Ezekiel 24:23

Ezekiel 24:23 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

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.

King James Version KJV

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.

American Standard Version ASV

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 in your iniquities, and moan one toward another.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And your head-dresses will be on your heads and your shoes on your feet: there will be no sorrow or weeping; but you will be wasting away in the punishment of your evil-doing, and you will be looking at one another in wonder.

Free Bible Version FBV

You will keep your turbans on your heads and your sandals on your feet. You won't mourn or weep, but you will die inside because of your sins, and you will groan to one another.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And your tyre shalbe vpon your heads, and your shooes vpon your feete: ye shall not mourne nor weepe, but ye shall pine away for your iniquities, and mourne one toward another.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And your bonnets [are] on your heads, And your shoes [are] on your feet, Ye do not mourn nor do ye weep, And ye have wasted away for your iniquities, And ye have howled one unto another.

World English Bible WEB

Your turbans will be on your heads, and your sandals on your feet. You won’t mourn or weep; but you will pine away in your iniquities, and moan one toward another.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

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 towards another.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

You shall have crowns on your heads, and shoes on your feet: you shall not lament nor weep, but you shall pine away for your iniquities, and every one shall sigh with his brother.

Translation for Translators T4T

You will keep your turbans wrapped around your heads and keep your sandals on your feet. You will not mourn or cry, but your bodies will become very thin and slowly die because of your sins. And you will groan to each other.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 24:23

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 24:23 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וּ/פְאֵרֵ/כֶ֣ם עַל רָאשֵׁי/כֶ֗ם וְ/נַֽעֲלֵי/כֶם֙ בְּ/רַגְלֵי/כֶ֔ם לֹ֥א תִסְפְּד֖וּ וְ/לֹ֣א תִבְכּ֑וּ וּ/נְמַקֹּתֶם֙ בַּ/עֲוֺנֹ֣תֵי/כֶ֔ם וּ/נְהַמְתֶּ֖ם אִ֥ישׁ אֶל אָחִֽי/ו

וּ/פְאֵרֵ/כֶ֣ם pᵉʼêr H6287 headdress Conj | N-mp | Suff

עַל ʻal H5921 upon Prep

רָאשֵׁי/כֶ֗ם rôʼsh H7218 head N-mp | Suff

וְ/נַֽעֲלֵי/כֶם֙ naʻal H5275 sandal Conj | N-fp | Suff

בְּ/רַגְלֵי/כֶ֔ם regel H7272 foot Prep | N-fd | Suff

לֹ֥א lôʼ H3808 not Part

תִסְפְּד֖וּ çâphad H5594 to mourn V-Qal-Imperf-2mp

וְ/לֹ֣א lôʼ H3808 not Conj | Part

תִבְכּ֑וּ bâkâh H1058 to weep V-Qal-Imperf-2mp

וּ/נְמַקֹּתֶם֙ mâqaq H4743 to rot Conj | V-Niphal-2mp

בַּ/עֲוֺנֹ֣תֵי/כֶ֔ם ʻâvôn H5771 iniquity Prep | N-cp | Suff

וּ/נְהַמְתֶּ֖ם nâham H5098 to groan Conj | V-Qal-2mp

אִ֥ישׁ ʼîysh H376 man N-ms

אֶל ʼêl H413 to(wards) Prep

אָחִֽי/ו ʼâch H251 brother N-ms | Suff

Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 24:23

וּ/פְאֵרֵ/כֶ֣ם pᵉʼêr H6287 "headdress" Conj | N-mp | 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.

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.

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.

רָאשֵׁי/כֶ֗ם rôʼsh H7218 "head" N-mp | Suff

This Hebrew word means chief or prince, and is used to describe leaders in the Bible, such as in the book of 1 Samuel. It signifies a position of authority and importance.

Definition: : head 1) head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning 1a) head (of man, animals) 1b) top, tip (of mountain) 1c) height (of stars) 1d) chief, head (of man, city, nation, place, family, priest) 1e) head, front, beginning 1f) chief, choicest, best 1g) head, division, company, band 1h) sum

Usage: Occurs in 547 OT verses. KJV: band, beginning, captain, chapiter, chief(-est place, man, things), company, end, [idiom] every (man), excellent, first, forefront, (be-)head, height, (on) high(-est part, (priest)), [idiom] lead, [idiom] poor, principal, ruler, sum, top. See also: Genesis 2:10; Numbers 17:18; 2 Samuel 4:7.

וְ/נַֽעֲלֵי/כֶם֙ 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.

בְּ/רַגְלֵי/כֶ֔ם 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.

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.

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.

