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

Ezekiel 5:4 details a secondary, intensified stage of divine judgment against Judah/Jerusalem. From the very small group of inhabitants previously spared and protected (represented by the few hairs bound in Ezekiel's garment in v.3), a further, smaller portion is subjected to burning fire. This act symbolizes a deeper, pervasive purification or destruction that originates from or through this remnant, subsequently spreading its judgment to engulf all of Israel. It underscores that even a supposed "remnant" is not immune to God's refining judgment, and their failure or fate impacts the entire nation.

Ezekiel 5 4 Context

Ezekiel chapter 5 details a deeply symbolic act performed by the prophet, illustrating God's impending severe judgment upon Jerusalem. After shaving his head and beard as a sign of mourning and humiliation (an act of priestly profanity emphasizing desecration), Ezekiel divides the hair into three parts, each representing a third of Jerusalem's inhabitants facing distinct fates: death by pestilence/famine (burned in the city), death by sword (struck around the city), and exile/scattering (scattered by wind). Verse 3 introduces a small, seemingly positive counter-note: a few hairs are saved and bound in the folds of Ezekiel's garment, symbolizing a preserved remnant. However, Ezekiel 5:4 immediately clarifies and intensifies this picture: even from this small, protected group, a further few are to be cast into the fire and burned. This signifies an ultimate, pervasive judgment that penetrates even what was thought to be safe. Historically, this prophecy was fulfilled with the Babylonian siege and destruction of Jerusalem (587/586 BC), which resulted in famine, mass killings, and exile. The passage's historical context is the widespread apostasy, idolatry, and rebellion of Judah against the Lord, despite repeated warnings, justifying the comprehensive nature of the promised divine wrath.

Ezekiel 5 4 Word analysis

• From these (וּמֵהֶם - u-mehem): Literally "and from them." This connects directly to the "few hairs" saved in Ezekiel 5:3, indicating the subsequent action pertains to a subset of those already designated as a remnant or initially escaping the main calamities. It demonstrates God's penetrating judgment even among the seemingly preserved.
• again take a few (עוֹד מֵהֶם - 'od mehem): Translating as "yet from them," this phrase emphasizes a secondary, additional selection. It denotes taking an even smaller portion from those initially designated as a remnant. This highlights a heightened level of divine scrutiny and a refining process that goes deeper than the initial sifting, implying that initial sparing is not an absolute guarantee of permanent safety.
• and throw them (תַּשְׁלִיךְ - tashlikh): An active, intentional command for a decisive act of consignment. It denotes a deliberate placing into a determined fate.
• into the fire (בָּאֵשׁ - ba'esh): This is a direct reference to the fiery judgment. Esh is a common biblical metaphor for divine judgment, wrath, or purification, signifying total consumption and removal of impurities. Its appearance here confirms the severe, destructive aspect of God's action.
• and burn them (וְשָׂרַפְתָּ - v'sarafta): This verb (from sarap) reinforces the absolute nature of the destruction by fire. It emphasizes total consumption, leaving nothing but ashes or utter ruin.
• in the fire (בָּאֵשׁ - ba'esh): The repetition of "in the fire" ("ba'esh") adds emphatic force, stressing the thoroughness and inescapable nature of this judgment. It ensures the consuming power is fully understood.
• From there (מִשָּׁם - mishsham): Refers to the point of origin—the very spot where this selected "few" are being burned. It establishes the locus from which the broader judgment emanates or gains momentum.
• a fire will spread (תֵּצֵא אֵשׁ - tetse' esh): Literally "fire will go out" or "emerge fire." This signifies an expansive, unstoppable force emanating from this initial, focused act of burning. It conveys the idea of a contagious, widespread judgment.
• to all the house of Israel (אֶל כָּל-בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל - el kol-bet Yisra'el): This concluding phrase defines the ultimate scope of the judgment. It asserts that the judgment, though ignited by or exemplified by the destruction of a portion of the remnant, ultimately engulfs the entire nation. No part of "the house of Israel" will escape the impact, regardless of initial perceptions of safety.

Ezekiel 5 4 Bonus section

The progressive narrowing of hope in Ezekiel 5—from the nation facing comprehensive destruction (v.2), to a small remnant being preserved (v.3), and then to a part of that remnant also being consumed by fire (v.4)—is a highly effective literary device used by the prophet. This dramatic escalation underlines the depth of God's grief and holy indignation over Jerusalem's unrepentance. It systematically dismantles any notion of unconditional immunity or salvation by virtue of lineage or a mere demographic reduction, emphasizing instead the requirement for genuine fidelity. This intensive purification by fire aligns with biblical theology where fire not only destroys but refines, making plain the severity needed to address the nation's profound spiritual decay. The implication is that God is not content with a surface-level cleansing, but demands a deep, heart-level transformation that few will be willing or able to endure without severe consequence.

Ezekiel 5 4 Commentary

Ezekiel 5:4 delivers a powerful and somber message that intensifies the prophecy of judgment, crushing any lingering false hope for comprehensive escape. While a few from Judah's population were initially set aside and "preserved" as a remnant, this verse reveals that even from them, a further portion is thrown into the consuming fire. This secondary sifting demonstrates the absolute thoroughness of God's purification and wrath against Israel's pervasive sin, indicating that mere physical survival or inclusion in a remnant does not guarantee exemption from spiritual scrutiny and divine discipline. Moreover, the judgment igniting among this inner circle then spreads "to all the house of Israel." This portrays either that the catalyst for wider judgment comes from within the leadership or more privileged segments, or that the intensity of this refining fire serves as a sign or actual extension of judgment for the entire nation. It’s a vivid illustration that divine judgment, once fully unleashed, will leave no one ultimately untouched by its impact and demanding a complete purging.