Ezekiel 7 18

Ezekiel 7:18 kjv

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.

Ezekiel 7:18 nkjv

They will also be girded with sackcloth; Horror will cover them; Shame will be on every face, Baldness on all their heads.

Ezekiel 7:18 niv

They will put on sackcloth and be clothed with terror. Every face will be covered with shame, and every head will be shaved.

Ezekiel 7:18 esv

They put on sackcloth, and horror covers them. Shame is on all faces, and baldness on all their heads.

Ezekiel 7:18 nlt

They will dress themselves in burlap;
horror and shame will cover them.
They will shave their heads
in sorrow and remorse.

Ezekiel 7 verses

Ezekiel 7 18 meaning

Ezekiel 7:18 vividly portrays the universal despair and abject humiliation that will befall the inhabitants of Judah when God's decisive judgment comes upon the land. It describes a scene where the people are overwhelmed by deep mourning, utter terror, public shame, and absolute grief, expressed through traditional signs of lamentation. The verse signifies an inevitable and comprehensive state of hopelessness, signaling the complete breakdown of their society and the end of any false security they held.

Ezekiel 7 18 Context

Ezekiel chapter 7 is a pivotal prophecy known as "The End." It pronounces a final, irrevocable judgment upon the land of Israel, emphasizing that "the end has come." Throughout the chapter, God repeatedly declares that His patience has run out, and the consequences of the nation's idolatry, moral decay, and rejection of His covenant are now due. The judgment will be swift, universal, and will touch all aspects of society—the rich, the poor, the wise, and the strong. Verse 18 details the emotional and physical state of the people facing this divine wrath, specifically depicting their reaction to the inevitable destruction and desolation of their beloved Jerusalem. This historical context refers to the final moments before the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BCE, serving as a stark warning to both the remaining inhabitants of Judah and the exiles already in Babylon. It contrasts sharply with the false prophecies of peace and security.

Ezekiel 7 18 Word analysis

• They will also gird themselves: This refers to the act of putting on clothing, specifically securing a garment around the waist. Here, it denotes an involuntary and widespread response, as people prepare to endure a harsh reality rather than making a deliberate choice of penitence.
• with sackcloth: (שַׂקִּים, saqqim). A coarse, rough fabric made typically from goat's hair. It was traditionally worn in ancient Near Eastern cultures as a symbol of deep mourning, penitence, humility, and distress. In this context, it emphasizes the profound sorrow and despair, indicating a nationwide lament for their irreversible fate. Unlike voluntary repentance, this act is a coerced manifestation of overwhelming grief and impending doom.
• and terror: (פַּלָּצוּת, pallaṣut). A powerful Hebrew term signifying extreme dread, horror, or shuddering. It denotes a visceral and overwhelming fear that paralyzes the individual, not just a passing apprehension. This isn't just external threat but an internal, psychological torment.
• will cover them: The verb used signifies enveloping or cloaking, implying that terror will not just be felt but will completely engulf and dominate their existence, leaving no escape or refuge. It speaks of an all-encompassing psychological state.
• and shame: (בּוּשָׁה, bushah). This word denotes disgrace, humiliation, or confusion. In ancient societies, honor and public standing were paramount; thus, "shame" was a devastating social and personal experience. It signifies their defeat, dishonor, and the exposure of their moral failings before all.
• will be on all faces: This phrase underscores the universality of this experience; no one will be exempt from the public display of defeat. The face, as the primary conveyor of emotion, vividly shows the profound public and personal disgrace.
• and baldness: (קָרְחָה, qoreḥah). The act of shaving or tearing out hair, leading to baldness, was another traditional sign of extreme grief, mourning, or humiliation in ancient Israel and the wider Near East. It was often forbidden for priests but was a common expression among the people for deep loss. Here, it signifies complete desolation, the loss of beauty, dignity, and a profound personal and national lamentation for an irreparable disaster.
• on all their heads: Similar to "all faces," this emphasizes that this mark of grief and humiliation will be universal, affecting every single person, leaving no one untouched by the overwhelming sorrow and judgment.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• They will also gird themselves with sackcloth, and terror will cover them: This phrase portrays both outward physical manifestation of deep distress (sackcloth) and an overwhelming internal emotional state (terror). The former is a conscious act in a cultural sense, while the latter is an invasive, involuntary experience. The transition implies a cascade from symbolic action to complete emotional overwhelm.
• and shame will be on all faces, and baldness on all their heads: This forms a vivid parallel. Shame, an emotional state, is publicly displayed on the "faces," while baldness, a physical act of lament or humiliation, is shown on "heads." Both expressions are universal ("all faces," "all heads") and indicate a total societal collapse of dignity and a collective grieving that touches everyone, highlighting complete degradation and public disgrace.

Ezekiel 7 18 Bonus section

The repetitive use of "all" ("all faces," "all their heads") strongly emphasizes the complete and pervasive nature of this judgment, indicating no one will be spared from the collective grief and humiliation. This prophecy vividly demonstrates a stark contrast with previous instances where sackcloth and ashes were worn for genuine repentance (e.g., Nineveh in Jonah 3). Here, the outward displays are forced reactions of despair to an unchangeable fate, highlighting that divine patience has ended and the opportunity for mitigating the disaster through repentance has passed. The imagery serves as a prophetic denunciation of the false security propagated by many in Judah, assuring them that God's covenant loyalty extends to upholding justice through judgment when His commands are repeatedly defied.

Ezekiel 7 18 Commentary

Ezekiel 7:18 is a chilling prophecy of the consequences of Judah's unfaithfulness. It removes all illusion of false hope or escape. The verse graphically describes a populace utterly overwhelmed by judgment, manifesting not merely sadness but profound despair, abject fear, and collective shame. The outward signs of sackcloth and shaved heads, usually chosen expressions of intense grief or repentance, are presented here as unavoidable realities of a shattered nation. Their terror is so profound it "covers" them, and their shame is so pervasive it is evident "on all faces." This state is a direct result of God's righteous wrath against their persistent sin, serving as a stark reminder that rejection of His covenant leads to ultimate spiritual and physical destitution. The picture is one of complete national humiliation, a visible sign of having lost God's favor and their protective covering.