Ezekiel 17:16 kjv
As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely in the place where the king dwelleth that made him king, whose oath he despised, and whose covenant he brake, even with him in the midst of Babylon he shall die.
Ezekiel 17:16 nkjv
'As I live,' says the Lord GOD, 'surely in the place where the king dwells who made him king, whose oath he despised and whose covenant he broke?with him in the midst of Babylon he shall die.
Ezekiel 17:16 niv
"?'As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, he shall die in Babylon, in the land of the king who put him on the throne, whose oath he despised and whose treaty he broke.
Ezekiel 17:16 esv
"As I live, declares the Lord GOD, surely in the place where the king dwells who made him king, whose oath he despised, and whose covenant with him he broke, in Babylon he shall die.
Ezekiel 17:16 nlt
No! For as surely as I live, says the Sovereign LORD, the king of Israel will die in Babylon, the land of the king who put him in power and whose treaty he disregarded and broke.
Ezekiel 17 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 14:28-29 | “As I live, declares the Lord... your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness..." | God's oath for certain judgment |
| Isa 49:18 | “As I live, declares the Lord, you shall put them all on like an ornament...” | God's oath of sure restoration |
| Jer 22:24 | “As I live, declares the Lord, though Coniah son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were the signet ring..." | God's oath regarding Jehoiachin's fate |
| 2 Ki 24:20 | "For because of the anger of the Lord it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah..." | Zedekiah's rebellion provoked divine anger |
| 2 Chr 36:13 | "He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God..." | Zedekiah's rebellion and oath by God |
| Deut 28:15 | "But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord your God..." | Covenant curses for disobedience |
| Hos 10:4 | "They utter mere words; with false oaths they make covenants..." | Judgment for broken and false oaths |
| Jer 34:2-3 | "Thus says the Lord, ‘Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon... and Zedekiah king of Judah shall not escape... but shall be delivered into his hand." | Prophecy of Zedekiah's capture and fate |
| Jer 32:4-5 | "Zedekiah king of Judah shall not escape from the Chaldeans, but shall surely be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon... and he shall lead Zedekiah to Babylon..." | Foretelling Zedekiah's exile |
| Jer 39:6-7 | "Then the king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes... He also put out Zedekiah’s eyes and bound him in chains..." | Fulfillment of Zedekiah's end |
| Jer 52:10-11 | "The king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes... Then he put out Zedekiah's eyes and bound him..." | Historical account of Zedekiah's tragic end |
| Isa 30:1-3 | "“Woe to the rebellious children,” declares the Lord, “who carry out a plan, but not mine..." | Trusting human alliances over God's counsel |
| Isa 31:1 | "Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses..." | Condemnation of relying on Egypt |
| Jer 2:18 | "And now what do you gain by going to Egypt to drink the waters of the Nile?" | Futility of seeking help from Egypt |
| Prov 21:1 | "The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord..." | God's sovereignty over kings' decisions |
| Dan 4:17 | "...that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will..." | God's ultimate authority over kingdoms |
| Rom 1:18 | "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness..." | Divine wrath against unfaithfulness |
| Jas 5:12 | "But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth..." | Importance of truthful speech |
| Heb 6:13-14 | "For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself..." | God's unfailing promises validated by His oath |
| 1 Pet 2:13-14 | "Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution... to governors as sent by him..." | Submission to legitimate earthly authority |
| Rom 13:1-2 | "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities... resistance to them will incur judgment." | God-ordained authority of rulers |
Ezekiel 17 verses
Ezekiel 17 16 Meaning
Ezekiel 17:16 proclaims a divine judgment against Zedekiah, the king of Judah, for breaking his solemn oath and covenant made with Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. It definitively states that Zedekiah will die in Babylon, in the very place where the king who established him in power resides, emphasizing the certain and inescapable consequence of his treachery. This verdict is sealed by the direct declaration of the Lord God Himself, underscoring its absolute certainty and divine origin.
Ezekiel 17 16 Context
Ezekiel 17 presents an allegory of two eagles and a vine to explain the political situation of Judah in the early 6th century BC. The first great eagle represents Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, who came to Jerusalem (the great cedar tree) and took its top shoot (Jehoiachin) to Babylon, planting a new vine (Zedekiah) in Judah. Zedekiah, appointed by Nebuchadnezzar and bound by a solemn oath of allegiance to Babylon, was meant to keep Judah loyal. However, the "tender twig" (Zedekiah) then turned toward a second great eagle (Egypt), seeking horses and many troops, breaking his covenant with Babylon. Verse 16 serves as the climactic prophetic declaration of God's judgment against Zedekiah for this breach of faith, underscoring that his failure was not just a political mistake but a profound moral and spiritual offense against a divinely ordained order and a solemn vow.
