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.

EZEKIEL 5:11KJV
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Ezekiel 5:11 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 5:11 mean?

Ezekiel 5:11 records God declaring that, because the people have defiled His sanctuary with detestable practices and abominations, He will not spare them or show pity, but will reduce their numbers. The verse expresses a solemn warning of judgment for the people’s actions that have dishonored what is holy.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to the people of Jerusalem, explaining the reason for the severe judgment that is coming upon them. The sanctuary refers to the temple in Jerusalem, which the people have polluted with unacceptable worship and practices. The verse emphasizes the seriousness of their actions and God’s resolve to carry out just consequences.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 5:11

  • "Defiled" (נָטַמֵּא, nāṭamēʾ): This word means to make something unclean or impure, especially in a ritual or moral sense. Here, it highlights that the people’s actions have made the temple—a place meant to be holy—unclean in God’s eyes.
  • "Sanctuary" (מִקְדָּשׁ, miqdāsh): This refers specifically to the temple, the central place of worship. The use of this word underscores the gravity of defiling a place set apart for God.
  • "Detestable things" (שִׁקּוּץ, shiqqūṣ) and "abominations" (תוֹעֵבָה, tōʿēvāh): Both terms refer to practices or objects that are especially offensive to God, often linked to idol worship or morally corrupt acts.
  • "Diminish" (גָּרַע, gāraʿ): This word means to reduce or cut down. God is saying He will decrease the people, likely referring to loss of life or exile, as a direct result of their actions.

Why Ezekiel 5:11 matters

  • Ezekiel 5:11 clarifies that God’s judgment is not arbitrary but is a direct response to the people’s specific actions of defiling what is holy.
  • The verse highlights the seriousness with which God views the misuse of sacred spaces and the consequences of disregarding His instructions.
  • This verse connects to the larger message of Ezekiel chapters 4–5, where the prophet acts out and explains the coming destruction of Jerusalem as a result of the people’s persistent unfaithfulness.

Where else these words appear

“diminish” Hebrew H1639 · used in 20 verses

  • Exodus 5:8 And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish ought thereof: for they be idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God.
  • Numbers 27:4 Why should the name of our father be done away from among his family, because he hath no son? Give unto us therefore a possession among the brethren of our father.
  • Job 15:8 Hast thou heard the secret of God? and dost thou restrain wisdom to thyself?

“spare” Hebrew H2347 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 45:20 Also regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours.
  • Nehemiah 13:22 And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.
  • Ezekiel 9:5 And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity:

“things” Hebrew H8251 · used in 26 verses

  • Deuteronomy 29:17 And ye have seen their abominations, and their idols, wood and stone, silver and gold, which were among them:)
  • Jeremiah 7:30 For the children of Judah have done evil in my sight, saith the LORD: they have set their abominations in the house which is called by my name, to pollute it.
  • Ezekiel 20:8 But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.

“pity” Hebrew H2550 · used in 40 verses

  • Exodus 2:6 And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews' children.
  • Job 20:13 Though he spare it, and forsake it not; but keep it still within his mouth:
  • Lamentations 3:43 Thou hast covered with anger, and persecuted us: thou hast slain, thou hast not pitied.