Ezekiel 17:16
New International Version
“’As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, he shall die in Babylon, in the land of the king who put him on the throne, whose oath he despised and whose treaty he broke.

New Living Translation
No! For as surely as I live, says the Sovereign LORD, the king of Israel will die in Babylon, the land of the king who put him in power and whose treaty he disregarded and broke.

English Standard Version
“As I live, declares the Lord GOD, surely in the place where the king dwells who made him king, whose oath he despised, and whose covenant with him he broke, in Babylon he shall die.

Berean Standard Bible
‘As surely as I live,’ declares the Lord GOD, ‘he will die in Babylon, in the land of the king who enthroned him, whose oath he despised and whose covenant he broke.

King James Bible
As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely in the place where the king dwelleth that made him king, whose oath he despised, and whose covenant he brake, even with him in the midst of Babylon he shall die.

New King James Version
As I live,’ says the Lord GOD, ‘surely in the place where the king dwells who made him king, whose oath he despised and whose covenant he broke—with him in the midst of Babylon he shall die.

New American Standard Bible
As I live,’ declares the Lord GOD, ‘In the country of the king who put him on the throne, whose oath he despised and whose covenant he broke, in Babylon he shall certainly die.

NASB 1995
‘As I live,’ declares the Lord GOD, ‘Surely in the country of the king who put him on the throne, whose oath he despised and whose covenant he broke, in Babylon he shall die.

NASB 1977
‘As I live,’ declares the Lord GOD, ‘Surely in the country of the king who put him on the throne, whose oath he despised, and whose covenant he broke, in Babylon he shall die.

Legacy Standard Bible
As I live,’ declares Lord Yahweh, ‘Surely in the country of the king who made him king, whose oath he despised and whose covenant he broke, in Babylon he shall die.

Amplified Bible
As I live,’ says the Lord GOD, ‘surely in the country of the king (Nebuchadnezzar) who made Zedekiah [the vassal] king, whose oath he despised and whose covenant he broke, in Babylon Zedekiah shall die.

Christian Standard Bible
“ ‘As I live—this is the declaration of the Lord GOD—he will die in Babylon, in the land of the king who put him on the throne, whose oath he despised and whose covenant he broke.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
As I live"—this is the declaration of the Lord GOD—"he will die in Babylon, in the land of the king who put him on the throne, whose oath he despised and whose covenant he broke.

American Standard Version
As I live, saith the Lord Jehovah, surely in the place where the king dwelleth that made him king, whose oath he despised, and whose covenant he brake, even with him in the midst of Babylon he shall die.

Contemporary English Version
As surely as I am the living LORD God, I swear that the king of Judah will die in Babylon, because he broke the treaty with the king of Babylonia, who appointed him king.

English Revised Version
As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely in the place where the king dwelleth that made him king, whose oath he despised, and whose covenant he brake, even with him in the midst of Babylon he shall die.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
" 'As I live, declares the Almighty LORD, the king of Judah will die in Babylonia. He will die in the country of the king who appointed him king of Judah. The king of Judah broke his promise and his treaty with the king of Babylon.

Good News Translation
"As surely as I am the living God," says the Sovereign LORD, "this king will die in Babylonia because he broke his oath and the treaty he had made with the king of Babylonia, who put him on the throne.

International Standard Version
"As long as I live," declares the Lord GOD, "in Babylon, that place where the king has enthroned him, whose oath he despised so as to break his covenant, he'll die with him.

Majority Standard Bible
‘As surely as I live,’ declares the Lord GOD, ‘he will die in Babylon, in the land of the king who enthroned him, whose oath he despised and whose covenant he broke.

NET Bible
"'As surely as I live, declares the sovereign LORD, surely in the city of the king who crowned him, whose oath he despised and whose covenant he broke--in the middle of Babylon he will die!

New Heart English Bible
"'As I live,' says the Lord GOD, 'surely in the place where the king dwells who made him king, whose oath he despised, and whose covenant he broke, even with him in the midst of Babylon he shall die.

Webster's Bible Translation
As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely in the place where the king dwelleth that made him king, whose oath he despised, and whose covenant he broke, even with him in the midst of Babylon he shall die.

