And there shall be no more a pricking brier unto the house of Israel, nor any grieving thorn of all that are round about them, that despised them; and they shall know that I am the Lord GOD.

EZEKIEL 28:24KJV
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Ezekiel 28:24 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 28:24 mean?

Ezekiel 28:24 says that the Lord God will bring an end to the harm Israel suffers from surrounding peoples who despise them. Israel will recognize that the one who has acted is the Lord GOD.

The verse pictures those hostile neighbors as sharp plants that prick and cause pain. After the words against Sidon in verse 23, the Lord speaks through Ezekiel about what the removal of such hostility will mean for Israel.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 28:24

  • “brier” — סִלּוֹן (sillon): This word refers to a prickly plant. Here it forms part of a picture of neighbors as a source of painful harm.
  • “despised” — שָׁאַט (shaʾat): This word carries the sense of treating someone with contempt. It describes the attitude of the surrounding peoples toward Israel.

Why Ezekiel 28:24 matters

  • The promise concerns more than one neighbor. The phrase “of all that are round about them” broadens the picture beyond Sidon, the city addressed just before this verse.

  • Recognition of the Lord is an important part of the promise. The words “they shall know that I am the Lord GOD” connect Israel’s future relief with knowing who brought it about.

  • The promise leads into a picture of Israel living securely. In verses 25–26, the Lord speaks of gathering Israel and describes them living safely in their land.

Where else these words appear

“brier” Hebrew H5544 · used in 2 verses

  • Ezekiel 2:6 And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.

“despised” Hebrew H7590 · used in 3 verses

  • Ezekiel 16:57 Before thy wickedness was discovered, as at the time of thy reproach of the daughters of Syria, and all that are round about her, the daughters of the Philistines, which despise thee round about.
  • Ezekiel 28:26 And they shall dwell safely therein, and shall build houses, and plant vineyards; yea, they shall dwell with confidence, when I have executed judgments upon all those that despise them round about them; and they shall know that I am the LORD their God.

“pricking” Hebrew H3992 · used in 4 verses

  • Leviticus 13:51 And he shall look on the plague on the seventh day: if the plague be spread in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in a skin, or in any work that is made of skin; the plague is a fretting leprosy; it is unclean.
  • Leviticus 13:52 He shall therefore burn that garment, whether warp or woof, in woollen or in linen, or any thing of skin, wherein the plague is: for it is a fretting leprosy; it shall be burnt in the fire.
  • Leviticus 14:44 Then the priest shall come and look, and, behold, if the plague be spread in the house, it is a fretting leprosy in the house: it is unclean.

“grieving” Hebrew H3510 · used in 8 verses

  • Genesis 34:25 And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males.
  • Job 5:18 For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole.
  • Psalms 69:29 But I am poor and sorrowful: let thy salvation, O God, set me up on high.