Ezekiel 5 4

Ezekiel 5:4 kjv

Then take of them again, and cast them into the midst of the fire, and burn them in the fire; for thereof shall a fire come forth into all the house of Israel.

Ezekiel 5:4 nkjv

Then take some of them again and throw them into the midst of the fire, and burn them in the fire. From there a fire will go out into all the house of Israel.

Ezekiel 5:4 niv

Again, take a few of these and throw them into the fire and burn them up. A fire will spread from there to all Israel.

Ezekiel 5:4 esv

And of these again you shall take some and cast them into the midst of the fire and burn them in the fire. From there a fire will come out into all the house of Israel.

Ezekiel 5:4 nlt

Then take some of these hairs out and throw them into the fire, burning them up. A fire will then spread from this remnant and destroy all of Israel.

Ezekiel 5 verses

Ezekiel 5 4 Meaning

This verse describes a divinely ordained judgment upon Jerusalem and its inhabitants. The imagery signifies severe depletion and scattering, leaving behind a remnant that is also to be reduced. The specific details about dividing the hair and burning portions with fire emphasize the thoroughness and totality of the impending destruction and exile.

Ezekiel 5 4 Context

Ezekiel chapter 5 continues the prophetic oracle against Jerusalem, pronounced after the prophet has enacted symbolic actions in chapter 4. This specific verse, Ezekiel 5:4, follows Ezekiel's symbolic action of shaving his head and beard, representing a portion of Jerusalem's population. The overall context is God's severe judgment against Jerusalem for its deep-seated idolatry, moral corruption, and rejection of His covenant. This judgment is executed through the Babylonian invasion. The oracle addresses the rebellious house of Israel and God's covenant people who have defiled His sanctuary.

Ezekiel 5 4 Word analysis

• And: (וְ, ve) - A conjunction, linking this action to the previous one (shaving).

• thou: (אַתָּה, attah) - Second person masculine singular pronoun.

• shalt: (תַּעֲשִׂי, ta`aseh) - Future tense verb, "you will do" or "you shall do," indicating divine command and inevitability.

• take: (לָקַח, laqach) - To grasp, seize, take.

• a third part: (שְׁלִישִׁית, shǝliṣith) - One-third of a part. This signifies a significant but not total portion, indicating that a remnant will survive the initial devastation but still face judgment.

• and: (וְ, ve) - Conjunction.

• thou: (אַתָּה, attah) - Second person masculine singular pronoun.

• shalt: (תַּחֲתֶיהָ, taḥtêhah) - Here, it's a preposition "under it" referencing the hair, but grammatically it acts to continue the subject's action or relation. The phrase translates to "you shall put under it".

• cast: (נָתַן, nathan) - To give, put, place.

• it: (אוֹתָהּ, otah) - Direct object, feminine singular, referring to the third part of the hair.

• in: (בְּ, bə) - Preposition indicating location or means.

• the midst: (תוֹךְ, tok) - Interior, midst, center.

• of: (of) - Implied by the construct state or simply connecting the "midst" to the city.

• the fire: (הָאֵשׁ, ha'esh) - The fire.

• and: (וְ, ve) - Conjunction.

• when: (כַּאֲשֶׁר, ka'asher) - When, as.

• the days: (יְמֵי, yǝmey) - Days, period of time.

• of (of) - Construct state.

• the judgment: (הַמִּשְׁפָּט, hamishpat) - The judgment, the sentence, the justice.

• are fulfilled: (כָּלּוּ, kallu) - Are finished, are accomplished, are completed.

• then: (אָז, az) - At that time, then.

• thou: (אַתָּה, attah) - Second person masculine singular pronoun.

• shalt: (תַּעֲשִׂי, ta`aseh) - Future tense verb, "you will do."

• take: (לָקַח, laqach) - To grasp, seize, take.

• the other (בַּשְּׁלִשִׁית, bashǝliṣith) - In the third part, or "another third part".

• third part: (שְׁלִישִׁית, shǝliṣith) - One-third.

• into (בְּ, bə) - Preposition indicating location or means.

• the fire: (הָאֵשׁ, ha'esh) - The fire.

• and: (וְ, ve) - Conjunction.

• scatter: (פּוּץ, putz) - To spread abroad, scatter, disperse.

• the third (הַשְּׁלִשִׁית, hashǝliṣith) - The third part.

• part: (שְׁלִישִׁית, shǝliṣith) - A portion, a third.

• unto: (אֶל, el) - To, towards.

• the wind: (הָרוּחַ, haruach) - The wind, the spirit.

• and: (וְ, ve) - Conjunction.

• I will (וַאֲנִי, wǝ'ani) - And I.

• draw (לְהָרִיק, ləharîq) - To empty, to draw out.

• out (לְהָרִיק, ləharîq) - Part of the idiom for drawing out or emptying.

• the sword: (חֶרֶב, ḥereḇ) - Sword.

• after them: (אַחֲרֵיהֶם, aḥărêhem) - Behind them, following them.

• Three-thirds and divine action: The division of the hair into three parts (one for the fire within the city, one for the sword outside, one for the wind scattered abroad) represents a complete scattering and destruction of Jerusalem's people.

• The fulfillment of judgment days: The phrase "when the days of the judgment are fulfilled" signifies God's perfect timing for executing His sentence upon sin and rebellion.

• Total scattering: The scattering to the wind emphasizes a complete dispersion, meaning they will have no safe haven.

• Sword drawing: The drawing of the sword afterward signifies that even those who survive the initial scattering will face further tribulation and death.

Ezekiel 5 4 Bonus section

The symbolic actions in Ezekiel 5 are visual preaching. God commanded Ezekiel to be his spokesperson, and that included dramatic acts. This was essential because many of Israel's leaders and people were spiritually blind, having turned to idolatry. Ezekiel's actions made the prophecies more tangible and impactful. The division into thirds also reflects a pattern of judgment seen elsewhere in Scripture, often signifying totality. For instance, in Zechariah 13:8-9, the Lord speaks of two-thirds of the land being cut off and a third being refined. The use of "wind" (ruach) can also carry spiritual implications, as it’s the same word for "spirit," highlighting the unseen divine agency at work in scattering.

Ezekiel 5 4 Commentary

The verse continues the powerful symbolic actions Ezekiel must perform, mirroring the divine judgment that will fall upon Jerusalem. The intentional division of the shaved hair into three portions signifies the comprehensive nature of God's punishment for the city's transgressions.

The first third cast into the fire in the midst of the city represents those consumed by the internal strife, siege, and final conflagration of Jerusalem itself.

The second third, to be cut by the sword all around, symbolizes the fierce battles and deaths faced by those who try to escape or fight within and around the city's boundaries.

The final third, to be scattered to the wind, illustrates the utter dispersion and exile of the remaining population. This scattering implies they will have no fixed dwelling, no national identity left, swept away by forces beyond their control.

The appended statement, "I will draw out the sword after them," underscores that God’s judgment is relentless and far-reaching. It means that even those who are scattered and seemingly escape the initial catastrophe will eventually be hunted down and destroyed by the sword of the conqueror (Babylon). This conveys a sense of unavoidable doom; nowhere would be safe from God’s disciplinary action.