Ezekiel 24:17
New International Version
Groan quietly; do not mourn for the dead. Keep your turban fastened and your sandals on your feet; do not cover your mustache and beard or eat the customary food of mourners.”

New Living Translation
Groan silently, but let there be no wailing at her grave. Do not uncover your head or take off your sandals. Do not perform the usual rituals of mourning or accept any food brought to you by consoling friends.”

English Standard Version
Sigh, but not aloud; make no mourning for the dead. Bind on your turban, and put your shoes on your feet; do not cover your lips, nor eat the bread of men.”

Berean Standard Bible
Groan 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.”

King James Bible
Forbear to cry, make no mourning for the dead, bind the tire of thine head upon thee, and put on thy shoes upon thy feet, and cover not thy lips, and eat not the bread of men.

New King James Version
Sigh in silence, make no mourning for the dead; bind your turban on your head, and put your sandals on your feet; do not cover your lips, and do not eat man’s bread of sorrow.

New American Standard Bible
Groan silently; do no mourning for the dead. Bind on your turban and put your sandals on your feet, and do not cover your mustache, and do not eat the bread of other people.”

NASB 1995
“Groan silently; make no mourning for the dead. Bind on your turban and put your shoes on your feet, and do not cover your mustache and do not eat the bread of men.”

NASB 1977
“Groan silently; make no mourning for the dead. Bind on your turban, and put your shoes on your feet, and do not cover your mustache, and do not eat the bread of men.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Groan silently; make no mourning for the dead. Bind on your headdress and put your shoes on your feet and do not cover your mustache and do not eat the bread of men.”

Amplified Bible
Sigh and groan in silence; do not mourn for the dead. Bind on your turban and put your sandals on your feet, and do not cover your mustache or eat the bread of [mourners furnished by other] men.”

Christian Standard Bible
Groan quietly; do not observe mourning rites for the dead. Put on your turban and strap your sandals on your feet; do not cover your mustache or eat the bread of mourners.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Groan quietly; do not observe mourning rites for the dead. Put on your turban and strap your sandals on your feet; do not cover your mustache or eat the bread of mourners.”

American Standard Version
Sigh, but not aloud, make no mourning for the dead; bind thy headtire upon thee, and put thy shoes upon thy feet, and cover not thy lips, and eat not the bread of men.

Contemporary English Version
Mourn in silence and don't show that you are grieving. Don't remove your turban or take off your sandals; don't cover your face to show your sorrow, or eat the food that mourners eat."

English Revised Version
Sigh, but not aloud; make no mourning for the dead, bind thy headtire upon thee, and put thy shoes upon thy feet, and cover not thy lips, and eat not the bread of men.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Groan silently. Don't grieve for the person who dies. Tie on your turban, and put on your sandals. Don't cover your face or eat the food that mourners eat."

Good News Translation
Don't let your sobbing be heard. Do not go bareheaded or barefoot as a sign of mourning. Don't cover your face or eat the food that mourners eat."

International Standard Version
You are to weep in silence, but you are not to participate in mourning rituals. You are to keep your turban on your head and your sandals on your feet. You are not to cover your mouth or eat what your comforters bring to you."

Majority Standard Bible
Groan 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.?

NET Bible
Groan in silence for the dead, but do not perform mourning rites. Bind on your turban and put your sandals on your feet. Do not cover your lip and do not eat food brought by others."

New Heart English Bible
Sigh, but not aloud, make no mourning for the dead; bind your headdress on you, and put your shoes on your feet, and do not cover your lips, and do not eat men's bread."

Webster's Bible Translation
Forbear to cry, make no mourning for the dead, bind the tire of thy head upon thee, and put on thy shoes upon thy feet, and cover not thy lips, and eat not the bread of men.

World English Bible
Sigh, but not aloud. Make no mourning for the dead. Bind your headdress on you, and put your sandals on your feet. Don’t cover your lips, and don’t eat mourner’s bread.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Cease to groan [and] make no mourning [for] the dead, bind your headdress on yourself, and put your shoes on your feet, and you do not cover over the upper lip, and you do not eat [the] bread of men.”

