Ezekiel 21:23
And it shall be unto them as a false divination in their sight, to them that have sworn oaths: but he will call to remembrance the iniquity, that they may be taken.
Original Language Analysis
וְהָיָ֨ה
H1961
וְהָיָ֨ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 12
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כִּקְסָום
divination
H7080
כִּקְסָום
divination
Strong's:
H7080
Word #:
3 of 12
properly, to distribute, i.e., determine by lot or magical scroll; by implication, to divine
שָׁוְא֙
And it shall be unto them as a false
H7723
שָׁוְא֙
And it shall be unto them as a false
Strong's:
H7723
Word #:
4 of 12
evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false, subjective), uselessness (as deceptive, object
בְּעֵ֣ינֵיהֶ֔ם
in their sight
H5869
בְּעֵ֣ינֵיהֶ֔ם
in their sight
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
5 of 12
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
שְׁבֻעֵ֥י
to them that have sworn
H7650
שְׁבֻעֵ֥י
to them that have sworn
Strong's:
H7650
Word #:
6 of 12
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
וְהֽוּא
H1931
וְהֽוּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
9 of 12
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
מַזְכִּ֥יר
but he will call to remembrance
H2142
מַזְכִּ֥יר
but he will call to remembrance
Strong's:
H2142
Word #:
10 of 12
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
Cross References
Numbers 5:15Then shall the man bring his wife unto the priest, and he shall bring her offering for her, the tenth part of an ephah of barley meal; he shall pour no oil upon it, nor put frankincense thereon; for it is an offering of jealousy, an offering of memorial, bringing iniquity to remembrance.Ezekiel 29:16And it shall be no more the confidence of the house of Israel, which bringeth their iniquity to remembrance, when they shall look after them: but they shall know that I am the Lord GOD.Ezekiel 21:24Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have made your iniquity to be remembered, in that your transgressions are discovered, so that in all your doings your sins do appear; because, I say, that ye are come to remembrance, ye shall be taken with the hand.
Historical Context
Zedekiah, Judah's last king, rebelled against Babylon around 589 BC despite Jeremiah's warnings (Jeremiah 27-28). False prophets assured him of deliverance. The 'sworn oaths' refer to vassal treaties sealed before gods—breaking them invited divine vengeance according to ancient Near Eastern treaty curses.
Questions for Reflection
- How does self-deception prevent people from recognizing true prophetic warnings versus false prophecies?
- In what ways do we dismiss God's clear word because it conflicts with our plans or alliances?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
It shall be unto them as a false divination (וְהָיָה לָהֶם כְּקֶסֶם־שָׁוְא, v'hayah lahem k'qesem-shav)—Jerusalem's inhabitants will dismiss the oracle as שָׁוְא (shav, false, empty, worthless). They had sworn oaths of loyalty to Babylon (2 Kings 24:17), then broke them by allying with Egypt, trusting in false security.
To them that have sworn oaths (לִשְׁבֻעֵי שְׁבֻעוֹת לָהֶם, lishvu'ei shevu'ot lahem)—Zedekiah's treaty-breaking (Ezekiel 17:13-19). But he will call to remembrance the iniquity (וְהוּא מַזְכִּיר עָוֹן, v'hu mazkir avon)—God causes Nebuchadnezzar to 'remember' Judah's rebellion, providing justification for the siege. The word עָוֹן (avon, iniquity) indicates twisted, crooked guilt. Self-deception blinds those under judgment—they cannot believe God's clear warnings.