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.
EZEKIEL 5:2KJVWhat does Ezekiel 5:2 mean?
Ezekiel 5:2 describes a symbolic act where Ezekiel is told to divide hair into three parts, burning one third in the city, striking one third with a sword, and scattering one third to the wind, with a sword to chase after them. This action represents the different fates awaiting the people of Jerusalem after the siege: destruction by fire, death by violence, and exile.
God is speaking to Ezekiel, instructing him to act out this message as a sign to the people of Jerusalem during a time when the city is under threat from Babylon. The verse uses vivid imagery to show that the coming judgment will affect everyone in the city, but in different ways—some will die in the city, some will be killed outside it, and some will be scattered among the nations.
The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 5:2
- "burn" (בָּעַר, ba‘ar): This word means to consume with fire, emphasizing the total destruction that will happen to a portion of the people.
- "scatter" (זָרָה, zārah): This word means to disperse or spread abroad, showing that some people will be forced far from their homeland.
- "wind" (רוּחַ, ruach): While often meaning "spirit" or "breath," here it refers to the wind, highlighting how those scattered will be spread unpredictably and widely.
- "sword" (חֶרֶב, cherev): This word for a knife or sword is used twice, underlining the violence and threat that will pursue even those who escape.
Why Ezekiel 5:2 matters
- Ezekiel 5:2 makes clear that the judgment on Jerusalem is not random but divided into specific, symbolic portions, each with its own fate.
- The verse connects Ezekiel’s actions to the real suffering that will come upon the people, making the prophecy concrete and hard to ignore.
- Understanding the symbolism helps clarify that God’s warning is thorough—no group among the people is left untouched by the consequences of their actions.