Ezekiel 24:17

Ezekiel 24:17 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

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 Version KJV

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.

American Standard Version ASV

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.

Bible in Basic English BBE

Let there be no sound of sorrow; make no weeping for your dead, put on your head-dress and your shoes on your feet, let not your lips be covered, and do not take the food of those in grief.

Free Bible Version FBV

Mourn in silence. Don't have any rituals for the dead. Dress normally—have your turban on and put your sandals on your feet. Don't veil your face and don't eat the bread used by mourners.”

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Cease from sighing: make no mourning for the dead, and binde the tyre of thine head vpon thee, and put on thy shooes vpon thy feete, and couer not thy lips, and eate not the bread of men.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

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.'

World English Bible WEB

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.”

Noah Webster Bible WBS

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.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

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.

Translation for Translators T4T

Groan quietly; do not cry openly for her. Keep your turban wrapped around your head, andinstead of being barefoot, keep your sandals on your feet. Do not cover the lower part of your faceto show that you are sad. And do not eat the kind of food that people who are mourning usually eat.”

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 24:17

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Ezekiel 24:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB הֵאָנֵ֣ק דֹּ֗ם מֵתִים֙ אֵ֣בֶל לֹֽא תַֽעֲשֶׂ֔ה פְאֵֽרְ/ךָ֙ חֲב֣וֹשׁ עָלֶ֔י/ךָ וּ/נְעָלֶ֖י/ךָ תָּשִׂ֣ים בְּ/רַגְלֶ֑י/ךָ וְ/לֹ֤א תַעְטֶה֙ עַל שָׂפָ֔ם וְ/לֶ֥חֶם אֲנָשִׁ֖ים לֹ֥א תֹאכֵֽל

הֵאָנֵ֣ק ʼânaq H602 to groan V-Niphal-Impv-2ms

דֹּ֗ם dâmam H1826 to silence V-Qal-Impv-2ms

מֵתִים֙ mûwth H4191 to die V-Qal

אֵ֣בֶל ʼêbel H60 mourning N-ms

לֹֽא lôʼ H3808 not Part

תַֽעֲשֶׂ֔ה ʻâsâh H6213 to make V-Qal-Imperf-2ms

פְאֵֽרְ/ךָ֙ pᵉʼêr H6287 headdress N-ms | Suff

חֲב֣וֹשׁ châbash H2280 to saddle/tie V-Qal-Impv-2ms

עָלֶ֔י/ךָ ʻal H5921 upon Prep | Suff

וּ/נְעָלֶ֖י/ךָ naʻal H5275 sandal Conj | N-fp | Suff

תָּשִׂ֣ים sûwm H7760 to set V-Qal-Imperf-2ms

בְּ/רַגְלֶ֑י/ךָ regel H7272 foot Prep | N-fd | Suff

וְ/לֹ֤א lôʼ H3808 not Conj | Part

תַעְטֶה֙ ʻâṭâh H5844 to enwrap V-Qal-Imperf-2ms

עַל ʻal H5921 upon Prep

שָׂפָ֔ם sâphâm H8222 mustache N-ms

וְ/לֶ֥חֶם lechem H3899 food Conj | N-cs

אֲנָשִׁ֖ים ʼîysh H376 man N-mp

לֹ֥א lôʼ H3808 not Part

תֹאכֵֽל ʼâkal H398 to eat V-Qal-Imperf-2ms

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 24:17

הֵאָנֵ֣ק ʼânaq H602 "to groan" V-Niphal-Impv-2ms

To groan means to cry out in pain or lament, as seen in the Bible where people express sorrow and grief. It involves making a loud, sorrowful sound.

Definition: 1) to cry, groan 1a) (Qal) to cry, lament 1b) (Niphal) to make lamentation

Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: cry, groan. See also: Jeremiah 51:52; Ezekiel 24:17; Ezekiel 26:15.

דֹּ֗ם dâmam H1826 "to silence" V-Qal-Impv-2ms

In the original Hebrew, this verb means to wail or mourn, often in response to a tragic event, like in Job 30:31 where Job laments his suffering. It can also mean to be astonished or stop an activity.

Definition: : stationary 1) to be silent, be still, wait, be dumb, grow dumb 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be silent 1a2) to be still, die 1a3) to be struck dumb 1b) (Niphal) to be silenced, be made silent, destroyed 1c) (Poal) to make quiet 1d) (Hiphil) to make silent (cause to die)

Usage: Occurs in 29 OT verses. KJV: cease, be cut down (off), forbear, hold peace, quiet self, rest, be silent, keep (put to) silence, be (stand) still, tarry, wait. See also: Exodus 15:16; Psalms 62:6; Psalms 4:5.