תִסְפְּד֖וּ çâphad H5594 "to mourn" V-Qal-Imperf-2mp

This Hebrew verb means to mourn or lament, often by tearing hair and beating breasts. It involves expressing deep sadness or grief, like wailing or lamenting. The KJV translates it as lament or mourn.

Definition: 1) to wail, lament, mourn 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to wail, lament 1a2) wailers (participle) 1b) (Niphal) to be lamented, be bewailed

Usage: Occurs in 30 OT verses. KJV: lament, mourn(-er), wail. See also: Genesis 23:2; Jeremiah 16:4; Isaiah 32:12.

וְ/לֹ֣א 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.

תִבְכּ֑וּ bâkâh H1058 "to weep" V-Qal-Imperf-2mp

To weep means to cry or shed tears, often in grief or sadness. In the Bible, weeping is a common expression of emotion, as seen in the stories of David and Jeremiah, who both wept bitterly in times of sorrow and repentance.

Definition: 1) to weep, bewail, cry, shed tears 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to weep (in grief, humiliation, or joy) 1a2) to weep bitterly (with cognate acc.) 1a3) to weep upon (embrace and weep) 1a4) to bewail 1b) (Piel) participle 1b1) lamenting 1b2) bewailing

Usage: Occurs in 100 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, bewail, complain, make lamentation, [idiom] more, mourn, [idiom] sore, [idiom] with tears, weep. See also: Genesis 21:16; 2 Samuel 12:21; Psalms 69:11.

וּ/נְמַקֹּתֶם֙ mâqaq H4743 "to rot" Conj | V-Niphal-2mp

This word means to rot or decay, like a wound festering or something molding away. It is used to describe a process of deterioration or corruption. The word is used in various contexts, including physical and moral decay.

Definition: 1) to decay, pine away, rot, fester 1a) (Niphal) 1a1) to fester (of wounds) 1a2) to rot, rot away 1a3) to moulder away 1a4) to pine away 1b) (Hiphil) to cause to rot

Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: consume away, be corrupt, dissolve, pine away. See also: Leviticus 26:39; Ezekiel 4:17; Psalms 38:6.

בַּ/עֲוֺנֹ֣תֵי/כֶ֔ם ʻâvôn H5771 "iniquity" Prep | N-cp | Suff

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means moral evil or sin, like the kind God sees in people's hearts. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Psalms. This concept is key to understanding human nature.

Definition: : crime 1) perversity, depravity, iniquity, guilt or punishment of iniquity 1a) iniquity 1b) guilt of iniquity, guilt (as great), guilt (of condition) 1c) consequence of or punishment for iniquity

Usage: Occurs in 215 OT verses. KJV: fault, iniquity, mischeif, punishment (of iniquity), sin. See also: Genesis 4:13; Psalms 107:17; Psalms 18:24.

וּ/נְהַמְתֶּ֖ם nâham H5098 "to groan" Conj | V-Qal-2mp

To groan means to growl or make a low, unhappy sound, like a lion or someone in pain, as seen in the Bible's descriptions of suffering.

Definition: 1) to growl, groan 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to growl (of lion) 1a2) to groan (of sufferer)

Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: mourn, roar(-ing). See also: Proverbs 5:11; Isaiah 5:29; Proverbs 28:15.

אִ֥ישׁ ʼîysh H376 "man" N-ms

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.

אֶל ʼêl H413 "to(wards)" Prep

This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.

Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)

Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.

אָחִֽי/ו ʼâch H251 "brother" N-ms | Suff

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a brother or male sibling, but it can also refer to a close relative, friend, or someone with a similar relationship. It is used to describe the bond between brothers, like the relationship between Cain and Abel in Genesis.

Definition: : male-sibling 1) brother 1a) brother of same parents 1b) half-brother (same father) 1c) relative, kinship, same tribe 1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship) 1e) (fig.) of resemblance

Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other. Compare also the proper names beginning with 'Ah-' or 'Ahi-'. See also: Genesis 4:2; Genesis 42:13; Numbers 25:6.

Study Notes — Ezekiel 24:23

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Ezekiel 24:23 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 24:23
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 24:23
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 24:23
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 24:23
Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 24:23
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 24:23
Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 24:23

Context — Ezekiel’s Wife Dies

21Tell the house of Israel that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘I am about to desecrate My sanctuary, the pride of your power, the desire of your eyes, and the delight of your soul. And the sons and daughters you left behind will fall by the sword.’ 22Then you will do as I have done: You will not cover your lips or eat the bread of mourners.

23Your 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.

