Ezekiel 21 26

Ezekiel 21:26 kjv

Thus saith the Lord GOD; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high.

Ezekiel 21:26 nkjv

thus says the Lord GOD: "Remove the turban, and take off the crown; Nothing shall remain the same. Exalt the humble, and humble the exalted.

Ezekiel 21:26 niv

this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Take off the turban, remove the crown. It will not be as it was: The lowly will be exalted and the exalted will be brought low.

Ezekiel 21:26 esv

thus says the Lord GOD: Remove the turban and take off the crown. Things shall not remain as they are. Exalt that which is low, and bring low that which is exalted.

Ezekiel 21:26 nlt

This is what the Sovereign LORD says: "Take off your jeweled crown,
for the old order changes.
Now the lowly will be exalted,
and the mighty will be brought down.

Ezekiel 21 verses

Ezekiel 21 26 Meaning

This verse powerfully describes the imminent destruction of Jerusalem, foretelling a profound spiritual and political desolation. It signifies a divinely ordained judgment that will remove the symbols of kingship and sovereignty until the rightful heir arrives. This signifies the loss of immediate governance and divine guidance for Israel, leading to a period of profound national emptiness.

Ezekiel 21 26 Context

Ezekiel 21 addresses the impending destruction of Jerusalem and the people of Judah by the Babylonians. God's prophet Ezekiel is sent to pronounce judgment, symbolizing this judgment through vivid imagery. The chapter opens with God lamenting the evil in Israel, particularly the unrighteousness and violence. The famous imagery of the sword, sharpened and made ready, is presented as God's instrument of wrath against the wicked. The verse in question, Ezekiel 21:26, is a direct consequence of this impending doom, explaining the complete overthrow and the resulting vacuum of leadership until a rightful king appears. This judgment is rooted in the prolonged disobedience and idolatry of Israel, particularly the corruption of the Davidic monarchy.

Ezekiel 21 26 Word Analysis

• "And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel,"

  • "thou": Direct address to a specific individual.
  • "profane": Means defiled, unclean, treating something sacred as common, especially in a religious sense. In Hebrew, chalal (חָלַל), can mean to pierce, wound, profane, pollute. This speaks to desecration of one's sacred covenant or office.
  • "wicked": Evident, guilty, morally corrupt. Hebrew rasha (רָשָׁע).
  • "prince": Refers to royalty or a high-ranking official, specifically Zedekiah, the king of Judah at the time, whose lineage was from David. Hebrew nasi (נָשִׂיא).
  • "of Israel": Designating his position as ruler of the covenant people.

• "whose day is come,"

  • "day": Represents a specific appointed time, often for judgment or action. Hebrew yom (יוֹם).
  • "come": The time has arrived; the appointed hour is now.

• "the time of the end is come."

  • "time": A season, an era, or a specific period. Hebrew ets (עֵת) often signifies a fitting or appointed time.
  • "end": Culmination, finality, completion. Hebrew kets (קֵץ). It signifies the end of an era and a way of life.

• "thus saith the Lord GOD;"

  • "thus saith": A standard prophetic formula indicating divine utterance.
  • "Lord GOD": The supreme authority, combining Adonai (אֲדֹנָי) - Lord, Master, and Yahweh (יְהוָה) - the LORD, emphasizing God's sovereign power.

• "Remove thy mitre,"

  • "Remove": To take away, to strip off. Hebrew har (הָר), from the root harar, meaning to remove or cast off.
  • "mitre": The turban or crown worn by the high priest or, in this context, symbolizing royal authority. Hebrew tsaniph (צָנִיף). This is a royal ornament of dignity.

• "and take off thy crown:"

  • "take off": To divest, to remove. Hebrew sus (סוּר) often means to turn aside or remove.
  • "crown": Symbol of kingship and authority. Hebrew atarah (עֲטָרָה).

• "this shall be no more, save that which is lawful,"

  • "this": Referring to the current regalia and established royal authority.
  • "no more": Cease to exist, be utterly removed.
  • "save that which is lawful": Except for that which is rightful or according to law; a phrase that points to divine right and ordainment. It suggests a continuation, but only under a true, legitimate ruler appointed by God. Hebrew yihyeh luley asher hu batza-ti (יִהְיֶה לוּלֵי אֲשֶׁר הוּא בָּצַאתִי) or similar phrasing could suggest an exception or eventual return.

• "he that is low shall be exalted."

