King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 28:23 Mean?

Ezekiel 28:23 in the King James Version says “For I will send into her pestilence, and blood into her streets; and the wounded shall be judged in the midst of her by ...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For I will send into her pestilence, and blood into her streets; and the wounded shall be judged in the midst of her by the sword upon her on every side; and they shall know that I am the LORD.”

Ezekiel 28:23 · KJV

Context

21

Son of man, set thy face against Zidon, and prophesy against it,

22

And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Zidon; and I will be glorified in the midst of thee: and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall have executed judgments in her, and shall be sanctified in her.

23

For I will send into her pestilence, and blood into her streets; and the wounded shall be judged in the midst of her by the sword upon her on every side; and they shall know that I am the LORD.

24

And there shall be no more a pricking brier unto the house of Israel, nor any grieving thorn of all that are round about them, that despised them; and they shall know that I am the Lord GOD.

25

Thus saith the Lord GOD; When I shall have gathered the house of Israel from the people among whom they are scattered, and shall be sanctified in them in the sight of the heathen, then shall they dwell in their land that I have given to my servant Jacob.

Read Ezekiel 28 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And there shall be no more a pricking brier unto the house of Israel, nor any grieving thorn—After judging Israel's oppressors (chapters 25-28), God promises deliverance. סִלּוֹן מַמְאִיר (sillôn mamʾîr, 'pricking brier') and קוֹץ מַכְאִב (qôṣ makhʾîb, 'painful thorn') represent hostile neighbors who tormented Israel.

Of all that are round about them, that despised them—מִכָּל־סְבִיבֹתָם הַשָּׁאטִים אֹתָם (mikkol-sĕbîbôtām hashshāʾṭîm ʾōtām, 'from all around them, those who despise them'). Nations surrounding Israel—Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia, Tyre, Sidon—had oppressed and mocked God's people. And they shall know that I am the Lord GOD—When these hostile neighbors are judged and Israel is restored, all will recognize YHWH's covenant faithfulness. The contrast is stark: Israel disciplined but preserved; hostile nations destroyed permanently. This demonstrates God's electing love (Deuteronomy 7:7-8) and introduces Israel's restoration (28:24-26).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Israel's neighbors perpetually harassed them: Philistines during Judges, Ammon under Saul, Edom during the exile, Phoenicians through idolatrous influence. Each had 'despised' Israel. After Babylon destroyed these nations (586-570 BC), they never regained power. Meanwhile, Israel returned from exile (538 BC), rebuilt the temple (516 BC), and continued to the present—proof of God's electing preservation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's judgment on Israel's oppressors reveal His protective love?
  2. What does the 'pricking brier' and 'grieving thorn' metaphor teach about hostile influences?
  3. How should Israel's preservation versus her neighbors' destruction affect our view of election?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וְשִׁלַּחְתִּי1 of 15

“For I will send”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

בָ֞הּ2 of 15
H0
דֶּ֤בֶר3 of 15

“into her pestilence”

H1698

a pestilence

וָדָם֙4 of 15

“and blood”

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

בְּח֣וּצוֹתֶ֔יהָ5 of 15

“into her streets”

H2351

properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors

וְנִפְלַ֤ל6 of 15

“shall be judged”

H5307

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

חָלָל֙7 of 15

“and the wounded”

H2491

pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted

בְּתוֹכָ֔הּ8 of 15

“in the midst”

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

בְּחֶ֥רֶב9 of 15

“of her by the sword”

H2719

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

עָלֶ֖יהָ10 of 15
H5921

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

מִסָּבִ֑יב11 of 15

“upon her on every side”

H5439

(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

וְיָדְע֖וּ12 of 15

“and they shall know”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

כִּֽי13 of 15
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֲנִ֥י14 of 15
H589

i

יְהוָֽה׃15 of 15

“that I am the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

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 28:23 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 28:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 38:22Ezekiel 25:17Ezekiel 25:7Ezekiel 5:12Jeremiah 15:2Ezekiel 25:11

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