Violence has grown up into a rod of wickedness. None of them shall remain, nor their abundance, nor their wealth; neither shall there be preeminence among them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse emphasizes that their "violence" wasn't just a problem, but had become a "rod of wickedness"—an instrument of God's judgment, essentially a punishment growing out of their own sin. This means their own violent actions would literally bring down a harsh, deserved punishment upon them, leaving nothing and no one untouched.
Violence has grown up into a rod of wickedness. None of them shall remain, nor their abundance, nor their wealth; neither shall there be preeminence among them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Ezekiel’s message in this chapter is stark: God’s judgment is coming on Jerusalem. The previous verses described the end of pride and the arrival of the “day of the Lord,” and now Ezekiel declares that violence, fueled by the people's wickedness, has reached its breaking point. This violence will bring total destruction, leaving no survivors, no wealth, and no remnant of their former greatness, to the point where there won't even be anyone left to mourn the devastation.
Have you ever seen how one bad action can lead to another, spiraling out of control? Ezekiel speaks of violence growing into something terrifying.
Ezekiel uses a powerful image here: 'Violence has grown up into a rod of wickedness.' This isn't just about violent acts; it's about how violence itself becomes a destructive force. Think of it like a weed that grows so strong it becomes a tool for harm. This 'rod' represents a system or a power born out of injustice and oppression. It's a tool of wickedness, either used by the wicked or a punishment due to wickedness. The context in Ezekiel suggests that Israel's own internal violence – their oppression of the poor, their injustice – has ripened into a situation where they are ripe for judgment. This rod isn't just abstract; it's a tangible force that will bring devastating consequences.
What does absolute destruction look like? Ezekiel paints a grim picture of a total loss, leaving nothing behind.
The verse continues with stark finality: 'None of them shall remain, nor their abundance, nor their wealth.' This isn't a partial defeat; it's total annihilation. 'None of them' signifies that not a single person will be left. 'Nor their abundance, nor their wealth' means that everything they valued – their possessions, their riches, their earthly security – will be stripped away. There will be no remnant, no escape, no salvaged treasure. The scholars note that the original Hebrew is packed with emphasis, meaning every single aspect of their existence, their collective 'multitude,' and all their belongings, will vanish. This speaks to the comprehensive nature of God's judgment when sin reaches its peak.
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Imagine a tragedy so profound that even the natural expressions of grief are silenced. What could cause such despair?
The verse concludes with an unsettling thought: 'neither shall there be wailing for them.' Normally, after a great loss, people mourn. There are funerals, lamentations, and expressions of sorrow. But here, the devastation is so absolute, so overwhelming, that these natural human responses are absent. Some commentators suggest this means there will be so few survivors that no one is left to mourn. Others propose that the survivors will be so stunned, so full of dread, or so focused on their own desperate situation, that they cannot adequately grieve. Yet another interpretation points to a loss of 'eminence' or 'glory' – a society so utterly broken that its very identity and dignity are gone, leaving no room for conventional mourning. Whatever the precise reason, the absence of wailing signifies a depth of ruin that defies normal human experience.
Understand the original words
chamas · Hebrew Noun
An act or state of injustice, oppression, or lawlessness that violates God’s righteous standards; it often refers to physical cruelty or social injustice.
matteh · Hebrew Noun
A tool used for punishment, discipline, or governance; it often symbolizes the authority or instrument by which God executes judgment upon the rebellious.
rishah · Hebrew Noun
Behavior, conduct, or a state of being that is morally twisted or contrary to God’s nature; it denotes extreme moral corruption.
The verse describes the culmination of Judah's wickedness, leading to inevitable judgment. The historical context shows that this judgment wasn't sudden but preceded by escalating violence and oppression within Judah, even as the external threat of Babylon grew.
c. 626 BC
Babylonian Ascendancy Begins
Nabopolassar, father of Nebuchadnezzar II, casts off Assyrian rule and establishes Babylon as an independent empire. This marks the beginning of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, which would soon become a dominant force in the region.
