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.

EZEKIEL 5:10KJV
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Ezekiel 5:10 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 5:10 mean?

Ezekiel 5:10 describes a time of extreme judgment when, because of the dire situation in Jerusalem, fathers will eat their sons and sons will eat their fathers, and God will carry out His judgments by scattering the remaining people in every direction. This verse uses shocking language to show the severity of the punishment coming on Jerusalem for its unfaithfulness.

The prophet Ezekiel is speaking to the people of Jerusalem, warning them of the consequences of their rebellion against God. The verse refers to a coming siege, where starvation will be so severe that people will resort to cannibalism—a sign of total desperation and breakdown of society. The scattering “into all the winds” means the survivors will be exiled and dispersed far from their homeland.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 5:10

  • “Eat” (אָכַל, ’akal): This word is used twice, emphasizing the horror of the situation—eating one’s own family members. It is not figurative here but describes literal starvation and desperation.
  • “Judgments” (מִשְׁפָּטִים, mishpatim): This word means legal decisions or acts of justice. Here, it stresses that what happens is not random tragedy but a deliberate act of divine justice.
  • “Scatter” (זָרָה, zarah): This word means to disperse or scatter widely. It highlights that the survivors will not stay together but will be driven apart “into all the winds,” meaning total loss of community and homeland.

Why Ezekiel 5:10 matters

  • This verse clears up that the language of cannibalism is not just symbolic but refers to real, historical suffering during the siege of Jerusalem, as a result of breaking the covenant with God.
  • The verse emphasizes that the coming disaster is not accidental but is described as God’s “judgments,” showing the seriousness of Israel’s unfaithfulness.
  • Ezekiel 5:10 connects to the wider passage by showing the depth of the consequences for Jerusalem’s actions, helping the reader understand the gravity of the warnings Ezekiel is delivering.

Where else these words appear

“judgments” Hebrew H8201 · used in 16 verses

  • Exodus 6:6 Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:
  • Proverbs 19:29 Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.
  • Ezekiel 25:11 And I will execute judgments upon Moab; and they shall know that I am the LORD.

“scatter” Hebrew H2219 · used in 38 verses

  • Exodus 32:20 And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strawed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it.
  • Proverbs 20:26 A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.
  • Ezekiel 6:5 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.

“remnant” Hebrew H7611 · used in 66 verses

  • Genesis 45:7 And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
  • Jeremiah 15:9 She that hath borne seven languisheth: she hath given up the ghost; her sun is gone down while it was yet day: she hath been ashamed and confounded: and the residue of them will I deliver to the sword before their enemies, saith the LORD.
  • Ezekiel 11:13 And it came to pass, when I prophesied, that Pelatiah the son of Benaiah died. Then fell I down upon my face, and cried with a loud voice, and said, Ah Lord GOD! wilt thou make a full end of the remnant of Israel?