And mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: I will recompense thee according to thy ways and thine abominations that are in the midst of thee; and ye shall know that I am the LORD that smiteth.

EZEKIEL 7:9KJV
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Ezekiel 7:9 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 7:9 mean?

Ezekiel 7:9 means that God is declaring He will not show mercy or compassion to the people, but will repay them according to their actions and detestable practices, so that they will recognize Him as the one who brings judgment. The verse emphasizes that God’s response is a direct result of the people’s own behavior.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to the people of Israel during a time of great unfaithfulness and corruption. The situation is one of coming judgment on Jerusalem for widespread wrongdoing. The verse stresses personal responsibility and makes clear that the consequences are not arbitrary, but are tied to the people’s own choices and actions.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 7:9

  • "spare" (חָמַל, ḥāmal): This word means to have compassion or to show mercy. Its use here underlines that God is intentionally withholding mercy because of the seriousness of the people’s actions.
  • "recompense" (נָתַן, nātan): While often translated as "to give," here it carries the sense of paying back or repaying, highlighting that God’s actions are a response to what the people have done.
  • "abominations" (תּוֹעֵבָה, toʿēvah): This word refers to things that are detestable or repulsive, especially in a moral or religious sense. It points to the specific kinds of wrongdoing that have provoked God’s judgment.
  • "smiteth" (נָכָה, nākhah): This verb means to strike or to hit, often with the sense of inflicting punishment. It makes clear that the judgment described is active and forceful.

Why Ezekiel 7:9 matters

  • This verse corrects any idea that God’s judgment is random or unfair; it is directly linked to the people’s own actions and choices.
  • The verse highlights the seriousness with which God views certain behaviors, especially those described as abominations, and shows that repeated wrongdoing eventually leads to consequences.
  • Ezekiel 7:9 fits into a larger section where God warns of coming disaster for Jerusalem, helping readers see the connection between persistent disobedience and the loss of God’s protection.

Where else these words appear

“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:

“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.

“abominations” Hebrew H8441 · used in 112 verses

  • Genesis 43:32 And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.
  • Ezra 9:14 Should we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the people of these abominations? wouldest not thou be angry with us till thou hadst consumed us, so that there should be no remnant nor escaping?
  • Ezekiel 7:3 Now is the end come upon thee, and I will send mine anger upon thee, and will judge thee according to thy ways, and will recompense upon thee all thine abominations.