1 And thou, son of man, take thee a sharp knife, take thee a barber's razor, and cause it to pass upon thine head and upon thy beard: then take thee balances to weigh, and divide the hair.
2 Thou shalt burn with fire a third part in the midst of the city, when the days of the siege are fulfilled: and thou shalt take a third part, and smite about it with a knife: and a third part thou shalt scatter in the wind; and I will draw out a sword after them.
3 Thou shalt also take thereof a few in number, and bind them in thy skirts.
4 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.
5 Thus saith the Lord GOD; This is Jerusalem: I have set it in the midst of the nations and countries that are round about her.
6 And she hath changed my judgments into wickedness more than the nations, and my statutes more than the countries that are round about her: for they have refused my judgments and my statutes, they have not walked in them.
7 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye multiplied more than the nations that are round about you, and have not walked in my statutes, neither have kept my judgments, neither have done according to the judgments of the nations that are round about you;
8 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, am against thee, and will execute judgments in the midst of thee in the sight of the nations.
9 And I will do in thee that which I have not done, and whereunto I will not do any more the like, because of all thine abominations.
10 Therefore the fathers shall eat the sons in the midst of thee, and the sons shall eat their fathers; and I will execute judgments in thee, and the whole remnant of thee will I scatter into all the winds.
11 Wherefore, as I live, saith the Lord GOD; Surely, because thou hast defiled my sanctuary with all thy detestable things, and with all thine abominations, therefore will I also diminish thee; neither shall mine eye spare, neither will I have any pity.
12 A third part of thee shall die with the pestilence, and with famine shall they be consumed in the midst of thee: and a third part shall fall by the sword round about thee; and I will scatter a third part into all the winds, and I will draw out a sword after them.
13 Thus shall mine anger be accomplished, and I will cause my fury to rest upon them, and I will be comforted: and they shall know that I the LORD have spoken it in my zeal, when I have accomplished my fury in them.
14 Moreover I will make thee waste, and a reproach among the nations that are round about thee, in the sight of all that pass by.
15 So it shall be a reproach and a taunt, an instruction and an astonishment unto the nations that are round about thee, when I shall execute judgments in thee in anger and in fury and in furious rebukes. I the LORD have spoken it.
16 When I shall send upon them the evil arrows of famine, which shall be for their destruction, and which I will send to destroy you: and I will increase the famine upon you, and will break your staff of bread:
17 So will I send upon you famine and evil beasts, and they shall bereave thee: and pestilence and blood shall pass through thee; and I will bring the sword upon thee. I the LORD have spoken it.
In the King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible, Chapter 5 of the Book of Ezekiel is a symbolic prophecy that presents a vivid depiction of the impending judgment on Jerusalem. This chapter is a continuation of the prophet Ezekiel's symbolic actions that began in Chapter 4. The narrative draws a powerful image of the calamitous consequences of disobedience and rebellion against God, emphasizing the severity of God’s wrath and the necessity of adherence to His commandments.
In Ezekiel 5:1-4, God commands Ezekiel to shave his head and beard with a sharp sword, symbolizing the impending judgment. The hair is divided into three parts, each representing a portion of the people of Jerusalem who will suffer different fates. One third will perish by famine and plague within the city, another third will fall by the sword around the city, and the final third will be scattered to the wind with a sword pursuing them. A few hairs are also tucked into Ezekiel's garment, signifying a small remnant that will survive, but even these are subjected to fire, symbolizing further trials and tribulations. This vivid imagery underscores the severe consequences of straying from God's path and the inevitability of divine judgment.
In Ezekiel 5:5-8, God explains the reason for this harsh judgment. Jerusalem, once considered the center of the nations, has rebelled against God's laws and statutes more wickedly than the surrounding nations. They have rejected His ordinances and defiled His sanctuary with idols. The people's disobedience and disregard for God's commandments have provoked His wrath. Thus, God has decided to act without pity or sparing, setting an example of Jerusalem for the nations around them.
Verses 9-12 of Ezekiel Chapter 5 describe the severity of the punishment that God will inflict upon the people of Jerusalem. The judgment will be unparalleled and unprecedented, reflecting the magnitude of their sin. The city will be besieged, and famine will become so severe that people will resort to cannibalism. This grim scenario is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of disobedience and rebellion against God.
Verses 13-17 emphasize the certainty of God's judgment. God declares that His anger will be spent, and He will vent His fury upon them, making Jerusalem a ruin and a reproach among the nations. The execution of judgment will make God's position clear to all nations. The people will know that God is the LORD when His judgment is upon them. The chapter ends with a note of finality, emphasizing that God has spoken, and He will not relent or be lenient.
Chapter 5 of the Book of Ezekiel is a poignant reminder of the gravity of sin and the severity of divine judgment. It underscores the principle that disobedience and rebellion against God's commandments will inevitably lead to dire consequences. The symbolic prophecy serves as a warning to all nations and generations of the devastating effects of straying from God's path.
The chapter also emphasizes the certainty of God's judgment. God is depicted as a just and righteous judge who will not overlook sin. His judgment is inevitable, and His word is final. This serves as a sobering reminder of the need for repentance and obedience to God's commandments.
Furthermore, the chapter highlights God's sovereignty over all nations. Despite the rebellion and disobedience of His people, God remains in control. His judgment serves as a demonstration of His power and authority to all nations, reinforcing the fact that He is the one true God.
In conclusion, Chapter 5 of the Book of Ezekiel in the KJV Holy Bible is a powerful narrative that underscores the severity of God's judgment, the devastating consequences of disobedience, and the absolute sovereignty of God. It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of obedience to God's commandments and the necessity of repentance. Despite the grim imagery and harsh judgment, the chapter ultimately points to the hope of redemption and restoration through repentance and obedience to God's laws.
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