Bible Glide

Ezekiel 5

Ezekiel 5 Summary, Context, and Full Chapter

Ezekiel 5 uses a striking acted sign to show the coming judgment on Jerusalem. The chapter explains why the city is being judged, what forms that judgment will take, and how the fall of the people will become a warning to the nations around them.

Read in ReaderShare Passage

What happens in Ezekiel 5?

God commands Ezekiel to shave his head and beard, divide the hair, and use it as a picture of Jerusalem's coming fate. A portion is burned, a portion is struck down with the sword, and a portion is scattered. The Lord explains that Jerusalem has rebelled more seriously than the nations nearby, even after being set at the center of them. Because of idolatry and defilement of the sanctuary, the people will face famine, plague, sword, and dispersion. The chapter closes with God declaring that these judgments will make Jerusalem a disgrace, a warning, and a sign of his holy anger.

This chapter comes after Ezekiel's symbolic actions in chapters 4 and 5, where the prophet is made to portray the siege and suffering that will come on Jerusalem. It belongs to the opening section of Ezekiel, when the prophet warns exiled Israel that the city's downfall is not chance but covenant judgment for persistent rebellion.

Themes to notice

  • Symbolic judgmentEzekiel's acted sign makes the coming destruction vivid and unavoidable.
  • Rebellion and idolatryJerusalem is judged for rejecting God's ways and defiling his sanctuary.
  • Scattering and disgraceThe people are divided, driven out, and made a warning to the nations.

Questions for Ezekiel 5

  • What does Ezekiel's shaving and dividing of the hair communicate about Jerusalem's future?
  • Why does God say Jerusalem is more guilty than the surrounding nations?
  • How do famine, sword, and scattering work together in this chapter's message?

Read the full text of Ezekiel 5 below, then open it in the reader to highlight, take notes, or ask follow-up Bible questions. No account is required to read.

Ezekiel 5

The Razor of Judgment

1“As for you, son of man, take a sharp sword, use it as a barber’s razor, and shave your head and beard. Then take a set of scales and divide the hair.2When the days of the siege have ended, you are to burn up a third of the hair inside the city; you are also to take a third and slash it with the sword all around the city; and you are to scatter a third to the wind. For I will unleash a sword behind them.3But you are to take a few strands of hair and secure them in the folds of your garment.4Again, take a few of these, throw them into the fire, and burn them. From there a fire will spread to the whole house of Israel.

5This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘This is Jerusalem, which I have set in the center of the nations, with countries all around her.6But she has rebelled against My ordinances more wickedly than the nations, and against My statutes worse than the countries around her. For her people have rejected My ordinances and have not walked in My statutes.’

7Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘You have been more insubordinate than the nations around you; you have not walked in My statutes or kept My ordinances, nor have you even conformed to the ordinances of the nations around you.’8Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, I Myself am against you, Jerusalem, and I will execute judgments among you in the sight of the nations.9Because of all your abominations, I will do to you what I have never done before and will never do again.10As a result, fathers among you will eat their sons, and sons will eat their fathers. I will execute judgments against you and scatter all your remnant to every wind.’

Famine, Sword, and Dispersion

11Therefore as surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, because you have defiled My sanctuary with all your detestable idols and abominations, I Myself will withdraw My favor; I will not look upon you with pity, nor will I spare you.12A third of your people will die by plague or be consumed by famine within you, a third will fall by the sword outside your walls, and a third I will scatter to every wind and unleash a sword behind them.

13And when My anger is spent and I have vented My wrath against them, I will be appeased. And when I have spent My wrath on them, they will know that I, the LORD, in My zeal have spoken.

14I will make you a ruin and a disgrace among the nations around you, in the sight of all who pass by.15So you will be a reproach and a taunt, a warning and a horror to the nations around you, when I execute judgments against you in anger, wrath, and raging fury. I, the LORD, have spoken.16When I shower you with the deadly arrows of famine and destruction that I will send to destroy you, I will intensify the famine against you and cut off your supply of food.17I will send famine and wild beasts against you, and they will leave you childless. Plague and bloodshed will sweep through you, and I will bring a sword against you. I, the LORD, have spoken.”

Keep studying

Save notes and ask about Ezekiel 5

Create a free account to keep highlights and notes across devices, or open Bible Glide Chat with this passage already attached.

Create Free AccountAsk About This Passage