Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “Son of man, with one blow I am about to take away from you the delight of your eyes. Yet do not lament or weep or shed any tears. New Living Translation “Son of man, with one blow I will take away your dearest treasure. Yet you must not show any sorrow at her death. Do not weep; let there be no tears. English Standard Version “Son of man, behold, I am about to take the delight of your eyes away from you at a stroke; yet you shall not mourn or weep, nor shall your tears run down. Berean Standard Bible “Son of man, behold, I am about to take away the desire of your eyes with a fatal blow. But you must not mourn or weep or let your tears flow. Berean Literal Bible “Son of man, behold—I am taking away from you the desire of your eyes with a stroke, and you will not mourn and you will not weep, and your tears will not run down. King James Bible Son of man, behold, I take away from thee the desire of thine eyes with a stroke: yet neither shalt thou mourn nor weep, neither shall thy tears run down. New King James Version “Son of man, behold, I take away from you the desire of your eyes with one stroke; yet you shall neither mourn nor weep, nor shall your tears run down. New American Standard Bible “Son of man, behold, I am about to take from you what is precious to your eyes with a fatal blow; but you shall not mourn and you shall not weep, and your tears shall not come. NASB 1995 “Son of man, behold, I am about to take from you the desire of your eyes with a blow; but you shall not mourn and you shall not weep, and your tears shall not come. NASB 1977 “Son of man, behold, I am about to take from you the desire of your eyes with a blow; but you shall not mourn, and you shall not weep, and your tears shall not come. Legacy Standard Bible “Son of man, behold, I am about to take from you the desire of your eyes with a blow; but you shall not mourn, and you shall not weep, and your tears shall not come. Amplified Bible “Son of man, listen carefully, I am about to take away from you the desire of your eyes [your wife] with a single stroke. Yet you shall not mourn and you shall not weep, and your tears shall not flow. Berean Annotated Bible “Son of man, behold, I am about to take away the desire of your eyes with a fatal blow. But you must not mourn or weep or let your tears flow. Christian Standard Bible “Son of man, I am about to take the delight of your eyes away from you with a fatal blow. But you must not lament or weep or let your tears flow. Holman Christian Standard Bible Son of man, I am about to take the delight of your eyes away from you with a fatal blow. But you must not lament or weep or let your tears flow. American Standard Version Son of man, behold, I take away from thee the desire of thine eyes with a stroke: yet thou shalt neither mourn nor weep, neither shall thy tears run down. Contemporary English Version "Ezekiel, son of man, I will suddenly take the life of the person you love most. But I don't want you to complain or cry. English Revised Version Son of man, behold, I take away from thee the desire of thine eyes with a stroke: yet neither shalt thou mourn nor weep, neither shall thy tears run down. GOD'S WORD® Translation "Son of man, with one blow I'm going to take away from you the person you love the most. But you must not mourn, cry, or let tears run down your face. Good News Translation "Mortal man," he said, "with one blow I am going to take away the person you love most. You are not to complain or cry or shed any tears. International Standard Version "Son of Man, pay attention! I'm about to take away your most precious treasure with a single, fatal stroke, but you are not to mourn, weep, nor even let tears well up in your eyes. NET Bible "Son of man, realize that I am about to take the delight of your eyes away from you with a jolt, but you must not mourn or weep or shed tears. New Heart English Bible "Son of man, look, I will take away from you the desire of your eyes with a stroke: yet you shall neither mourn nor weep, neither shall your tears run down. Webster's Bible Translation Son of man, behold, I take away from thee the desire of thy eyes with a stroke: yet neither shalt thou mourn nor weep, neither shall thy tears run down. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible“Son of man, behold, I am about to take away the desire of your eyes with a fatal blow. But you must not mourn or weep or let your tears flow. World English Bible “Son of man, behold, I will take away from you the desire of your eyes with one stroke; yet you shall neither mourn nor weep, neither shall your tears run down. Literal Translations Literal Standard Version“Son of man, behold, I am taking the desire of your eyes from you by a stroke, and you do not mourn, nor weep, nor let your tear come. Berean Literal Bible “Son of man, behold—I am taking away from you the desire of your eyes with a stroke, and you will not mourn and you will not weep, and your tears will not run down. Young's Literal Translation 'Son of man, lo, I am taking from thee the desire of thine eyes by a stroke, and thou dost not mourn, nor weep, nor let thy tear come. Smith's Literal Translation Son of man, behold me taking from thee the desire of thine eyes with a blow: and thou shalt not lament, and thou shalt not weep, and thy tears shall not go. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleSon of man, behold I take from thee the desire of thy eyes with a stroke: and thou shalt not lament, nor weep : neither shall thy tears run down. Catholic Public Domain Version “Son of man, behold, I am taking away from you, with a stroke, the desire of your eyes. And you shall not lament, and you shall not weep. And your tears shall not flow down. New American Bible Son of man, with a sudden blow I am taking away from you the delight of your eyes, but do not mourn or weep or shed any tears. New Revised Standard Version Mortal, with one blow I am about to take away from you the delight of your eyes; yet you shall not mourn or weep, nor shall your tears run down. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleSon of man, behold, I take away from you the desire of your eyes with a stroke; and you shall neither mourn nor weep, neither shall your tears run down. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated “Son of man, behold, I have taken from you the lust of your eyes by a blow that comes suddenly, and you shall not mourn, neither shall you weep, neither shed your tears OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Son of man, behold, I take away from thee the desire of thine eyes with a stroke; yet neither shalt thou make lamentation nor weep, neither shall thy tears run down. Brenton Septuagint Translation Son of man, behold I take from thee the desire of thine eyes by violence: thou shalt not lament, neither shalt thou weep. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Ezekiel's Wife Dies15Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 16“Son of man, behold, I am about to take away the desire of your eyes with a fatal blow. But you must not mourn or weep or let your tears flow. 17Groan quietly; do not mourn for the dead. Put on your turban and strap your sandals on your feet; do not cover your lips or eat the bread of mourners.”… Cross References Son of man, Ezekiel 2:1 “Son of man,” He said to me, “stand up on your feet and I will speak to you.” Ezekiel 3:1 “Son of man,” He said to me, “eat what you find here. Eat this scroll, then go and speak to the house of Israel.” Daniel 8:17 As he came near to where I stood, I was terrified and fell facedown. “Son of man,” he said to me, “understand that the vision concerns the time of the end.” behold, I am about to take away Job 1:21 saying: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.” 2 Samuel 12:14 Nevertheless, because by this deed you have shown utter contempt for the word of the LORD, the son born to you will surely die.” 2 Kings 20:1 In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz came to him and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Put your house in order, for you are about to die; you will not recover.’” the desire of your eyes Deuteronomy 28:56-57 The most gentle and refined woman among you, so gentle and refined she would not venture to set the sole of her foot on the ground, will begrudge the husband she embraces and her son and daughter / the afterbirth that comes from between her legs and the children she bears, because she will secretly eat them for lack of anything else in the siege and distress that your enemy will inflict on you within your gates. Genesis 29:20 So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, yet it seemed but a few days because of his love for her. Proverbs 5:18-19 May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth: / A loving doe, a graceful fawn—may her breasts satisfy you always; may you be captivated by her love forever. with a fatal blow. 2 Kings 19:35 And that very night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies! Exodus 12:29-30 Now at midnight the LORD struck down every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on his throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner in the dungeon, as well as all the firstborn among the livestock. / During the night Pharaoh got up—he and all his officials and all the Egyptians—and there was loud wailing in Egypt; for there was no house without someone dead. 2 Samuel 24:15-17 So the LORD sent a plague upon Israel from that morning until the appointed time, and seventy thousand of the people from Dan to Beersheba died. / But when the angel stretched out his hand to destroy Jerusalem, the LORD relented from the calamity and said to the angel who was destroying the people, “Enough! Withdraw your hand now!” At that time the angel of the LORD was by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. / When David saw the angel striking down the people, he said to the LORD, “Surely I, the shepherd, have sinned and acted wickedly. But these sheep, what have they done? Please, let Your hand fall upon me and my father’s house.” But you must not mourn or weep or let your tears flow. Jeremiah 16:5-7 Indeed, this is what the LORD says: “Do not enter a house where there is a funeral meal. Do not go to mourn or show sympathy, for I have removed from this people My peace, My loving devotion, and My compassion,” declares the LORD. / “Both great and small will die in this land. They will not be buried or mourned, nor will anyone cut himself or shave his head for them. / No food will be offered to comfort those who mourn the dead; not even a cup of consolation will be given for the loss of a father or mother. Leviticus 10:6-7 Then Moses said to Aaron and his sons Eleazar and Ithamar, “Do not let your hair become disheveled and do not tear your garments, or else you will die, and the LORD will be angry with the whole congregation. But your brothers, the whole house of Israel, may mourn on account of the fire that the LORD has ignited. / You shall not go outside the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, or you will die, for the LORD’s anointing oil is on you.” So they did as Moses instructed. 