Young's Literal Translation
Cease to groan, for the dead thou dost make no mourning, thy bonnet bind on thee, and thy shoes thou dost put on thy feet, and thou dost not cover over the upper lip, and bread of men thou dost not eat.'

Smith's Literal Translation
Be silent to the sighing of blood, thou shalt not make mourning for the dead; bind thy head-dress upon thee, and thou shalt put thy shoes upon thy feet, and thou shalt not cover over the mustachios, and the bread of men thou shalt not eat.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Sigh in silence, make no mourning for the dead: let the tire of thy head be upon thee, and thy shoes on thy feet, and cover not thy face, nor eat the meat of mourners.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Groan silently; you shall make no mourning for the dead. Let the band of your crown be on you, and let your shoes be on your feet. And you shall not cover your face, nor shall you eat the food of those who mourn.”

New American Bible
Groan, moan for the dead, but make no public lament; bind on your turban, put your sandals on your feet, but do not cover your beard or eat the bread of mourners.

New Revised Standard Version
Sigh, but not aloud; make no mourning for the dead. Bind on your turban, and put your sandals on your feet; do not cover your upper lip or eat the bread of mourners.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Forbear to cry, make no mourning for the dead, put on your robe and put shoes on your feet; and do not cover your lips nor eat the bread provided for you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Howl! Be pained at the blood of the dead, and you shall not make a house of weeping, and your garment gird upon you, and your shoes put on your feet, and you shall not cover over your lips, and the bread of the children of men you shall not eat”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Sigh in silence; make no mourning for the dead, bind thy headtire upon thee, and put thy shoes upon thy feet, and cover not thine upper lip, and eat not the bread of men.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Thou shalt groan for blood, and have mourning upon thy loins; thy hair shall not be braided upon thee, and thy sandals shall be on thy feet; thou shalt in no wise be comforted by their lips, and thou shalt not eat the bread of men.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Ezekiel's Wife Dies
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.” 18So I spoke to the people in the morning, and in the evening my wife died. And the next morning I did as I had been commanded.…

Cross References
Leviticus 10:6
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.

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.

2 Samuel 12:20
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.

Isaiah 61:3
to console the mourners in Zion—to give them a crown of beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and a garment of praise for a spirit of despair. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.

Matthew 6:16-18
When you fast, do not be somber like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. / But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, / so that your fasting will not be obvious to men, but only to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

1 Thessalonians 4:13
Brothers, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who are without hope.

1 Corinthians 7:29-31
What I am saying, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; / those who weep, as if they did not; those who are joyful, as if they were not; those who make a purchase, as if they had nothing; / and those who use the things of this world, as if not dependent on them. For this world in its present form is passing away.

2 Samuel 19:24
Then Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, went down to meet the king. He had not cared for his feet or trimmed his mustache or washed his clothes from the day the king had left until the day he returned safely.

Amos 8:10
I will turn your feasts into mourning and all your songs into lamentation. I will cause everyone to wear sackcloth and every head to be shaved. I will make it like a time of mourning for an only son, and its outcome like a bitter day.

John 16:20
Truly, truly, I tell you, you will weep and wail while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.

Luke 9:60
But Jesus told him, “Let the dead bury their own dead. You, however, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

1 Peter 1:6
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials

1 Peter 4:12-13
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you. / But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory.

Revelation 18:7
As much as she has glorified herself and lived in luxury, give her the same measure of torment and grief. In her heart she says, ‘I sit as queen; I am not a widow and will never see grief.’

Isaiah 3:24
Instead of fragrance there will be a stench; instead of a belt, a rope; instead of styled hair, baldness; instead of fine clothing, sackcloth; instead of beauty, shame.


Treasury of Scripture

Forbear to cry, make no mourning for the dead, bind the tire of your head on you, and put on your shoes on your feet, and cover not your lips, and eat not the bread of men.

Forbear to cry.

Psalm 37:7
Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

Psalm 39:9
I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it.

