Ezekiel 7:7-17

7 The end is coming for you people who live in the land. The time is near when there will be no more celebrations at the mountain shrines, only confusion.
8 "Very soon now you will feel all the force of my anger. I am judging you for what you have done, and I will pay you back for all your disgusting conduct.
9 I will not spare you or show you any mercy. I am going to punish you for the disgusting things you have done, so that you will know that I am the Lord and that I am the one who punishes you."
10 The day of disaster is coming. Violence is flourishing. Pride is at its height.
11 Violence produces more wickedness. Nothing of theirs will remain, nothing of their wealth, their splendor, or their glory.
12 The time is coming. The day is near when buying and selling will have no more meaning, because God's punishment will fall on everyone alike.
13 No merchants will live long enough to get back what they have lost, because God's anger is on everyone. Those who are evil cannot survive.
14 The trumpet blows, and everyone gets ready. But no one goes off to war, for God's anger will fall on everyone alike.
15 There is fighting in the streets, and sickness and hunger in the houses. Anyone who is out in the country will die in the fighting, and anyone in the city will be a victim of sickness and hunger.
16 Some will escape to the mountains like doves frightened from the valleys. All of them will moan over their sins.
17 Everyone's hands will be weak, and their knees will shake.

Ezekiel 7:7-17 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.

Footnotes 4

  • [a]. [Probable text] celebrations . . . confusion; [Hebrew unclear.]
  • [b]. [Probable text] Pride is at its height; [Hebrew unclear.]
  • [c]. [Verse 13 in Hebrew is unclear.]
  • [d]. [Verse 16 in Hebrew is unclear.]
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.