מֵתִים֙ mûwth H4191 "to die" V-Qal

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to die, either literally or as a punishment, and is used in books like Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean to perish or be killed. This concept is seen in the story of Adam and Eve, where death enters the world as a result of sin.

Definition: 1) to die, kill, have one executed 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to die 1a2) to die (as penalty), be put to death 1a3) to die, perish (of a nation) 1a4) to die prematurely (by neglect of wise moral conduct) 1b) (Polel) to kill, put to death, dispatch 1c) (Hiphil) to kill, put to death 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be killed, be put to death 1d1a) to die prematurely

Usage: Occurs in 695 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise. See also: Genesis 2:17; Exodus 21:18; Numbers 35:21.

אֵ֣בֶל ʼêbel H60 "mourning" N-ms

Mourning refers to the act of grieving or lamenting, often for someone who has died, like the mourning of the Israelites after the death of Moses in Deuteronomy 34.

Definition: 1) mourning 1a) for the dead 1b) for rites of mourning (metaph) 1c) mourning garb 1d) period of mourning

Usage: Occurs in 22 OT verses. KJV: mourning. See also: Genesis 27:41; Ecclesiastes 7:4; Isaiah 60:20.

לֹֽא lôʼ H3808 "not" Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.

תַֽעֲשֶׂ֔ה ʻâsâh H6213 "to make" V-Qal-Imperf-2ms

This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.

Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made

Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.

פְאֵֽרְ/ךָ֙ pᵉʼêr H6287 "headdress" N-ms | Suff

This noun refers to a fancy head-dress or ornament, like a turban or bonnet. It is used in the Bible to describe decorative clothing. In the KJV, it is translated as 'beauty' or 'ornament'.

Definition: head-dress, ornament, turban

Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: beauty, bonnet, goodly, ornament, tire. See also: Exodus 39:28; Isaiah 61:10; Isaiah 3:20.

חֲב֣וֹשׁ châbash H2280 "to saddle/tie" V-Qal-Impv-2ms

This verb means to tie or bind something firmly, like a turban or a saddle. It is also used figuratively to mean stopping or ruling something. In 1 Kings 20:12, it describes the binding of a wound.

Definition: 1) to tie, bind, bind on, bind up, saddle, restrain, bandage, govern 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to bind, bind on 1a2) to bind up 1b) (Piel) to bind, restrain 1c) (Pual) to be bound up

Usage: Occurs in 30 OT verses. KJV: bind (up), gird about, govern, healer, put, saddle, wrap about. See also: Genesis 22:3; Job 34:17; Psalms 147:3.

עָלֶ֔י/ךָ ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep | Suff

This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.

Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)

Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.

וּ/נְעָלֶ֖י/ךָ naʻal H5275 "sandal" Conj | N-fp | Suff

A sandal or shoe in biblical times, as mentioned in Exodus 12:11 and Deuteronomy 25:9. It was a symbol of ownership or marriage, and removing a sandal could signify refusal or separation, as seen in Ruth 4:7-8.

Definition: sandal, shoe

Usage: Occurs in 22 OT verses. KJV: dryshod, (pair of) shoe((-latchet), -s). See also: Genesis 14:23; 1 Kings 2:5; Psalms 60:10.

תָּשִׂ֣ים sûwm H7760 "to set" V-Qal-Imperf-2ms

This Hebrew word means to put or place something, and is used in many different ways in the Bible, such as to appoint or determine something. It is first used in Genesis to describe God's creation. In the KJV, it is translated as 'appoint' or 'set' in various contexts.

Definition: : make/establish 1) to put, place, set, appoint, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to put, set, lay, put or lay upon, lay (violent) hands on 1a2) to set, direct, direct toward 1a2a) to extend (compassion) (fig) 1a3) to set, ordain, establish, found, appoint, constitute, make, determine, fix 1a4) to set, station, put, set in place, plant, fix 1a5) to make, make for, transform into, constitute, fashion, work, bring to pass, appoint, give 1b) (Hiphil) to set or make for a sign 1c) (Hophal) to be set

Usage: Occurs in 550 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring, call (a name), care, cast in, change, charge, commit, consider, convey, determine, [phrase] disguise, dispose, do, get, give, heap up, hold, impute, lay (down, up), leave, look, make (out), mark, [phrase] name, [idiom] on, ordain, order, [phrase] paint, place, preserve, purpose, put (on), [phrase] regard, rehearse, reward, (cause to) set (on, up), shew, [phrase] stedfastly, take, [idiom] tell, [phrase] tread down, (over-)turn, [idiom] wholly, work. See also: Genesis 2:8; Leviticus 20:5; 1 Samuel 21:13.

