry and the book's overarching narrative. Prior to this chapter, Ezekiel's prophecies primarily focused on the impending and then realized judgment and destruction of Jerusalem. The pivotal news of Jerusalem's fall, conveyed to Ezekiel in [Ezekiel 33:21](/ezekiel/33-21 "Ezekiel 33:21 - News of Jerusalem's Fall"), shifts the prophetic focus from warning to explaining the aftermath and, subsequently, to promises of restoration. However, before the full turn to hope, [Ezekiel 33:23-29](/ezekiel/33-23-29 "Ezekiel 33:23-29 - Judgment on the Remnant in the Land") specifically addresses a defiant remnant who remained in the devastated land. These individuals, despite witnessing the catastrophe, continued in their wicked ways, presuming a right to the land based on their Abrahamic lineage rather than their covenant faithfulness. This verse is God's direct and severe response to their arrogant claims and persistent sin, declaring a further, more complete desolation to dismantle their misplaced security and demonstrate His absolute sovereignty.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Ezekiel 33:28 is the immediate aftermath of the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC and the subsequent exile of many Judeans. While a significant portion of the population was deported, a remnant remained in the devastated land. This group, particularly those mentioned in [Ezekiel 33:24](/ezekiel/33-24 "Ezekiel 33:24 - Claimants to the Land"), clung to the notion that they, as descendants of Abraham, still possessed an inherent right to the land, despite their flagrant idolatry, violence, and injustice. Culturally, the "pomp of her strength" (H1347 _gâʼôwn_) refers to the national pride, military might, and perceived invincibility that Judah once boasted, often manifested in fortified cities, a strong army, and reliance on political alliances rather than on the Lord. The "mountains of Israel" were not merely geographical features but deeply symbolic of the nation's enduring presence, stability, and identity. To declare them desolate and impassable was to pronounce a complete dismantling of the very fabric of their national existence and security, fulfilling ancient covenant warnings found in passages like [Leviticus 26:33](/leviticus/26-33 "Leviticus 26:33 - Consequences of Disobedience") and [Deuteronomy 28:49-57](/deuteronomy/28-49-57 "Deuteronomy 28:49-57 - Curses for Disobedience").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes prominent in Ezekiel and the broader prophetic corpus. Firstly, it emphatically reiterates the theme of **Divine Judgment and Sovereignty**, asserting that God is the active and decisive agent ("I will lay") in bringing about this comprehensive desolation, not merely a passive observer of human events. Secondly, it highlights the **Futility of Human Pride and Self-Reliance**, as the "pomp of her strength"—referring to Judah's arrogant reliance on its own power, resources, and perceived invincibility—is utterly nullified. This theme is a consistent thread throughout Ezekiel, particularly evident in prophecies against proud nations like Tyre and Egypt, whose hubris led to their downfall (e.g., [Ezekiel 28:2](/ezekiel/28-2 "Ezekiel 28:2 - The Pride of Tyre")). Thirdly, the verse underscores the **Thoroughness and Inescapability of God's Retribution** for persistent and unrepentant sin. The repeated use of "desolate" and the declaration "that none shall pass through" convey a judgment so severe that it renders the land uninhabitable and impassable, a stark and terrifying contrast to the promised land of milk and honey. This serves as a grim reminder that God's justice is absolute and His warnings are certain to be fulfilled when His people refuse to repent and return to Him.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Desolate (Hebrew, _shᵉmâmâh'_):** From H8077, this term denotes devastation, a waste, or a state of astonishment. It signifies not merely emptiness but a terrifying, awe-inducing emptiness, a state of utter ruin that evokes horror and stupefaction in those who witness it. Its use here, amplified by the preceding "most" (from H4923, _mᵉshammâh_, also meaning waste or amazement), underscores the extreme and appalling nature of the destruction. It describes a land that is not just unoccupied, but rendered uninhabitable and shockingly barren, a monument to divine judgment.
* **Pomp (Hebrew, _gâʼôwn'_):** From H1347, this word refers to arrogance, majesty, excellency, or pride. While it can denote legitimate majesty or glory in some contexts, in prophetic pronouncements of judgment, it frequently carries a negative connotation, pointing to an arrogant self-reliance or boastful pride that stands in direct opposition to God's sovereignty. Here, it specifically refers to Judah's inflated sense of national glory, strength, and security, which God promises to bring to complete nothingness.
* **Pass through (Hebrew, _ʻâbar'_):** From H5674, this primitive root means to cross over, to go by, or to traverse. In the context of "that none shall pass through," it signifies a complete cessation of movement, trade, and habitation. The land will be so utterly ruined, so dangerous, or so devoid of life and resources that no one will even be able to travel through it, let alone live there. This phrase emphasizes the ultimate degree of desolation, rendering the land utterly uninhabitable, isolated, and abandoned.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For I will lay the land most desolate":** This opening clause unequivocally asserts God's direct, active, and sovereign role in the impending judgment. The phrase "most desolate" (combining H5414 _nâthan_ "to lay" with H776 _ʼerets_ "land" and H4923 _mᵉshammâh_ "most desolate," derived from H8077 _shᵉmâmâh_) powerfully emphasizes the extreme and comprehensive nature of the devastation. It is not a partial or temporary judgment but a divinely ordained and executed total ruin, signifying a complete stripping away of life and order.
* **"and the pomp of her strength shall cease":** This clause directly targets the source of Judah's misplaced confidence and pride. "Pomp" (H1347 _gâʼôwn_) speaks to their arrogant self-exaltation and perceived majesty, while "strength" (H5797 _ʻôz_) refers to their might, power, and security—whether military, economic, or political. God declares that this human-derived source of confidence and glory will be utterly removed (H7673 _shâbath_ "shall cease"), rendered null and void, demonstrating the futility of relying on anything other than Him.
* **"and the mountains of Israel shall be desolate":** This phrase reiterates and intensifies the previous statement of desolation, specifically naming the "mountains of Israel" (H2022 _har_ "mountains" of H3478 _Yisrâʼêl_ "Israel"). Mountains are typically symbols of stability, permanence, and even refuge. Their desolation signifies that even the most enduring and fundamental aspects of the land, which once provided a sense of security and national identity, will be laid waste, underscoring the absolute and thorough nature of God's judgment upon the entire nation.
* **"that none shall pass through.":** This final phrase describes the ultimate consequence and extent of the desolation. The Hebrew word for "pass through" (H5674 _ʻâbar_) implies movement, trade, or habitation. The declaration that "none shall pass through" means the land will be so utterly ruined, dangerous, or barren that it will be completely uninhabited and impassable, a total cessation of life, commerce, and human activity, signifying a complete and final abandonment.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 33:28 employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey the absolute severity and comprehensiveness of God's judgment. **Repetition** is prominently used with the word "desolate" (or its derivatives) appearing twice, emphasizing the thorough and pervasive nature of the destruction. This serves as a form of **hyperbole**, underscoring the extreme degree of ruin, suggesting a desolation beyond ordinary human comprehension. The phrase "the pomp of her strength shall cease" utilizes **personification**, attributing human qualities (pomp, strength) to an abstract entity (the nation's power and pride), which is then depicted as actively ceasing to exist. This also functions as **metonymy**, where "pomp of her strength" stands for the entire national infrastructure, military might, and proud self-reliance that Judah trusted in. Furthermore, the mention of "the mountains of Israel" being desolate uses profound **symbolism**, as mountains typically represent stability, permanence, and national identity. Their desolation powerfully symbolizes the complete collapse of the nation's enduring foundations and security, highlighting the radical and devastating nature of God's judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 33:28 stands as a stark testament to God's unwavering justice and His sovereign response to persistent disobedience and pride, particularly among His covenant people. It reinforces the profound theological truth that God will not tolerate unrepentant sin, even from those who bear His name. The verse highlights the utter futility of relying on human strength, national identity, or geographical security as a substitute for a genuine, obedient, and humble relationship with the Lord. It serves as a severe warning that God's patience has limits, and His warnings of judgment are not idle threats but will be fulfilled with devastating precision. This judgment, though severe and seemingly final, is ultimately aimed at revealing God's absolute holiness, His commitment to His covenant, and His ultimate authority, prompting a recognition of Him as the one true God.