2 Samuel 12:20-23 Then David got up from the ground, washed and anointed himself, changed his clothes, and went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they set food before him, and he ate. / “What is this you have done?” his servants asked. “While the child was alive, you fasted and wept, but when he died, you got up and ate.” / David answered, “While the child was alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, ‘Who knows? The LORD may be gracious to me and let him live.’ … 2 Samuel 12:15-23 After Nathan had gone home, the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s wife had borne to David, and he became ill. / David pleaded with God for the boy. He fasted and went into his house and spent the night lying in sackcloth on the ground. / The elders of his household stood beside him to help him up from the ground, but he was unwilling and would not eat anything with them. … Treasury of Scripture Son of man, behold, I take away from you the desire of your eyes with a stroke: yet neither shall you mourn nor weep, neither shall your tears run down. the desire Ezekiel 24:18,21,25 So I spake unto the people in the morning: and at even my wife died; and I did in the morning as I was commanded… Proverbs 5:19 Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love. Song of Solomon 7:10 I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me. with a Job 36:18 Because there is wrath, beware lest he take thee away with his stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee. yet Ezekiel 24:21-24 Speak 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… Leviticus 10:2,3 And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD… Jeremiah 22:10,18 Weep ye not for the dead, neither bemoan him: but weep sore for him that goeth away: for he shall return no more, nor see his native country… thy tears Jeremiah 9:1,18 Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people! … Jeremiah 13:17 But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD'S flock is carried away captive. Lamentations 2:18 Their heart cried unto the Lord, O wall of the daughter of Zion, let tears run down like a river day and night: give thyself no rest; let not the apple of thine eye cease. run [heb] go Jump to Previous Blow Delight Desire Disease Drops Eyes Lamentation Mourn Run Running Shed Sorrow Stroke Tears Weep WeepingJump to Next Blow Delight Desire Disease Drops Eyes Lamentation Mourn Run Running Shed Sorrow Stroke Tears Weep WeepingEzekiel 24 1. Under the parable of a boiling pot6. is shown the irrevocable destruction of Jerusalem 15. By the sign of Ezekiel not mourning for the death of his wife 19. is shown the calamity of the Jews to be beyond all sorrow Son of man This title, used frequently in Ezekiel, emphasizes the prophet's humanity and his role as a representative of the people. It is a reminder of his position as a mediator between God and Israel, similar to how Jesus, often referred to as the "Son of Man" in the New Testament, serves as a mediator between God and humanity. behold, I am about to take away the desire of your eyes with a fatal blow But you must not mourn or weep or let your tears flow Persons / Places / Events 1. EzekielA prophet called by God to deliver His messages to the Israelites during their Babylonian exile. Known for his symbolic and often challenging prophecies. 2. God The sovereign Lord who communicates with Ezekiel, instructing him on what to say and do as a sign to the people of Israel. 3. The Delight of Your Eyes This phrase refers to Ezekiel's wife, whom God is about to take away as a sign to the people. It symbolizes the impending loss and destruction that Israel will face. 4. Israel The nation to whom Ezekiel is prophesying. They are in exile due to their disobedience and idolatry, and God uses Ezekiel's personal loss as a symbol of their own impending suffering. 5. Babylonian Exile The historical context in which Ezekiel prophesies. The Israelites are in captivity, and God uses this period to teach and correct His people. Teaching Points Understanding God's SovereigntyRecognize that God is sovereign over life and death. His actions, though sometimes difficult to understand, serve a greater purpose in His divine plan. Obedience in Difficult Times Ezekiel's obedience in not mourning publicly serves as a powerful testimony. We are called to trust and obey God, even when His commands are hard. Symbolism in Personal Loss Personal trials can serve as a testimony to others. Our response to suffering can reflect God's message and purpose. The Cost of Disobedience Israel's impending loss is a direct result of their disobedience. This serves as a warning to us about the consequences of turning away from God. Hope Beyond Judgment While the immediate message is one of judgment, God's ultimate plan includes restoration and hope for His people. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Ezekiel 24:16?2. What does Ezekiel 24:16 reveal about God's sovereignty over personal loss? 3. How should believers respond to personal grief according to Ezekiel 24:16? 4. How does Ezekiel 24:16 connect to Romans 8:28 regarding God's purposes? 5. What lessons can we learn about obedience from Ezekiel's response in Ezekiel 24:16? 6. How can Ezekiel 24:16 encourage trust in God's plan during difficult times? 7. Why does God command Ezekiel not to mourn his wife's death in Ezekiel 24:16? 