King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 7:19 Mean?

Ezekiel 7:19 in the King James Version says “They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be a...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity. removed: Heb. for a separation, or, uncleanness it is: or, their iniquity is their stumblingblock”

Ezekiel 7:19 · KJV

Context

17

All hands shall be feeble, and all knees shall be weak as water. be weak: Heb. go into water

18

They shall also gird themselves with sackcloth, and horror shall cover them; and shame shall be upon all faces, and baldness upon all their heads.

19

They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity. removed: Heb. for a separation, or, uncleanness it is: or, their iniquity is their stumblingblock

20

As for the beauty of his ornament, he set it in majesty: but they made the images of their abominations and of their detestable things therein: therefore have I set it far from them. set it far: or, made it unto them an unclean thing

21

And I will give it into the hands of the strangers for a prey, and to the wicked of the earth for a spoil; and they shall pollute it.

Read Ezekiel 7 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity. This verse exposes the utter worthlessness of material wealth when facing divine judgment, a theme resonating throughout Scripture. What people trusted in for security becomes refuse in the day of wrath.

They shall cast their silver in the streets depicts throwing away what was most valued. Silver and gold were not just currency but security, status symbols, objects of trust. Casting them in streets shows they have become not just useless but burdensome—better discarded than carried. Their gold shall be removed may indicate looting by conquerors or religious purification from tainted wealth.

Shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD provides theological interpretation. Material wealth cannot purchase redemption from God judgment (Psalm 49:7-8, Proverbs 11:4, Zephaniah 1:18). They shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels emphasizes wealth inability to meet true human needs—spiritual satisfaction or even physical sustenance during siege famine.

Because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity reveals the root problem. Their wealth had become an idol leading to sin—oppression of the poor, false security, trust in riches rather than God. From a Reformed perspective, this demonstrates that prosperity without faith produces spiritual death. It anticipates Jesus teaching that one cannot serve God and mammon (Matthew 6:24).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

During the Babylonian siege and conquest, precious metals indeed became worthless for immediate survival needs. When famine gripped Jerusalem, no amount of silver could purchase food that did not exist. Archaeological evidence shows food prices skyrocketed during siege conditions (2 Kings 6:25 provides earlier example).

Babylon looted Jerusalem temple and palace treasures (2 Kings 25:13-17), carrying off gold and silver. Individual wealth provided no protection from deportation. Jeremiah 39:10 notes that the poorest people who owned nothing were left in the land while wealthy were exiled—wealth became liability rather than asset.

The phrase stumblingblock of their iniquity indicates how wealth had led to covenant violation. Pre-exilic prophets repeatedly condemned exploitation of poor, unjust economic practices, and trust in riches (Isaiah 5:8, Amos 2:6-7, Micah 2:1-2). The wealthy classes had used their prosperity oppressively and had become complacent.

This theme recurs in James 5:1-6 warning to rich who oppressed others, showing continuity in biblical teaching about wealth dangers. Ezekiel audience would have found this prophecy shocking but entirely accurate when it came to pass.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the worthlessness of wealth in judgment teach about where true security is found?
  2. How does material prosperity become a stumblingblock leading to spiritual ruin?
  3. In what ways do people today cast silver in the streets when facing calamity?
  4. What is the relationship between economic injustice and divine judgment in Scripture?
  5. How does Christ provide the redemption that silver and gold cannot purchase (1 Peter 1:18-19)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
כַּסְפָּ֨ם1 of 24

“their silver”

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

בַּחוּצ֣וֹת2 of 24

“in the streets”

H2351

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

יַשְׁלִ֗יכוּ3 of 24

“They shall cast”

H7993

to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)

וּזְהָבָ֜ם4 of 24

“and their gold”

H2091

gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky

לְנִדָּ֣ה5 of 24

“shall be removed”

H5079

properly, rejection; by implication, impurity, especially personal (menstruation) or moral (idolatry, incest)

יִֽהְיֶה֒6 of 24
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כַּסְפָּ֨ם7 of 24

“their silver”

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

וּזְהָבָ֜ם8 of 24

“and their gold”

H2091

gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky

לֹֽא9 of 24
H3808

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

יוּכַ֣ל10 of 24

“shall not be able”

H3201

to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)

לְהַצִּילָ֗ם11 of 24

“to deliver”

H5337

to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense

בְּיוֹם֙12 of 24

“them 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

עֶבְרַ֣ת13 of 24

“of the wrath”

H5678

an outburst of passion

יְהוָ֔ה14 of 24

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

נַפְשָׁם֙15 of 24

“their souls”

H5315

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

לֹ֣א16 of 24
H3808

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

יְשַׂבֵּ֔עוּ17 of 24

“they shall not satisfy”

H7646

to sate, i.e., fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively)

וּמֵעֵיהֶ֖ם18 of 24

“their bowels”

H4578

used only in plural the intestines, or (collectively) the abdomen, figuratively, sympathy; by implication, a vest; by extension the stomach, the uteru

לֹ֣א19 of 24
H3808

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

יְמַלֵּ֑אוּ20 of 24

“neither fill”

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

כִּֽי21 of 24
H3588

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

מִכְשׁ֥וֹל22 of 24

“because it is the stumblingblock”

H4383

a stumbling-block, literally or figuratively (obstacle, enticement (specifically an idol), scruple)

עֲוֹנָ֖ם23 of 24

“of their iniquity”

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

הָיָֽה׃24 of 24
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

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 7:19 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 7:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Proverbs 11:4Zephaniah 1:18Ezekiel 14:7Luke 12:19-20Isaiah 2:20Ezekiel 14:3-4

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