Ezekiel 7:10

KJV

Behold the day, behold, it is come: the morning is gone forth; the rod hath blossomed, pride hath budded.

KJV (with Strong's)

Behold the day {H3117}, behold, it is come {H935}: the morning {H6843} is gone forth {H3318}; the rod {H4294} hath blossomed {H6692}, pride {H2087} hath budded {H6524}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"'Here is the day! Here it comes! Doom has gone out, the rod has blossomed, arrogance has budded.

Berean Standard Bible

Behold, the day is here! It has come! Doom has gone out, the rod has budded, arrogance has bloomed.

American Standard Version

Behold, the day, behold, it cometh: thy doom is gone forth; the rod hath blossomed, pride hath budded.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 7:10 delivers a chilling and urgent declaration of God's imminent judgment upon Judah and Jerusalem. The verse emphasizes that the long-prophesied "day" of reckoning has not only arrived but is actively unfolding, signaling the end of their complacent security. Through vivid agricultural metaphors, it portrays how both the instrument of divine wrath ("the rod") and the nation's pervasive sin ("pride") have matured to a point of full readiness, signifying that the consequences of their rebellion are now ripe for harvest.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 7 stands as a dramatic and relentless pronouncement of the "end" for the land of Israel, immediately following a series of prophecies against Jerusalem's idolatry and defilement (e.g., [Ezekiel 5](/ezekiel/5 "Ezekiel 5 - The Judgment of Jerusalem") and [Ezekiel 6](/ezekiel/6 "Ezekiel 6 - Judgment Against Idolatry")). The chapter is characterized by a rapid-fire succession of pronouncements, using repetition and intensifying imagery to convey the inescapable nature of the impending doom. Verse 10, with its emphatic "Behold the day, behold, it is come," serves as a pivotal moment, shifting from the general threat of judgment to its concrete arrival, setting the stage for the detailed descriptions of desolation that follow in verses [Ezekiel 7:11-27](/ezekiel/7-11 "Ezekiel 7:11-27 - The Coming Desolation"). It marks the transition from warning to fulfillment.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel prophesied to the Jewish exiles in Babylon during a period of profound national crisis, specifically between 597 and 571 BC. Jerusalem, though besieged, had not yet fallen, and many of the exiles, along with those remaining in Judah, clung to a false hope that God would not allow His temple and holy city to be destroyed. They believed in an inviolable covenant, often ignoring their blatant disregard for its stipulations. The "day" in this context refers to the Day of the Lord, a prophetic concept often associated with divine judgment and intervention in history, which for Judah meant the catastrophic invasion by the Babylonian army under Nebuchadnezzar. The imagery of a "blossoming rod" and "budding pride" would have resonated with an agrarian society, making the abstract concept of judgment tangible and immediate, much like the seasonal growth of plants.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Ezekiel and the broader prophetic tradition. Firstly, it underscores the **inevitability and imminence of divine judgment**, emphasizing that God's warnings are not empty threats but will be brought to pass with certainty and speed, as seen in the repeated declaration of the "day" having come. Secondly, it highlights the **ripening of sin**, particularly the pervasive **pride** and spiritual arrogance that had permeated Judah. This theme is crucial throughout Ezekiel, where the people's idolatry and injustice are consistently linked to their haughty rebellion against God's commands (e.g., [Ezekiel 16:49-50](/ezekiel/16-49 "Ezekiel 16:49-50 - Sodom's Sin Was Pride")). Finally, it reinforces God's **sovereignty and justice**, demonstrating that the impending destruction is not arbitrary but a righteous consequence of their unrepentant actions, a principle echoed in passages like [Jeremiah 1:12](/jeremiah/1-12 "Jeremiah 1:12 - God Watches Over His Word").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Day (Hebrew, _yôwm'_):** From an unused root meaning "to be hot," this term primarily refers to a literal day but is frequently used figuratively to denote a specific period or season. In prophetic literature, "the day" often signifies a momentous occasion of divine intervention, particularly a "Day of the Lord" involving judgment or salvation. Here, it conveys a definite, appointed time of reckoning that has now arrived, emphasizing its finality and inescapable nature for Judah.
