Ezekiel 5:3 kjv
Thou shalt also take thereof a few in number, and bind them in thy skirts.
Ezekiel 5:3 nkjv
You shall also take a small number of them and bind them in the edge of your garment.
Ezekiel 5:3 niv
But take a few hairs and tuck them away in the folds of your garment.
Ezekiel 5:3 esv
And you shall take from these a small number and bind them in the skirts of your robe.
Ezekiel 5:3 nlt
Keep just a bit of the hair and tie it up in your robe.
Ezekiel 5 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 5:2 | "...a third part of thee shall die with the pestilence, and with famine shall they be consumed..." | Strong judgment and dispersion |
| Ezekiel 5:4 | "Take ye also unto them small pieces, and cause them to fall upon the fire." | Symbolism of destruction by fire |
| Isaiah 6:11 | "Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant..." | Prophecy of desolation |
| Jeremiah 15:2 | "And it shall come to pass, if they say unto thee, Whither shall we go forth? then thou shalt tell them..." | Command to prophesy destruction |
| Jeremiah 44:14 | "So shall none of them escape nor remain; for evil will I bring upon them, even their visitation, saith the LORD." | Divine retribution for disobedience |
| Luke 21:24 | "And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and be led captive into all the nations..." | Jesus' prophecy of Jerusalem's destruction |
| Deuteronomy 28:64 | "And the LORD shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other..." | Consequence of breaking the covenant |
| Leviticus 26:33 | "And I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you..." | Further emphasis on scattering by the sword |
| Psalm 1:4 | "The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away." | Imagery of scattering and ungodliness |
| Zechariah 7:14 | "But I will scatter them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they have not known." | Prophecy of dispersal |
| Revelation 6:8 | "And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed him." | Imagery of death and destruction |
| Isaiah 5:25 | "And his anger shall be kindled against them, and his hand stretched out against them, and smitten them..." | God's wrath against His people |
| 2 Kings 19:35 | "And it came to pass on that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand..." | Divine judgment on an enemy army |
| Nahum 3:12 | "All thine fortresses shall be like fig trees with the first ripe figs: if they be shaken, they shall even fall into the mouth of the eater." | Imagery of easy destruction |
| Jeremiah 51:20 | "Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations..." | God using nations as instruments of judgment |
| Acts 1:17 | "For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry." | Context of Judas' betrayal and downfall |
| Proverbs 11:31 | "Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner." | Justice and consequences on earth |
| Psalm 107:40 | "He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way." | God humbling the proud and scattering them |
| Hosea 5:14 | "For I will be unto Ephraim as a lion, and as it were a young lion to the house of Judah: I, even I, will tear and go away; he shall take away, and none shall rescue him." | God as the ultimate aggressor of judgment |
| Micah 5:10 | "And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD, that I will cut off thy horses out of the midst of thee, and will destroy thy chariots;" | Removal of instruments of war and safety |
Ezekiel 5 verses
Ezekiel 5 3 Meaning
This verse signifies a definitive separation and scattering. It depicts a third of the population being consumed by fire or sword, another third falling by famine, and the remaining third being dispersed to all winds. This threefold judgment targets the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
Ezekiel 5 3 Context
Ezekiel 5:3 is part of a symbolic prophecy delivered by Ezekiel to the people of Judah, specifically the inhabitants of Jerusalem. In the historical context of the early 6th century BCE, Jerusalem was facing impending Babylonian conquest and destruction. Ezekiel's prophecies often used dramatic imagery and symbolic actions to convey God's judgment against Israel's persistent idolatry and disobedience. The prophecy of cutting and scattering the hair illustrates the thoroughness and extent of the impending devastation. This includes famine, pestilence (death), and violent overthrow by enemies, leading to their dispersion among the nations.
Ezekiel 5 3 Word Analysis
- "and thou": Emphasizes the direct address to Jerusalem or its people.
- "wilt take": Indicates an active, deliberate action by God.
- "a small number": Refers to a remnant, but not in a positive sense; it signifies the few who might survive the initial onslaught.
- "of them": Refers back to the people, the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
- "and when": Connects the action of taking a small number to the next part of the prophecy.
- "it shall be put": Suggests that the remaining remnant will be contained or protected.
- "in thy skirts": This phrase uses imagery of a garment's hem or fold, suggesting a limited or superficial protection, not a true safe haven.
- "and when of them": A shift to consider the larger portion of the population not in the "skirts."
- "thou shalt burn": Introduces the element of fiery destruction, representing intense judgment or war.
- "some of them": Refers to a portion of the remaining people.
- "in the midst of it with": Denotes that the fire will be amidst the city, indicating it will not be spared.
- "fire": Symbolizes divine wrath, purification, and judgment, often associated with warfare.
- "and when of them": Further segmentation of the populace, describing another group.
- "thou shalt burn": Repetition reinforces the intensity of the coming judgment.
- "in the midst of it with": The judgment is within the city.
- "the sword": Represents conquest, slaughter, and violent opposition.
- "and burn": Continued emphasis on destruction by fire.
- "the third part": Clearly delineates a third of the population that will perish by fire and sword.
- "in the midst of the city": Specifies the location of this intense destruction.
- "when the days": Refers to the completion of the siege and judgment.
- "of thy siege are fulfilled": Marks the end of the period of intense pressure and conflict upon the city.
- "then shalt thou take": The action taken after the fulfillment of the siege.
- "the remnant": The portion left after the fiery and sword judgments.
- "of them": The surviving remnant.
- "and divide": Indicates a subsequent division and distribution.
- "them among all": Suggests a widespread dispersal.
- "the winds": Symbolizes being scattered to all directions and nations, meaning complete dispersion.
- "and I will": Indicates God's direct involvement in this scattering.
- "draw out": Suggests an active and purposeful drawing away.
- "the sword": Here, it signifies being put to the sword after scattering, or being vulnerable to it during dispersal.
Ezekiel 5 3 Bonus Section
The number "three" is significant throughout scripture, often representing completeness or totality. Here, the division into thirds emphasizes that all segments of Jerusalem's population will face divine judgment in different ways. The phrase "skirts" carries connotations of both a covering and an outer edge, suggesting those in the skirts of Jerusalem might be a small, protected group or simply those on the periphery who will still face significant danger. The scattering "to all the winds" is a common prophetic idiom for utter dispersal and exile, stripping the people of their homeland and identity. This verse directly connects to Jesus' lament over Jerusalem in Luke 13:34-35 and his prophecies in Matthew 24 and Mark 13 regarding its destruction.
Ezekiel 5 3 Commentary
Ezekiel 5:3 outlines a tripartite judgment for Jerusalem. A remnant will be preserved superficially in the "skirts" of Jerusalem, signifying a token survival. The larger portion will be divided into two thirds: one third to be consumed by fire and sword within the city, representing those who perish in the final siege, likely by battle and burning. The remaining third, the final portion of the population, will be scattered to the four winds, symbolizing a comprehensive exile and dispersion among all nations. This severe and complete judgment underscores the dire consequences of Israel's continued rebellion and idolatry, portraying God's absolute authority and justice. The imagery evokes total devastation, leaving no part of the population unaffected by judgment.