Ezekiel 7:19

KJV

They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity.

KJV (with Strong's)

They shall cast {H7993} their silver {H3701} in the streets {H2351}, and their gold {H2091} shall be removed {H5079}: their silver {H3701} and their gold {H2091} shall not be able {H3201} to deliver {H5337} them in the day {H3117} of the wrath {H5678} of the LORD {H3068}: they shall not satisfy {H7646} their souls {H5315}, neither fill {H4390} their bowels {H4578}: because it is the stumblingblock {H4383} of their iniquity {H5771}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They will throw their silver into the streets; their gold will be like something unclean. On the day of ADONAI's wrath their silver and gold won't be able to rescue them. These things won't satisfy their hunger, these things won't fill their stomachs, because these are what caused them to sin.

Berean Standard Bible

They will throw their silver into the streets, and their gold will seem unclean. Their silver and gold cannot save them in the day of the wrath of the LORD. They cannot satisfy their appetites or fill their stomachs with wealth, for it became the stumbling block that brought their iniquity.

American Standard Version

They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be as an unclean thing; their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of Jehovah: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels; because it hath been the stumblingblock of their iniquity.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 7:19 delivers a potent prophetic indictment against Judah, vividly portraying the utter futility of material wealth in the face of God's impending and inescapable judgment. It depicts a desperate scene where silver and gold, once coveted, are cast away as worthless, incapable of providing deliverance, satisfaction, or sustenance during the "day of the wrath of the LORD." The verse starkly reveals that these very riches, rather than being a source of security, became a "stumblingblock" that led the people deeper into iniquity and ultimately to their downfall.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 7 is a pivotal chapter, marking the "end" (v. 2, 3, 6) of Israel's long-suffering period prior to the final destruction of Jerusalem. It immediately follows a series of symbolic actions and visions (Ezekiel 4-5) and a prophecy against the mountains of Israel (Ezekiel 6), all pointing to the coming desolation. Chapter 7 functions as a comprehensive summary of the judgment, detailing its swiftness, totality, and the various ways it will manifest—through famine, plague, sword, and the utter breakdown of society. Verse 19 specifically addresses the economic and social chaos, where the very foundations of their perceived security (wealth) become a source of their ruin, directly linking their idolatry of riches to their impending doom. The subsequent verses ([Ezekiel 7:20-22](/ezekiel/7-20-22 "Ezekiel 7:20-22 - Desecration of the Temple")) describe the desecration of the temple, further emphasizing the complete collapse of their religious and social order.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy of Ezekiel 7:19 is set against the backdrop of the Babylonian siege and impending destruction of Jerusalem (586 BCE). For centuries, the people of Judah, particularly the elite, had accumulated wealth through trade and tribute, often relying on it for security and status. This wealth was frequently acquired through unjust means and was often used to fund idolatrous practices, such as the construction of high places and altars to foreign gods. In ancient Near Eastern societies, precious metals were not just currency but also symbols of power, divine favor, and national strength. The act of "casting silver in the streets" would have been a profoundly shocking and humiliating reversal of values, signifying the complete breakdown of their economic system and the loss of all that they once held dear. This was a direct consequence of their covenant disobedience, particularly their idolatry, which included placing trust in material possessions over God.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Ezekiel and the broader prophetic literature. It underscores the **worthlessness of worldly wealth in judgment**, a recurring motif throughout the prophets (e.g., [Proverbs 11:4](/proverbs/11-4 "Proverbs 11:4 - Riches do not profit in the day of wrath")). The "day of the wrath of the LORD" is a central concept, signifying divine reckoning for sin, a theme also prominent in books like [Zephaniah](/zephaniah/1 "Zephaniah 1 - The Day of the LORD"). Furthermore, the explicit identification of wealth as a "stumblingblock of their iniquity" highlights the theme of **idolatry**, where the pursuit and trust in material possessions become a substitute for allegiance to God. This form of covetousness is consistently condemned as idolatry in both Old and New Testaments (e.g., [Colossians 3:5](/colossians/3-5 "Colossians 3:5 - Covetousness is idolatry")). Finally, the inability of wealth to "satisfy their souls" points to the theme of **true satisfaction**, which can only be found in God, not in perishable earthly goods (cf. [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Gold (Hebrew, _zâhâb'_):** From an unused root meaning "to shimmer," this word refers to the precious metal, often associated with value, beauty, and wealth. In this context, its shimmering quality contrasts sharply with its impending worthlessness, highlighting the transient nature of earthly glory when confronted with divine judgment.