World English Bible
“‘As I live,’ says the Lord Yahweh, ‘surely in the place where the king dwells who made him king, whose oath he despised, and whose covenant he broke, even with him in the middle of Babylon he will die.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
[As] I live—a declaration of Lord YHWH, "" Does he not—in the place of the king who is causing him to reign, "" Whose oath he has despised, "" And whose covenant he has broken—die with him in the midst of Babylon?

Young's Literal Translation
I live -- an affirmation of the Lord Jehovah, Doth he not -- in the place of the king who is causing him to reign, Whose oath he hath despised, And whose covenant he hath broken, With him -- in the midst of Babylon -- die?

Smith's Literal Translation
I live, says the Lord Jehovah, if not in the place the king making him king which he despised his oath, and which he broke his covenant with him, in the midst of Babel he shall die.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
As I live, saith the Lord God: In the place where the king dwelleth that made him king, whose oath he hath made void, and whose covenant he broke, even in the midst of Babylon shall he die.

Catholic Public Domain Version
As I live, says the Lord God, in the place of the king, who appointed him as king, whose oath he has made void, and whose pact he has broken, under which he was living with him, in the midst of Babylon, he shall die.

New American Bible
As I live—oracle of the Lord GOD— in the house of the king who set him up to rule, Whose oath he ignored and whose covenant he broke, there in Babylon I swear he shall die!

New Revised Standard Version
As I live, says the Lord GOD, surely in the place where the king resides who made him king, whose oath he despised, and whose covenant with him he broke—in Babylon he shall die.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
As I live, says the LORD God, surely in the very place where dwells the king of Babylon, who made him king and he despised my oath and nullified my covenant, even in the midst of Babylon, he shall die.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
I am living, says THE LORD OF LORDS, that in the place where he set up the King and he despised my oath and he nullified my covenant, within Babel, he shall die
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely in the place where the king dwelleth that made him king, whose oath he despised, and whose covenant he broke, even with him in the midst of Babylon he shall die.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
As I live, saith the Lord, verily in the place where the king is that made him king, who dishonoured my oath, and who broke my covenant, shall he die with him in the midst of Babylon.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Parable Explained
15But this king rebelled against Babylon by sending his envoys to Egypt to ask for horses and a large army. Will he flourish? Will the one who does such things escape? Can he break a covenant and yet escape?’ 16‘As surely as I live,’ declares the Lord GOD, ‘he will die in Babylon, in the land of the king who enthroned him, whose oath he despised and whose covenant he broke. 17Pharaoh with his mighty army and vast horde will not help him in battle, when ramps are built and siege walls constructed to destroy many lives.…

Cross References
2 Kings 24:20
For because of the anger of the LORD, all this happened in Jerusalem and Judah, until He finally banished them from His presence. And Zedekiah also rebelled against the king of Babylon.

Jeremiah 52:3
For because of the anger of the LORD, all this happened in Jerusalem and Judah, until He finally banished them from His presence. And Zedekiah also rebelled against the king of Babylon.

2 Chronicles 36:13
He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God. But Zedekiah stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the LORD, the God of Israel.

Jeremiah 37:5-10
Pharaoh’s army had left Egypt, and when the Chaldeans who were besieging Jerusalem heard the report, they withdrew from Jerusalem. / Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet: / “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says that you are to tell the king of Judah, who sent you to Me: Behold, Pharaoh’s army, which has marched out to help you, will go back to its own land of Egypt. ...

Jeremiah 34:21-22
And I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah and his officials into the hands of their enemies who seek their lives, to the army of the king of Babylon that had withdrawn from you. / Behold, I am going to give the command, declares the LORD, and I will bring them back to this city. They will fight against it, capture it, and burn it down. And I will make the cities of Judah a desolation, without inhabitant.”

Jeremiah 27:12-15
And to Zedekiah king of Judah I spoke the same message: “Put your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon; serve him and his people, and live! / Why should you and your people die by sword and famine and plague, as the LORD has decreed against any nation that does not serve the king of Babylon? / Do not listen to the words of the prophets who say, ‘You must not serve the king of Babylon,’ for they are prophesying to you a lie. ...

