King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 17:16 Mean?

Ezekiel 17:16 in the King James Version says “As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely in the place where the king dwelleth that made him king, whose oath he despised, a... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Ezekiel 17:16 · KJV


Context

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.

17

Neither shall Pharaoh with his mighty army and great company make for him in the war, by casting up mounts, and building forts, to cut off many persons:

18

Seeing he despised the oath by breaking the covenant, when, lo, he had given his hand, and hath done all these things, he shall not escape.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'As I live, saith the Lord GOD'—God's own existence guarantees fulfillment. Zedekiah will die 'in the midst of Babylon'—where 'the king dwelleth that made him king.' Stark irony: escaping Babylonian control, he'll die in Babylon's heart. 'Whose oath he hath despised' emphasizes the moral dimension—not failed strategy but contempt for sacred obligations.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Fulfilled exactly. After Jerusalem fell (586 BC), Zedekiah fled but was captured near Jericho. Nebuchadnezzar executed his sons before him, blinded him, and brought him to Babylon where he died in prison (2 Kings 25:1-7, Jeremiah 52:7-11). Precise fulfillment authenticated both prophets.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's certainty about moral consequences affect our view of 'getting away with' violations?
  2. What oaths have we treated as expendable that God views as binding?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
חַי1 of 23

As I live

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

אָ֗נִי2 of 23
H589

i

נְאֻם֮3 of 23

saith

H5002

an oracle

אֲדֹנָ֣י4 of 23

the Lord

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִה֒5 of 23
H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אִם6 of 23
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

לֹ֗א7 of 23
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

בִּמְקוֹם֙8 of 23

surely in the place

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙9 of 23

where the king

H4428

a king

הַמַּמְלִ֣יךְ10 of 23

dwelleth that made him king

H4427

to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel

אֹת֔וֹ11 of 23
H853

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

אֲשֶׁ֤ר12 of 23
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בָּזָה֙13 of 23

he despised

H959

to disesteem

אֶת14 of 23
H853

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

אָ֣לָת֔וֹ15 of 23

whose oath

H423

an imprecation

וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר16 of 23
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הֵפֵ֖ר17 of 23

he brake

H6565

to break up (usually figuratively), i.e., to violate, frustrate

אֶת18 of 23
H853

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

בְּרִית֑וֹ19 of 23

and whose covenant

H1285

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

אִתּ֥וֹ20 of 23
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

בְתוֹךְ21 of 23

even with him in the midst

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

בָּבֶ֖ל22 of 23

of Babylon

H894

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

יָמֽוּת׃23 of 23

he shall die

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill


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 17:16 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 17:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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