Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version And you will do as I have done. You will not cover your mustache and beard or eat the customary food of mourners. New Living Translation Then you will do as Ezekiel has done. You will not mourn in public or console yourselves by eating the food brought by friends. English Standard Version And you shall do as I have done; you shall not cover your lips, nor eat the bread of men. Berean Standard Bible Then you will do as I have done: You will not cover your lips or eat the bread of mourners. Berean Literal Bible And you⁺ will do as I have done: Upon the lip you⁺ shall not put a wrap, and bread of men you⁺ shall not eat; King James Bible And ye shall do as I have done: ye shall not cover your lips, nor eat the bread of men. New King James Version And you shall do as I have done; you shall not cover your lips nor eat man’s bread of sorrow. New American Standard Bible And you will do just as I have done; you will not cover your mustache, and you will not eat the bread of other people. NASB 1995 You will do as I have done; you will not cover your mustache and you will not eat the bread of men. NASB 1977 ‘And you will do as I have done; you will not cover your mustache, and you will not eat the bread of men. Legacy Standard Bible And you will do as I have done; you will not cover your mustache, and you will not eat the bread of men. Amplified Bible You will do as I [Ezekiel] have done; you shall not cover your mustache nor eat the bread of [mourning brought to you by other] men. Berean Annotated Bible Then you⁺ will do as I have done: You⁺ will not cover your⁺ lips or eat the bread of mourners. Christian Standard Bible Then you will do just as I have done: You will not cover your mustache or eat the bread of mourners. Holman Christian Standard Bible Then you will do just as I have done: You will not cover your mustache or eat the bread of mourners. American Standard Version And ye shall do as I have done: ye shall not cover your lips, nor eat the bread of men. Contemporary English Version Then you will do the same things I have done. You will leave your face uncovered and refuse to eat the food that mourners usually eat. English Revised Version And ye shall do as I have done: ye shall not cover your lips, nor eat the bread of men. GOD'S WORD® Translation Then you must do as I did. Don't cover your faces or eat the food that mourners eat. Good News Translation Then you will do what I have done. You will not cover your faces or eat the food that mourners eat. International Standard Version That's why you will soon be doing what I've just done. You are not to cover your mouth or eat what your comforters bring to you. NET Bible Then you will do as I have done: You will not cover your lip or eat food brought by others. New Heart English Bible You shall do as I have done: you shall not cover your lips, nor eat the bread of men. Webster's Bible Translation And ye shall do as I have done: ye shall not cover your lips, nor eat the bread of men. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen you will do as I have done: You will not cover your lips or eat the bread of mourners. World English Bible You will do as I have done. You won’t cover your lips or eat mourner’s bread. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd you have done as I have done, "" You have not covered over the upper lip, "" And you do not eat [the] bread of men. Berean Literal Bible And you⁺ will do as I have done: Upon the lip you⁺ shall not put a wrap, and bread of men you⁺ shall not eat; Young's Literal Translation And ye have done as I have done, On the upper lip ye are not covered, And bread of men ye do not eat. Smith's Literal Translation And ye did as I did: ye shall not cover over your mustachios, and the bread of men ye shall not eat. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd you shall do as I have done: you shall not cover your faces, nor shall you eat the meat of mourners. Catholic Public Domain Version And so, you shall do just as I have done. You shall not cover your faces, and you shall not eat the food of those who mourn. New American Bible Then you shall do as I have done, not covering your beards nor eating the bread of mourning. New Revised Standard Version And you shall do as I have done; you shall not cover your upper lip or eat the bread of mourners. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd you shall do as I have done; you shall not cover your lips nor shall you eat the bread provided for mourners. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And you shall do as I have done, and you shall cover your lips, and the bread of the children of men you shall not eat OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And ye shall do as I have done: ye shall not cover your upper lips, nor eat the bread of men; Brenton Septuagint Translation And ye shall do as I have done: ye shall not be comforted at their mouth, and ye shall not eat the bread of men. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Ezekiel's Wife Dies…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.… Cross References Then you will do as I have done: Ezekiel 12:11 You are to say, ‘I am a sign to you.’ Just as it happened here, so will it be done to them; they will go into exile as captives. Isaiah 20:3 Then the LORD said, “Just as My servant Isaiah has gone naked and barefoot for three years as a sign and omen against Egypt and Cush, You will not cover your lips Leviticus 13:45 A diseased person must wear torn clothes and let his hair hang loose, and he must cover his mouth and cry out, ‘Unclean, unclean!’ Micah 3:7 Then the seers will be ashamed and the diviners will be disgraced. They will all cover their mouths because there is no answer from God.” or eat the bread of mourners. Hosea 9:4 They will not pour out wine offerings to the LORD, and their sacrifices will not please Him, but will be to them like the bread of mourners; all who eat will be defiled. For their bread will be for themselves; it will not enter the house of the LORD. Psalm 80:5 You fed them with the bread of tears and made them drink the full measure of their tears. Deuteronomy 26:14 I have not eaten any of the sacred portion while in mourning, or removed any of it while unclean, or offered any of it for the dead. I have obeyed the LORD my God; I have done everything You commanded me. Jeremiah 16:6-7 “Both great and small will die in this land. They will not be buried or mourned, nor will anyone cut himself or shave his head for them. / No food will be offered to comfort those who mourn the dead; not even a cup of consolation will be given for the loss of a father or mother. Leviticus 10:6-7 Then Moses said to Aaron and his sons Eleazar and Ithamar, “Do not let your hair become disheveled and do not tear your garments, or else you will die, and the LORD will be angry with the whole congregation. But your brothers, the whole house of Israel, may mourn on account of the fire that the LORD has ignited. / You shall not go outside the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, or you will die, for the LORD’s anointing oil is on you.” So they did as Moses instructed. 2 Samuel 15:30 But David continued up the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went up. His head was covered, and he was walking barefoot. And all the people with him covered their heads and went up, weeping as they went. Isaiah 20:2-4 the LORD had already spoken through Isaiah son of Amoz, saying, “Go, remove the sackcloth from your waist and the sandals from your feet.” And Isaiah did so, walking around naked and barefoot. / Then the LORD said, “Just as My servant Isaiah has gone naked and barefoot for three years as a sign and omen against Egypt and Cush, / so the king of Assyria will lead away the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Cush, young and old alike, naked and barefoot, with bared buttocks—to Egypt’s shame. Jeremiah 47:5 The people of Gaza will shave their heads in mourning; Ashkelon will be silenced. O remnant of their valley, how long will you gash yourself? Micah 1:8 Because of this I will lament and wail; I will walk barefoot and naked. I will howl like a jackal and mourn like an ostrich. Amos 8:10 I will turn your feasts into mourning and all your songs into lamentation. I will cause everyone to wear sackcloth and every head to be shaved. I will make it like a time of mourning for an only son, and its outcome like a bitter day. Job 1:20 Then Job stood up, tore his robe, and shaved his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped, Lamentations 2:10 The elders of the Daughter of Zion sit on the ground in silence. They have thrown dust on their heads and put on sackcloth. The young women of Jerusalem have bowed their heads to the ground. Treasury of Scripture And you shall do as I have done: you shall not cover your lips, nor eat the bread of men. Ezekiel 24:16,17 Son of man, behold, I take away from thee the desire of thine eyes with a stroke: yet neither shalt thou mourn nor weep, neither shall thy tears run down… Job 27:15 Those that remain of him shall be buried in death: and his widows shall not weep. Psalm 78:64 Their priests fell by the sword; and their widows made no lamentation. Jump to Previous Beard Bread Cover Covered Covering Customary Eat Face Food Grief Lips Mourners Mustache Part UpperJump to Next Beard Bread Cover Covered Covering Customary Eat Face Food Grief Lips Mourners Mustache Part UpperEzekiel 24 1. Under the parable of a boiling pot6. is shown the irrevocable destruction of Jerusalem 15. By the sign of Ezekiel not mourning for the death of his wife 19. is shown the calamity of the Jews to be beyond all sorrow Then you will do as I have done: This phrase refers to the actions of Ezekiel, who was commanded by God to act as a sign to the people of Israel. Ezekiel's actions were often symbolic, serving as a living parable to convey God's messages. In this context, God instructed Ezekiel not to mourn publicly for his deceased wife, symbolizing the coming judgment on Jerusalem and the Temple, where traditional mourning would be inappropriate due to the severity of the calamity. This reflects the prophetic role of Ezekiel, where his life and actions were used to communicate divine truths. You will not cover your lips: or eat the bread of mourners: Persons / Places / Events 1. EzekielA prophet of God, called to deliver messages of judgment and hope to the Israelites during their Babylonian exile. 2. Israelites The people of God who are in exile due to their disobedience and idolatry. 3. Babylonian Exile The period when the Israelites were taken captive by Babylon, serving as a backdrop for Ezekiel's prophecies. 4. Jerusalem The city whose impending destruction is being prophesied by Ezekiel. 