* [Jeremiah 25:11](/jeremiah/25-11 "Seventy Years of Desolation")
* [Isaiah 5:13](/isaiah/5-13 "Exile Due to Lack of Knowledge")
* [Lamentations 1:4](/lamentations/1-4 "Desolation of Jerusalem")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 33:28 serves as a potent and sobering reminder of the dire consequences of unrepentant sin and misplaced trust. For believers today, it underscores the critical importance of genuine repentance, humility, and unwavering dependence on God. We are cautioned against relying on any form of "pomp of strength"—whether it be our intellect, wealth, social standing, cultural heritage, or even our religious affiliation—as a substitute for a vibrant, obedient, and personal relationship with God. The thoroughness of the desolation described should impress upon us the gravity of God's holiness, His unyielding commitment to justice, and the seriousness with which He views sin. While we now live under the new covenant of grace, the underlying principle remains: persistent rebellion and a hardened heart can lead to spiritual barrenness, a loss of God's manifest presence, and a diminished capacity for true flourishing. This verse calls us to a profound self-examination, to confess our pride, and to cultivate a posture of humility and absolute dependence on Christ alone, recognizing that true security, lasting strength, and abundant life come only from Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "pomp of strength" or source of false security might I be relying on in my own life instead of God?**
* **How seriously do I take God's warnings against sin, both as revealed in Scripture and through the conviction of the Holy Spirit?**
* **In what ways might I be presuming upon God's grace while continuing in unrepentant areas of my life or harboring hidden pride?**
* **How does the thoroughness of this judgment against ancient Israel inform my understanding of God's justice, holiness, and His covenant faithfulness?**

