King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 24:21 Mean?

Ezekiel 24:21 in the King James Version says “Speak unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will profane my sanctuary, the excellency of your str... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Speak unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will profane my sanctuary, the excellency of your strength, the desire of your eyes, and that which your soul pitieth; and your sons and your daughters whom ye have left shall fall by the sword. that: Heb. the pity of your soul

Ezekiel 24:21 · KJV


Context

19

And the people said unto me, Wilt thou not tell us what these things are to us, that thou doest so?

20

Then I answered them, The word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

21

Speak unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will profane my sanctuary, the excellency of your strength, the desire of your eyes, and that which your soul pitieth; and your sons and your daughters whom ye have left shall fall by the sword. that: Heb. the pity of your soul

22

And ye shall do as I have done: ye shall not cover your lips, nor eat the bread of men.

23

And your tires shall be upon your heads, and your shoes upon your feet: ye shall not mourn nor weep; but ye shall pine away for your iniquities, and mourn one toward another.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
"Speak unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will profane my sanctuary, the excellency of your strength, the desire of your eyes, and that which your soul pitieth; and your sons and your daughters whom ye have left shall fall by the sword." God announces He will profane His own sanctuary—shocking reversal showing temple's sanctity derived from divine presence, not architecture. "Excellency of your strength," "desire of your eyes," "that which your soul pitieth" describe Israel's attachment to the temple. Its destruction plus children's death creates comprehensive loss. This fulfilled when Babylon burned the temple and slaughtered the population (586 BC).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The temple's destruction shocked the ancient world—could God allow His dwelling's desecration? Ezekiel explains: God Himself profanes what His people defiled through idolatry (Ezekiel 8). The glory departed (Ezekiel 10-11), then the building burned. This taught that true sanctity requires obedience, not merely sacred geography. The comprehensive loss (temple and children) created devastation forcing recognition that covenant violation brings total judgment, preparing hearts for eventual restoration.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God profaning His own sanctuary illustrate that holiness requires obedience, not mere designation?
  2. What does comprehensive loss (sanctuary and children) teach about sin's full consequences?
  3. In what ways should we avoid trusting religious forms while neglecting heart righteousness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
אָמַר֮1 of 23

Speak

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לְבֵ֣ית2 of 23

unto the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל3 of 23

of Israel

H3478

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

כֹּֽה4 of 23
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַר֮5 of 23

Speak

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֣י6 of 23

the Lord

H136

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

יְהוִה֒7 of 23

GOD

H3069

god

הִנְנִ֨י8 of 23
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

מְחַלֵּ֤ל9 of 23

Behold I will profane

H2490

properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin

אֶת10 of 23
H853

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

מִקְדָּשִׁי֙11 of 23

my sanctuary

H4720

a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of jehovah or of idols) or asylum

גְּא֣וֹן12 of 23

the excellency

H1347

the same as h1346

עֻזְּכֶ֔ם13 of 23

of your strength

H5797

strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise)

מַחְמַ֥ד14 of 23

the desire

H4261

delightful; hence, a delight, i.e., object of affection or desire

עֵֽינֵיכֶ֖ם15 of 23

of your eyes

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

וּמַחְמַ֣ל16 of 23

pitieth

H4263

properly, sympathy

נַפְשְׁכֶ֑ם17 of 23

and that which your soul

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

וּבְנֵיכֶ֧ם18 of 23

and your 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

וּבְנֽוֹתֵיכֶ֛ם19 of 23

and your daughters

H1323

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

אֲשֶׁ֥ר20 of 23
H834

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

עֲזַבְתֶּ֖ם21 of 23

whom ye have left

H5800

to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc

בַּחֶ֥רֶב22 of 23

by the sword

H2719

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

יִפֹּֽלוּ׃23 of 23

shall fall

H5307

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


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 24:21 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 24:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study