Ezekiel 7:13-14
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The verse highlights that even if a seller is still alive, they won't get back what they sold; the devastation is so complete that normal legal recourse and ownership rights, like those restored by the Jubilee year, will be meaningless. This profound disturbance isn't just a temporary setback; the prophecy itself is absolute, leaving no room for anyone to cling to their life or security through their own wrongdoing.
For the seller shall not return to what he has sold, while they live. For the vision concerns all their multitude; it shall not turn back; and because of his iniquity, none can maintain his life. “They have blown the trumpet and made everything ready, but none goes to battle, for my wrath is upon all their multitude.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Ezekiel is describing the utter devastation and finality of God's judgment on Israel. The previous verse declared that no one would be able to sell their possessions because all normal commerce would cease. This verse emphasizes that even if someone sold something, they would never get it back, nor would they even be able to maintain their life amidst the widespread iniquity and impending doom that the prophetic vision guarantees will come upon the entire nation.
Imagine selling something precious, something you expected to reclaim. In ancient Israel, land was more than property—it was inheritance tied to family and God's promises. What happens when even that hope is extinguished?
The verse vividly illustrates the finality of judgment. In Israelite law, the sale of land was often temporary, with provisions for its return, especially during the Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25). This meant a seller, even if forced to part with their land, could anticipate its eventual return to their family.
However, Ezekiel declares that this won't happen. 'The seller shall not return to what he has sold.' This isn't just about economic loss; it signifies the complete disruption of God's covenant promises and the people's inheritance. The judgment is so severe that the usual safeguards and hopes tied to their land ownership are rendered meaningless. Even if they live, the land will be gone, its titles obliterated by conquest and exile.
Prophets often spoke of visions – glimpses into God's future. But what does it mean when a vision 'shall not return'?
The phrase 'the vision... shall not return' speaks to the absolute certainty and unstoppable momentum of God's prophetic word, particularly concerning judgment. It means the vision will not go back unfulfilled; it will run its full course.
This isn't a suggestion or a possibility; it's a declaration of divine decree. Unlike human plans that can be altered or abandoned, God's pronouncements, especially those of judgment against persistent iniquity, are fixed. The 'multitude' spoken of refers to the entire nation, leaving no room for exceptions. This unyielding nature of the prophecy underscores the gravity of their sin and the completeness of the coming destruction.
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We often think we can 'strengthen ourselves' against hardship, perhaps through our own cunning or resilience. But what if our attempts to survive are rooted in the very sin that brings judgment?
The final clause, 'and because of his iniquity, none can maintain his life,' is a stark pronouncement. It states that no one can successfully fortify themselves or secure their existence by clinging to their sin. Their iniquity is not a shield; it's the reason their life cannot be sustained under judgment.
This doesn't mean people don't try to 'strengthen themselves' – they might scheme, rely on alliances, or simply harden their hearts. But Ezekiel declares these efforts are futile. Their 'iniquity' is the very thing that disqualifies them from finding refuge or life in the face of God's judgment. The ultimate failure lies in trying to live in their iniquity, rather than turning from it.
Understand the original words
avon · Hebrew Noun
A twist, perversion, or crookedness of the heart or conduct; it is a departure from the straight path of God’s law, signifying guilt before Him.
shophar · Hebrew Noun
A common instrument in the ancient world used for signaling, warning of danger, or calling people to prepare for holy war or judgment.
Ezekiel's prophecy comes during the Babylonian exile, a time when the very foundations of Israelite society—land ownership, national identity, and access to God's presence in the Temple—were shattered, making the pronouncement of total loss and the inability to reclaim what was sold profoundly impactful.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, deporting many of its citizens and scattering them throughout the empire. This event serves as a stark warning of God's judgment.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquers Judah and begins deporting its citizens, including members of the royal family and educated elite, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
597 BC— this verse
Second Deportation to Babylon
Following a rebellion, Nebuchadnezzar again besieges Jerusalem and deports more of Judah's population, including the prophet Ezekiel and King Jehoiachin. This event directly impacts Ezekiel and his prophetic ministry.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
Nebuchadnezzar's forces finally destroy Jerusalem and its magnificent Temple, ending the Southern Kingdom of Judah and leading to a final, large-scale deportation of its people.
539 BC
Fall of Babylon
The Persian Empire, led by Cyrus the Great, conquers Babylon. This sets the stage for the eventual return of the Jewish exiles to Jerusalem.
538 BC
Cyrus's Decree and First Return
Cyrus issues a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to their homeland and rebuild the Temple. This marks the beginning of the end of the Babylonian exile.
This passage explains the Year of Jubilee, where land was meant to return to its original owner, a system completely upended by the exile described in Ezekiel, highlighting the permanence of the loss.
Jeremiah 32:7-15Jeremiah's act of buying land during a siege, a prophecy of future restoration, contrasts sharply with Ezekiel's message where such actions and hopes are rendered futile by the totality of judgment.
Isaiah 55:11This verse speaks of God's word not returning empty, a concept echoed in Ezekiel where the 'vision' (prophetic word of judgment) is assured to accomplish its purpose and not return in vain, as the people's iniquity prevents any escape.
Romans 6:23The stark reality of 'the wages of sin is death' finds a powerful illustration here, as no one can 'strengthen himself in his iniquity' because the ultimate consequence of that iniquity is inescapable judgment.
pooleEzekiel 7:13: "For the seller shall not return to that which is sold, although they were yet alive: for the vision is touching the whole multitude thereof, which shall not return; neither shall any strengthen himself in the iniquity of his life."
He that now selleth is of that age that can scarce promise himself to live till the seventy years’ captivity expire. Shall not return; either out of captivity, or at the year of jubilee; he shall never with grief behold another in possession of that he…
barnesEzekiel 7:13: "For the seller shall not return to that which is sold, although they were yet alive: for the vision is touching the whole multitude thereof, which shall not return; neither shall any strengthen himself in the iniquity of his life."
Although they were yet alive - Though they be yet among the living. Which shall not return ... - He (i. e. the seller) shall not return; and, every man living in his iniquity, they shall gather no strength. Exile being the punishment of iniquity, the e…
The verse highlights that even if a seller is still alive, they won't get back what they sold; the devastation is so complete that normal legal recourse and ownership rights, like those restored by the Jubilee year, will be meaningless. This profound disturbance isn't just a temporary setback; the prophecy itself is absolute, leaving no room for anyone to cling to their life or security through their own wrongdoing.
Ezekiel is describing the utter devastation and finality of God's judgment on Israel. The previous verse declared that no one would be able to sell their possessions because all normal commerce would cease. This verse emphasizes that even if someone sold something, they would never get it back, nor would they even be able to maintain their life amidst the widespread iniquity and impending doom that the prophetic vision guarantees will come upon the entire nation.
Ezekiel is describing the utter devastation and finality of God's judgment on Israel. The previous verse declared that no one would be able to sell their possessions because all normal commerce would cease. This verse emphasizes that even if someone sold something, they would never get it back, nor would they even be able to maintain their life amidst the widespread iniquity and impending doom that the prophetic vision guarantees will come upon the entire nation.
"For the seller shall not return to what he has sold, while they live. For the vision concerns all their multitude; it shall not turn back; and because of his iniquity, none can maintain his life. “They have blown the trumpet and made every…" — The verse highlights that even if a seller is still alive, they won't get back what they sold; the devastation is so complete that normal legal recourse and ownership rights, like those restored by t…
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Last reviewed October 2026
