Ezekiel 6 5

Ezekiel 6:5 kjv

And I will lay the dead carcases of the children of Israel before their idols; and I will scatter your bones round about your altars.

Ezekiel 6:5 nkjv

And I will lay the corpses of the children of Israel before their idols, and I will scatter your bones all around your altars.

Ezekiel 6:5 niv

I will lay the dead bodies of the Israelites in front of their idols, and I will scatter your bones around your altars.

Ezekiel 6:5 esv

And I will lay the dead bodies of the people of Israel before their idols, and I will scatter your bones around your altars.

Ezekiel 6:5 nlt

I will lay your corpses in front of your idols and scatter your bones around your altars.

Ezekiel 6 verses

Ezekiel 6 5 Meaning

The verse describes the consequence of idolatry and unfaithfulness to God. The "wood" and "stone" symbolize the lifeless idols the Israelites worshiped, which will be destroyed. The "stumps" and "carcasses" refer to the remnants of these false religious practices and the people themselves, indicating the comprehensive nature of the judgment. The phrase "My face shall I turn" signifies God’s active withdrawal of favor and presence from His people.

Ezekiel 6 5 Context

This verse is part of Ezekiel's prophecy of judgment against the mountains of Israel, a symbolic representation of the land and its people. Chapters 4-14 of Ezekiel detail various visions and judgments pronounced because of Israel's pervasive idolatry and sins. Chapter 6 specifically addresses the devastation that will come upon the mountains of Israel as a consequence of their worship of foreign gods and the desecration of holy sites. The prophecy is delivered during the Babylonian exile, emphasizing the finality of God's judgment on Judah for its persistent unfaithfulness.

Ezekiel 6 5 Word Analysis

• And (וְ - wə): A conjunctive particle, linking this clause to the preceding statement of destruction.
• upon (עַל - ʿal): Indicates placement or a cause. Here, it means destruction will fall upon the idols.
• the (הָ - hā): The definite article.
• high (בָּמֳת - bamot): Refers to the high places, often used for Canaanite or syncretistic worship.
• mountains (הַר — har): While typically referring to literal mountains, here it represents the locations of worship and possibly the entire land itself.
• shall be (תִּהְיֶ֣ - tihyeh): Future tense of "to be."
• made (וְנִצְמְדוּ֙ - wəniṣmədū): "Be cut off," "be cleaved," or "be severed." Refers to destruction and severance from their places.
• trees (עֵ — ʿe): Often a poetic reference to living trees, here representing the poles or sacred groves associated with idol worship.
• and (וְ — wə): Conjunction.
• thick (צָפ — tzāf): "Dense," "thickly planted," referring to trees or bushes, symbolizing the thoroughness of the destruction of these sites.
• forest (יָעַ — yaʿar): A wooded area.
• and (וְ — wə): Conjunction.
• it (הֵ֚ - hēm): Pronoun for "they" (plural, referring to the high places, trees, and forest).
• shall be (יִתְעָ֣ - yitʿa): "Shall be felled," "cut down."
• felled (עָלִ — aʿali): Root related to falling or cutting.
• and (וְ — wə): Conjunction.
• when (כִּֽי־ - kī): Temporal conjunction.
• I (אָנִ — anoki): Pronoun, "I."
• am (נִ — ni): Copula.
• with (אֶתְהֶ — ethem): Preposition, "with" or "against."
• you (חֶם — ḥem): Second person plural pronoun, "you."
• and (וּפָנַ — ufana): "And shall turn."
• I (עַ — ʿa): Pronoun, "I."
• will (י — i): Copula.
• turn (נְ — na): "Face."
• my (פָּ — pa): Possessive suffix.
• face (נִי — nī): "My face."
• against (לָ — la): Preposition, "to," "against," "upon."
• you (כֶ — ke): Second person plural pronoun, "you."
• and (הֵם — hēm): Pronoun for "they" (referring to people).
• they (יֽ — y): Third person plural pronoun.
• shall (דּ — dā): Defective verb stem.
• know (עֻ — ʿu): "Know," "recognize," "understand."
• that (וּ — ū): Conjunction.
• I (אֲנִי — anokī): Pronoun, "I."
• am (ה — h): Copula.
• the (י — y): The definite article.
• LORD (יְה — YHWH): The Tetragrammaton, the personal name of God.

Groups of words analysis:

• "Upon the high mountains shall be made desolate" (Al-bamat har niṣmədū): This phrase signifies the destruction of pagan worship sites. "High places" were characteristic of Asherah and Baal worship prevalent in Canaan and adopted by some Israelites. The scattering or severing of these places implies a thorough eradication of their infrastructure.
• "And the trees and the thickets shall be felled" (wəʿets wətzāfyaʿar yitʿalū): This extends the destruction to the natural elements associated with the high places, symbolizing the complete obliteration of the sites and practices. The "trees" could also allude to Asherah poles.
• "For I will turn My face against you" (kī-anokī epaneh ethem): This clause states the divine cause for the destruction. God's face turned away signifies withdrawal of protection, favor, and presence. This is a direct consequence of their actions.
• "and you shall know that I am the LORD" (wəyādaʿtem kī-anokī YHWH): The ultimate purpose of the judgment is the recognition of Yahweh's sovereignty and power, particularly in contrast to the impotence of the idols they have followed.

Ezekiel 6 5 Bonus Section

The "high places" (bamot) were often associated with fertility cults and the worship of Canaanite deities like Baal and Asherah. These sites were frequently found on elevated ground. The presence of trees and thickets on these mountains suggests a natural setting that was dedicated to or defiled by idol worship. The anthropomorphism of God turning His face away is a common biblical metaphor for withdrawing divine favor, protection, and fellowship. This active turning signifies that the judgment is not accidental but a direct, purposeful consequence of Israel's spiritual adultery. The ultimate aim is a reaffirmation of God’s identity and power, even if it comes through painful chastisement. The complete eradication of the physical supports for idolatry is a symbolic representation of God’s desire for His people to abandon their false gods entirely and return to exclusive devotion.

Ezekiel 6 5 Commentary

This verse paints a stark picture of divine judgment upon Israel for its pervasive idolatry. The destruction of the "high mountains" (sites of pagan worship) and associated "trees" (possibly Asherah poles) illustrates the comprehensive nature of God's wrath. This is not just physical destruction but also a removal of all vestiges of false religion. The critical phrase "My face shall I turn against you" communicates the severe consequences of their covenant betrayal – the withdrawal of God's presence and favor, leaving them exposed to judgment. The verse concludes with the sobering realization that through this tribulation, they will "know that I am the LORD." This knowing is not mere intellectual assent but a profound, experiential understanding of God's power and justice, and a stark contrast to their misplaced trust in lifeless idols.