Bible Strands
Ezekiel 11:21
But as for those whose hearts pursue detestable things and abominations, I will bring their conduct down upon their own heads, declares the Lord GOD.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Lord GOD addresses the rebellious exiles in Jerusalem as the temple glory prepares to depart. He distinguishes those who keep His statutes from those who persist in idolatry.
The words — שִׁקּוּצֵי/הֶם (shi.ku.tzei./Hem) translates to "detestable things/ their," and בְּ/רֹאשָ֣/ם (be./ro.Sha/m) means "on/ own head/ their." These phrases anchor the verse's declaration of self-directed judgment.
The thread — The pattern of divine retribution matching human conduct runs through Ezekiel 9:10 and Jeremiah 1:16, while Ecclesiastes 11:9 contrasts youthful wandering with eventual accountability.
Why it lands — The text states that pursuing detestable things guarantees that one's own actions will become the instrument of their downfall. Readers must confront the direct link between persistent idolatry and inevitable consequence.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
But as for them whose heart walketh after the heart of their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their way upon their own heads, saith the Lord God.
Cross-references
- Ecclesiastes 11:9 Rejoice, O young man, while you are young, and let your heart be glad in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and in the sight of your eyes, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment.
- Ezekiel 9:10 But as for Me, I will not look on them with pity, nor will I spare them. I will bring their deeds down upon their own heads.”
- Jeremiah 1:16 I will pronounce My judgments against them for all their wickedness, because they have forsaken Me, and they have burned incense to other gods and worshiped the works of their own hands.
- Ezekiel 11:18 When they return to it, they will remove all its detestable things and all its abominations.
- Ezekiel 22:31 So I have poured out My indignation upon them and consumed them with the fire of My fury. I have brought their ways down upon their own heads, declares the Lord GOD.”
- James 1:14 But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed.
- Jeremiah 2:20 “For long ago you broke your yoke and tore off your chains, saying, ‘I will not serve!’ Indeed, on every high hill and under every green tree you lay down as a prostitute.
- Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
- Jeremiah 29:16 this is what the LORD says about the king who sits on David’s throne and all the people who remain in this city, your brothers who did not go with you into exile—
- Ezekiel 16:43 Because you did not remember the days of your youth, but enraged Me with all these things, I will surely bring your deeds down upon your own head, declares the Lord GOD. Have you not committed this lewdness on top of all your other abominations?