King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 24:25 Mean?

Ezekiel 24:25 in the King James Version says “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 desi...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Ezekiel 24:25 · KJV

StrengthJoy

Context

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

26

That he that escapeth in that day shall come unto thee, to cause thee to hear it with thine ears?

27

In that day shall thy mouth be opened to him which is escaped, and thou shalt speak, and be no more dumb: and thou shalt be a sign unto them; and they shall know that I am the LORD.

Read Ezekiel 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Also, thou son of man, shall it not be in the day when I take from them their strength—God addresses Ezekiel directly (בֶּן־אָדָם, ben-ʾādām, 'son of man'). The joy of their glory (מָעוֹז, māʿôz, 'stronghold/fortress'; מְשׂוֹשׂ תִּפְאַרְתָּם, mĕśôś tifʾartām, 'joy of their beauty')—metaphors for the Jerusalem temple, Israel's pride and God's earthly dwelling.

The desire of their eyes, and that whereupon they set their minds—מַשָּׂא נַפְשָׁם (maśśāʾ naphshām, 'lifting of their soul') indicates deep emotional attachment. The temple was their supreme treasure, like Ezekiel's wife was to him (v. 16). Their sons and their daughters—Many died in the siege; others were taken captive. The prophet describes total loss: religious center, family members, homeland—everything that gave life meaning.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Solomon's temple stood from 966-586 BC (380 years). It represented God's presence, covenant faithfulness, and national identity. Its destruction was psychologically, spiritually, and nationally catastrophic. The temple would not be rebuilt until 516 BC—70 years later, fulfilling Jeremiah's prophecy.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'temples'—things we consider essential to faith—might God remove to teach us deeper dependence?
  2. How can losing what we treasure most become a pathway to knowing God better?
  3. What does God's willingness to destroy His own temple teach about His priorities?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וְאַתָּ֣ה1 of 19
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

בְּנֵיהֶ֖ם2 of 19

“Also thou son”

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

אָדָ֔ם3 of 19

“of man”

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

הֲל֗וֹא4 of 19
H3808

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

בְּי֨וֹם5 of 19

“shall it not be in the 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

קַחְתִּ֤י6 of 19

“when I take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

מֵהֶם֙7 of 19
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

אֶת8 of 19
H853

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

מָ֣עוּזָּ֔ם9 of 19

“from them their strength”

H4581

a fortified place; figuratively, a defense

מְשׂ֖וֹשׂ10 of 19

“the joy”

H4885

delight, concretely (the cause or object) or abstractly (the feeling)

תִּפְאַרְתָּ֑ם11 of 19

“of their glory”

H8597

ornament (abstractly or concretely, literally or figuratively)

אֶת12 of 19
H853

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

מַחְמַ֤ד13 of 19

“the desire”

H4261

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

עֵֽינֵיהֶם֙14 of 19

“of their eyes”

H5869

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

וְאֶת15 of 19
H853

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

מַשָּׂ֣א16 of 19

“and that whereupon they set”

H4853

a burden; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom, especially singing; mental, desire

נַפְשָׁ֔ם17 of 19

“their minds”

H5315

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

בְּנֵיהֶ֖ם18 of 19

“Also thou son”

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

וּבְנוֹתֵיהֶֽם׃19 of 19

“and their daughters”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and 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 24:25 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 24:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 24:21Psalms 50:2Jeremiah 11:22Psalms 48:2Jeremiah 7:4Psalms 122:1-9

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