Ezekiel 21:29
Whiles they see vanity unto thee, whiles they divine a lie unto thee, to bring thee upon the necks of them that are slain, of the wicked, whose day is come, when their iniquity shall have an end.
Original Language Analysis
בַּחֲז֥וֹת
Whiles they see
H2372
בַּחֲז֥וֹת
Whiles they see
Strong's:
H2372
Word #:
1 of 18
to gaze at; mentally to perceive, contemplate (with pleasure); specifically, to have a vision of
שָׁ֔וְא
vanity
H7723
שָׁ֔וְא
vanity
Strong's:
H7723
Word #:
3 of 18
evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false, subjective), uselessness (as deceptive, object
בִּקְסָם
unto thee whiles they divine
H7080
בִּקְסָם
unto thee whiles they divine
Strong's:
H7080
Word #:
4 of 18
properly, to distribute, i.e., determine by lot or magical scroll; by implication, to divine
לָתֵ֣ת
unto thee to bring
H5414
לָתֵ֣ת
unto thee to bring
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
7 of 18
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אוֹתָ֗ךְ
H853
אוֹתָ֗ךְ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
צַוְּארֵי֙
thee upon the necks
H6677
צַוְּארֵי֙
thee upon the necks
Strong's:
H6677
Word #:
10 of 18
the back of the neck (as that on which burdens are bound)
חַֽלְלֵ֣י
of them that are slain
H2491
חַֽלְלֵ֣י
of them that are slain
Strong's:
H2491
Word #:
11 of 18
pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted
רְשָׁעִ֔ים
of the wicked
H7563
רְשָׁעִ֔ים
of the wicked
Strong's:
H7563
Word #:
12 of 18
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
13 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יוֹמָ֔ם
whose day
H3117
יוֹמָ֔ם
whose day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
15 of 18
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
בְּעֵ֖ת
when
H6256
בְּעֵ֖ת
when
Strong's:
H6256
Word #:
16 of 18
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
Cross References
Ezekiel 21:25And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end,Ezekiel 22:28And her prophets have daubed them with untempered morter, seeing vanity, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord GOD, when the LORD hath not spoken.Psalms 37:13The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.Jeremiah 27:9Therefore hearken not ye to your prophets, nor to your diviners, nor to your dreamers, nor to your enchanters, nor to your sorcerers, which speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon:
Historical Context
Ammonite religion centered on Molech/Milcom worship, involving child sacrifice and divination practices explicitly condemned in Mosaic law (Leviticus 18:21, Deuteronomy 18:10-12). Their false prophets promised peace, but Nebuchadnezzar destroyed them five years after Jerusalem.
Questions for Reflection
- What modern 'divinations' or false assurances do people trust instead of God's Word?
- How does God's patience with accumulating sin differ from His ultimate justice?
- Why does God judge nations who mock His people's discipline?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Whiles they see vanity unto thee, whiles they divine a lie unto thee—Ammon relied on false prophets and diviners (שָׁוְא, shāwĕ, 'emptiness/falsehood'; קָסַם, qāsam, 'to divine'). Their occult practices gave lying oracles, promising security when destruction loomed.
To bring thee upon the necks of them that are slain, of the wicked—The imagery depicts corpses piled with Ammon's slain 'upon the necks' of Judah's wicked who were already judged. Their fate was linked: both nations would fall under Babylon's sword. Whose day is come, when their iniquity shall have an end (עֲוֹנָם קֵץ, ăwōnām qēṣ)—The appointed time (יוֹם, yôm) of final reckoning. God's patience has limits; accumulated iniquity reaches fullness and demands judgment (Genesis 15:16).