8. How does Ezekiel 24:16 reflect God's sovereignty over personal loss and suffering? 9. What is the significance of God referring to Ezekiel's wife as "the delight of your eyes"? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 24? 11. Ezekiel 18 - Does any historical or archaeological evidence indicate that Israel ever fully practiced individual accountability rather than communal guilt? 12. Is there any evidence that Ezekiel 15 was edited or added later, indicating multiple sources or authors? 13. Does the command to remain silent in Ezekiel 24:24–27 conflict with other biblical instructions on mourning or expressions of grief? 14. Why didn't Jesus return as He promised His disciples? What Does Ezekiel 24:16 Mean Son of man• God repeatedly calls Ezekiel “son of man” (Ezekiel 2:1) to underscore the prophet’s humanity and dependence on the Lord. • The title keeps Ezekiel humble, much like Psalm 8:4 reminds us that mere mortals stand in awe before their Creator. • By using this address at the outset, the Lord prepares Ezekiel for a deeply personal command, yet one that ultimately serves a public, prophetic purpose. behold • “Behold” signals that something weighty is about to be revealed—much as in Jeremiah 1:12 or Luke 1:31. • The word grabs Ezekiel’s attention (and ours) so we do not miss the gravity of what follows. God’s announcements are never casual; they demand full-hearted focus. I am about to take away • The Lord alone claims authority over life and death, echoing Job 1:21 and 2 Samuel 12:15-18. • “About to” conveys imminent action; God’s plan is already set in motion. • His sovereignty is never abstract—He acts in real time, affecting real people for His redemptive purposes. the desire of your eyes • In verse 18 we learn this refers to Ezekiel’s beloved wife; she was his joy and delight, comparable to Jacob’s love for Rachel (Genesis 29:20). • The phrase also foreshadows Israel’s loss of the temple—called “the delight of your eyes” in Ezekiel 24:21—so Ezekiel’s personal grief mirrors the nation’s coming sorrow. • God sometimes uses a prophet’s own experience, as with Hosea’s marriage or Isaiah’s children, to create a living illustration for His people. with a fatal blow • The death will be sudden and decisive, reminiscent of Nabal’s swift end in 1 Samuel 25:38 or Ananias’s in Acts 5:5. • No secondary cause is mentioned; the Lord Himself performs the act, underlining both judgment and the certainty of His word. But you must not mourn or weep • Like Aaron, who was told not to mourn for Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:6), Ezekiel receives an unusual restriction. • Jeremiah faced a similar command in Jeremiah 16:5-8; the prophet’s public behavior portrayed the spiritual condition of the nation. • This silence in mourning shocks onlookers, driving home the message that Jerusalem’s fall will be so complete there will be no time—or strength—left to grieve. or let your tears flow • Even private tears are forbidden, emphasizing total restraint. • Though tears are natural (John 11:35 shows our Lord weeping), God’s specific directive overrules normal emotion for the sake of the sign-act. • The absence of tears anticipates the stunned, tearless despair that will grip Jerusalem’s survivors (Amos 8:10). summary Ezekiel 24:16 previews the tragic loss both the prophet and Jerusalem will soon endure. God, who addresses Ezekiel tenderly as “son of man,” announces that He will take the prophet’s cherished wife in a single, fatal stroke. Ezekiel must suppress every outward sign of grief, becoming a living object lesson that mirrors Israel’s coming devastation and the abrupt, numbed silence that will follow. The verse underscores God’s sovereign right to give and take life, the prophetic role of personal sacrifice, and the certainty that His word—whether of judgment or hope—always comes to pass. Hebrew “Sonבֶּן־ (ben-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1121: A son of man, אָדָ֕ם (’ā·ḏām) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being behold, הִנְנִ֨י (hin·nî) Interjection | first person common singular Strong's 2005: Lo! behold! I am about to take away לֹקֵ֧חַ (lō·qê·aḥ) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 3947: To take the desire מַחְמַ֥ד (maḥ·maḏ) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4261: Delightful, a delight, object of affection, desire of your eyes עֵינֶ֖יךָ (‘ê·ne·ḵā) Noun - cdc | second person masculine singular Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain with a fatal blow. בְּמַגֵּפָ֑ה (bə·mag·gê·p̄āh) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 4046: A blow, slaughter, plague, pestilence But you must not וְלֹ֤א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no lament תִסְפֹּד֙ (ṯis·pōḏ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 5594: To tear the hair and beat the breasts, to lament, to wail or weep תִבְכֶּ֔ה (ṯiḇ·keh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 1058: To weep, to bemoan or let your tears דִּמְעָתֶֽךָ׃ (dim·‘ā·ṯe·ḵā) Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 1832: Tears (of one weeping) flow. תָב֖וֹא (ṯā·ḇō·w) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go Links Ezekiel 24:16 NIVEzekiel 24:16 NLT Ezekiel 24:16 ESV Ezekiel 24:16 NASB Ezekiel 24:16 KJV Ezekiel 24:16 BibleApps.com Ezekiel 24:16 Biblia Paralela Ezekiel 24:16 Chinese Bible Ezekiel 24:16 French Bible Ezekiel 24:16 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Ezekiel 24:16 Son of man behold I take away (Ezek. Eze Ezk) |
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