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Ezekiel 5

Ezekiel 5:2

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

Translations

Modern
When 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.
Traditional
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.
Literal
A third with fire you shall burn in the midst of the city at the completion of the days of the siege; and you shall take a third and strike it with the sword around it; and a third you shall scatter to the wind; and I will unsheathe a sword after them.
Latin
Tertiam partem igni combures in medio civitatis, juxta completionem dierum obsidionis, et assumes tertiam partem, et concides gladio in circuitu ejus: tertiam vero aliam disperges in ventum, et gladium nudabo post eos.

Original

Hebrew
English
When 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.

Notes

Ezekiel 5:2

Ezekiel was to burn one-third of the hair to show those who would die from hunger during the siege. He was to cut another third with a sword to show those who would die violently. He was to scatter the last third to the wind to show those who would go into exile.

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

Topics

Backsliders: Backsliding of Israel Ezekiel: Teaches by Pantomime: Shaves Himself Hair: Symbolical Dividing of Prophecy: (Respecting Individuals, See Under Their Names): Exemplified in Pantomime Prophets: Frequently in Their Actions Were Made Signs to the People Symbols and Similitudes: Ezekiel's Beard The Sword of Severe and Heavy Calamities