Jeremiah 38:17-18
Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “This is what the LORD God of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘If you indeed surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, then you will live, this city will not be burned down, and you and your household will survive. / But if you do not surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, then this city will be delivered into the hands of the Chaldeans. They will burn it down, and you yourself will not escape their grasp.’”

2 Kings 25:6-7
The Chaldeans seized the king and brought him up to the king of Babylon at Riblah, where they pronounced judgment on him. / And they slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes. Then they put out his eyes, bound him with bronze shackles, and took him to Babylon.

Jeremiah 39:5-7
But the army of the Chaldeans pursued them and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho. They seized him and brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he pronounced judgment on him. / There at Riblah the king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and he also killed all the nobles of Judah. / Then he put out Zedekiah’s eyes and bound him with bronze chains to take him to Babylon.

Jeremiah 52:9-11
The Chaldeans seized the king and brought him up to the king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he pronounced judgment on Zedekiah. / There at Riblah the king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and he also killed all the officials of Judah. / Then he put out Zedekiah’s eyes, bound him with bronze shackles, and took him to Babylon, where he kept him in custody until his dying day.

2 Kings 24:17-20
Then the king of Babylon made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin’s uncle, king in his place and changed his name to Zedekiah. / Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. His mother’s name was Hamutal daughter of Jeremiah; she was from Libnah. / And Zedekiah did evil in the sight of the LORD, just as Jehoiakim had done. ...

Jeremiah 32:3-5
For Zedekiah king of Judah had imprisoned him, saying: “Why are you prophesying like this? You claim that the LORD says, ‘Behold, I am about to deliver this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he will capture it. / Zedekiah king of Judah will not escape from the hands of the Chaldeans, but he will surely be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon, and will speak with him face to face and see him eye to eye. / He will take Zedekiah to Babylon, where he will stay until I attend to him, declares the LORD. If you fight against the Chaldeans, you will not succeed.’”

Jeremiah 21:7
‘After that,’ declares the LORD, ‘I will hand over Zedekiah king of Judah, his officers, and the people in this city who survive the plague and sword and famine, to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and to their enemies who seek their lives. He will put them to the sword; he will not spare them or show pity or compassion.’

Jeremiah 22:24-27
“As surely as I live,” declares the LORD, “even if you, Coniah son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, were a signet ring on My right hand, I would pull you off. / In fact, I will hand you over to those you dread, who want to take your life—to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and to the Chaldeans. / I will hurl you and the mother who gave you birth into another land, where neither of you were born—and there you both will die. ...

Matthew 5:33-37
Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ / But I tell you not to swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; / or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. ...


Treasury of Scripture

As I live, said the Lord GOD, surely in the place where the king dwells that made him king, whose oath he despised, and whose covenant he broke, even with him in the middle of Babylon he shall die.

whose oath

Ezekiel 7:18,19
They shall also gird themselves with sackcloth, and horror shall cover them; and shame shall be upon all faces, and baldness upon all their heads…

Ezekiel 16:59
For thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even deal with thee as thou hast done, which hast despised the oath in breaking the covenant.

Exodus 20:7
Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

even

Ezekiel 17:10
Yea, behold, being planted, shall it prosper? shall it not utterly wither, when the east wind toucheth it? it shall wither in the furrows where it grew.

Ezekiel 12:13
My net also will I spread upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare: and I will bring him to Babylon to the land of the Chaldeans; yet shall he not see it, though he shall die there.

Jeremiah 32:4
And Zedekiah king of Judah shall not escape out of the hand of the Chaldeans, but shall surely be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon, and shall speak with him mouth to mouth, and his eyes shall behold his eyes;

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Ezekiel 17
1. Under the parable of two eagles and a vine
11. is shown God's judgment upon Jerusalem for revolting from Babylon to Egypt
22. God promises to plant the cedar of the Gospel














As surely as I live
This phrase is a solemn oath, underscoring the certainty and seriousness of the statement that follows. In Hebrew, the phrase is "חי־אני" (chai ani), which translates to "I live." This is a divine declaration, emphasizing God's eternal existence and His authority to execute judgment. It reflects the unchanging nature of God, who is the ultimate source of life and truth. The use of an oath by God Himself is a powerful reminder of His commitment to justice and the fulfillment of His word.

