Ezekiel 21:26
Thus saith the Lord GOD; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high.
Original Language Analysis
כֹּ֤ה
H3541
כֹּ֤ה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
1 of 15
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוִ֔ה
H3068
יְהוִ֔ה
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
הַמִּצְנֶ֔פֶת
the diadem
H4701
הַמִּצְנֶ֔פֶת
the diadem
Strong's:
H4701
Word #:
6 of 15
a tiara, i.e., official turban (of a king or high priest)
וְהָרִ֖ים
and take off
H7311
וְהָרִ֖ים
and take off
Strong's:
H7311
Word #:
7 of 15
to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
10 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הַגְבֵּ֔הַּ
exalt
H1361
הַגְבֵּ֔הַּ
exalt
Strong's:
H1361
Word #:
13 of 15
to soar, i.e., be lofty; figuratively, to be haughty
Cross References
Ezekiel 17:24And all the trees of the field shall know that I the LORD have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish: I the LORD have spoken and have done it.Psalms 75:7But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.Jeremiah 13:18Say unto the king and to the queen, Humble yourselves, sit down: for your principalities shall come down, even the crown of your glory.Luke 1:52He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.Ezekiel 16:12And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and earrings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thine head.
Historical Context
Zedekiah's capture and blinding represented the crown's removal. The Davidic throne sat empty for centuries. Yet the reversal promise had multiple fulfillments: lowly exiles eventually returned; Gentiles (considered low) were raised to covenant membership; ultimately, the lowly carpenter from Nazareth was exalted above every name (Philippians 2:6-11). God's reversals demonstrate that human hierarchies don't determine divine choices—He elevates whom He wills.
Questions for Reflection
- How does removing the crown illustrate God's sovereignty over human authority structures?
- What does divine reversal (exalting low, abasing high) teach about kingdom values?
- In what ways does Jesus embody the ultimate reversal of human expectations?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
"Thus saith the Lord GOD; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high." God commands removing royal insignia—"diadem" (mitznefet, מִצְנֶפֶת) and "crown" (atarah, עֲטָרָה)—symbolizing monarchy's end. "This shall not be the same" indicates fundamental change. "Exalt him that is low, abase him that is high" describes reversal—the mighty fall, the humble rise. This pattern appears throughout Scripture (1 Samuel 2:7-8; Luke 1:52) and anticipates Christ's teaching about first being last (Matthew 20:16).