605 BC
Nebuchadnezzar II's Early Victories
Nebuchadnezzar II defeats the Egyptian and Assyrian forces at Carchemish, securing Babylonian dominance over Syria and Palestine. This paves the way for future Babylonian invasions of Judah.
597 BC
First Deportation of Judahites
Nebuchadnezzar II lays siege to Jerusalem and exiles King Jehoiachin and a significant portion of the population, including the prophet Ezekiel, to Babylon. This is the first major blow to the kingdom of Judah.
c. 593 BC— this verse
Ezekiel's Ministry Begins
The prophet Ezekiel begins his public ministry among the exiles in Babylon, delivering messages of judgment and future restoration.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
After a prolonged siege, Nebuchadnezzar II destroys Jerusalem, razes the Temple, and exiles most of the remaining population. This marks the end of the kingdom of Judah.
This passage describes a similar violent and devastating enemy advancing, echoing the 'rod of wickedness' that Ezekiel foresees as instruments of judgment.
Amos 6:7This verse speaks of luxury and complacency leading to exile, mirroring the ultimate loss of 'abundance' and 'wealth' mentioned in Ezekiel, because they are disconnected from righteousness.
Psalm 78:64This verse laments the neglect of burial rites due to destruction, which directly relates to the idea in Ezekiel that there will be 'no wailing for them' because the devastation will be so complete.
Isaiah 5:11-12This passage critiques those who pursue pleasure and excess, leading to the loss of their possessions, paralleling Ezekiel's prophecy of total ruin resulting from unchecked violence and sin.
pooleEzekiel 7:11: "Violence is risen up into a rod of wickedness: none of them shall remain, nor of their multitude, nor of any of theirs: neither shall there be wailing for them."
Violence; with fierceness, which is their natural temper, a bitter and hasty nation, Habakkuk 1:6 ; with eagerness and impetuous vigour executing, and with injustice and violence oppressing all. Is risen up; is grown up to be, though a rod to punish bad men, yet to be worse than those it punisheth; in brief, you may expe…
pulpitEzekiel 7:11: "Violence is risen up into a rod of wickedness: none of them shall remain, nor of their multitude, nor of any of theirs: neither shall there be wailing for them."
Verse 11. - Violence is risen up, etc. The "violence" admits of the same twofold interpretation as the "pride" of ver. 10. None of them shall remain. The interpolated verb, though grammatically necessary, weakens the force of the Hebrew. "None of them; none of their multitude; none of their wealth." Neither shall there…
The verse emphasizes that their "violence" wasn't just a problem, but had become a "rod of wickedness"—an instrument of God's judgment, essentially a punishment growing out of their own sin. This means their own violent actions would literally bring down a harsh, deserved punishment upon them, leaving nothing and no one untouched.
Ezekiel’s message in this chapter is stark: God’s judgment is coming on Jerusalem. The previous verses described the end of pride and the arrival of the “day of the Lord,” and now Ezekiel declares that violence, fueled by the people's wickedness, has reached its breaking point. This violence will bring total destruction, leaving no survivors, no wealth, and no remnant of their former greatness, to the point where there won't even be anyone left to mourn the devastation.
Ezekiel’s message in this chapter is stark: God’s judgment is coming on Jerusalem. The previous verses described the end of pride and the arrival of the “day of the Lord,” and now Ezekiel declares that violence, fueled by the people's wickedness, has reached its breaking point. This violence will bring total destruction, leaving no survivors, no wealth, and no remnant of their former greatness, to the point where there won't even be anyone left to mourn the devastation.
"Violence has grown up into a rod of wickedness. None of them shall remain, nor their abundance, nor their wealth; neither shall there be preeminence among them." — The verse emphasizes that their "violence" wasn't just a problem, but had become a "rod of wickedness"—an instrument of God's judgment, essentially a punishment growing out of their own sin. This mea…
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Last reviewed October 2026