* **Wrath (Hebrew, _ʻebrâh'_):** This feminine noun denotes an "outburst of passion," "anger," or "rage." When applied to the LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_), it describes a fierce, righteous indignation and a decisive, punitive action against sin, emphasizing the severity and inevitability of the judgment.
* **Stumblingblock (Hebrew, _mikshôwl'_):** This word signifies an "obstacle" or a "cause of falling or ruin," both literally and figuratively. Here, it powerfully illustrates how their wealth, instead of providing security or blessing, became the very instrument of their spiritual and physical downfall, leading them into deeper sin and ultimately to judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed:"** This clause paints a vivid picture of abandonment and devaluation. What was once hoarded and prized is now discarded in public spaces, indicating a complete reversal of values. The precious metals, symbols of security and status, are no longer desired, perhaps due to the chaos of siege, famine, or the realization that they cannot buy safety or food. The passive "shall be removed" suggests either a forced confiscation by invaders or a desperate act of discarding by the people themselves, signifying their utter worthlessness in the face of impending doom.
* **"their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD:"** This is the core theological statement. The inability of wealth to "deliver" (Hebrew, _nâtsal'_, to snatch away or rescue) them underscores its impotence against divine judgment. "The day of the wrath of the LORD" (Hebrew, _yôwm ʻebrâh Yᵉhôvâh'_) is a specific, appointed time of God's righteous anger and decisive intervention against sin, where human resources prove utterly useless.
* **"they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels:"** This clause highlights the physical and spiritual emptiness that accompanies the judgment. Even if they could somehow retain their wealth, it would not provide sustenance during famine ("fill their bowels," referring to the stomach/intestines) nor bring inner peace or contentment ("satisfy their souls," referring to their inner being, appetite, or life-force). This emphasizes that true satisfaction and life come from God alone, not from material possessions.
* **"because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity."** This final clause provides the reason for wealth's futility and the judgment itself. Their silver and gold were not merely neutral possessions; they became an "obstacle" or "ruin" (Hebrew, _mikshôwl'_) that led them into "iniquity" (Hebrew, _ʻâvôn'_, perversity, moral evil, sin). Their trust in riches, their covetousness, and their use of wealth for idolatrous purposes directly contributed to their spiritual corruption and thus became the very cause of their judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 7:19 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Symbolism**, where silver and gold represent not just material wealth but also the false security and idolatrous trust of the people. Their abandonment in the streets symbolizes the utter collapse of their value system and the futility of human endeavor apart from God. The phrase "day of the wrath of the LORD" is a powerful **Metonymy**, standing for the entire period of divine judgment and its devastating consequences. The verse also utilizes **Juxtaposition**, contrasting the past value and pursuit of wealth with its present worthlessness, emphasizing the dramatic reversal brought about by God's judgment. Finally, the personification of wealth as a "stumblingblock of their iniquity" is a striking **Metaphor**, vividly illustrating how their covetousness actively led them into sin and ultimately to their ruin.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 7:19 serves as a timeless theological statement on the transient nature of earthly possessions and the ultimate sovereignty of God in judgment. It underscores the profound truth that no amount of material wealth or human ingenuity can stand against the righteous wrath of the Almighty. The verse reveals that idolatry, whether of physical idols or the more subtle idolatry of covetousness, inevitably leads to spiritual and physical ruin. True security and satisfaction are found not in what we possess, but in the One who possesses all things and holds the power of life and death. This passage powerfully calls humanity to re-evaluate its priorities, recognizing that only God can deliver and truly satisfy the soul.

