And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end,

EZEKIEL 21:25KJV
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Ezekiel 21:25 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 21:25 mean?

Ezekiel 21:25 speaks directly to a corrupt leader of Israel, calling him a "profane wicked prince" whose time of judgment has arrived, marking the point when wrongdoing will finally be dealt with. The verse signals that this leader's period of unchecked evil is coming to a close, and accountability is at hand.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to the ruler of Israel, likely referring to King Zedekiah during the final days before Jerusalem's fall. The language is sharp and personal, emphasizing the leader's moral failure and the certainty of coming judgment. The verse sets the stage for the following verses, which describe the end of the current royal line and the seriousness of Israel's situation.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 21:25

  • "profane" (חָלָל, ḥālal): This word often means "defiled" or "polluted," suggesting the prince has crossed sacred boundaries and treated holy things with contempt.
  • "wicked" (רָשָׁע, rāshā‘): This term points to active evil or injustice, highlighting the prince's moral corruption, not just a single mistake.
  • "prince" (נָשִׂיא, nāśî’): This word can mean "leader" or "ruler," and here it singles out the person in charge, making the accusation very direct.
  • "end" (קֵץ, qēṣ): This word means a limit or conclusion, stressing that there is a set point when wrongdoing will no longer be tolerated.

Why Ezekiel 21:25 matters

  • This verse clarifies that God holds leaders especially accountable for their actions, especially when they misuse their position.
  • The strong language shows that the coming judgment is not random but a direct response to persistent wrongdoing.
  • Ezekiel 21:25 connects to the larger message of Ezekiel, where the prophet warns that both leaders and people will face consequences for abandoning what is right.

Where else these words appear

“end” Hebrew H7093 · used in 62 verses

  • Genesis 4:3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.
  • Esther 2:12 Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women,(for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women;)
  • Ezekiel 7:2 Also, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD unto the land of Israel; An end, the end is come upon the four corners of the land.

“profane” Hebrew H2491 · used in 85 verses

  • Genesis 34:27 The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city, because they had defiled their sister.
  • 1 Chronicles 5:22 For there fell down many slain, because the war was of God. And they dwelt in their steads until the captivity.
  • Ezekiel 9:7 And he said unto them, Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain: go ye forth. And they went forth, and slew in the city.

“prince” Hebrew H5387 · used in 120 verses

  • Genesis 17:20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.
  • Numbers 7:54 On the eighth day offered Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, prince of the children of Manasseh:
  • 2 Chronicles 1:2 Then Solomon spake unto all Israel, to the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and to the judges, and to every governor in all Israel, the chief of the fathers.