Ezekiel 17:19

Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘As surely as I live, I will bring down upon his head My oath that he despised and My covenant that he broke.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The Lord GOD speaks through Ezekiel, addressing the covenant-breaking king, immediately after noting his broken pledge and before announcing his capture in Babylon (Ezekiel 17:18; 17:20). The declaration follows the prophet's explanation of Babylonian treason and precedes the promise of divine capture and execution in Babylon (Ezekiel 17:18; 17:20).

The words — The phrase חַי־ אָנִי (chai- ani) literally renders "by [the] life of me," functioning as a solemn divine oath formula. It is paired with לָכֵן כֹּה אָמַר אֲדֹנָי יְהוָה (la./Khen koh 'a.Mar 'a.do.Nai Yah.weh), meaning "therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh."

The thread — The divine oath formula "As surely as I live" appears in contexts where God warns against false swearing and promises punishment for covenant violation (Deuteronomy 5:11; Jeremiah 5:2; Jeremiah 5:9). These passages consistently link the oath to divine retribution rather than mere affirmation.

Why it lands — The text states that God will enforce the very oath and covenant the king despised, bringing judgment directly upon him. A reader must recognize that breaking a sworn commitment to God triggers automatic divine enforcement, leaving no room for escape or mitigation.

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

לָכֵ֞ןla./Khen<to>/ therefore כֹּה־koh-thus אָמַ֨ר'a.Marhe says אֲדֹנָ֣י'a.do.Nai[the] Lord יְהוִה֮Yah.wehYahweh חַי־chai-[by] [the] life אָנִי֒'a.Niof me אִם־'im-if לֹ֗אLo'not אָֽלָתִי֙'a.la.T/ioath/ my אֲשֶׁ֣ר'a.Sherwhich בָּזָ֔הba.Zahhe despised וּבְרִיתִ֖יu./ve.ri.T/iand/ covenant/ my אֲשֶׁ֣ר'a.Sherwhich הֵפִ֑ירhe.Firhe broke וּנְתַתִּ֖יוu./ne.ta.Ti/vand/ I will requite/ it בְּרֹאשֽׁוֹ׃be./ro.Sh/oon/ own head/ his

King James Version

Therefore thus saith the Lord God; As I live, surely mine oath that he hath despised, and my covenant that he hath broken, even it will I recompense upon his own head.

Cross-references

Deuteronomy 5:11 You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave anyone unpunished who takes His name in vain.
Jeremiah 5:2 Although they say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’ they are swearing falsely.”
Jeremiah 5:9 Should I not punish them for these things?” declares the LORD. “Should I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?
Jeremiah 7:9 Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal, and follow other gods that you have not known,
Ezekiel 21:23 It will seem like a false omen to the eyes of those who have sworn allegiance to him, but it will draw attention to their guilt and take them captive.