24‘Thus Ezekiel will be a sign for you; you will do everything that he has done. When this happens, you will know that I am the Lord GOD.’ 25And you, son of man, know that on the day I take away their stronghold, their pride and joy—the desire of their eyes which uplifted their souls—and their sons and daughters as well,

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Ezekiel 33:10	Now as for you, son of man, tell the house of Israel that this is what they have said: ‘Our transgressions and our sins are heavy upon us, and we are wasting away because of them! How can we live?’
2	Ezekiel 4:17	So they will lack food and water; they will be appalled at the sight of one another wasting away in their iniquity.
3	Leviticus 26:39	Those of you who survive in the lands of your enemies will waste away in their iniquity and will decay in the sins of their fathers.
4	Isaiah 59:11	We all growl like bears and moan like doves. We hope for justice, but find none, for salvation, but it is far from us.
5	Psalms 78:64	His priests fell by the sword, but their widows could not lament.
6	Job 27:15	His survivors will be buried by the plague, and their widows will not weep for them.

Ezekiel 24:23 Summary

In Ezekiel 24:23, God is telling His people that they will not be able to mourn or weep for their sins, but instead will waste away because of them. This means that they will experience a gradual decline in their well-being as a result of their sinful actions. As we reflect on this verse, we can see that our sins have consequences, and that God calls us to repentance and forgiveness, as seen in 1 John 1:9. Just like the people in Ezekiel 24:23, we can acknowledge our sins and turn to God, who is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and restore us to a right relationship with Him (Psalms 51:1-2).

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are the people in Ezekiel 24:23 not allowed to mourn or weep?

The people are not allowed to mourn or weep because God is emphasizing the severity of their sins and the judgment that is coming upon them, as seen in Ezekiel 24:21, where God says He will desecrate His sanctuary.

What does it mean to 'waste away because of your sins' in Ezekiel 24:23?

To 'waste away because of your sins' means that the people will experience a gradual decline in their physical and spiritual well-being as a result of their sinful actions, similar to what is described in Psalms 38:3-5, where the psalmist describes the physical and emotional effects of sin.

How does Ezekiel 24:23 relate to the concept of repentance?

Ezekiel 24:23 highlights the importance of repentance, as the people are not allowed to mourn or weep, but instead are called to acknowledge their sins and turn to God, as seen in 1 John 1:9, where it says that if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.

What is the significance of the turbans and sandals in Ezekiel 24:23?

The turbans and sandals in Ezekiel 24:23 are symbols of the people's ordinary, everyday activities, which they will continue to do despite the judgment that is coming upon them, emphasizing the idea that their daily lives will go on, but with a sense of groaning and despair, as seen in Romans 8:23, where it talks about groaning while waiting for redemption.

Reflection Questions

What are some areas in my life where I may be 'wasting away' due to sin, and how can I turn to God for forgiveness and restoration?
How can I, like the people in Ezekiel 24:23, acknowledge my sins and take responsibility for my actions, rather than trying to shift the blame or deny my wrongdoing?
In what ways can I, in my daily life, be a reflection of God's holiness and righteousness, even in the midst of difficult circumstances, as seen in 1 Peter 1:15-16?
What does it mean to 'groan among yourselves' in Ezekiel 24:23, and how can I, in my own life, express my sorrow and repentance to God in a way that is authentic and meaningful?

Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 24:23

And your tires shall be upon your heads, and your shoes upon your feet..... As will be necessary while travelling, and when carrying captive to a foreign country, as now will be their case: ye shall

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 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.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 24:23

See ,17. Ye shall pine away; you shall languish with grief and secret sorrow, when you shall not dare to show it openly, lest you irritate your tyrannical masters, who will expect that nothing grieve you that rejoiceth them. For your iniquities; the punishment of your iniquities, which have made your land, city, temple, and families desolate and miserable. And mourn one toward another; in secret, Jew with Jew, you shall bewail what you durst not openly.

Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 24:23

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.Ver. 23. But ye shall pine away for your iniquities.] Non tam stupidi prae maestitia, quam prae malitia stipites. This was long since threatened, and it is reserved to the last, as not the least of those dismal judgments. Oecolamp.

Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 24:23

(23) Ye shall pine away.—In the tumult, distress, and captivity of the approaching judgment there would be no opportunity for the outward display of grief; but all the more should it press upon them inwardly, and, according to the terrible threatening of Lev 26:39, they should “pine away in their iniquity” in their enemies’ land. In the original the preposition is the same here as in Leviticus, “in your iniquity.”

Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 24:23

23. pine away for] in your iniquities; Ezekiel 33:10; Leviticus 26:39. mourn one towards] moan. The unparalleled severity of the stroke will paralyse grief and prevent it expressing itself.

Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 24:23

23. Ye shall not mourn nor weep — Does this mean that the people shall be stunned and speechless over the destruction of Jerusalem as was Ezekiel over the loss of his wife, or that they are forbidden

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