Ezekiel 17:18 kjv
Seeing he despised the oath by breaking the covenant, when, lo, he had given his hand, and hath done all these things, he shall not escape.
Ezekiel 17:18 nkjv
Since he despised the oath by breaking the covenant, and in fact gave his hand and still did all these things, he shall not escape.' "
Ezekiel 17:18 niv
He despised the oath by breaking the covenant. Because he had given his hand in pledge and yet did all these things, he shall not escape.
Ezekiel 17:18 esv
He despised the oath in breaking the covenant, and behold, he gave his hand and did all these things; he shall not escape.
Ezekiel 17:18 nlt
For the king of Israel disregarded his treaty and broke it after swearing to obey; therefore, he will not escape.
Ezekiel 17 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 17:18 | And though, as I live, declares the Lord GOD, surely because he scorned the oath and broke the covenant... | Ezekiel 17:18 (ESV) |
| Ezekiel 17:13 | And he took the royal offspring of the land and made a covenant with him and put him on oath. He also took the mighty of the land, | Ezekiel 17:13 (ESV) |
| Jeremiah 34:8 | The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD after King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people in Jerusalem to proclaim a release to them— | Jeremiah 34:8 (ESV) |
| Nehemiah 5:12 | Then they said, "We will return them and require nothing more from them. We will do as you say." And I called the priests and made them swear to do as they promised. | Nehemiah 5:12 (ESV) |
| Psalm 89:34 | but I will not remove from him my steadfast love, or betray my faithfulness. | Psalm 89:34 (ESV) |
| Hebrews 8:6 | But as it is, he has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as he is also the mediator of a better covenant, enacted on better promises. | Hebrews 8:6 (ESV) |
| Genesis 17:14 | As for the uncircumcised male who does not circumcise the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant. | Genesis 17:14 (ESV) |
| Joshua 23:16 | if you transgress the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and go, serve other gods, and bow yourselves to them, then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and you shall perish quickly from off the good land that he has given to you. | Joshua 23:16 (ESV) |
| 2 Chronicles 36:13 | He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, in whose service he had sworn allegiance by God. He stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the LORD, the God of Israel. | 2 Chronicles 36:13 (ESV) |
| Ezekiel 17:16 | He shall not in exile escape by the strength of his arm. Pharaoh’s mighty army will not help him or be his support when he falls. | Ezekiel 17:16 (ESV) |
| Ezekiel 17:19 | Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD: As I live, surely my oath that he despised and my covenant that he broke, I will requite upon his head. | Ezekiel 17:19 (ESV) |
| Romans 2:25 | For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. | Romans 2:25 (ESV) |
| Psalm 78:37 | Their heart was not steadfast toward him; they were not faithful to his covenant. | Psalm 78:37 (ESV) |
| Jeremiah 31:32 | not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them from the land of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, and I governed them, says the LORD. | Jeremiah 31:32 (ESV) |
| Acts 7:51 | "You stiff-necked people! Uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you." | Acts 7:51 (ESV) |
| Psalm 106:43 | Many times he delivered them, but they were rebels against his counsel and sank down through their iniquities. | Psalm 106:43 (ESV) |
| Ezekiel 21:25 | And you, O deadly one, O wicked one, prince of Israel, whose day has come, whose time of punishment has reached its end, | Ezekiel 21:25 (ESV) |
| Hebrews 6:16 | For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final, confirming what has been agreed. | Hebrews 6:16 (ESV) |
| Malachi 2:16 | For I hate divorce, says the LORD God of Israel. And he does not marry the wife of his youth, says the LORD of hosts. You cover your offerings with violence, and the Lord does not accept them from your hand. | Malachi 2:16 (ESV) |
| Proverbs 25:27 | It is not good to eat much honey, and it is ignoble to seek honors for oneself. | Proverbs 25:27 (ESV) |
| Romans 3:23 | for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, | Romans 3:23 (ESV) |
Ezekiel 17 verses
Ezekiel 17 18 Meaning
He has scorned my oath and broken my covenant. Even though I the Lord uphold my covenant with him, he will surely not keep it.
