“As for you, son of man, surely on the day when I take from them their stronghold, their joy and glory, the delight of their eyes and their soul’s desire, and also their sons and daughters,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The overwhelming list of things God is taking – their "stronghold," "joy and glory," "delight of their eyes," and "soul's desire" – isn't just a generic list of losses. It's a deliberate, poetic buildup, showing how everything the people clung to as their source of security and happiness is now being stripped away.
“As for you, son of man, surely on the day when I take from them their stronghold, their joy and glory, the delight of their eyes and their soul’s desire, and also their sons and daughters,
English Standard Version (ESV)
God tells Ezekiel that on the day Jerusalem's defenses, its pride, its most cherished possessions, and even its people are taken, the prophet will remain silent. This devastating day, prophesied to come, will mark a turning point where the prophet's mouth, previously sealed, will be reopened once the news of the city's fall finally reaches him.
God doesn't just take a piece of their lives; He strips away everything they hold dear. What does this comprehensive loss reveal about His judgment?
In Ezekiel 24:25, God paints a stark picture of the impending destruction of Jerusalem and its people. He declares, 'surely on the day when I take from them their stronghold, their joy and glory, the delight of their eyes and their soul’s desire, and also their sons and daughters.'
More Than Just Buildings
While some commentators suggest 'stronghold' refers to physical fortifications or even the temple, the language quickly expands beyond mere structures. It encompasses:
This is not just a military defeat; it is the complete dismantling of a people's identity and their reasons for living.
Ask a follow-up
The enemies of Israel will act, but God is the ultimate orchestrator. How does this verse help us understand divine sovereignty even in judgment?
The verse states, 'when I take from them...' This isn't just saying Nebuchadnezzar will conquer them; it's asserting that God Himself is the one actively removing these precious things from the people of Judah.
The Divine Executor
While human armies carry out the physical destruction, the Bible consistently portrays God as the one who permits, directs, or executes judgment.
Understanding this doesn't minimize the suffering, but it places the events within God's overarching plan and righteous decree.
Understand the original words
ben-adam · Hebrew Noun Phrase
A title used frequently for Ezekiel, emphasizing his humanity in contrast to the majesty and holiness of the Almighty God.
'oz · Hebrew Noun
A place of safety or security; metaphorically, it refers to that in which people trust for their protection or identity, often apart from God.
This verse speaks of the utter devastation of Jerusalem and its temple, the heart of Jewish life and worship. The destruction wasn't just military defeat; it was the stripping away of everything the people held dear—their security, their pride, and their families—signifying God's judgment on their unfaithfulness.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, attacks Jerusalem and deports some of the Jewish nobility and skilled workers, including the prophet Daniel, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of Judah's decline and Babylonian dominance.
597 BC
Second Deportation and Siege
Nebuchadnezzar again besieges Jerusalem, deports King Jehoiachin and more citizens, and installs Zedekiah as a puppet king. This event intensifies the pressure on Judah and sets the stage for further conflict.
588-587 BC— this verse
Siege and Fall of Jerusalem
Nebuchadnezzar launches a brutal siege of Jerusalem, starving the city and its inhabitants. This is the context for Ezekiel's prophecy about the destruction of the city, its temple, and the loss of its people.
c. 587-582 BC
Third Deportation
After the fall of Jerusalem, further deportations of Jews to Babylon occur, stripping the land of its remaining population and solidifying Babylonian control.
c. 580 BC
Ezekiel's Prophecies Regarding the Fall
Ezekiel delivers prophecies, including chapter 24, detailing the impending destruction of Jerusalem, the temple, and the devastating loss of their strength, joy, and loved ones. This includes the specific sign of his wife's death, symbolizing the people's grief.
c. 580 BC
Prophet's Mouth Opened
Following the news of Jerusalem's fall, Ezekiel's prophetic voice is restored, allowing him to deliver messages of hope and restoration to the exiles in Babylon.
This passage describes God's judgment upon Jerusalem, highlighting the loss of royal strength and the city's defenses, mirroring the comprehensive loss Ezekiel 24:25 speaks of.
Lamentations 1:1-6The book of Lamentations poignantly captures the devastation and grief that follows the loss of Jerusalem, its glory, and its people, reflecting the deep sorrow implied by the loss of 'the delight of their eyes and their soul's desire'.
Isaiah 22:1-14This prophecy against Jerusalem speaks of a day of distress and ruin where fortifications are breached and joy turns to mourning, echoing the themes of lost strength and shattered gladness.
Ezekiel 33:21-22These verses directly reference the fulfillment of Ezekiel 24:25, describing the arrival of a refugee who brings the news of Jerusalem's fall, confirming the devastating prophecy.
gillEzekiel 24:25: "Also, thou son of man, shall it not be in the day when I take from them their strength, the joy of their glory, the desire of their eyes, and that whereupon they set their minds, their sons and their daughters,"
Also, thou son of man, shall it not be in the day,.... This question is to be answered in the affirmative: when I take from them their strength; their king and kingdom, their princes and nobles, their soldiers and men of might and war, their wealth and substance, their c…
jfbEzekiel 24:25: "Also, thou son of man, shall it not be in the day when I take from them their strength, the joy of their glory, the desire of their eyes, and that whereupon they set their minds, their sons and their daughters,"
25, 26. "The day" referred to in these verses is the day of the overthrow of the temple, when the fugitive "escapes." But "that day," in Eze 24:27, is the day on which the fugitive brings the sad news to Ezekiel, at the Chebar. In the interval the prophet suspended his p…
The overwhelming list of things God is taking – their "stronghold," "joy and glory," "delight of their eyes," and "soul's desire" – isn't just a generic list of losses. It's a deliberate, poetic buildup, showing how everything the people clung to as their source of security and happiness is now being stripped away.
God tells Ezekiel that on the day Jerusalem's defenses, its pride, its most cherished possessions, and even its people are taken, the prophet will remain silent. This devastating day, prophesied to come, will mark a turning point where the prophet's mouth, previously sealed, will be reopened once the news of the city's fall finally reaches him.
God tells Ezekiel that on the day Jerusalem's defenses, its pride, its most cherished possessions, and even its people are taken, the prophet will remain silent. This devastating day, prophesied to come, will mark a turning point where the prophet's mouth, previously sealed, will be reopened once the news of the city's fall finally reaches him.
"“As for you, son of man, surely on the day when I take from them their stronghold, their joy and glory, the delight of their eyes and their soul’s desire, and also their sons and daughters," — The overwhelming list of things God is taking – their "stronghold," "joy and glory," "delight of their eyes," and "soul's desire" – isn't just a generic list of losses. It's a deliberate, poetic buil…
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Last reviewed October 2026