Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye multiplied more than the nations that are round about you, and have not walked in my statutes, neither have kept my judgments, neither have done according to the judgments of the nations that are round about you;

EZEKIEL 5:7KJV
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Ezekiel 5:7 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 5:7 mean?

Ezekiel 5:7 records God declaring that the people of Jerusalem have acted even worse than the surrounding nations by ignoring His laws and judgments. Because they have not followed God's ways, or even the basic standards of other nations, God is warning them of coming consequences.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to the people of Jerusalem during a time when they were surrounded by other nations with different customs and beliefs. The verse highlights that Israel, who had received God's own instructions, failed to live up to them and even behaved worse than their neighbors. This sets the stage for the judgment that Ezekiel is announcing in the surrounding chapters.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 5:7

  • "Statutes" (חֻקּוֹתַי, ḥuqqotai): This word refers to God's specific decrees or ordinances, often understood as commands that are to be followed even if their reasons are not fully explained. The verse emphasizes that Israel ignored these unique instructions from God.
  • "Judgments" (מִשְׁפָּטַי, mishpatay): This term points to God's decisions or rules about right and wrong, often relating to justice and fairness. The verse stresses that the people did not keep even these clear standards.
  • "Nations" (גּוֹיִם, goyim): This word means the non-Israelite peoples around Jerusalem. The verse draws a strong contrast between Israel and these nations, showing that Israel's failure was even more severe because they had greater knowledge of God's will.

Why Ezekiel 5:7 matters

  • Ezekiel 5:7 clears up the idea that Israel was simply like any other nation; instead, it shows that their responsibility was greater because they had God's direct guidance and still chose to ignore it.
  • The verse emphasizes that God's judgment is not just about ritual or tradition but about failing to live up to a higher moral and spiritual calling.
  • This verse connects to the larger message in Ezekiel that judgment comes not only for breaking God's laws but for surpassing even the wrongdoing of those who never received those laws.

Where else these words appear

“multiplied” Hebrew H1995 · used in 78 verses

  • Genesis 17:4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.
  • Psalms 37:16 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.
  • Ezekiel 7:14 They have blown the trumpet, even to make all ready; but none goeth to the battle: for my wrath is upon all the multitude thereof.

“statutes” Hebrew H2708 · used in 100 verses

  • Genesis 26:5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.
  • Leviticus 26:43 The land also shall be left of them, and shall enjoy her sabbaths, while she lieth desolate without them: and they shall accept of the punishment of their iniquity: because, even because they despised my judgments, and because their soul abhorred my statutes.
  • 2 Kings 17:34 Unto this day they do after the former manners: they fear not the LORD, neither do they after their statutes, or after their ordinances, or after the law and commandment which the LORD commanded the children of Jacob, whom he named Israel;