בְּ/רַגְלֶ֑י/ךָ regel H7272 "foot" Prep | N-fd | Suff

This word also means a foot, like when God says he will tread on the wicked in Malachi 4:3. It's used to describe human and animal feet, as well as the base of objects like tables or idols.

Definition: 1) foot 1a) foot, leg 1b) of God (anthropomorphic) 1c) of seraphim, cherubim, idols, animals, table 1d) according to the pace of (with prep) 1e) three times (feet, paces) Aramaic equivalent: re.gal (רְגַל "foot" H7271)

Usage: Occurs in 232 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] be able to endure, [idiom] according as, [idiom] after, [idiom] coming, [idiom] follow, (broken-)foot(-ed, -stool), [idiom] great toe, [idiom] haunt, [idiom] journey, leg, [phrase] piss, [phrase] possession, time. See also: Genesis 8:9; 2 Samuel 22:39; Psalms 8:7.

וְ/לֹ֤א lôʼ H3808 "not" Conj | Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

תַעְטֶה֙ ʻâṭâh H5844 "to enwrap" V-Qal-Imperf-2ms

This verb means to grasp or cover something, like wrapping oneself in a cloak. It is used in Exodus 28:42 to describe the clothing of the priests. It can also mean to turn aside or change direction.

Definition: 1) to cover, enwrap, wrap oneself, envelop oneself 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to wrap, envelop oneself 1a2) to cover (the beard in mourning) 1a3) mourner, one who covers (participle) 1b) (Hiphil) to cover, enwrap, envelop

Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: array self, be clad, (put a) cover (-ing, self), fill, put on, [idiom] surely, turn aside. See also: Leviticus 13:45; Psalms 109:29; Psalms 71:13.

עַל ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep

This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.

שָׂפָ֔ם sâphâm H8222 "mustache" N-ms

A mustache or beard is a facial hair growth. In the Bible, it is sometimes used to describe a person's appearance or to symbolize age and wisdom.

Definition: moustache

Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: beard, (upper) lip. See also: Leviticus 13:45; Ezekiel 24:17; Micah 3:7.

וְ/לֶ֥חֶם lechem H3899 "food" Conj | N-cs

This Hebrew word refers to food, especially bread or grain. It's used throughout the Bible to describe meals, sacrifices, and daily life, highlighting the importance of food in ancient Israelite culture.

Definition: : food(eating) 1) bread, food, grain 1a) bread 1a1) bread 1a2) bread-corn 1b) food (in general)

Usage: Occurs in 277 OT verses. KJV: (shew-) bread, [idiom] eat, food, fruit, loaf, meat, victuals. See also: Genesis 3:19; 1 Samuel 20:34; Psalms 14:4.

אֲנָשִׁ֖ים ʼîysh H376 "man" N-mp

The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.

Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)

Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.

לֹ֥א lôʼ H3808 "not" Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

תֹאכֵֽל ʼâkal H398 "to eat" V-Qal-Imperf-2ms

This word means to eat or devour, and it's used in many stories, including when Jesus fed the 5000 with fish and bread in the book of Matthew. It's about taking in nourishment and being satisfied.

Definition: 1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to eat (human subject) 1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds) 1a3) to devour, consume (of fire) 1a4) to devour, slay (of sword) 1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought) 1a6) to devour (of oppression) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be eaten (by men) 1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire) 1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh) 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to cause to eat, feed with 1c2) to cause to devour 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to feed 1d2) to cause to eat 1e) (Piel) 1e1) consume Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)

Usage: Occurs in 703 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. See also: Genesis 2:16; Leviticus 6:9; Numbers 24:8.

Study Notes — Ezekiel 24:17

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Context
Cross References
Ezekiel 24:17 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 24:17
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 24:17
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 24:17
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 24:17
Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 24:17
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 24:17
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 24:17
Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 24:17
Sermons on Ezekiel 24:17

Context — Ezekiel’s Wife Dies

15Then 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.”

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. 19Then the people asked me, “Won’t you tell us what these things you are doing mean to us?”

