Ezekiel 5 3

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 verses

Ezekiel 5 3 meaning

Ezekiel 5:3 describes a prophetic action where Ezekiel is instructed by God to take a small portion of the cut hair, representing the people of Jerusalem, and bind them securely within the folds of his garment. This act symbolizes God's preservation of a small remnant of His people, setting them apart and protecting them from the impending judgment and destruction that will befall the majority of Jerusalem's inhabitants. It signifies hope for a future generation amidst widespread devastation.

Ezekiel 5 3 Context

Ezekiel 5:3 is part of a series of highly symbolic actions commanded by God to the prophet Ezekiel, designed to graphically illustrate the impending severe judgment upon Jerusalem and its inhabitants. The chapter begins with Ezekiel shaving his hair and beard, dividing the hairs into three portions (one-third burned, one-third struck with a sword, one-third scattered to the wind), representing the varying fates of the people through plague, famine, war, and dispersion. Within this context of devastating judgment, verse 3 introduces a distinct and crucial element: the preservation of a small portion. The original audience, Babylonian exiles (around 593-586 BC), likely clung to a false hope that God would never allow His holy city to fall (Jer 7:4, Mic 3:11). Ezekiel's prophecy served as a stark refutation of this complacency, emphasizing that God's justice demanded punishment for idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness. However, the instruction to preserve a few hairs offers a polemic against utter despair, asserting that even in judgment, God maintains His covenant faithfulness by preserving a chosen remnant for a future hope and restoration.

Ezekiel 5 3 Word analysis

• You (וְאַתָּ֣ה - ve'attah): This is a direct, emphatic second-person singular pronoun referring to Ezekiel. It underscores the prophet's personal involvement and obedience in enacting God's symbolic message, making him a visible messenger of divine action and will.
• are to take (תִּקַּ֗ח - tiqqach): A jussive form of the verb לָקַח (laqach), meaning "to take, receive, seize." It indicates a command or instruction from God to Ezekiel. The act of "taking" here implies a deliberate selection and appropriation, not a casual or accidental acquisition.
• a few of them (מֵהֶם מִסְפָּר֙ - mehem mispar): Literally "from them a number." This phrase emphasizes the small, limited quantity compared to the vast majority that would face destruction. The "number" (מִסְפָּר) here suggests a definite, chosen portion, rather than a random handful. It signifies the principle of the remnant – a small, divinely designated group spared from judgment.
• and tie them (וְצַרְתָּ֥ - vetzarta): From the verb צָרַר (tzarar), meaning "to bind, tie up, enclose, be in straits." Here, it specifically means to secure or fasten. This action denotes careful preservation and protection, indicating that these few hairs (people) are not just separated but actively secured and safeguarded from external harm, highlighting God's active involvement in their preservation.
• in the folds (בִּכְנָפֶ֙יךָ֙ - biknopheykha): From כָּנָף (kanaph), meaning "wing, edge, skirt, corner, fold." Here, it refers to the border or fold of a garment, often metaphorically associated with protection, shelter, and security (cf. Ps 17:8; 36:7). To place something "under the kanaph" implies offering protection and care, much like a bird shelters its young under its wings or a person offers protection by covering someone with their cloak.
• of your garment (בִּגְדֶֽךָ - bigdekha): Refers to Ezekiel's own clothing, likely the outer robe. This personalizes the protective act, making Ezekiel the visible instrument of God's preserving hand. It symbolizes that God’s covenantal care for the remnant is tangible and secure, kept close and distinct from the surrounding desolation.

• a few of them and tie them: This phrase powerfully contrasts the previous acts of judgment (burning, striking, scattering) with an act of careful preservation. It demonstrates divine selectivity: while the majority face wrath, a chosen minority receives special, protective attention, ensuring their survival.
• in the folds of your garment: This entire phrase forms a vivid picture of secure custody and protective shelter. It underscores the intimate and personal nature of God's care for His remnant. They are not merely spared; they are drawn into a place of safety and held close, signifying covenant faithfulness even in the midst of divine judgment. This protective action sets the stage for future restoration and continuity.

Ezekiel 5 3 Bonus section

The concept of the "remnant" is foundational to biblical theology, illustrating God's sovereignty and His unwavering commitment to His covenant. Ezekiel 5:3 shows this principle actively at play. While the initial "scattering" (verse 2) might suggest utter annihilation, the preservation of the few indicates that judgment is never God's final word. This preserved remnant is not saved due to their own merit but by God's grace and divine purpose. Their survival is essential for the future fulfillment of God's promises, culminating ultimately in the New Testament with a spiritual remnant and the final, global people of God. The physical act for Ezekiel would have made this theological truth profoundly clear and visually impactful to an audience facing the deepest despair over the apparent end of their nation.

Ezekiel 5 3 Commentary

Ezekiel 5:3 is a poignant interlude of divine mercy within a passage primarily focused on severe judgment against Jerusalem. After depicting the overwhelming destruction to come, God instructs Ezekiel to physically demonstrate a vital aspect of His character: the preservation of a remnant. The act of carefully tying a few hairs in the folds of his garment symbolizes God's selective hand in saving a small portion of His people. This preserved group, though tiny in comparison to the judged majority, represents the continuation of God's covenant and His plan. It signifies that even when His justice demands widespread judgment, His faithfulness ensures a seed of hope, a people through whom His promises will endure. This act points to future restoration and the unbroken continuity of God’s redemptive work, despite profound unfaithfulness and dire consequences.