* **Rod (Hebrew, _maṭṭeh'_):** This word carries multiple layers of meaning, including a staff, a branch, a tribe, or an instrument of punishment. In this context, it likely refers to the instrument of God's judgment, often understood as the invading Babylonian army, acting as God's disciplinary "rod." The imagery of it "blossoming" is highly ironic, as it signifies not life or prosperity, but the full maturity and readiness of the destructive force.
* **Pride (Hebrew, _zâdôwn'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to boil up" or "to act proudly," this term denotes arrogance, insolence, and presumptuous rebellion against God. It describes a haughty spirit that refuses to acknowledge divine authority or repent of sin. The phrase "pride hath budded" vividly illustrates how this internal corruption has grown to full fruition within the nation, ready to bear the bitter fruit of divine wrath.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Behold the day, behold, it is come:"** This emphatic repetition serves as a dramatic announcement, demanding immediate attention. It underscores the certainty and imminence of the prophesied judgment, shifting it from a future possibility to a present reality. The "day" is not merely approaching; it has definitively arrived, signaling the end of grace and the beginning of divine retribution.
* **"the morning is gone forth;"** This clause uses the imagery of dawn breaking. Just as the morning light inevitably spreads across the land, so too has the predetermined "day" of judgment dawned. It implies a swift, undeniable, and comprehensive onset of God's plan, like the rising sun that dispels darkness and reveals all.
* **"the rod hath blossomed,"** Here, the "rod" symbolizes the instrument of God's judgment, likely the Babylonian army. The verb "blossomed" (tsûwts) typically denotes flourishing or blooming. However, in this context, it is a chilling paradox. The rod of punishment has "blossomed" not with life, but with its full destructive potential, indicating that the means of judgment are fully prepared and ready to execute God's wrath.
* **"pride hath budded."** This phrase connects the judgment directly to the nation's internal spiritual condition. "Pride" (zâdôwn) refers to their arrogance, rebellion, and presumptuous defiance of God. The verb "budded" (pârach) signifies growth and development from a seed to a mature bud. This imagery powerfully conveys that their sin, particularly their spiritual haughtiness, has matured to a point where it is ripe for the harvest of divine judgment, having reached its full, destructive potential.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 7:10 is rich in literary devices that amplify its urgent message. **Repetition** is prominently used with "Behold the day, behold, it is come," creating a sense of immediate crisis and undeniable certainty, hammering home the arrival of judgment. The verse employs powerful **metaphor** and **symbolism**, particularly through the agricultural imagery of "the rod hath blossomed, pride hath budded." The "rod" is a **symbol** for God's instrument of judgment, while its "blossoming" is a striking **irony**, as blooming typically signifies life and prosperity, but here it denotes the deadly maturity of destruction. Similarly, "pride" is personified as something that "buds," using the natural growth cycle to illustrate the internal development of sin to a point of bearing bitter fruit. This **personification** makes the abstract concept of sin tangible and its consequences vivid. The phrase "the morning is gone forth" is a **metaphor** for the swift and inevitable dawning of the day of judgment, like the rising sun.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 7:10 serves as a stark reminder of God's unwavering commitment to justice and the certain consequences of unrepentant sin. It reveals that there comes a point when divine patience reaches its limit, and the seeds of rebellion, having been sown and nurtured, finally come to full fruition, ripe for the harvest of judgment. This passage underscores that God's warnings are not idle threats but declarations of an inevitable reality for those who persist in defiance. The "day" of reckoning is not merely a future event but can break forth with sudden and decisive force, demonstrating God's active involvement in the unfolding of history and His righteous response to human arrogance.

