Ezekiel 24:22
And ye shall do as I have done: ye shall not cover your lips, nor eat the bread of men.
Original Language Analysis
עָשִׂ֑יתִי
And ye shall do
H6213
עָשִׂ֑יתִי
And ye shall do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
1 of 11
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
2 of 11
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עָשִׂ֑יתִי
And ye shall do
H6213
עָשִׂ֑יתִי
And ye shall do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
3 of 11
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
4 of 11
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 11
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תַעְט֔וּ
ye shall not cover
H5844
תַעְט֔וּ
ye shall not cover
Strong's:
H5844
Word #:
7 of 11
to wrap, i.e., cover, veil, clothe, or roll
וְלֶ֥חֶם
the bread
H3899
וְלֶ֥חֶם
the bread
Strong's:
H3899
Word #:
8 of 11
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
אֲנָשִׁ֖ים
H376
אֲנָשִׁ֖ים
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
9 of 11
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
Historical Context
Ezekiel's wife died suddenly on the very day God announced Jerusalem's siege would begin (24:1-2, 15-18). This was 588 BC. God commanded Ezekiel not to mourn publicly, making him a living object lesson. Ancient Near Eastern mourning was elaborate: wailing, tearing clothes, covering the head, removing shoes, sitting in ashes.
Questions for Reflection
- How did God use Ezekiel's personal tragedy to communicate His message?
- When have you experienced grief so profound that normal expressions seemed inadequate?
- What does this passage teach about God's sovereignty even over our deepest losses?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And ye shall do as I have done: ye shall not cover your lips, nor eat the bread of men—Ezekiel's strange behavior (not mourning his wife's death, vv. 15-18) becomes a prophetic sign for the exiles. לֹא תַעְטוּ (lōʾ taʿṭû, 'you shall not cover') refers to the customary mourning practice of covering the lower face. לֶחֶם אֲנָשִׁים (leḥem ănāshîm, 'bread of men') was food brought by mourners to comfort the bereaved.
When Jerusalem falls, the exiles' grief will be so overwhelming, so unnatural (losing the temple, God's dwelling), that normal mourning rituals will seem inadequate. Their shock will paralyze traditional expressions of grief. This prophecy came true: when news reached Babylon in 585 BC (33:21), the people were stunned into silence, realizing God's Word through Ezekiel was devastatingly accurate.