5. God The sovereign Lord who communicates His will and judgment through the prophet Ezekiel. Teaching Points Understanding Divine JudgmentGod's instructions to Ezekiel symbolize the severity of His judgment. The absence of traditional mourning signifies the depth of the calamity that has befallen Jerusalem. Obedience in Difficult Times Ezekiel's actions demonstrate obedience to God even when it defies cultural norms. Believers are called to prioritize God's commands over societal expectations. The Role of a Prophet Ezekiel's life serves as a living message to the people. Christians are reminded that their lives should reflect God's truth and serve as a testimony to others. Hope Beyond Judgment While the immediate context is one of judgment, the broader account of Ezekiel includes promises of restoration. Believers can find hope in God's ultimate plan for redemption. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Ezekiel 24:22?2. How does Ezekiel 24:22 illustrate God's call for repentance and reflection? 3. What actions are believers encouraged to take in Ezekiel 24:22? 4. How does Ezekiel 24:22 connect with themes of mourning in other scriptures? 5. How can we apply the lessons of Ezekiel 24:22 in our daily lives? 6. What does "do as I have done" in Ezekiel 24:22 mean for Christians today? 7. What is the significance of Ezekiel 24:22 in the context of God's judgment on Jerusalem? 8. How does Ezekiel 24:22 reflect the theme of divine retribution in the Bible? 9. Why does God command such a response in Ezekiel 24:22 during a time of mourning? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 24? 11. What did Jesus mean by 'This is My Body'? 12. What did Jesus mean by 'new covenant in my blood'? 13. Does the command to remain silent in Ezekiel 24:24–27 conflict with other biblical instructions on mourning or expressions of grief? 14. Are there any archaeological findings that confirm the severe judgments (famine, wild beasts, sword, plague) predicted in Ezekiel 14:13-21? What Does Ezekiel 24:22 Mean Then you will do as I have doneEzekiel reported in 24:24, “Ezekiel will be a sign to you; you will do just as he has done.” The Lord had taken the prophet’s beloved wife “with a stroke” (24:16), yet Ezekiel obeyed the command to show no outward grief. In verse 22 God extends that acted-out sermon to the exiles: when Jerusalem falls and the temple burns, they are to mirror Ezekiel’s strange restraint. • The instruction is literal—an actual behavior God requires, not merely symbolic. • It underlines the certainty of judgment. Just as Ezekiel obeyed immediately, the people’s future reaction to Jerusalem’s ruin is a fixed part of God’s plan (cf. Isaiah 46:10). • The command also highlights divine sovereignty: God may direct every detail of His servants’ conduct, even grief, to communicate His truth (cf. Hosea 1:2). You will not cover your lips “Covering the lips” (or mustache) was a customary sign of mourning and humiliation (Leviticus 13:45; Micah 3:7). God tells the exiles to refrain from that visible emblem. • By withholding the usual sign, the Lord demonstrates that the upcoming catastrophe is deserved; it is not a tragedy to be pitied but a righteous sentence to be acknowledged (Jeremiah 7:16). • The absence of mourning rites signals spiritual numbness. Sin has dulled their capacity to lament, fulfilling Psalm 32:4’s picture of strength drained away under divine hand. • It echoes earlier prophetic warnings that typical funeral gestures would cease because so many corpses would lie unburied (Jeremiah 25:33). Or eat the bread of mourners Neighbors customarily brought food to a bereaved household, “bread of consolation” (Jeremiah 16:7). God forbids that practice here. • Refusing communal comfort underscores isolation from covenant blessings (Hosea 9:4). They had spurned God’s table; now no one will bring them sustenance. • It also removes any illusion that simple sympathy can erase guilt. Only repentance restores fellowship (Isaiah 55:7). • The command foreshadows the famine conditions surrounding Jerusalem’s siege (Ezekiel 4:16-17), where even basic bread would be scarce. summary Ezekiel 24:22 orders the exiles to imitate the prophet’s restrained response to personal loss: skip the normal signs and meals of mourning. Literally enacted, this directive teaches that Jerusalem’s destruction is God’s just judgment, leaving no room for self-pity. By withholding traditional mourning rites—covering the lips and receiving the bread of mourners—God exposes hardened hearts, asserts His sovereignty, and calls His people to sober recognition of their sin rather than sentimental consolation. Hebrew Then you will doוַעֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם (wa·‘ă·śî·ṯem) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 6213: To do, make as כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר (ka·’ă·šer) Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that I have done: עָשִׂ֑יתִי (‘ā·śî·ṯî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 6213: To do, make You will not לֹ֣א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no cover תַעְט֔וּ (ṯa‘·ṭū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 5844: To wrap oneself, enwrap, envelop oneself [your] lips שָׂפָם֙ (śā·p̄ām) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 8222: The beard or eat תֹאכֵֽלוּ׃ (ṯō·ḵê·lū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 398: To eat the bread וְלֶ֥חֶם (wə·le·ḥem) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3899: Food, bread, grain of mourners. אֲנָשִׁ֖ים (’ă·nā·šîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person Links Ezekiel 24:22 NIVEzekiel 24:22 NLT Ezekiel 24:22 ESV Ezekiel 24:22 NASB Ezekiel 24:22 KJV Ezekiel 24:22 BibleApps.com Ezekiel 24:22 Biblia Paralela Ezekiel 24:22 Chinese Bible Ezekiel 24:22 French Bible Ezekiel 24:22 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Ezekiel 24:22 You shall do as I have done: (Ezek. 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