Psalm 46:10
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

make

Jeremiah 16:4-7
They shall die of grievous deaths; they shall not be lamented; neither shall they be buried; but they shall be as dung upon the face of the earth: and they shall be consumed by the sword, and by famine; and their carcases shall be meat for the fowls of heaven, and for the beasts of the earth…

bind

Ezekiel 24:23
And your tires shall be upon your heads, and your shoes upon your feet: ye shall not mourn nor weep; but ye shall pine away for your iniquities, and mourn one toward another.

Leviticus 10:6
And Moses said unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons, Uncover not your heads, neither rend your clothes; lest ye die, and lest wrath come upon all the people: but let your brethren, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which the LORD hath kindled.

Leviticus 21:10
And he that is the high priest among his brethren, upon whose head the anointing oil was poured, and that is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not uncover his head, nor rend his clothes;

put

2 Samuel 15:30
And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.

cover

Ezekiel 24:22
And ye shall do as I have done: ye shall not cover your lips, nor eat the bread of men.

Leviticus 13:45
And the leper in whom the plague is, his clothes shall be rent, and his head bare, and he shall put a covering upon his upper lip, and shall cry, Unclean, unclean.

Micah 3:7
Then shall the seers be ashamed, and the diviners confounded: yea, they shall all cover their lips; for there is no answer of God.

lips [heb] upper lip, and so ver.

Hosea 9:4
They shall not offer wine offerings to the LORD, neither shall they be pleasing unto him: their sacrifices shall be unto them as the bread of mourners; all that eat thereof shall be polluted: for their bread for their soul shall not come into the house of the LORD.

the bread of men.

Jeremiah 16:7
Neither shall men tear themselves for them in mourning, to comfort them for the dead; neither shall men give them the cup of consolation to drink for their father or for their mother.

Jump to Previous
Aloud Beard Bind Bread Cease Cover Covered Cry Customary Dead Eat Face Fastened Feet Food Forbear Grief Groan Head Head-Dress Lips Mourn Mourners Mourning Part Quietly Sandals Shoes Sigh Silence Sorrow Sound Tire Upper Weeping
Jump to Next
Aloud Beard Bind Bread Cease Cover Covered Cry Customary Dead Eat Face Fastened Feet Food Forbear Grief Groan Head Head-Dress Lips Mourn Mourners Mourning Part Quietly Sandals Shoes Sigh Silence Sorrow Sound Tire Upper Weeping
Ezekiel 24
1. Under the parable of a boiling pot
6. 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














Groan quietly;
This phrase indicates a restrained expression of grief. In the context of Ezekiel, God commands the prophet to suppress his natural emotions as a sign to the people of Israel. This restraint symbolizes the impending judgment on Jerusalem, where the people will experience such overwhelming calamity that traditional mourning will be impossible. The quiet groaning reflects the internalization of sorrow, a theme seen in other scriptures like Lamentations 2:18-19, where the heart cries out silently to God.

do not mourn for the dead.
Ezekiel is instructed not to engage in customary mourning practices, which would typically include loud lamentations and public displays of grief. This command serves as a prophetic sign to the Israelites, illustrating the severity of the coming destruction, where there will be no time or opportunity for traditional mourning. This is reminiscent of Jeremiah 16:5-7, where God also forbids mourning as a sign of judgment.

Put on your turban and strap your sandals on your feet;
The turban and sandals are symbols of readiness and normalcy. In ancient Near Eastern culture, mourners would often remove their head coverings and go barefoot as a sign of distress. By instructing Ezekiel to dress normally, God is emphasizing the need to continue with life despite personal loss, reflecting the idea that life must go on even amidst tragedy. This can be seen as a call to maintain faith and obedience in the face of adversity.

do not cover your lips
Covering the lips was a traditional mourning practice, signifying silence and sorrow. By forbidding this, God is instructing Ezekiel to refrain from outward signs of grief, further emphasizing the message of impending judgment. This act of not covering the lips can be seen as a metaphor for the silencing of Israel's cries due to their disobedience, as seen in Isaiah 29:10.

or eat the bread of mourners.”
The bread of mourners refers to the food consumed during mourning rituals, often provided by friends and family to comfort the bereaved. By prohibiting this, God is highlighting the severity of the situation, where normal customs and comforts will be disrupted. This command underscores the theme of divine judgment, where the usual societal structures and supports will be stripped away, as seen in Hosea 9:4, where offerings and sacrifices are rejected.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ezekiel
A prophet of God, called to deliver messages of judgment and hope to the Israelites during their Babylonian exile.

