King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 23:25 Mean?

Ezekiel 23:25 in the King James Version says “And I will set my jealousy against thee, and they shall deal furiously with thee: they shall take away thy nose and thin... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And I will set my jealousy against thee, and they shall deal furiously with thee: they shall take away thy nose and thine ears; and thy remnant shall fall by the sword: they shall take thy sons and thy daughters; and thy residue shall be devoured by the fire.

Ezekiel 23:25 · KJV


Context

23

The Babylonians , and all the Chaldeans, Pekod, and Shoa, and Koa, and all the Assyrians with them: all of them desirable young men, captains and rulers, great lords and renowned, all of them riding upon horses.

24

And they shall come against thee with chariots, wagons, and wheels, and with an assembly of people, which shall set against thee buckler and shield and helmet round about: and I will set judgment before them, and they shall judge thee according to their judgments.

25

And I will set my jealousy against thee, and they shall deal furiously with thee: they shall take away thy nose and thine ears; and thy remnant shall fall by the sword: they shall take thy sons and thy daughters; and thy residue shall be devoured by the fire.

26

They shall also strip thee out of thy clothes, and take away thy fair jewels. fair: Heb. instruments of thy decking

27

Thus will I make thy lewdness to cease from thee, and thy whoredom brought from the land of Egypt: so that thou shalt not lift up thine eyes unto them, nor remember Egypt any more.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And I will set my jealousy against thee, and they shall deal furiously with thee reveals divine emotion driving historical events. God's jealousy is righteous zeal for exclusive covenant relationship—not petty envy but holy passion for His glory and His people's exclusive devotion. They shall take away thy nose and thine ears describes literal Babylonian practice—mutilation of captives. Thy remnant shall fall by the sword pronounces comprehensive destruction. They shall take thy sons and thy daughters indicates exile and enslavement. Thy residue shall be devoured by the fire refers to Jerusalem's burning (2 Kings 25:9). Every detail fulfilled precisely in 586 BC. Prophetic specificity demonstrates divine foreknowledge and control. Nothing happens randomly; judgment's details were planned and announced beforehand.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Babylonian practice included mutilation of rebels and defeated enemies as both punishment and deterrent. The siege of Jerusalem resulted in massive casualties, burning of temple and city, execution of Judah's leaders at Riblah (2 Kings 25:18-21), and deportation of survivors to Babylon—exactly as prophesied decades earlier.

Reflection Questions

  1. How should we understand divine jealousy as righteous rather than petty?
  2. What does prophetic fulfillment demonstrate about God's nature?
  3. How do specific historical details fulfill divine warnings?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וְנָתַתִּ֨י1 of 19

And I will set

H5414

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

קִנְאָתִ֜י2 of 19

my jealousy

H7068

jealousy or envy

בָּ֗ךְ3 of 19
H0
וְעָשׂ֤וּ4 of 19

against thee and they shall deal

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

אוֹתָךְ֙5 of 19
H854

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

בְּחֵמָ֔ה6 of 19

furiously

H2534

heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)

אַפֵּ֤ךְ7 of 19

thy nose

H639

properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire

וְאָזְנַ֙יִךְ֙8 of 19

and thine ears

H241

broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)

יָסִ֔ירוּ9 of 19

with thee they shall take away

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

וְאַחֲרִיתֵ֖ךְ10 of 19

and thy remnant

H319

the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity

בַּחֶ֣רֶב11 of 19

by the sword

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

תִּפּ֑וֹל12 of 19

shall fall

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

הֵ֗מָּה13 of 19
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

בָּנַ֤יִךְ14 of 19

thy sons

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

וּבְנוֹתַ֙יִךְ֙15 of 19

and thy daughters

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

יִקָּ֔חוּ16 of 19

they shall take

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

וְאַחֲרִיתֵ֖ךְ17 of 19

and thy remnant

H319

the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity

תֵּאָכֵ֥ל18 of 19

shall be devoured

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

בָּאֵֽשׁ׃19 of 19

by the fire

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)


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 23:25 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 23:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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