Ezekiel 24:16
Ezekiel 24:16 in Multiple Translations
“Son of man, behold, I am about to take away the desire of your eyes with a fatal blow. But you must not mourn or weep or let your tears flow.
Son of man, behold, I take away from thee the desire of thine eyes with a stroke: yet neither shalt thou mourn nor weep, neither shall thy tears run down.
Son of man, behold, I take away from thee the desire of thine eyes with a stroke: yet thou shalt neither mourn nor weep, neither shall thy tears run down.
Son of man, see, I am taking away the desire of your eyes by disease: but let there be no sorrow or weeping or drops running from your eyes.
“Son of man, look, I'm about to take away the one you love the most. She will die. But you must not mourn or weep. Don't cry any tears.
Sonne of man beholde, I take away from thee the pleasure of thine eyes with a plague: yet shalt thou neither mourne nor weepe, neither shall thy teares runne downe.
'Son of man, lo, I am taking from thee the desire of thine eyes by a stroke, and thou dost not mourn, nor weep, nor let thy tear come.
“Son of man, behold, I will take away from you the desire of your eyes with one stroke; yet you shall neither mourn nor weep, neither shall your tears run down.
Son of man, behold, I take away from thee the desire of thy eyes with a stroke: yet neither shalt thou mourn nor weep, neither shall thy tears run down.
Son of man, behold I take from thee the desire of thy eyes with a stroke: and thou shalt not lament, nor weep: neither shall thy tears run down.
“You human, I am going to suddenly take from youyour wife, whom you love very much. Butwhen she dies, do notshow that you are sad or lament or cry.
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 24:16
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Ezekiel 24:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 24:16
Study Notes — Ezekiel 24:16
- Context
- Cross References
- Ezekiel 24:16 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 24:16
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 24:16
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 24:16
- Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 24:16
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 24:16
- Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 24:16
- Barnes' Notes on Ezekiel 24:16
- Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 24:16
- Sermons on Ezekiel 24:16
Context — Ezekiel’s Wife Dies
16“Son of man, behold, I am about to take away the desire of your eyes with a fatal blow. But you must not mourn or weep or let your tears flow.
17Groan quietly; do not mourn for the dead. Put on your turban and strap your sandals on your feet; do not cover your lips or eat the bread of mourners.” 18So I spoke to the people in the morning, and in the evening my wife died. And the next morning I did as I had been commanded.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah 22:10 | Do not weep for the dead king; do not mourn his loss. Weep bitterly for the one who is exiled, for he will never return to see his native land. |
| 2 | Jeremiah 13:17 | But if you do not listen, I will weep in secret because of your pride. My eyes will overflow with tears, because the LORD’s flock has been taken captive. |
| 3 | Song of Solomon 7:10 | I belong to my beloved, and his desire is for me. |
| 4 | Ezekiel 24:18 | So I spoke to the people in the morning, and in the evening my wife died. And the next morning I did as I had been commanded. |
| 5 | 1 Thessalonians 4:13 | Brothers, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who are without hope. |
| 6 | Job 36:18 | Be careful that no one lures you with riches; do not let a large bribe lead you astray. |
| 7 | Lamentations 2:18 | The hearts of the people cry out to the Lord. O wall of the Daughter of Zion, let your tears run down like a river day and night. Give yourself no relief, and your eyes no rest. |
| 8 | Ezekiel 24:21–25 | Tell the house of Israel that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘I am about to desecrate My sanctuary, the pride of your power, the desire of your eyes, and the delight of your soul. And the sons and daughters you left behind will fall by the sword.’ Then you will do as I have done: You will not cover your lips or eat the bread of mourners. Your turbans will remain on your heads and your sandals on your feet. You will not mourn or weep, but you will waste away because of your sins, and you will groan among yourselves. ‘Thus Ezekiel will be a sign for you; you will do everything that he has done. When this happens, you will know that I am the Lord GOD.’ And you, son of man, know that on the day I take away their stronghold, their pride and joy—the desire of their eyes which uplifted their souls—and their sons and daughters as well, |
| 9 | Jeremiah 16:5 | Indeed, this is what the LORD says: “Do not enter a house where there is a funeral meal. Do not go to mourn or show sympathy, for I have removed from this people My peace, My loving devotion, and My compassion,” declares the LORD. |
| 10 | Leviticus 10:2–3 | So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died in the presence of the LORD. Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD meant when He said: ‘To those who come near Me I will show My holiness, and in the sight of all the people I will reveal My glory.’” But Aaron remained silent. |
Ezekiel 24:16 Summary
[This verse is about God telling Ezekiel that He is going to take away something very precious to him, and Ezekiel is not allowed to mourn or show any sadness. This is a test of Ezekiel's faith and trust in God, and it serves as a reminder to us that God is in control, even when things don't make sense to us (Romans 11:33-36). We can learn from Ezekiel's example by trusting in God's goodness and sovereignty, even in difficult times (Psalm 37:4). By doing so, we can demonstrate our faith and obedience, just as Ezekiel did, and find comfort in God's presence, as seen in Psalm 23:4.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'the desire of your eyes' mean in this verse?