  • "he that is low": One who is humbled, of low status, or cast down.
  • "exalted": Raised up, promoted, elevated. Hebrew yirum (יָרוּם). This is a reversal of fortunes, indicating God's power to change states.

• "overthrow, overthrow, overthrow, will I make it:"

  • "overthrow, overthrow, overthrow": A triple repetition emphasizing the totality and completeness of the destruction and confusion. Hebrew haphokh (הָפֹךְ). This repetition intensifies the sense of radical upheaval.

• "and it shall be no more,"

  • "it": Referring to the current structure of corrupt rule and Jerusalem's independent status.
  • "no more": Cease to exist.

• "until he come whose right it is;"

  • "until": Until the time of arrival.
  • "he come": Refers to the arrival of a specific individual.
  • "whose right it is": This clearly points to the legitimate heir, the one who has the rightful claim by divine appointment and lineage, ultimately Jesus Christ. Hebrew yebo' (יָבֹא) "he shall come" and ashher lo ha mishpat (אֲשֶׁר לוֹ הַמִשְׁפָּט) or asher lo ha miqneh (אֲשֶׁר לוֹ הַמִקְנֶה), indicating inherent right or ownership, often associated with inheritance and redemption.

• "and I will give it him."

  • "I will give": God is the active agent of transfer.
  • "it him": The kingdom, sovereignty, or the throne itself.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Remove thy mitre, and take off thy crown:" This pairing vividly illustrates the stripping away of earthly symbols of power and authority from Zedekiah and his lineage. The removal of the "mitre" (associated with priesthood and kingship) and "crown" signifies the forfeiture of divine favor and rightful rule due to his sin.
• "this shall be no more, save that which is lawful,": This is a crucial transition. It signifies the complete disruption of the existing order. The exception "save that which is lawful" introduces the concept of a future, legitimate restoration, an order founded on divine law rather than human transgression.
• "he that is low shall be exalted.": This anticipates a divine reversal, a fundamental overturning of earthly power structures where the humbled and oppressed will be raised up.
• "overthrow, overthrow, overthrow, will I make it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is;": The triple "overthrow" emphasizes a total destruction of the current system. The phrase "until he come whose right it is" points forward to the messianic King, whose ultimate and rightful dominion will establish a lasting order, superseding the temporary and illegitimate rulers.
• "and I will give it him.": This concludes the prophecy with God's direct promise of bestowal. The future kingdom will not be seized but will be granted by God to the rightful Heir, signifying divine sovereignty in both judgment and ultimate restoration.

Ezekiel 21 26 Bonus Section

The imagery of the "mitre" and "crown" in this verse is particularly significant as these were royal regalia often imbued with spiritual as well as political meaning. For ancient Israel, the king's authority was understood as derived from God, and his right to rule was often linked to covenant promises, especially those made to David. The desecration of these symbols represents the severing of that divine mandate for the present corrupt line of kings. The promise that "he that is low shall be exalted" resonates with Jesus' teachings about serving and being humble (Mark 10:43-45) and the Kingdom of God being established through unexpected means. The messianic implication of "he whose right it is" is deeply rooted in Old Testament prophecies regarding the Davidic covenant and its ultimate fulfillment in Christ's reign. The ultimate "giving" of the kingdom to Him by God emphasizes His unique role as King and Messiah, a truth echoed throughout the New Testament concerning His ascension and future reign.

Ezekiel 21 26 Commentary

This verse functions as a profound prophetic statement about the divine removal of flawed human leadership and the subsequent restoration of true authority. The emphasis on "profane," "wicked prince," and the specific mention of his "day" and "time of the end" highlights the ultimate accountability of rulers to God. The symbolic stripping of the mitre and crown vividly portrays the loss of legitimacy and power, a judgment pronounced by God himself. The triple repetition of "overthrow" stresses the thoroughness of this devastation, ensuring no remnant of the corrupt system remains. However, the prophecy is not solely about destruction; it contains a vital thread of hope, pointing towards the eventual arrival of "he whose right it is." This messianic prophecy foreshadows Jesus Christ, the rightful King who would bring eternal righteousness and reign. God's promise, "and I will give it him," underscores that this future kingdom is a divine gift, established through Christ's perfect obedience and ultimate victory, ushering in an era of everlasting justice. This passage teaches that earthly power is temporary and contingent upon divine approval, and true, lasting authority belongs to the one appointed by God.