2. Israelites
The people of God who are in exile due to their disobedience and idolatry.

3. Babylon
The place of exile for the Israelites, representing judgment and separation from their homeland.

4. Jerusalem
The city whose impending destruction is symbolized by Ezekiel's actions and God's message.

5. God
The sovereign Lord who commands Ezekiel and communicates His will through him.
Teaching Points
Obedience in Unconventional Ways
Ezekiel is called to obey God in a manner that defies cultural norms. As believers, we must be prepared to follow God's commands even when they challenge societal expectations.

Symbolic Actions as Prophetic Messages
Ezekiel's actions serve as a living parable. Our lives, too, can be a testimony to God's truth when we live in obedience to His word.

The Cost of Discipleship
Just as Ezekiel was asked to forgo traditional mourning, we may be called to sacrifice personal comforts or customs for the sake of God's kingdom.

Hope Beyond Judgment
While Ezekiel's actions symbolize judgment, they also point to the hope of restoration. In Christ, we find hope beyond our circumstances and the promise of eternal life.(17) The tire of thine head.--This might be either the covering for the head usually worn by the people (see Ezekiel 24:23), or the special "mitre of fine linen" (Exodus 39:28) provided for the priests; but as the peculiar priestly garments were worn only when the priests were on duty within the tabernacle (Leviticus 6:10-11), it is not likely that Ezekiel used them in his captivity. The priests were expressly allowed to mourn for their nearest relations (Leviticus 21:2-3), and Ezekiel is therefore here made an exception. Among the ordinary signs of mourning was the covering of the head (2Samuel 15:30; Jeremiah 14:3), the sprinkling of dust upon it (Ezekiel 27:30; 1Samuel 4:12; 2Samuel 15:32), going barefoot (1Samuel 15:30; Isaiah 20:2), and covering the lips, or lower part of the face (Micah 3:7). All these things are now forbidden to the prophet in his sorrow. . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Groan
הֵאָנֵ֣ק ׀ (hê·’ā·nêq)
Verb - Nifal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 602: To cry, groan

quietly;
דֹּ֗ם (dōm)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 1826: To be dumb, to be astonished, to stop, to perish

do not
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

mourn
אֵ֣בֶל (’ê·ḇel)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 60: Lamentation

for the dead.
מֵתִים֙ (mê·ṯîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

Put
חֲב֣וֹשׁ (ḥă·ḇō·wōš)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 2280: To wrap firmly, to stop, to rule

on
עָלֶ֔יךָ (‘ā·le·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

your turban
פְאֵֽרְךָ֙ (p̄ə·’ê·rə·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6287: An embellishment, fancy head-dress

and strap
תָּשִׂ֣ים (tā·śîm)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set

your sandals
וּנְעָלֶ֖יךָ (ū·nə·‘ā·le·ḵā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5275: A sandal tongue, a sandal, slipper

on your feet;
בְּרַגְלֶ֑יךָ (bə·raḡ·le·ḵā)
Preposition-b | Noun - fdc | second person masculine singular
Strong's 7272: A foot, a step, the pudenda

do not
וְלֹ֤א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

cover
תַעְטֶה֙ (ṯa‘·ṭeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5844: To wrap oneself, enwrap, envelop oneself

[your] lips
שָׂפָ֔ם (śā·p̄ām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8222: The beard

or eat
תֹאכֵֽל׃ (ṯō·ḵêl)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 398: To eat

the bread
וְלֶ֥חֶם (wə·le·ḥem)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3899: Food, bread, grain

of mourners.”
אֲנָשִׁ֖ים (’ă·nā·šîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 24:17 Sigh but not aloud make no mourning (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 24:16
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