King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 17:14 Mean?

Ezekiel 17:14 in the King James Version says “That the kingdom might be base, that it might not lift itself up, but that by keeping of his covenant it might stand. bu...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“That the kingdom might be base, that it might not lift itself up, but that by keeping of his covenant it might stand. but: Heb. to keep his covenant, to stand to it”

Ezekiel 17:14 · King James Version

Context

12

Say now to the rebellious house, Know ye not what these things mean? tell them, Behold, the king of Babylon is come to Jerusalem, and hath taken the king thereof, and the princes thereof, and led them with him to Babylon;

13

And hath taken of the king's seed, and made a covenant with him, and hath taken an oath of him: he hath also taken the mighty of the land: taken an: Heb. brought him to an oath

14

That the kingdom might be base, that it might not lift itself up, but that by keeping of his covenant it might stand. but: Heb. to keep his covenant, to stand to it

15

But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and much people. Shall he prosper? shall he escape that doeth such things? or shall he break the covenant, and be delivered?

16

As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely in the place where the king dwelleth that made him king, whose oath he despised, and whose covenant he brake, even with him in the midst of Babylon he shall die.

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Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
'That the kingdom might be base, that it might not lift itself up'—God's remedial intent. 'Base' (Hebrew shaphal) means 'brought low,' not destroyed. Judah's humiliation would teach dependence on God rather than political power. 'By keeping of his covenant it might stand'—paradox: faithful submission to Babylon would demonstrate trust in God's sovereignty.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Exile's purpose: corrective, not merely punitive. The 70-year exile (Jeremiah 25:11-12, 29:10) would purge idolatry and teach faithfulness. Had Judah remained subject to Babylon, the temple would have stood and exile limited to 597 BC. Post-exilic Israel never again fell into systematic idolatry—showing the exile's effectiveness.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God use humbling circumstances to teach dependence on Him?
  2. When has submission to difficulty proven to be God's path to flourishing?

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 9 words
לִֽהְיוֹת֙1 of 9
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

מַמְלָכָ֣ה2 of 9

“That the kingdom”

H4467

dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)

שְׁפָלָ֔ה3 of 9

“might be base”

H8217

depressed, literally or figuratively

לְבִלְתִּ֖י4 of 9
H1115

properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n

הִתְנַשֵּׂ֑א5 of 9

“that it might not lift itself up”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

לִשְׁמֹ֥ר6 of 9

“but that by keeping”

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

אֶת7 of 9
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בְּרִית֖וֹ8 of 9

“of his covenant”

H1285

a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)

לְעָמְדָֽהּ׃9 of 9

“it might stand”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 17:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 17:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 29:14Ezekiel 17:6Deuteronomy 28:43Jeremiah 27:12-17Jeremiah 38:17Matthew 22:17-21

Places in This Verse

Babylon 1Settlement · Modern: Babylon · 32.54°N, 44.42°E296 verses across 15 books
View all places in Ezekiel 17 →

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