Ezekiel 17 18 Context
This verse is found within Ezekiel chapter 17, which is an allegorical prophecy concerning the kingdom of Judah, specifically King Zedekiah, and its political entanglements with Egypt and Babylon. The chapter uses the metaphor of two eagles and a vine to represent Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, Jehoiachin, the king of Judah, and Zedekiah. Ezekiel is denouncing Zedekiah for breaking his covenant with Nebuchadnezzar and for relying on Egypt for help. This verse specifically highlights Zedekiah's personal responsibility and the consequences of his broken oath and covenant with God, who is the ultimate guarantor of that covenant. Historically, Zedekiah had sworn an oath to Nebuchadnezzar to remain loyal after Jehoiachin was taken captive. However, he later rebelled and allied himself with Egypt.
Ezekiel 17 18 Word analysis
And (וְ): (waw) A common conjunction, linking clauses or sentences. Here, it connects Zedekiah's failure to the declaration of God's faithfulness.
though (אִם): (im) A conditional particle, indicating a possibility or a hypothetical situation.
as I live (חַי־אָנִי): (chai ani) A solemn declaration by God, affirming His own existence as the basis for the truth of His statement. This is a frequent oath formula for God in Ezekiel.
declares (נְאֻם): (neum) Means "oracle" or "pronouncement," emphasizing that the following words are God's authoritative utterance.
the Lord GOD (אֲדֹנָי יְהוָה): (Adonai Yahweh) The emphatic title for God, highlighting His sovereignty and covenant relationship.
surely (כִּ֠י): (ki) A strong affirmation, "indeed" or "certainly," emphasizing the certainty of the consequence.
because (בַּעֲב֤וּר): (ba'avur) Indicates the reason for the pronouncement of judgment.
he scorned (מָאַ֧ס): (ma'as) Means to despise, reject, or refuse. It signifies Zedekiah's contempt for the oath.
the oath (הַשְּׁבֻעָה): (ha'shvu'ah) Refers to the solemn promise or vow made, which carries divine weight.
and broke (וּפָרַ֥): (ufarah) Means to break, violate, or annul.
my covenant (בְּרִיתִ֖י): (briti) God's covenant, a binding agreement. This highlights Zedekiah's breach of the agreement he made under oath to God as witness and guarantor.
he will surely not keep it (אֹ֣תָ֔הּ לֹ֥א יִשְׁמֹֽר): (otah lo yishmor) This clause directly addresses Zedekiah's continued apostasy and failure. The structure implies an inevitability of his non-adherence, even given God's grace in establishing the covenant.
Zedekiah's oath and God's covenant: The analysis emphasizes that the oath sworn by Zedekiah was made in the presence of God and under His name. Therefore, when Zedekiah broke his oath to Nebuchadnezzar, he was simultaneously breaking his covenant with God, making him liable for divine judgment.
God's faithfulness vs. human faithlessness: The verse starkly contrasts God's commitment to His covenant ("As I live... surely my covenant...") with Zedekiah's unfaithfulness and breaking of the sworn oath. This contrast underscores the seriousness of breaking vows made before God.
Inevitability of consequences: The phrase "he will surely not keep it" reflects Zedekiah's persistent rebellion, signaling that his chosen path guarantees his failure to uphold any covenant, including any supposed future promises he might make.
Ezekiel 17 18 Bonus section
The theological concept of "As I live" is a powerful declaration of God's immutability and self-existence. It means that God's life and essence are the foundation of His promises. When God swears by Himself, it signifies the absolute certainty of His word. This also points to the serious nature of covenantal relationships, which are solemn vows under divine supervision. The chapter uses an extended metaphor that is rooted in the political landscape of ancient Near Eastern diplomacy, where alliances were often sealed with oaths sworn before the gods of the nations involved. Zedekiah's political move was not just a matter of international relations but a spiritual betrayal.
Ezekiel 17 18 Commentary
Ezekiel 17:18 declares that despite God's faithfulness in establishing a covenant, King Zedekiah will certainly not keep his part. This highlights Zedekiah's profound breach of his oath, which was made in God's name. By despising the sworn commitment and breaking the covenant, Zedekiah invited severe judgment. This verse underscores the principle that human covenant-breaking, especially when sworn before God, results in inescapable consequences, as God Himself is the witness and enforcer of righteous oaths. His declared faithfulness contrasts with Zedekiah's guaranteed failure.