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Hosea 9:4	They will not pour out wine offerings to the LORD, and their sacrifices will not please Him, but will be to them like the bread of mourners; all who eat will be defiled. For their bread will be for themselves; it will not enter the house of the LORD.
2	2 Samuel 15:30	But David continued up the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went up. His head was covered, and he was walking barefoot. And all the people with him covered their heads and went up, weeping as they went.
3	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.
4	Leviticus 21:10	The priest who is highest among his brothers, who has had the anointing oil poured on his head and has been ordained to wear the priestly garments, must not let his hair hang loose or tear his garments.
5	Leviticus 13:45	A diseased person must wear torn clothes and let his hair hang loose, and he must cover his mouth and cry out, ‘Unclean, unclean!’
6	Ezekiel 24:22–23	Then you will do as I have done: You will not cover your lips or eat the bread of mourners. Your turbans will remain on your heads and your sandals on your feet. You will not mourn or weep, but you will waste away because of your sins, and you will groan among yourselves.
7	Habakkuk 2:20	But the LORD is in His holy temple; let all the earth be silent before Him.
8	Amos 8:3	“In that day,” declares the Lord GOD, “the songs of the temple will turn to wailing. Many will be the corpses, strewn in silence everywhere!”
9	Micah 3:7	Then the seers will be ashamed and the diviners will be disgraced. They will all cover their mouths because there is no answer from God.”
10	Psalms 39:9	I have become mute; I do not open my mouth because of what You have done.

Ezekiel 24:17 Summary

[Ezekiel 24:17 is a verse about trusting in God, even when things seem really tough. Ezekiel is told not to mourn for his dead wife, which might seem strange, but it's because God is using him to teach the people of Israel a lesson, as seen in Deuteronomy 28:49-50. This verse can help us understand that God is always with us, even in hard times, as seen in Psalm 23:4. We can trust in His goodness and presence, just like Ezekiel did, and continue to serve Him, even when things are difficult.]

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Ezekiel told not to mourn for his dead wife in Ezekiel 24:17?

Ezekiel is told not to mourn for his dead wife as a sign to the people of Israel that they will soon be in a situation where they will not be able to mourn for their dead, as seen in Ezekiel 24:16 and Deuteronomy 28:49-50, where God warns of the consequences of disobedience.

What is the significance of Ezekiel putting on his turban and strapping his sandals on his feet in Ezekiel 24:17?

The act of putting on his turban and strapping his sandals on his feet is a sign of Ezekiel's obedience to God's command, and it also signifies that he is to continue his prophetic ministry even in the midst of personal tragedy, as seen in Ezekiel 24:18-19 and 2 Timothy 4:2.

Is it ever okay to not mourn the dead, as Ezekiel is told to do in Ezekiel 24:17?

While it is natural to mourn the dead, Ezekiel's situation is unique, as he is being used by God to convey a message to the people of Israel, as seen in Ezekiel 24:15-27 and Matthew 5:4, where Jesus teaches about mourning and being comforted.

How does Ezekiel's response to his wife's death relate to our own experiences of loss?

Ezekiel's response to his wife's death can teach us about trusting in God's sovereignty, even in the midst of great personal pain, as seen in Psalm 23:4 and Romans 8:28, where God's presence and goodness are affirmed.

Reflection Questions

How can I, like Ezekiel, trust in God's sovereignty when faced with personal tragedy and loss?
In what ways can I use my own experiences of loss to minister to others and point them to God's comfort and presence?
What are some ways that I can 'groan quietly' and trust in God, rather than giving in to despair or unbelief, when faced with difficult circumstances?
How can I balance the need to mourn and process my emotions with the need to trust in God and continue serving Him, as Ezekiel did in Ezekiel 24:18-19?

Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 24:17

Forbear to cry,.... Groan or howl, or make any doleful noise: or, "be silent" (x): which the Talmudists (y) interpret of not greeting any person: make no mourning for the dead; use none of those

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 24:17

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.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 24:17

Forbear to cry; restrain and curb thy sorrows, neither sigh nor lament. Make no mourning for the dead; when thou carriest her out to burial, make no mourning for her. Bind the tire of thine head; adorn and trim up thy head, as thou wast used to do; go not bare-headed, as 21:10, a mourner. Put on thy shoes upon thy feet: in great mournings the Jews went bare-looted, , but do not thou so, put on thy shoes. Cover not thy lips: it was a custom among them to cover either the upper lip, or mustaches, as the leper did, , and as ; and this also is forbidden the prophet. Eat not the bread of men; either of mourners, or rather of thy neighbours and friends, who were wont to visit and feast their mourning friends, and sent in both choice and abundance of provision to their houses, ; and this was a custom with Scythians, Grecians, Athenians, and Romans. Eat thou thine own, as if no mourning occasion in thy family.

Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 24:17

Ezekiel 24:17 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.Ver. 17. Forbear to cry.] Heb., Be silent, and so suffocate thy sorrows; Ne plangas, ne plores. Not as if the dead were not to be lamented - tears are the dues of the dead, Mors mea ne careat lachrymis - or that it were unbeseeming a prophet to bewail his dead comfort, but to set forth by this figure the greatness of their ensuing sorrow, bigger than any tears; for, Curae leves loquuntur ingentes stupent. Bind the tire of thy head upon thee.] Mourners, it seems, used to go bare headed and bare footed, to cover their mustaches, to eat what their friends sent them in at such a sad time to cheer up their spirits. The prophet must do none of all this, but keep his sorrows to himself. Pατροκλονκλαιωμεν: ογαργεραςεστιθανοντων. Singultus devorat.

Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 24:17

(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 (2 Samuel 15:30; Jeremiah 14:3), the sprinkling of dust upon it (Ezekiel 27:30; 1 Samuel 4:12; 2 Samuel 15:32), going barefoot (1 Samuel 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. Eat not the bread of men—i.e., the bread furnished by other men. It was customary for friends and neighbours to send food to the house of mourning, a custom which seems to be alluded to in Deuteronomy 26:14; Jeremiah 16:7; Hosea 9:4; and out of this custom the habit of funeral feasts appears to have grown in later times.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 24:17

Verse 17. Make no mourning] As a priest, he could make no public mourning, Leviticus 21:1, c. Bind the tire of thine head] This seems to refer to the high priest's bonnet or perhaps, one worn by the ordinary priests: it might have been a black veil to cover the head. Put on thy shoes upon thy feet] Walking barefoot was a sign of grief. Cover not thy lips] Mourners covered the under part of the face, from the nose to the bottom of the chin. Eat not the bread of men.] לחם אנשים lechem anashim, "the bread of miserable men," i.e., mourners; probably, the funeral banquet.

Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 24:17

17. Forbear to cry] sigh in silence; lit. sigh, be silent. mourning for the dead] Another order was to be expected; two accus. must be assumed. the tire of thine head] The “tire” is not necessarily the priestly tiara, but the ordinary headdress (Ezekiel 24:23), which would probably be white. Putting off the shoes was a sign of calamity, 2 Samuel 15:31, and also covering the lower part of the face up to the upper lip. Micah 3:7; Leviticus 13:45. the bread of men] Jeremiah 16:7, “Neither shall men break bread for them to comfort them for the dead, neither shall men give them the cup of consolation to drink for their father or for their mother.”

Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 24:17

17. Forbear to cry — R.V., “sigh, but not aloud.” There could be no funeral dirge, as is so common in all oriental countries, nor were even the universal outward expressions of sorrow in dress

Sermons on Ezekiel 24:17

	Sermon	Description
	Deep Calleth Unto Deep by Jack Hyles	In this sermon, the preacher shares a personal experience of being caught in a storm on a boat. Despite the fear and uncertainty, the preacher and his companion prayed and eventual
	(2 Samuel) Treachery and Loyalty by David Guzik	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the character of Absalom and his cunning tactics to win the hearts of the people of Israel. Absalom would sympathize with anyone who came to
	How to Have a Personal Revival by A.W. Tozer	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of having a personal revival. He encourages listeners to set their faces like flint, meaning to have a determined and unwaver
	The Glory of God - Part 3 by David Platt	This sermon challenges believers to risk it all for the glory of Christ among those who have not heard His name, emphasizing the urgency of sharing the Gospel with the lost. It hig
	Where Are the Nine by Jim Cymbala	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being thankful to God. He highlights that when people are not thankful, they lack grace in their lives. The preacher encou
	Naaman the Leper by Denis Lyle	Denis Lyle preaches about the story of Naaman from 2 Kings 5:1-19, drawing parallels between Naaman's physical cleansing from leprosy and the spiritual cleansing from sin that beli
	That Comforts and Joys Seem to Follow Awakenings and Convictions of Conscience, in a Certain Order, Is No Sign by Jonathan Edwards	Jonathan Edwards preaches about the process of salvation, emphasizing that before God delivers individuals from sin, they must first have a deep sense of the evil they are being sa