And you, son of man: God continues the prophecy here by focusing attention again on Ezekiel (compare 3.25). For son of man, see Ezek 24.2.

On the day when I take from them their stronghold: In Hebrew this clause begins with a particle that is literally “Is it not [the case that]” (similarly King James Version / New King James Version, New American Standard Bible). This particle introduces a rhetorical question that continues to the end of verse 26. Some translations take this particle as little more than a focusing or emphatic particle; for example, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh renders it “take note,” New Century Version has “this is how it will be,” and New American Bible says “truly.” However, most just translate verses 25-26 as a strong positive statement. Both approaches are acceptable.

On the day when I take from them their stronghold refers to the day that God will “destroy the Temple” (Contemporary English Version). The Temple was their stronghold, a fortress where the people were safe (compare “the pride of your power” in verse 21). If there is no word for stronghold or “fortress” in a language, translators may use a descriptive phrase, such as “the place they built to be safe.”

Their joy and glory means the people were very proud of the Temple. They boasted about it and were happy to see and visit it. Good News Translation and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh say “their pride and joy,” and International Children’s Bible has “It makes them happy and proud.”

The delight of their eyes: See verses 16 and 21.

And their heart’s desire is literally “and the lifting of their soul.” Some translations take the Hebrew phrase here as identical with the one rendered “the desire of your soul” in verse 21 (so Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible). However, it focuses on the Temple as the object of the people’s desire and affection, the place they loved and really wanted to be at again. New Living Translation renders their heart’s desire as “their dearest treasure.” Another good model is “the place that is most important to them.”

And also their sons and daughters: This phrase completes the same personal tragedy described in verse 21 (see the comments there). The connection needs to be made clear, and translators may use a new sentence if necessary, for example, “I will also take away from them their sons and daughters [or, children].”

There are hints in the Hebrew that the meaning of the list in this verse is more subtle than it seems at first. The third and fourth phrases (the delight of their eyes and their heart’s desire) are not connected to the previous phrases by a conjunction. This gives the impression of a slight break in sense, although they can still refer back to the Temple. But when the fifth phrase (their sons and daughters) is also added without a conjunction (and also is not in Hebrew), it makes the sense of the two previous phrases ambiguous—they may refer back to the Temple, but they may also refer forward to the children. It is very difficult to reflect this in translation, but any attempt to do so is likely to be well rewarded. For a model of this verse see the discussion on verse 27.

Quoted with permission from Gross, Carl & Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Ezekiel. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .