King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 21:29 Mean?

Ezekiel 21:29 in the King James Version says “Whiles they see vanity unto thee, whiles they divine a lie unto thee, to bring thee upon the necks of them that are slai...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Whiles they see vanity unto thee, whiles they divine a lie unto thee, to bring thee upon the necks of them that are slain, of the wicked, whose day is come, when their iniquity shall have an end.”

Ezekiel 21:29 · King James Version

Context

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

28

And thou, son of man, prophesy and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning the Ammonites , and concerning their reproach; even say thou, The sword, the sword is drawn: for the slaughter it is furbished, to consume because of the glittering:

29

Whiles they see vanity unto thee, whiles they divine a lie unto thee, to bring thee upon the necks of them that are slain, of the wicked, whose day is come, when their iniquity shall have an end.

30

Shall I cause it to return into his sheath? I will judge thee in the place where thou wast created, in the land of thy nativity. Shall: or, Cause it to return

31

And I will pour out mine indignation upon thee, I will blow against thee in the fire of my wrath, and deliver thee into the hand of brutish men, and skilful to destroy. brutish: or, burning

Read Ezekiel 21 full chapter

Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
Whiles they see vanity unto thee, whiles they divine a lie unto thee—Ammon relied on false prophets and diviners (שָׁוְא, shāwĕ, 'emptiness/falsehood'; קָסַם, qāsam, 'to divine'). Their occult practices gave lying oracles, promising security when destruction loomed.

To bring thee upon the necks of them that are slain, of the wicked—The imagery depicts corpses piled with Ammon's slain 'upon the necks' of Judah's wicked who were already judged. Their fate was linked: both nations would fall under Babylon's sword. Whose day is come, when their iniquity shall have an end (עֲוֹנָם קֵץ, ăwōnām qēṣ)—The appointed time (יוֹם, yôm) of final reckoning. God's patience has limits; accumulated iniquity reaches fullness and demands judgment (Genesis 15:16).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ammonite religion centered on Molech/Milcom worship, involving child sacrifice and divination practices explicitly condemned in Mosaic law (Leviticus 18:21, Deuteronomy 18:10-12). Their false prophets promised peace, but Nebuchadnezzar destroyed them five years after Jerusalem.

Reflection Questions

  1. What modern 'divinations' or false assurances do people trust instead of God's Word?
  2. How does God's patience with accumulating sin differ from His ultimate justice?
  3. Why does God judge nations who mock His people's discipline?

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
בַּחֲז֥וֹת1 of 18

“Whiles they see”

H2372

to gaze at; mentally to perceive, contemplate (with pleasure); specifically, to have a vision of

לָךְ֙2 of 18
H0
שָׁ֔וְא3 of 18

“vanity”

H7723

evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false, subjective), uselessness (as deceptive, object

בִּקְסָם4 of 18

“unto thee whiles they divine”

H7080

properly, to distribute, i.e., determine by lot or magical scroll; by implication, to divine

לָ֖ךְ5 of 18
H0
כָּזָ֑ב6 of 18

“a lie”

H3577

falsehood; literally (untruth) or figuratively (idol)

לָתֵ֣ת7 of 18

“unto thee to bring”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אוֹתָ֗ךְ8 of 18
H853

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

אֶֽל9 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

צַוְּארֵי֙10 of 18

“thee upon the necks”

H6677

the back of the neck (as that on which burdens are bound)

חַֽלְלֵ֣י11 of 18

“of them that are slain”

H2491

pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted

רְשָׁעִ֔ים12 of 18

“of the wicked”

H7563

morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person

אֲשֶׁר13 of 18
H834

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

בָּ֣א14 of 18

“is come”

H935

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

יוֹמָ֔ם15 of 18

“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

בְּעֵ֖ת16 of 18

“when”

H6256

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

עֲוֹ֥ן17 of 18

“their iniquity”

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

קֵֽץ׃18 of 18

“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 21:29 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 21:29 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 21:25Ezekiel 22:28Psalms 37:13Jeremiah 27:9Ezekiel 13:23Ezekiel 13:10

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