Ezekiel 7:16 Meaning and Explanation
“But they that escape of them shall escape, and shall be on the mountains like doves of the valleys, all of them mourning, every one for his iniquity.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A few will survive and flee to the mountains, but they will live as mournful fugitives.
The Context of Ezekiel 7:16
God shows that even the survivors will live as mourning fugitives.
What Does Ezekiel 7:16 Mean?
The survivors who escape are not victors or the fortunate few—they are scattered, isolated fugitives on mountains, compared to doves. Doves in biblical poetry often symbolize innocence and vulnerability, yet here they mourn. This captures the survivors' tragic state: alive but bereft, broken.
Each mourns 'for his iniquity'—not in a communal lament but in individual grief and guilt. Survival brings not relief but lonely acknowledgment of personal guilt and loss. The sense of desolation is complete.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ezekiel 7:16
What does Ezekiel 7:16 mean?
A few will survive and flee to the mountains, but they will live as mournful fugitives.
What is the context of Ezekiel 7:16?
God shows that even the survivors will live as mourning fugitives.