Ezekiel 21:25-27
And you, O profane wicked one, prince of Israel, whose day has come, the time of your final punishment, 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. A ruin, ruin, ruin I will make it. This also shall not be, until he comes, the one to whom judgment belongs, and I will give it to him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This verse powerfully declares that Zedekiah's "day" has arrived not just for his personal sins, but for the culmination of Israel's iniquity, signifying the end of their opportunity to sin and the beginning of divine judgment. The word for "profane" can also mean "deadly wounded," hinting at a fall from his high estate that feels like a fatal blow, a judgment brought on by his own broken oaths and defiance of God.
The prophet shifts from the general judgment on Jerusalem to a direct accusation against its king, Zedekiah, branding him as "profane" and "wicked" for breaking his oath to Babylon. This verse declares that Zedekiah's time of reckoning, the culmination of his iniquity and the end of his reign, has arrived. The immediate context is God's pronouncement of judgment and demolition upon the royal authority and the entire kingdom.
This verse calls the leader of Israel "profane." What does that really mean for a king, and how does it set him apart?
The Hebrew word used here, often translated as 'profane,' carries a sense of being 'wounded' or 'pierced through.' It's not just about being generally wicked; it speaks to a deep corruption and a violation that strikes at the core of his being and his office.
A King's Deepest Sin
This 'profanity' is specifically tied to his actions as the "prince of Israel." His sin isn't just personal; it's a betrayal of his covenant with God and his people. By breaking his oath to the king of Babylon, Zedekiah not only acted deceitfully but also brought dishonor to the name of the Lord before the surrounding nations.
A Death Wound to the Nation
This 'wounded' state implies a fatal blow. While Zedekiah wasn't immediately killed, his actions marked him and his kingdom for destruction. The insult to God's name through his broken oath had severe, far-reaching consequences, demonstrating that a leader's sin has a ripple effect.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Ezekiel 21:25-27 is available in the Sola app.
The verse speaks of a day 'when iniquity shall have an end.' What does this ultimate end of sin look like?
This phrase, 'when iniquity shall have an end,' doesn't suggest a world where sin ceases to exist. Instead, it points to a specific, decisive moment where God's judgment brings a halt to a particular season or course of sin.
Judgment's Arrival
For Zedekiah and Jerusalem, this 'end' signifies the final punishment for their accumulated transgressions. God, in His patience, allows iniquity to run a certain course, but when it reaches its appointed limit – its 'final transgression' – judgment is inevitable. It's the moment when God's forbearance is exhausted.
The End of Opportunity
This judgment also means the end of the opportunity to sin. In captivity, Zedekiah and his people would lose the freedom and power they once had to continue in their destructive ways. The 'day' of punishment is the day when their rebellion is definitively brought to a close by divine intervention.
Understand the original words
chalal · Hebrew Adjective
Describes something common, polluted, or ritually impure. In a theological sense, it often characterizes those who act without regard for God's holiness or those who have polluted what God has set apart.
rasha‘ · Hebrew Adjective
Describes one who acts with conscious evil or malice. It denotes a person whose lifestyle or actions are in total opposition to God's moral law.
nasi’ · Hebrew Noun
A designated title for the ruler of Israel; in this context, it is used ironically or as an indictment against the leader who has failed his responsibility to lead the people in righteousness.
Adonay Yahweh · Hebrew Noun/Title
A title for God emphasizing His absolute sovereignty, authority, and covenant relationship with His people; it denotes Him as the 'Self-Existent One' who is the 'Master' or 'Lord' of all creation.
tsaniph · Hebrew Noun
An item of headwear used by priests and kings, symbolizing honor, authority, and the status of the wearer. In a priestly context, it signified consecration and holiness.
atarah · Hebrew Noun
A royal headdress symbolizing majesty, supreme authority, and sovereign rule. Biblically, it often represents the power and legitimacy of a king.
avvah · Hebrew Noun
The biblical concept of a devastating collapse or overthrow, often resulting from divine judgment upon human pride, rebellion, or sin. It implies a complete reversal of status or fortune.
mishpat · Hebrew Noun
The act of evaluating, adjudicating, or bringing consequences for human actions. Ultimately, God is the supreme Judge to whom all authority and accountability belong.
