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Ezekiel 11:21

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Ezekiel 11:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But as for them whose heart walketh after the heart of their detestable things and their abominations, I will bring their way upon their own heads, saith the Lord Jehovah.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But as for them whose heart walketh after the heart of their detestable things and their abominations, I will bring their way upon their own heads, saith the Lord Jehovah.
Ezekiel 11:21 — American Standard Version

Context — Ezekiel 11

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
18And they shall come thither, and they shall take away all the detestable things thereof and all the abominations thereof from thence.
19And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh;
20that they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.
21But as for them whose heart walketh after the heart of their detestable things and their abominations, I will bring their way upon their own heads, saith the Lord Jehovah.
22Then did the cherubim lift up their wings, and the wheels were beside them; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above.
23And the glory of Jehovah went up from the midst of the city, and stood upon the mountain which is on the east side of the city.
24And the Spirit lifted me up, and brought me in the vision by the Spirit of God into Chaldea, to them of the captivity. So the vision that I had seen went up from me.
← Ezekiel 11:20Ezekiel 11:22 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But [as for them], &c.] Who remained in Jerusalem, and were not carried captive, but continued in their, own land, and worshipped idols, the same as in (<261115>Ezekiel 11:15); whose heart walketh after the heart of their detestable things and their abominations; not images of gold and silver, which cannot be said to have a heart; but devils and evil spirits worshipped in them, who are well pleased and delighted with the worship given them; so that the hearts of the devils worshipped, and the hearts of the idolatrous worshippers, were alike and agreed; wherefore their hearts were very different from those before mentioned; so far from having one heart, that their hearts were double and…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“whose heart . . . after . . . heart of . . . detestable things--The repetition of "heart" is emphatic, signifying that the heart of those who so obstinately clung to idols, impelled itself to fresh superstitions in one continuous tenor [CALVIN]. Perhaps it is implied that they and their idols are much alike in character (Psa 115:8). The heart walks astray first, the feet follow. recompense . . . way upon . . . heads--They have abandoned Me, so will I abandon them; they profaned My temple, so will I profane it by the Chaldeans (Eze 9:10).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Compare Revelation 21:0. The identity of thought and language in Ezekiel, predicting the new kingdom of Israel, and in John, foretelling the kingdom of heaven, forces upon us the conclusion that the prophecy of Ezekiel has an ultimate reference to that climax which John plainly indicates. Ezekiel 11:19 One heart - So long as the Israelites were distracted by the service of many gods, such unity was impossible; but now, when they shall have taken away the “abominations” from the land, they shall be united in heart to serve the true God. Stony heart ... heart of flesh - The heart unnaturally hardened, and the heart reawakened to feelings proper to man. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Heart - Soul and affections. Walketh - Either secretly adhere to, or provide for the service of idols, called here detestable things. Ezekiel 11:23”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“11:21 Those who remained in the land would reap what they had sown. God would repay them fully for their sins, especially those involving vile images and detestable idols.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“whose: Ecc 11:9; Jer 17:9; Mar 7:21-23; Heb 3:12, Heb 3:13, Heb 10:38; Jam 1:14, Jam 1:15; Jde 1:19 their detestable: Eze 11:18; Jer 1:16, Jer 2:20 I will: Eze 9:10, Eze 20:31, Eze 20:38, Eze 22:31; Jer 29:16-19 Ezekiel 11:22”
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Related study paths

Read Ezekiel 11 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification