Ezekiel 21:24
Therefore 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.
Original Language Analysis
לָכֵ֗ן
H3651
לָכֵ֗ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
1 of 18
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
כֹּֽה
H3541
כֹּֽה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
2 of 18
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יַ֗עַן
H3282
יַ֗עַן
Strong's:
H3282
Word #:
6 of 18
properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause
הִזָּ֣כֶרְכֶ֔ם
because I say that ye are come to remembrance
H2142
הִזָּ֣כֶרְכֶ֔ם
because I say that ye are come to remembrance
Strong's:
H2142
Word #:
7 of 18
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
עֲוֹ֣נְכֶ֔ם
Because ye have made your iniquity
H5771
עֲוֹ֣נְכֶ֔ם
Because ye have made your iniquity
Strong's:
H5771
Word #:
8 of 18
perversity, i.e., (moral) evil
בְּהִגָּל֣וֹת
are discovered
H1540
בְּהִגָּל֣וֹת
are discovered
Strong's:
H1540
Word #:
9 of 18
to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal
פִּשְׁעֵיכֶ֗ם
in that your transgressions
H6588
פִּשְׁעֵיכֶ֗ם
in that your transgressions
Strong's:
H6588
Word #:
10 of 18
a revolt (national, moral or religious)
לְהֵֽרָאוֹת֙
do appear
H7200
לְהֵֽרָאוֹת֙
do appear
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
11 of 18
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
חַטֹּ֣אותֵיכֶ֔ם
your sins
H2403
חַטֹּ֣אותֵיכֶ֔ם
your sins
Strong's:
H2403
Word #:
12 of 18
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
בְּכֹ֖ל
H3605
בְּכֹ֖ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
13 of 18
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עֲלִילֽוֹתֵיכֶ֑ם
so that in all your doings
H5949
עֲלִילֽוֹתֵיכֶ֑ם
so that in all your doings
Strong's:
H5949
Word #:
14 of 18
an exploit (of god), or a performance (of man, often in a bad sense); by implication, an opportunity
יַ֚עַן
H3282
יַ֚עַן
Strong's:
H3282
Word #:
15 of 18
properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause
הִזָּ֣כֶרְכֶ֔ם
because I say that ye are come to remembrance
H2142
הִזָּ֣כֶרְכֶ֔ם
because I say that ye are come to remembrance
Strong's:
H2142
Word #:
16 of 18
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
Historical Context
By 586 BC, Judah's rebellion against Babylon was complete. The broken treaty, Egyptian alliance, temple idolatry, social injustice, and rejection of prophets had accumulated into corporate guilt demanding public judgment. The 'remembering' of iniquity meant God would no longer forbear.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean when our sin becomes so public that it 'forces' God to act in judgment?
- How can believers guard against the gradual accumulation of tolerated sin that eventually demands divine discipline?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Because ye have made your iniquity to be remembered (יַעַן הַזְכַּרְכֶם עֲוֹנְכֶם, ya'an hazkarkhem avonkhem)—the verb זָכַר (zakar, to remember) appears three times in verses 23-24, creating emphasis. Israel's sins became so public and flagrant that they forced God's hand. Your transgressions are discovered (בְּהִגָּלוֹת פִּשְׁעֵיכֶם, b'higalot pish'eikhem)—the root גָּלָה (galah) means to uncover, reveal, go into exile—a prophetic wordplay on coming deportation.
In all your doings your sins do appear (בְּכֹל עֲלִילֽוֹתֵיכֶם חַטֹּאותֵיכֶם נִרְאוֹת, b'khol aliloteikhem khato'teikhem nir'ot)—total corruption visible in every action. Ye shall be taken with the hand uses imagery of capture and imprisonment. When sin becomes systemic and shameless, judgment becomes inevitable and public. This principle operates both nationally and individually (Numbers 32:23).