Ezekiel 17:16
As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely in the place where the king dwelleth that made him king, whose oath he despised, and whose covenant he brake, even with him in the midst of Babylon he shall die.
Original Language Analysis
חַי
As I live
H2416
חַי
As I live
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
1 of 23
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
יְהוִה֒
H3068
יְהוִה֒
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
6 of 23
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
לֹ֗א
H3808
לֹ֗א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 23
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
בִּמְקוֹם֙
surely in the place
H4725
בִּמְקוֹם֙
surely in the place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
8 of 23
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
הַמַּמְלִ֣יךְ
dwelleth that made him king
H4427
הַמַּמְלִ֣יךְ
dwelleth that made him king
Strong's:
H4427
Word #:
10 of 23
to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel
אֹת֔וֹ
H853
אֹת֔וֹ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
16 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הֵפֵ֖ר
he brake
H6565
הֵפֵ֖ר
he brake
Strong's:
H6565
Word #:
17 of 23
to break up (usually figuratively), i.e., to violate, frustrate
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
18 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּרִית֑וֹ
and whose covenant
H1285
בְּרִית֑וֹ
and whose covenant
Strong's:
H1285
Word #:
19 of 23
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
אִתּ֥וֹ
H854
אִתּ֥וֹ
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
20 of 23
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
בְתוֹךְ
even with him in the midst
H8432
בְתוֹךְ
even with him in the midst
Strong's:
H8432
Word #:
21 of 23
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
Cross References
Ezekiel 12:13My net also will I spread upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare: and I will bring him to Babylon to the land of the Chaldeans; yet shall he not see it, though he shall die there.Jeremiah 52:11Then he put out the eyes of Zedekiah; and the king of Babylon bound him in chains, and carried him to Babylon, and put him in prison till the day of his death.
Historical Context
Fulfilled exactly. After Jerusalem fell (586 BC), Zedekiah fled but was captured near Jericho. Nebuchadnezzar executed his sons before him, blinded him, and brought him to Babylon where he died in prison (2 Kings 25:1-7, Jeremiah 52:7-11). Precise fulfillment authenticated both prophets.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's certainty about moral consequences affect our view of 'getting away with' violations?
- What oaths have we treated as expendable that God views as binding?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
'As I live, saith the Lord GOD'—God's own existence guarantees fulfillment. Zedekiah will die 'in the midst of Babylon'—where 'the king dwelleth that made him king.' Stark irony: escaping Babylonian control, he'll die in Babylon's heart. 'Whose oath he hath despised' emphasizes the moral dimension—not failed strategy but contempt for sacred obligations.