King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 45:9 Mean?

Ezekiel 45:9 in the King James Version says “Thus saith the Lord GOD; Let it suffice you, O princes of Israel: remove violence and spoil, and execute judgment and ju...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 45 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Thus saith the Lord GOD; Let it suffice you, O princes of Israel: remove violence and spoil, and execute judgment and justice, take away your exactions from my people, saith the Lord GOD. exactions: Heb. expulsions”

Ezekiel 45:9 · KJV

Context

7

And a portion shall be for the prince on the one side and on the other side of the oblation of the holy portion, and of the possession of the city, before the oblation of the holy portion, and before the possession of the city, from the west side westward, and from the east side eastward: and the length shall be over against one of the portions, from the west border unto the east border.

8

In the land shall be his possession in Israel: and my princes shall no more oppress my people; and the rest of the land shall they give to the house of Israel according to their tribes.

9

Thus saith the Lord GOD; Let it suffice you, O princes of Israel: remove violence and spoil, and execute judgment and justice, take away your exactions from my people, saith the Lord GOD. exactions: Heb. expulsions

10

Ye shall have just balances, and a just ephah, and a just bath.

11

The ephah and the bath shall be of one measure, that the bath may contain the tenth part of an homer, and the ephah the tenth part of an homer: the measure thereof shall be after the homer.

Read Ezekiel 45 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God commands Israel's princes: 'Let it suffice you, O princes of Israel: remove violence and spoil, and execute judgment and justice.' The Hebrew דַּי (dai, 'suffice') means 'enough!'—a divine rebuke against royal exploitation. Leaders had abused power, practicing חָמָס (chamas, 'violence') and שֹׁד (shod, 'spoil/plunder'), oppressing rather than protecting citizens. God demands מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat, 'judgment'—legal justice) and צְדָקָה (tsedaqah, 'justice/righteousness'). The command 'remove... and execute' requires both negative (cease evil) and positive (practice good) obedience. Reformed theology emphasizes that authority derives from God and must serve His purposes—protecting the weak, administering justice, promoting righteousness. Leaders who exploit rather than serve face divine judgment (Ezekiel 34:2-10). This principle applies to all authority: civil, ecclesiastical, familial—power must serve, not oppress.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Israel's kings frequently abused power: Ahab stealing Naboth's vineyard (1 Kings 21), Jehoiakim practicing forced labor and injustice (Jeremiah 22:13-19), leaders shedding innocent blood for gain (Ezekiel 22:27). The prophets consistently condemned royal oppression (Isaiah 1:23, 10:1-2; Jeremiah 22:3; Amos 5:11-12; Micah 3:1-3). The exile resulted partly from systemic injustice—leaders enriching themselves while exploiting citizens. God's ideal for leadership appears in Deuteronomy 17:14-20: kings must not accumulate wealth, must copy and obey God's law, not exalt themselves above citizens. The future restoration requires righteous leadership. Whether this refers to restored Jewish monarchy, messianic kingdom, or symbolic principles of godly governance, the standard remains: leaders must execute justice, not exploitation. Christ exemplifies servant leadership (Mark 10:42-45).

Reflection Questions

  1. What authority do you exercise—in family, church, workplace—and does it serve or exploit those under your care?
  2. How seriously do you pursue justice for the oppressed versus merely avoiding personal wrongdoing?
  3. When has God needed to say 'Let it suffice!' to your accumulation, consumption, or self-serving use of resources?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
כֹּֽה1 of 21
H3541

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

אָמַ֞ר2 of 21

“saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֥י3 of 21

“the Lord”

H136

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

יְהוִֽה׃4 of 21

“GOD”

H3069

god

רַב5 of 21

“Let it suffice”

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

לָכֶם֙6 of 21
H0
נְשִׂיאֵ֣י7 of 21

“you O princes”

H5387

properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל8 of 21

“of Israel”

H3478

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

חָמָ֤ס9 of 21

“violence”

H2555

violence; by implication, wrong; by metonymy unjust gain

וָשֹׁד֙10 of 21

“and spoil”

H7701

violence, ravage

הָסִ֔ירוּ11 of 21

“remove”

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

וּמִשְׁפָּ֥ט12 of 21

“judgment”

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

וּצְדָקָ֖ה13 of 21

“and justice”

H6666

rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)

עֲשׂ֑וּ14 of 21

“and execute”

H6213

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

הָרִ֤ימוּ15 of 21

“take away”

H7311

to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

גְרֻשֹֽׁתֵיכֶם֙16 of 21

“your exactions”

H1646

(abstractly) dispossession

מֵעַ֣ל17 of 21
H5921

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

עַמִּ֔י18 of 21

“from my people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

נְאֻ֖ם19 of 21

“Thus saith”

H5002

an oracle

אֲדֹנָ֥י20 of 21

“the Lord”

H136

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

יְהוִֽה׃21 of 21

“GOD”

H3069

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 45:9 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 45:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Zechariah 8:16Ezekiel 44:6Isaiah 1:17Jeremiah 22:31 Peter 4:3Ezekiel 43:14-16

Test Your Knowledge

Ezekiel 45 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterEzekiel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Ezekiel 45 with CommentaryAll Ezekiel ChaptersComplete Ezekiel QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes