Ezekiel 24:25
Also, thou son of man, shall it not be in the day when I take from them their strength, the joy of their glory, the desire of their eyes, and that whereupon they set their minds, their sons and their daughters,
Original Language Analysis
בְּנֵיהֶ֖ם
Also thou son
H1121
בְּנֵיהֶ֖ם
Also thou son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
2 of 19
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אָדָ֔ם
of man
H120
אָדָ֔ם
of man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
3 of 19
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
הֲל֗וֹא
H3808
הֲל֗וֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
4 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
בְּי֨וֹם
shall it not be in the day
H3117
בְּי֨וֹם
shall it not be in the day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
5 of 19
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
קַחְתִּ֤י
when I take
H3947
קַחְתִּ֤י
when I take
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
6 of 19
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מָ֣עוּזָּ֔ם
from them their strength
H4581
מָ֣עוּזָּ֔ם
from them their strength
Strong's:
H4581
Word #:
9 of 19
a fortified place; figuratively, a defense
מְשׂ֖וֹשׂ
the joy
H4885
מְשׂ֖וֹשׂ
the joy
Strong's:
H4885
Word #:
10 of 19
delight, concretely (the cause or object) or abstractly (the feeling)
תִּפְאַרְתָּ֑ם
of their glory
H8597
תִּפְאַרְתָּ֑ם
of their glory
Strong's:
H8597
Word #:
11 of 19
ornament (abstractly or concretely, literally or figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מַחְמַ֤ד
the desire
H4261
מַחְמַ֤ד
the desire
Strong's:
H4261
Word #:
13 of 19
delightful; hence, a delight, i.e., object of affection or desire
עֵֽינֵיהֶם֙
of their eyes
H5869
עֵֽינֵיהֶם֙
of their eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
14 of 19
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מַשָּׂ֣א
and that whereupon they set
H4853
מַשָּׂ֣א
and that whereupon they set
Strong's:
H4853
Word #:
16 of 19
a burden; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom, especially singing; mental, desire
נַפְשָׁ֔ם
their minds
H5315
נַפְשָׁ֔ם
their minds
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
17 of 19
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
Cross References
Ezekiel 24:21Speak unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will profane my sanctuary, the excellency of your strength, the desire of your eyes, and that which your soul pitieth; and your sons and your daughters whom ye have left shall fall by the sword.Psalms 50:2Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.Psalms 48:2Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.Jeremiah 11:22Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, I will punish them: the young men shall die by the sword; their sons and their daughters shall die by famine:
Historical Context
Solomon's temple stood from 966-586 BC (380 years). It represented God's presence, covenant faithfulness, and national identity. Its destruction was psychologically, spiritually, and nationally catastrophic. The temple would not be rebuilt until 516 BC—70 years later, fulfilling Jeremiah's prophecy.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'temples'—things we consider essential to faith—might God remove to teach us deeper dependence?
- How can losing what we treasure most become a pathway to knowing God better?
- What does God's willingness to destroy His own temple teach about His priorities?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Also, thou son of man, shall it not be in the day when I take from them their strength—God addresses Ezekiel directly (בֶּן־אָדָם, ben-ʾādām, 'son of man'). The joy of their glory (מָעוֹז, māʿôz, 'stronghold/fortress'; מְשׂוֹשׂ תִּפְאַרְתָּם, mĕśôś tifʾartām, 'joy of their beauty')—metaphors for the Jerusalem temple, Israel's pride and God's earthly dwelling.
The desire of their eyes, and that whereupon they set their minds—מַשָּׂא נַפְשָׁם (maśśāʾ naphshām, 'lifting of their soul') indicates deep emotional attachment. The temple was their supreme treasure, like Ezekiel's wife was to him (v. 16). Their sons and their daughters—Many died in the siege; others were taken captive. The prophet describes total loss: religious center, family members, homeland—everything that gave life meaning.