Ezekiel 7:18-27

18 They will put on sackcloth and be clothed with terror. Every face will be covered with shame, and every head will be shaved.
19 “ ‘They will throw their silver into the streets, and their gold will be treated as a thing unclean. Their silver and gold will not be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD’s wrath. It will not satisfy their hunger or fill their stomachs, for it has caused them to stumble into sin.
20 They took pride in their beautiful jewelry and used it to make their detestable idols. They made it into vile images; therefore I will make it a thing unclean for them.
21 I will give their wealth as plunder to foreigners and as loot to the wicked of the earth, who will defile it.
22 I will turn my face away from the people, and robbers will desecrate the place I treasure. They will enter it and will defile it.
23 “ ‘Prepare chains! For the land is full of bloodshed, and the city is full of violence.
24 I will bring the most wicked of nations to take possession of their houses. I will put an end to the pride of the mighty, and their sanctuaries will be desecrated.
25 When terror comes, they will seek peace in vain.
26 Calamity upon calamity will come, and rumor upon rumor. They will go searching for a vision from the prophet, priestly instruction in the law will cease, the counsel of the elders will come to an end.
27 The king will mourn, the prince will be clothed with despair, and the hands of the people of the land will tremble. I will deal with them according to their conduct, and by their own standards I will judge them. “ ‘Then they will know that I am the LORD.’ ”

Ezekiel 7:18-27 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EZEKIEL 7

This chapter contains a prophecy of the speedy destruction of the Jews, as being just at hand; of the particular judgments that should come upon them; of the horror that should seize them, and the distress that all ranks of men among them should be in, a few only escaping, who are described as in mournful circumstances. The destruction in general is denounced as being very near; the end being come, which is often repeated; and as it is represented as sudden, so without mercy; which is declared, Eze 7:1-14; the particular judgments, sword, pestilence, and famine, are mentioned in Eze 7:15, and the few that should escape are compared to mourning doves, Eze 7:16; the trembling, horror, and shame that should be upon all, are intimated in Eze 7:17,18; the unprofitableness of their gold and silver to deliver them, and the unsatisfying nature of these things, are expressed, Eze 7:19; the profanation and destruction of their temple are prophesied of, Eze 7:20-22; and for their murder, rapine, and oppression, it is threatened that their houses should be possessed by the worst of Heathens, and their holy places defiled; and one calamity should come upon another; when their application to prophets, priests, and ancient men for counsel, would be in, vain, Eze 7:23-26; and king, prince, and people, should be in the most melancholy and distressed circumstances, Eze 7:27.

Cross References 26

  • 1. S Jeremiah 4:8; Jeremiah 48:37; Jeremiah 49:3
  • 2. S Psalms 55:5
  • 3. S Isaiah 15:2-3; Ezekiel 27:31; Amos 8:10
  • 4. S Lamentations 4:1
  • 5. Zephaniah 2:25">Isa 4Zephaniah 2:25; Ezekiel 13:5; Ezekiel 30:3; Joel 1:15; Joel 2:1; Zephaniah 1:7,18; Zephaniah 2:2
  • 6. Isaiah 55:2
  • 7. Ezekiel 3:20; Ezekiel 14:3; Hosea 4:5
  • 8. S Proverbs 11:4
  • 9. S Jeremiah 10:3
  • 10. S Ezekiel 5:11; Jeremiah 7:30
  • 11. S Isaiah 2:20; Isaiah 30:22; Ezekiel 16:17
  • 12. S Numbers 14:3
  • 13. S 2 Kings 24:13
  • 14. S Jeremiah 2:27; Ezekiel 39:23-24
  • 15. Psalms 74:7-8; Jeremiah 19:13; S Lamentations 2:7
  • 16. S 2 Kings 21:16; S Isaiah 1:15; S Ezekiel 22:9
  • 17. S Genesis 6:11; Ezekiel 11:6
  • 18. Lamentations 2:7; Ezekiel 24:21
  • 19. 2 Chronicles 7:20; Ezekiel 28:7
  • 20. Jeremiah 6:14; S Jeremiah 8:11; Ezekiel 13:10,16
  • 21. S Deuteronomy 29:21; S Deuteronomy 31:17; Jeremiah 4:20
  • 22. S 1 Samuel 3:1
  • 23. Isaiah 47:11; S Jeremiah 18:18; Ezekiel 20:1-3; Amos 8:11; Micah 3:6
  • 24. S Psalms 109:19; Ezekiel 26:16
  • 25. S Isaiah 3:11; Ezekiel 18:20
  • 26. S ver 4
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