King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 7:2 Mean?

Ezekiel 7:2 in the King James Version says “Also, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD unto the land of Israel; An end, the end is come upon the four corners of...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Also, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD unto the land of Israel; An end, the end is come upon the four corners of the land.”

Ezekiel 7:2 · KJV

Context

1

Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

2

Also, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD unto the land of Israel; An end, the end is come upon the four corners of the land.

3

Now is the end come upon thee, and I will send mine anger upon thee, and will judge thee according to thy ways, and will recompense upon thee all thine abominations. recompense: Heb. give

4

And mine eye shall not spare thee, neither will I have pity: but I will recompense thy ways upon thee, and thine abominations shall be in the midst of thee: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

Read Ezekiel 7 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Also, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD unto the land of Israel; An end, the end is come upon the four corners of the land. The double emphatic "An end, the end" (qets ha-qets ba, קֵץ הַקֵּץ בָּא) creates drumbeat effect emphasizing finality. Hebrew qets means termination, conclusion, or boundary—Israel's time has run out. "Upon the four corners of the land" (al-arba kanfot ha-aretz, עַל־אַרְבַּע כַּנְפוֹת הָאָרֶץ) indicates comprehensive, total judgment covering all territory. This announcement functions like death sentence—the verdict is final, execution imminent. The repetition throughout chapter 7 hammers home inevitability, stripping away all hope of escaping judgment through human effort.

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Historical & Cultural Context

For centuries, prophets warned of coming judgment (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Hosea, Amos, Micah). Israel ignored these warnings, presuming God's patience was infinite or His threats empty. Ezekiel declares the accumulated delay has ended—God's forbearance is exhausted. The 'four corners' emphasizes no region escapes: northern Israel (fallen to Assyria 722 BC), southern Judah (about to fall to Babylon), and all territories between. The comprehensive scope meant nowhere in the land offered safety. Only exile beyond the land's borders might preserve a remnant.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the double emphasis 'the end, the end' challenge presumption on God's patience?
  2. What does comprehensive judgment ('four corners') teach about the impossibility of partial obedience?
  3. How should Christians balance confidence in God's grace with awareness that patience has limits?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וְאַתָּ֣ה1 of 16
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

בֶן2 of 16

“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

אָדָ֗ם3 of 16

“of man”

H120

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

כֹּה4 of 16
H3541

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

אָמַ֞ר5 of 16

“thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֧י6 of 16

“the Lord”

H136

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

יְהוִ֛ה7 of 16

“GOD”

H3069

god

לְאַדְמַ֥ת8 of 16

“unto the land”

H127

soil (from its general redness)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל9 of 16

“of Israel”

H3478

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

הַקֵּ֔ץ10 of 16

“An end”

H7093

an extremity; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) after

בָּ֣א11 of 16

“is come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

הַקֵּ֔ץ12 of 16

“An end”

H7093

an extremity; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) after

עַל13 of 16
H5921

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

אַרְבַּ֖עת14 of 16

“upon the four”

H702

four

כַּנְפ֥וֹת15 of 16

“corners”

H3671

an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bedclothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinna

הָאָֽרֶץ׃16 of 16

“of the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

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 7:2 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 7:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Amos 8:21 Peter 4:7Amos 8:10Ezekiel 7:3Lamentations 4:18Ezekiel 11:13

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