Ezekiel Chapter 24 · Verse 14
I the LORD have spoken it: it shall come to pass, and I will do it; I will not go back, neither will I spare, neither will I repent; according to thy ways, and according to thy doings, shall they judge thee, saith the Lord GOD.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָ֤ה
I the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֤ה
I the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
דִּבַּ֙רְתִּי֙
have spoken
H1696
דִּבַּ֙רְתִּי֙
have spoken
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
3 of 17
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
בָּאָ֣ה
it it shall come to pass
H935
בָּאָ֣ה
it it shall come to pass
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
4 of 17
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
וְעָשִׂ֔יתִי
and I will do
H6213
וְעָשִׂ֔יתִי
and I will do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
5 of 17
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אֶפְרַ֥ע
it I will not go back
H6544
אֶפְרַ֥ע
it I will not go back
Strong's:
H6544
Word #:
7 of 17
to loosen; by implication, to expose, dismiss; figuratively, absolve, begin
וְלֹא
H3808
וְלֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אָח֖וּס
neither will I spare
H2347
אָח֖וּס
neither will I spare
Strong's:
H2347
Word #:
9 of 17
properly, to cover, i.e., (figuratively) to compassionate
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
10 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אֶנָּחֵ֑ם
neither will I repent
H5162
אֶנָּחֵ֑ם
neither will I repent
Strong's:
H5162
Word #:
11 of 17
properly, to sigh, i.e., breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e., (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavo
כִּדְרָכַ֤יִךְ
according to thy ways
H1870
כִּדְרָכַ֤יִךְ
according to thy ways
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
12 of 17
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
וְכַעֲלִילוֹתַ֙יִךְ֙
and according to thy doings
H5949
וְכַעֲלִילוֹתַ֙יִךְ֙
and according to thy doings
Strong's:
H5949
Word #:
13 of 17
an exploit (of god), or a performance (of man, often in a bad sense); by implication, an opportunity
שְׁפָט֔וּךְ
shall they judge
H8199
שְׁפָט֔וּךְ
shall they judge
Strong's:
H8199
Word #:
14 of 17
to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal
Cross References
Matthew 16:27For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.Isaiah 3:11Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.Ezekiel 18:30Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.Isaiah 55:11So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.Psalms 33:9For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.Jeremiah 23:20The anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly.Jeremiah 13:14And I will dash them one against another, even the fathers and the sons together, saith the LORD: I will not pity, nor spare, nor have mercy, but destroy them.Ezekiel 5:11Wherefore, as I live, saith the Lord GOD; Surely, because thou hast defiled my sanctuary with all thy detestable things, and with all thine abominations, therefore will I also diminish thee; neither shall mine eye spare, neither will I have any pity.Ezekiel 7:4And mine eye shall not spare thee, neither will I have pity: but I will recompense thy ways upon thee, and thine abominations shall be in the midst of thee: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.Ezekiel 9:10And as for me also, mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity, but I will recompense their way upon their head.
Historical Context
Every prophetic detail came true exactly as declared—Jerusalem fell (586 BC), temple burned, population exiled. God's word proved utterly reliable. The triple negative emphasized that no intercession, diplomacy, or strategy could reverse decreed judgment. This fulfilled word established that God means what He says—both judgment warnings and later restoration promises proved equally certain (Ezekiel 36-37).
Questions for Reflection
- How do emphatic guarantees demonstrate God's absolute reliability?
- What does 'according to thy ways' teach about perfect measure-for-measure justice?
- In what ways should certainty of divine promises (both warning and blessing) shape our response?
Analysis & Commentary
"I the LORD have spoken it: it shall come to pass, and I will do it; I will not go back, neither will I spare, neither will I repent; according to thy ways, and according to thy doings, shall they judge thee, saith the Lord GOD." This verse piles up emphatic declarations—"I have spoken," "it shall come to pass," "I will do it"—guaranteeing fulfillment. "I will not go back, neither will I spare, neither will I repent" (three negatives) emphasizes irrevocable commitment. "According to thy ways" establishes perfect justice—measure-for-measure judgment matching sin's severity.