Keraia
Ezekiel 5

Ezekiel 5:1

The Razor of Judgment · Ezekiel 5:1–10
Read Ezekiel 5

Translations

Modern
“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.
Traditional
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.
Literal
“ And you, son of man, take for yourself a sharp sword; the razor of a barber take it to yourself and pass it over your head and over your beard; take for yourself scales of weighing, and you shall divide the hair.
Latin
Et tu, fili hominis, sume tibi gladium acutum, radentem pilos, et assumes eum et duces per caput tuum et per barbam tuam, et assumes tibi stateram ponderis et divides eos.

Original

Hebrew
English
“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.

Notes

Ezekiel 5:1–4

The prophet had to perform two more sign acts (symbolic actions that showed God’s message).

First, he took a sharp sword and used it like a razor. He shaved his head and his beard. This action showed the coming destruction described in Ezekiel 4 (compare Isaiah 7:20). In that culture, shaving off a man’s hair showed the loss of honor and strength. It was a public sign of shame (see 2 Samuel 10:4–5).

Second, Ezekiel weighed the hair he had shaved. He divided it into three equal parts. This action showed that God’s judgment would come in three different ways. It also showed that God’s judgment was measured and purposeful.

Ezekiel 4:1–7:27

These chapters discuss words and actions that warned of disaster for Jerusalem (Ezekiel 4–5) and the land of Judah (Ezekiel 6–7).

Theme notes and profiles

Prophetic Sign Acts The Gift of Prophecy

Events

Glossary

Balance, Balances Ezekiel (Person) Ezekiel, Book of Razor Weights and Measures

Topics

Art: Primitive of the Barber Backsliders: Backsliding of Israel Balances used for Weighing Barber: General Scriptures Concerning Beard: David Ezekiel: Teaches by Pantomime: Shaves Himself Hair: Symbolical Dividing of Instruction by Object Lessons: Shaving the Head Prophecies Concerning Israel: Captivity of Great Wickedness is the Cause of Their Adversity Prophecies Concerning Israel: Prophecies Concerning of War and Other Judgments Prophecy: (Respecting Individuals, See Under Their Names): Exemplified in Pantomime Prophets: Frequently in Their Actions Were Made Signs to the People Razor: Figurative Symbols and Similitudes: Ezekiel's Beard The Beard: Shaving, Illustrative of Severe Judgments