### FAQ
**Why is the judgment described as so extreme and complete, even after the initial fall of Jerusalem?**

Answer: The extreme nature of the judgment, even after Jerusalem's fall, is a direct and necessary response to the continued unrepentant sin and arrogant claims of the remnant left in the land. These individuals, as described in [Ezekiel 33:24](/ezekiel/33-24 "Ezekiel 33:24 - Claimants to the Land"), were presuming their right to the land based on their lineage ("Abraham was one, and he inherited the land") rather than on their obedience to God's covenant. They persisted in idolatry, violence, and injustice, as further detailed in [Ezekiel 33:25-26](/ezekiel/33-25-26 "Ezekiel 33:25-26 - Sins of the Remnant"). God's judgment here is not merely punitive but corrective and revelatory; it is designed to utterly dismantle their false security and demonstrate His absolute sovereignty, holiness, and the consequences of unyielding rebellion. It shows that initial judgments, if unheeded and unrepented of, can lead to even more severe consequences until true repentance is achieved or complete desolation is realized, ensuring that His name is known and revered.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 33:28, with its pronouncement of utter desolation and the cessation of human strength and pride, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in several profound ways. Firstly, the judgment against sin, so graphically depicted here, points to the ultimate judgment borne by Christ on the cross. On Calvary, Jesus became the desolate one, taking upon Himself the full weight of humanity's sin and pride, experiencing a profound and agonizing separation from God (as echoed in His cry, "[My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")"). He absorbed the divine wrath that would otherwise have brought eternal desolation upon us, thus making a way for redemption. Secondly, the "pomp of her strength" that ceases foreshadows the dismantling of all human attempts at self-salvation and self-glory. In Christ, all human boasting is silenced, and our strength is revealed as weakness, so that "He who boasts, let him boast in the Lord" ([1 Corinthians 1:31](/1_corinthians/1-31 "1 Corinthians 1:31 - Boasting in the Lord")). The "mountains of Israel" being desolate, symbolizing the collapse of the old covenant order and its inability to provide lasting security or righteousness, points to Christ as the new and living way ([Hebrews 10:20](/hebrews/10-20 "Hebrews 10:20 - The New and Living Way")) and the true cornerstone upon which God's new spiritual temple is built ([Ephesians 2:20](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Christ as the Cornerstone")). Through His death and resurrection, Christ inaugurates a new creation, where the desolation of sin is overcome by the life of the Spirit, and a new community, the Church, is formed, no longer relying on earthly pomp or national identity but on the power and grace of God ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")). He is the one who brings true, lasting security and flourishing where human strength fails and pride leads to ruin.

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 7:24

Wherefore I will bring the worst of the heathen, and they shall possess their houses: I will also make the pomp of the strong to cease; and their holy places shall be defiled.

Jeremiah 44:22

So that the LORD could no longer bear, because of the evil of your doings, [and] because of the abominations which ye have committed; therefore is your land a desolation, and an astonishment, and a curse, without an inhabitant, as at this day.

Micah 7:13

Notwithstanding the land shall be desolate because of them that dwell therein, for the fruit of their doings.

Jeremiah 44:2

Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Ye have seen all the evil that I have brought upon Jerusalem, and upon all the cities of Judah; and, behold, this day they [are] a desolation, and no man dwelleth therein,

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.

Jeremiah 44:6

Wherefore my fury and mine anger was poured forth, and was kindled in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem; and they are wasted [and] desolate, as at this day.

Ezekiel 6:14

So will I stretch out my hand upon them, and make the land desolate, yea, more desolate than the wilderness toward Diblath, in all their habitations: and they shall know that I [am] the LORD.