This verse directly addresses King Zedekiah during the intense siege of Jerusalem, highlighting his personal culpability and the impending finality of judgment after a long period of unfaithfulness.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon deports the first group of Judeans, including members of the royal family and elite, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of Babylonian dominance over Judah.
597 BC
Second Deportation and Jehoiachin's Exile
Following a revolt, Nebuchadnezzar deports King Jehoiachin and more Judeans, placing Zedekiah on the throne as a Babylonian vassal. Jehoiachin remains in exile in Babylon.
c. 588 BC— this verse
Siege of Jerusalem Begins
Zedekiah breaks his treaty with Babylon, aligning with Egypt. Nebuchadnezzar responds by laying siege to Jerusalem, a devastating event that lasts for years.
587/586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
After a prolonged siege, Babylonian forces breach Jerusalem's walls. The city is plundered, the Temple is destroyed, and Zedekiah's sons are killed before his eyes.
587/586 BC
Zedekiah's Exile and Punishment
Zedekiah is captured, his eyes are gouged out, and he is taken in chains to Babylon, where he lives out his days in prison. This fulfills the prophecy of his downfall.
This passage directly describes the fulfillment of Ezekiel's prophecy against Zedekiah, detailing how he was captured and his eyes gouged out, showing the end of his wicked reign.
Ezekiel 17:15-16Here, Ezekiel had already warned Zedekiah about breaking his oath with Babylon and facing divine judgment, providing context for the 'profane' and 'wicked' nature of his actions.
Genesis 15:16This verse speaks to the principle that God patiently waits for the 'iniquity' of a people to reach its full measure before bringing judgment, a concept echoed in the 'time of the iniquity of the end' mentioned in Ezekiel.
Matthew 23:32Jesus' denunciation of the Pharisees uses similar language, warning them to 'fill up the measure of your fathers,' highlighting the idea that there is a point of no return when judgment is inevitable due to accumulated sin.
gillEzekiel 21:25: "And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end,"
And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel,.... Meaning Zedekiah, the then reigning prince; who is so called, because he had profaned or violated the oath and covenant he made with the king of Babylon, as well as because of other sins he was guilty of; and his being a prince of Israel was an aggravation of his crimes: now, though it is "not fit" in common, or for ordinary persons, "to…
ellicottEzekiel 21:25: "And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end,"
(25) Profane.— The prophet now turns from the people as a whole to the individual prince at their head. The word for “ profane” is the same as is translated “slain” in Ezekiel 21:14 ; it would be better rendered here, as there, overthrown. What is close at hand is described as accomplished. When iniquity shall have an end.—Literally, at the time of the iniquity of the end. The same ex…
This verse powerfully declares that Zedekiah's "day" has arrived not just for his personal sins, but for the culmination of Israel's iniquity, signifying the end of their opportunity to sin and the beginning of divine judgment. The word for "profane" can also mean "deadly wounded," hinting at a fall from his high estate that feels like a fatal blow, a judgment brought on by his own broken oaths and defiance of God.
The prophet shifts from the general judgment on Jerusalem to a direct accusation against its king, Zedekiah, branding him as "profane" and "wicked" for breaking his oath to Babylon. This verse declares that Zedekiah's time of reckoning, the culmination of his iniquity and the end of his reign, has arrived. The immediate context is God's pronouncement of judgment and demolition upon the royal authority and the entire kingdom.
The prophet shifts from the general judgment on Jerusalem to a direct accusation against its king, Zedekiah, branding him as "profane" and "wicked" for breaking his oath to Babylon. This verse declares that Zedekiah's time of reckoning, the culmination of his iniquity and the end of his reign, has arrived. The immediate context is God's pronouncement of judgment and demolition upon the royal authority and the entire kingdom.
"And you, O profane wicked one, prince of Israel, whose day has come, the time of your final punishment, 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 bri…" — This verse powerfully declares that Zedekiah's "day" has arrived not just for his personal sins, but for the culmination of Israel's iniquity, signifying the end of their opportunity to sin and the b…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