The phrase 'the desire of your eyes' refers to something or someone very precious to Ezekiel, likely his wife, as indicated in Ezekiel 24:18. This is similar to how the Psalmist describes the Lord as 'the desire of my heart' in Psalm 37:4.
Why is Ezekiel instructed not to mourn or weep?
Ezekiel is instructed not to mourn or weep as a sign to the people of Israel that they should not expect any pity or sympathy from God for their sins, as stated in Ezekiel 24:14. This is also to demonstrate Ezekiel's faith and trust in God's sovereignty, as seen in Job 1:21.
Is it wrong to mourn or grieve the loss of a loved one?
No, it is not wrong to mourn or grieve, as Jesus himself wept at the death of Lazarus in John 11:35. However, in this specific context, Ezekiel is being asked to set aside his personal grief to serve as a sign to the people, illustrating the need to trust in God's plan, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6.
How does this verse relate to the broader message of Ezekiel?
This verse is part of a larger theme in Ezekiel, which emphasizes God's judgment on sin and the importance of faithfulness, as seen in Ezekiel 24:14 and Ezekiel 18:4. It serves as a reminder that God's plans and ways are not always easy to understand, but we must trust in His goodness and sovereignty, as stated in Romans 11:33-36.
Reflection Questions
- What are some things in my life that I hold dear, and how would I respond if God were to take them away?
- In what ways can I demonstrate my trust in God's sovereignty, even in difficult circumstances?
- How can I balance my natural emotions, such as grief or sadness, with my desire to obey and trust God?
- What are some areas in my life where I need to surrender my desires and expectations to God's will, as Ezekiel did in this verse?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 24:16
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 24:16
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 24:16
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 24:16
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 24:16
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 24:16
Barnes' Notes on Ezekiel 24:16
Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 24:16
Sermons on Ezekiel 24:16
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Through the Bible) Jeremiah 21-22 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the preacher, Jack Conaya, delivers a message from the book of Jeremiah. He emphasizes that God had been speaking to the people for a long time, but they refused to |
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The Kind of Men God Uses for Reformation by Ernest C. Reisinger | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of seriousness and dedication in the work of God and the word of God. He emphasizes the need for men in the ministry to be focu |
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Reforming the Church by Ernest C. Reisinger | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of seriousness and dedication in the work of God and the word of God. He emphasizes the need for men in the ministry to be focu |
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Blessed Are Those Who Mourn by Thomas Brooks | Thomas Brooks emphasizes the profound blessing of mourning for sin, illustrating that true mourning reflects a deep sorrow akin to the loss of a loved one. He explains that this mo |
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A Whore's Forehead by Thomas Brooks | Thomas Brooks delivers a poignant sermon titled 'A Whore's Forehead,' emphasizing the alarming lack of shame in society regarding sin, as illustrated by the scriptures from Jeremia |
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It Will Suck Sweetness Out of Every Flower by Thomas Brooks | Thomas Brooks emphasizes the transformative power of faith, describing it as the key that unlocks paradise and floods the soul with joy. He illustrates how faith appropriates God's |
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If Only You Knew by Kathryn Kuhlman | In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal story about adopting a Korean child. Despite the language barrier, the speaker wanted the child to feel their love. The speaker descri |




