Ezekiel’s Wife Dies
The word of the LORD tells Ezekiel that the delight of his eyes will be taken away with one blow, yet he must not mourn with normal rites or tears. He is to sigh quietly, keep his turban and sandals on, and refrain from funeral gestures. Ezekiel speaks to the people in the morning, and by evening his wife dies; the next morning he does as he was commanded.
T15hen the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 16“Son of man, behold, I am about to take away the desire of your eyes with a fatal blow. But you must not mourn or weep or let your tears flow. 17Groan quietly; do not mourn for the dead. Put on your turban and strap your sandals on your feet; do not cover your lips or eat the bread of mourners.” 18So I spoke to the people in the morning, and in the evening my wife died. And the next morning I did as I had been commanded.
When the people ask the meaning of Ezekiel's behavior, he explains that the LORD will profane His sanctuary, the pride of their strength and the desire of their eyes, while their sons and daughters fall by the sword. They will do as Ezekiel has done, not performing normal mourning rites, but wasting away in their iniquities and groaning to one another. In this way Ezekiel serves as a sign for them.
19Then the people asked me, “Won’t you tell us what these things you are doing mean to us?” 20So I answered them, “The word of the LORD came to me, saying: 21Tell the house of Israel that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘I am about to desecrate My sanctuary, the pride of your power, the desire of your eyes, and the delight of your soul. And the sons and daughters you left behind will fall by the sword.’ 22Then you will do as I have done: You will not cover your lips or eat the bread of mourners. 23Your turbans will remain on your heads and your sandals on your feet. You will not mourn or weep, but you will waste away because of your sins, and you will groan among yourselves. 24‘Thus Ezekiel will be a sign for you; you will do everything that he has done. When this happens, you will know that I am the Lord GOD.’
The LORD then looks ahead to the day He removes from the people their stronghold, joy, and sons and daughters. On that day a fugitive will come to report the city's fall. Then Ezekiel's mouth will be opened to speak freely again, and the people will know that the LORD is God.
25And you, son of man, know that on the day I take away their stronghold, their pride and joy — the desire of their eyes which uplifted their souls — and their sons and daughters as well, 26on that day a fugitive will come and tell you the news. 27On that day your mouth will be opened to him who has escaped; you will speak and no longer be mute. So you will be a sign to them, and they will know that I am the LORD.”