King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 24:23 Mean?

Ezekiel 24:23 in the King James Version says “And your tires shall be upon your heads, and your shoes upon your feet: ye shall not mourn nor weep; but ye shall pine a... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Ezekiel 24:23 · KJV


Context

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.

24

Thus Ezekiel is unto you a sign: according to all that he hath done shall ye do: and when this cometh, ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD.

25

Also, thou son of man, shall it not be in the day when I take from them their strength, the joy of their glory, the desire of their eyes, and that whereupon they set their minds, their sons and their daughters, that: Heb. the lifting up of their soul


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And your tires shall be upon your heads, and your shoes upon your feet—They would not remove their headwear (פְּאֵרֵיכֶם, pĕʾērêkem, 'turbans/head-dresses') or shoes, customary mourning gestures. Ye shall not mourn nor weep; but ye shall pine away for your iniquities, and mourn one toward another—Instead of outward mourning, they would נָמַקּוּ (nāmaqqû, 'waste away/rot') inwardly, consumed by guilt. The verb suggests gradual decay, spiritual and emotional disintegration.

This describes a worse state than open grief: the paralysis of knowing judgment was deserved, that their own sins destroyed Jerusalem. וּנְהַמְתֶּם (ûnĕhamtem, 'and groan') אִישׁ אֶל־אָחִיו (ʾîsh ʾel-ʾāḥîw, 'each to his brother')—private groaning between individuals, not corporate mourning. Their guilt would isolate them even from communal grief, each man alone with his deserved punishment.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This prophecy materialized in 586 BC when Jerusalem fell. The book of Lamentations records this stunned, guilty grief: 'The LORD hath done that which he devised...he hath thrown down in his wrath' (Lamentations 2:17). Unlike normal tragedies blamed on fate, this was recognized as deserved covenant judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. What is the difference between mourning a tragedy and mourning deserved consequences?
  2. How can recognition of our own sin in judgment lead to repentance rather than despair?
  3. When has conviction of sin 'wasted away' your spirit before restoration came?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וּפְאֵרֵכֶ֣ם1 of 15

And your tires

H6287

an embellishment, i.e., fancy head-dress

עַל2 of 15
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

רָאשֵׁיכֶ֗ם3 of 15

shall be upon your heads

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

וְנַֽעֲלֵיכֶם֙4 of 15

and your shoes

H5275

properly, a sandal tongue; by extension a sandal or slipper (sometimes as a symbol of occupancy, a refusal to marry, or of something valueless)

בְּרַגְלֵיכֶ֔ם5 of 15

upon your feet

H7272

a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda

לֹ֥א6 of 15
H3808

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

תִסְפְּד֖וּ7 of 15

ye shall not mourn

H5594

properly, to tear the hair and beat the breasts (as middle easterners do in grief); generally to lament; by implication, to wail

וְלֹ֣א8 of 15
H3808

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

תִבְכּ֑וּ9 of 15

nor weep

H1058

to weep; generally to bemoan

וּנְמַקֹּתֶם֙10 of 15

but ye shall pine away

H4743

to melt; figuratively, to flow, dwindle, vanish

בַּעֲוֹנֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם11 of 15

for your iniquities

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

וּנְהַמְתֶּ֖ם12 of 15

and mourn

H5098

to growl

אִ֥ישׁ13 of 15

one

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֶל14 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אָחִֽיו׃15 of 15

toward another

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])


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 24:23 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 24:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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