* [Amos 8:2](/amos/8-2 "Amos 8:2 - The End Has Come")
* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Before Destruction")
* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 7:10, though rooted in a specific historical context of judgment upon ancient Judah, carries profound and timeless implications for contemporary believers. It serves as a powerful call to sober self-examination, urging us to consider the state of our own hearts and lives. The "day" of reckoning, whether individually or corporately, can arrive unexpectedly, reminding us that complacency in our spiritual walk or persistent unrepentance in the face of God's warnings is a perilous path. The imagery of the "rod" blossoming and "pride" budding should prompt us to vigilantly inspect the "fruit" our lives are bearing. Are we cultivating humility, obedience, and love, or are we allowing spiritual arrogance, self-reliance, and unconfessed sin to mature within us? This verse compels us to live with an acute awareness of God's holiness and justice, fostering a lifestyle of ongoing repentance, dependence on His grace, and active pursuit of righteousness, lest our own "pride" bud into bitter consequences.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What areas of my life might be characterized by spiritual complacency or unaddressed sin, and what "fruit" might they be preparing to bear?**
* **How does the imagery of "the rod hath blossomed, pride hath budded" challenge my understanding of how sin progresses and its inevitable consequences?**
* **In what ways might I be exhibiting "pride" (zâdôwn) in my thoughts, words, or actions, and how can I cultivate a spirit of humility before God?**

### FAQ
**What does "the rod hath blossomed" specifically mean in this context?**

Answer: In Ezekiel 7:10, "the rod hath blossomed" is a powerful and ironic metaphor. The "rod" (Hebrew: *maṭṭeh*) symbolizes God's instrument of judgment or punishment, most likely referring to the invading Babylonian army. The verb "blossomed" (Hebrew: *tsûwts*) typically means to bloom or flourish. However, here it signifies that the instrument of divine wrath has reached its full, deadly maturity and is ready to strike. It's not a blossoming of life or prosperity, but a chilling indication that the means of destruction are fully prepared and the judgment is imminent and inescapable, much like a plant reaching its final stage of development.

**How does "pride hath budded" relate to the overall message of judgment?**

Answer: "Pride hath budded" directly connects the impending judgment to the moral and spiritual state of the people of Judah. "Pride" (Hebrew: *zâdôwn*) denotes arrogance, insolence, and presumptuous rebellion against God's commands. The imagery of "budding" (Hebrew: *pârach*) suggests that this destructive sin has grown organically within the nation, developing from a seed to a full bud, ready to burst forth and bear its bitter fruit of downfall. This highlights that the judgment is not arbitrary but a just consequence of their internal corruption and their persistent, unrepentant defiance of God, which had reached its peak. It emphasizes that their sin had matured to the point where it necessitated divine intervention.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezekiel 7:10 pronounces a specific historical judgment on ancient Judah, its profound themes resonate with the ultimate "day" of reckoning and fulfillment found in Jesus Christ. The "day" that "is come" for Judah foreshadows the decisive turning point in salvation history initiated by Christ's first advent. He came not only as the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")) but also as the one who brings judgment, for light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light ([John 3:19](/john/3-19 "John 3:19 - Light Has Come Into the World")). The "rod" of judgment that blossomed for Judah finds its ultimate expression in Christ's righteous rule and His future return as the King of kings, who will judge the living and the dead ([2 Timothy 4:1](/2_timothy/4-1 "2 Timothy 4:1 - Christ Will Judge the Living and the Dead")). Furthermore, the "pride" that budded in Judah, leading to their downfall, is fundamentally addressed by Christ's radical humility, who, though in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility")). Through His atoning work, Christ broke the power of sin and pride, offering a path to true humility and reconciliation with God, thereby providing the ultimate escape from the bitter fruit of unrepentant rebellion. His return will be the final "day" when all pride will be abased, and His righteous kingdom will be fully established ([Matthew 25:31-32](/matthew/25-31 "Matthew 25:31-32 - The Son of Man Judges the Nations")).

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

Isaiah 10:5

¶ O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation.

James 4:6

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

1 Thessalonians 5:3

For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

Proverbs 14:3

¶ In the mouth of the foolish [is] a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.

Numbers 17:8

¶ And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds.

Ezekiel 21:10

It is sharpened to make a sore slaughter; it is furbished that it may glitter: should we then make mirth? it contemneth the rod of my son, [as] every tree.

Daniel 4:37

Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works [are] truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.