* [Proverbs 11:4](/proverbs/11-4 "Proverbs 11:4 - Riches do not profit in the day of wrath")
* [Zephaniah 1:18](/zephaniah/1-18 "Zephaniah 1:18 - Silver and gold cannot deliver in the day of the LORD's wrath")
* [Luke 12:15](/luke/12-15 "Luke 12:15 - A warning against covetousness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 7:19 challenges us to profoundly re-examine our relationship with material possessions and our ultimate source of security. In a world that often equates wealth with success, happiness, and safety, this verse stands as a stark prophetic corrective. It forces us to confront the uncomfortable truth that in moments of true crisis, whether personal or global, the things we accumulate and trust in can become utterly meaningless, even detrimental. Our "silver and gold" might be our financial portfolios, our careers, our social status, or even our health—anything we rely on more than God. The "day of the wrath of the LORD" can manifest in various forms, from personal hardships and societal collapse to the ultimate eschatological judgment. This passage calls us to cultivate a radical dependence on God, to seek spiritual riches that endure, and to find our satisfaction in Him alone, recognizing that true deliverance comes only from His hand. It compels us to ask if our possessions are serving as stumblingblocks to our walk with God, diverting our allegiance and leading us into sin.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "silver and gold" do I tend to trust in more than God for security and satisfaction?**
* **How might my pursuit or reliance on material wealth be acting as a "stumblingblock" in my spiritual life?**
* **In what ways do I seek to "satisfy my soul" or "fill my bowels" with things other than God's provision and presence?**
* **How does the inevitability of God's judgment, as described here, shape my priorities and investments (both earthly and heavenly)?**

### FAQ
**What does "the day of the wrath of the LORD" mean in this context?**

Answer: "The day of the wrath of the LORD" refers to a specific, divinely appointed time of intense, righteous judgment against the people of Judah for their persistent sin and idolatry. Historically, it primarily refers to the Babylonian invasion and the subsequent destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in 586 BCE, which Ezekiel prophesied while in exile. This "day" was characterized by famine, plague, war, and societal collapse, where all human institutions and sources of security, including wealth, proved utterly useless. Theologically, it also points to a broader principle of divine reckoning for sin, which can manifest in various ways throughout history and culminates in the final eschatological judgment. It is a day when God's patience runs out, and His justice is fully executed, as seen in other prophetic warnings like [Zephaniah 1:14-18](/zephaniah/1-14 "Zephaniah 1:14-18 - The Great Day of the LORD").

**How does wealth become a "stumblingblock of their iniquity"?**

Answer: Wealth becomes a "stumblingblock" when it diverts a person's allegiance and trust from God, leading to sin. In the context of Ezekiel 7:19, the people of Judah had placed their confidence in their silver and gold, rather than in the Lord, for their security and well-being. This trust in material possessions is a form of idolatry, as it elevates created things above the Creator. Furthermore, the pursuit of wealth often led to injustice, oppression, and corruption, as seen in other prophetic critiques (e.g., [Amos 2:6-7](/amos/2-6 "Amos 2:6-7 - Oppression of the poor")). The accumulation of riches can also foster a false sense of self-sufficiency, making people feel they don't need God. Thus, their wealth, instead of being a blessing used for God's glory, became an obstacle that tripped them into deeper sin, ultimately leading to their downfall and judgment. The New Testament similarly warns against the deceitfulness of riches and the love of money, identifying covetousness as idolatry ([Colossians 3:5](/colossians/3-5 "Colossians 3:5 - Covetousness as idolatry")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 7:19 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the stark contrast between the fleeting value of earthly treasures and the eternal, incomparable worth of Christ. The "day of the wrath of the LORD" that consumed Judah's wealth foreshadows the greater, ultimate judgment from which only Christ can deliver. Humanity's "silver and gold"—our self-righteousness, our achievements, our material security—are utterly worthless to "deliver" us from the wrath to come. Only the perfect sacrifice of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), Jesus Christ, can rescue us from the penalty of our sin. Furthermore, the inability of wealth to "satisfy their souls" points to Christ as the sole source of true and lasting satisfaction. He declared, "[I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")", offering a spiritual sustenance that gold and silver can never provide. The "stumblingblock of their iniquity" is overcome by Christ, who became a "stumbling block" to those who reject Him but the [cornerstone of salvation](/1_peter/2-7 "1 Peter 2:7 - Christ, the Living Stone") for those who believe. In Christ, we are called to lay up "[treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal](/matthew/6-20 "Matthew 6:20 - Lay up treasures in heaven")", recognizing that true, eternal riches are found only in Him and His kingdom, not in the perishable things of this world.

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

Zephaniah 1:18

Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD'S wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.

Proverbs 11:4

¶ Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.

Ezekiel 14:7

For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me, and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a prophet to enquire of him concerning me; I the LORD will answer him by myself:

Luke 12:19

And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, [and] be merry.

Luke 12:20

But God said unto him, [Thou] fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

Isaiah 2:20

In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made [each one] for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats;

Ezekiel 44:12

Because they ministered unto them before their idols, and caused the house of Israel to fall into iniquity; therefore have I lifted up mine hand against them, saith the Lord GOD, and they shall bear their iniquity.