King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 21:25 Mean?

Ezekiel 21:25 in the King James Version says “And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end,” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end,”

Ezekiel 21:25 · KJV

Context

23

And it shall be unto them as a false divination in their sight, to them that have sworn oaths: but he will call to remembrance the iniquity, that they may be taken. to them: or, for the oaths made unto them

24

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have made your iniquity to be remembered, in that your transgressions are discovered, so that in all your doings your sins do appear; because, I say, that ye are come to remembrance, ye shall be taken with the hand.

25

And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end,

26

Thus saith the Lord GOD; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high.

27

I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him. I will overturn: Heb. Perverted, perverted, perverted, will I make it

Read Ezekiel 21 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end—God addresses Zedekiah, Judah's last king, with devastating epithets. The Hebrew chalal (חָלָל, "profane") means desecrated or defiled, one who has violated sacred trust. Rasha (רָשָׁע, "wicked") denotes moral perversity and covenant rebellion. Zedekiah had sworn allegiance to Nebuchadnezzar by oath before Yahweh (2 Chronicles 36:13), then broke that oath—a double treachery violating both political treaty and divine name.

The phrase "whose day is come" (yom, יוֹם) marks the appointed time of judgment. Unlike previous warnings with opportunity for repentance, this pronouncement declares the terminus: "when iniquity shall have an end" (avon qetz, עָוֹן קֵץ)—not that sin will cease but that its final reckoning has arrived. The measure of Judah's guilt was full. This echoes Genesis 15:16 where God told Abraham the Amorite iniquity was not yet complete. When a nation's wickedness reaches divine limits, judgment becomes inevitable and irreversible. Zedekiah's reign (597-586 BC) marked the end of the Davidic monarchy until Messiah.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Zedekiah became king in 597 BC after Babylon deported King Jehoiachin. Installed as a puppet ruler, he reigned during Jerusalem's final decade. Despite Jeremiah's warnings, he rebelled against Babylon (2 Kings 24:20), triggering the 18-month siege ending in 586 BC. Zedekiah witnessed his sons' execution before being blinded and dragged to Babylon in chains (2 Kings 25:6-7)—the literal fulfillment of Ezekiel's prophecy. The 'profane wicked prince' designation reflects both his oath-breaking and his enablement of temple abominations (Ezekiel 8). His removal ended the Davidic dynasty's earthly throne for centuries, fulfilled only when Christ came as the true King.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Zedekiah's broken oath before God warn us about the seriousness of vows and commitments made in God's name?
  2. What does the concept of iniquity reaching its 'end' teach about God's patience and the reality of final judgment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וְאַתָּה֙1 of 11
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

חָלָ֣ל2 of 11

“And thou profane”

H2491

pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted

רָשָׁ֔ע3 of 11

“wicked”

H7563

morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person

נְשִׂ֖יא4 of 11

“prince”

H5387

properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל5 of 11

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

אֲשֶׁר6 of 11
H834

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

בָּ֣א7 of 11

“is come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

יוֹמ֔וֹ8 of 11

“whose day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

בְּעֵ֖ת9 of 11

“when”

H6256

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

עֲוֹ֥ן10 of 11

“iniquity”

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

קֵֽץ׃11 of 11

“shall have an end”

H7093

an extremity; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) after

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 21:25 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 21:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 35:5Jeremiah 52:2Ezekiel 21:292 Chronicles 36:13Ezekiel 17:19Jeremiah 24:8

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Ezekiel 21 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterEzekiel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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