Ezekiel 17 16 Word analysis
- As I live (חַי אָנִי
chai ani): This is a powerful and solemn divine oath formula, occurring frequently in the Old Testament. When God swears by Himself, it signifies the absolute certainty and irrevocability of what is about to be declared. It emphasizes that the fulfillment of this prophecy is as sure as God's own existence. - declares the Lord God (נְאֻם אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה
ne'um Adonai Yahweh): A common prophetic formula in Ezekiel, used over 200 times.Ne'umsignifies a divine oracle, a direct utterance from God.Adonai(Lord) points to God's sovereign mastership, whileYahweh(God, often translated "LORD") emphasizes His covenant-keeping, unchanging character. The combination asserts undeniable divine authority. - surely (אִם־לֹא
im-lo): In the context of an oath, this Hebrew construction acts as an emphatic affirmation. Though literally meaning "if not," in such sworn statements, it functions like saying, "It is absolutely certain that..." It intensifies the divine declaration that what follows will undoubtedly occur. - in the place where the king who made him king lives: This refers to Babylon, the capital of Nebuchadnezzar's empire. It highlights the profound irony and judgment: Zedekiah's very throne was granted by the one he betrayed, and his death will occur in the realm of the one he defied. This points to God's sovereignty over earthly rulers and their domains.
- whose oath he despised: The term "despised" (
bazah) indicates contempt, disdain, or a complete disregard for something considered sacred or important. Zedekiah's oath of fealty to Nebuchadnezzar was likely made in the presence of witnesses, perhaps even invoking divine names. To despise such an oath was a serious moral and religious offense, especially for a king of Judah who should have upheld fidelity. - and whose covenant he broke: The Hebrew term for covenant (
berit) can refer to various binding agreements. Here, it denotes the vassal treaty between Babylon and Judah. Such treaties in the Ancient Near East often included specific obligations, tribute, and oaths. Breaking it was an act of rebellion and perfidy, especially because it challenged a divinely-ordained arrangement where God allowed Nebuchadnezzar's ascendancy. - with him in the midst of Babylon he shall die: This part specifically states Zedekiah's fate – death in Babylon. "With him" might imply either in Nebuchadnezzar's presence or within his sphere of influence and control, marking a complete subjugation and reversal of Zedekiah's attempted independence. His end would be a complete fulfillment of the curses for covenant-breaking and a demonstration of divine justice.
Ezekiel 17 16 Bonus section
The concept of "oath" and "covenant" (berit) in this verse draws upon deeply embedded Ancient Near Eastern legal and religious traditions, where oath-swearing was often accompanied by self-imprecations (curses upon oneself if the oath was broken). When Zedekiah swore loyalty to Nebuchadnezzar, even if by a pagan deity (or nominally by Yahweh, given he was king of Judah), God held him accountable as His chosen king. The prophet Ezekiel highlights that breaking such an agreement, especially when elevated to a "covenant" which resonates with God's own covenant with Israel, invited divine wrath. This also implicitly acts as a polemic against the Judean leaders who believed they could manipulate political allegiances without consequences, showcasing God's authority extends even over seemingly secular political agreements that impact His people and His name.
Ezekiel 17 16 Commentary
Ezekiel 17:16 is a definitive pronouncement of God's unyielding justice. It is rooted in the sacredness of an oath and covenant, concepts pivotal in both human society and divine interaction. Zedekiah's action of "despising" the oath and "breaking" the covenant was not merely a political maneuver against Babylon, but a profound offense against God Himself. Oaths were frequently invoked in the name of a deity, rendering their violation a religious transgression warranting divine judgment. God, by declaring "As I live," elevates the political breach to a theological crisis, making clear that He is sovereign over kingdoms and agreements, and that defying human authority He has established also carries spiritual consequence. This verse thus solidifies the inevitability of Zedekiah's doom as a direct consequence of his faithlessness, highlighting the truth that trust in earthly alliances (Egypt) over fidelity to solemn vows, implicitly or explicitly invoking God's name, will lead to divine retribution. This prophecy found precise historical fulfillment, confirming the veracity of God's word and His ultimate control over human affairs.