declares the Lord GOD
The title "Lord GOD" in Hebrew is "אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה" (Adonai Yahweh). "Adonai" signifies God's sovereignty and lordship, while "Yahweh" is His covenant name, emphasizing His faithfulness and eternal presence. This combination of titles highlights both God's authority and His personal relationship with His people. It serves as a reminder that the message being delivered is not from a mere human prophet but from the sovereign Creator and Sustainer of the universe.

surely in the place of the king who put him on the throne
This phrase refers to the historical context of King Zedekiah of Judah, who was placed on the throne by Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon. The Hebrew word for "place" is "מְקוֹם" (maqom), indicating a specific location or position. This highlights the political dynamics of the time, where vassal kings were installed by more powerful rulers. It underscores the theme of divine sovereignty over earthly kingdoms, as God uses even foreign powers to accomplish His purposes.

whose oath he despised and whose covenant he broke—
The "oath" and "covenant" refer to the agreement Zedekiah made with Nebuchadnezzar, which he later violated by rebelling against Babylon. The Hebrew word for "oath" is "שְׁבוּעָה" (shevu'ah), and "covenant" is "בְּרִית" (berit). These terms are significant in biblical theology, as they represent solemn commitments that are not to be taken lightly. Zedekiah's actions are portrayed as a breach of trust, not only with Babylon but also with God, who values faithfulness and integrity.

he shall die there
This is a pronouncement of judgment upon Zedekiah for his unfaithfulness. The Hebrew word for "die" is "מוּת" (muth), which conveys the finality and seriousness of the consequence. The phrase "he shall die there" indicates that Zedekiah's fate is sealed due to his rebellion and breach of covenant. It serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of honoring one's commitments, both to God and to others. This judgment also reflects the broader biblical theme of divine justice, where God holds individuals and nations accountable for their actions.

(16) In the place . . . he shall die.--The distinct prophecy of the death of Zedekiah at Babylon is here given in a form to bring out in the strongest light the fitness and justice of his punishment. It was to be in the place of the king to whom he owed his crown, and to whom he had given his fealty, yet against whom he had rebelled. The tense here changes to the future, because the events of this and the following verse were yet to be fulfilled.

Verse 16. - Ezekiel repeats the prediction of Ezekiel 12:13. The prison in Babylon, under the eye of the king against whom he had rebelled; this was to be the outcome-of the alliance with Egypt. The prophecy was probably written when the hopes of Zedekiah and his counsellors were at their highest point, when the Chaldeans had, in fact. raised the siege in anticipation of the arrival of the Egyptian army (Jeremiah 37:5-11). Ezekiel, like Jeremiah (loc. cit.), declared that the relief would be but temporary.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
‘As surely as
אָ֗נִי (’ā·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

I live,’
חַי־ (ḥay-)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

declares
נְאֻם֮ (nə·’um)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5002: An oracle

the Lord
אֲדֹנָ֣י (’ă·ḏō·nāy)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 136: The Lord

GOD,
יְהוִה֒ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

‘surely
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

he will die
יָמֽוּת׃ (yā·mūṯ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

in
בְתוֹךְ־ (ḇə·ṯō·wḵ-)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre

Babylon,
בָּבֶ֖ל (bā·ḇel)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 894: Babylon -- an eastern Mediterranean empire and its capital city

in the land
בִּמְקוֹם֙ (bim·qō·wm)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition

of the king
הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

who enthroned him,
הַמַּמְלִ֣יךְ (ham·mam·lîḵ)
Article | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 4427: To reign, inceptively, to ascend the throne, to induct into royalty, to take counsel

whose
אֲשֶׁ֤ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

oath
אָ֣לָת֔וֹ (’ā·lā·ṯōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 423: An imprecation

he despised
בָּזָה֙ (bā·zāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 959: To disesteem

and whose
וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר (wa·’ă·šer)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

covenant
בְּרִית֑וֹ (bə·rî·ṯōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1285: A covenant

he broke.
הֵפֵ֖ר (hê·p̄êr)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6565: To break up, to violate, frustrate


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 17:16 As I live says the Lord Yahweh (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 17:15
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