Also, thou son of man, shall it not be in the day when I take from them their strength, the joy of their glory, the desire of their eyes, and that whereupon they set their minds, their sons and their daughters,

EZEKIEL 24:25KJV
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Ezekiel 24:25 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 24:25 mean?

Ezekiel 24:25 announces a coming loss for the people of Jerusalem: God will take away what they depend on and cherish, including their sons and daughters. The verse prepares for news of that loss to reach Ezekiel, who is away from the city.

God addresses Ezekiel as “son of man.” The phrases “the joy of their glory” and “the desire of their eyes” describe what the people regard with pride and delight. The sentence continues into verse 26, where a survivor brings Ezekiel the news.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 24:25

  • “strength” — מָעוֹז (maʿoz): This word can mean a place of safety or a stronghold. Here, it can point to Jerusalem’s temple, called the people’s “strength” in verse 21.
  • “desire” — מַחְמָד (maḥmad): This word refers to something precious or greatly desired. Paired with “eyes,” it portrays something the people love to look upon and value highly.

Why Ezekiel 24:25 matters

  • The loss includes both a treasured place and people’s children. Verse 21 names the temple as the place they prize, while verse 25 ends with “their sons and their daughters.”
  • The verse marks a future moment that will affect Ezekiel’s role as a speaker. Verse 27 links the arrival of the survivor to Ezekiel’s mouth being opened, so that he can speak.

Where else these words appear

“desire” Hebrew H4261 · used in 13 verses

  • 1 Kings 20:6 Yet I will send my servants unto thee to morrow about this time, and they shall search thine house, and the houses of thy servants; and it shall be, that whatsoever is pleasant in thine eyes, they shall put it in their hand, and take it away.
  • Lamentations 1:10 The adversary hath spread out his hand upon all her pleasant things: for she hath seen that the heathen entered into her sanctuary, whom thou didst command that they should not enter into thy congregation.
  • Ezekiel 24:21 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.

“joy” Hebrew H4885 · used in 16 verses

  • Job 8:19 Behold, this is the joy of his way, and out of the earth shall others grow.
  • Isaiah 32:13 Upon the land of my people shall come up thorns and briers; yea, upon all the houses of joy in the joyous city:
  • Isaiah 66:10 Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her:

“strength” Hebrew H4581 · used in 35 verses

  • Judges 6:26 And build an altar unto the LORD thy God upon the top of this rock, in the ordered place, and take the second bullock, and offer a burnt sacrifice with the wood of the grove which thou shalt cut down.
  • Psalms 108:8 Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver;
  • Jeremiah 16:19 O LORD, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit.

“glory” Hebrew H8597 · used in 50 verses

  • Exodus 28:2 And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty.
  • Proverbs 19:11 The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
  • Isaiah 62:3 Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.