Ezekiel 7:5 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 7:5 mean?

Ezekiel 7:5 is a declaration from God announcing that a unique and terrible disaster has arrived. The verse emphasizes that this is not just any trouble, but a singular, unmatched evil that has come upon the people.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to the people of Israel, warning them of an impending judgment. The setting is during a time when the people have turned away from God, and this message is part of a larger prophecy describing the coming destruction of Jerusalem. The language underscores the seriousness and uniqueness of the disaster, marking it as something extraordinary and final.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 7:5

• "evil" (רָעָה, ra‘ah): This word means something bad, harmful, or disastrous. Here, it refers to a calamity or judgment, not just moral evil.
• "only" (אֶחָד, ’echad): This word means "one" or "only," stressing that the disaster is unique—there is nothing else like it.
• The repetition of "evil" (רָעָה, ra‘ah): The phrase "an evil, an only evil" doubles the word for emphasis, highlighting the severity and singular nature of the coming event.

Why Ezekiel 7:5 matters

• The verse clears up that the "evil" described is not just general wrongdoing, but a specific disaster or calamity sent as judgment.
• Ezekiel 7:5 sets the tone for the rest of the chapter, which details the consequences of Israel's actions and the seriousness of God's warning.
• The strong emphasis on the uniqueness of this disaster helps readers understand the depth of the crisis facing Jerusalem at this point in history.