Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them.

EZEKIEL 8:18KJV
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Ezekiel 8:18 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 8:18 mean?

Ezekiel 8:18 describes God declaring that He will act in anger against the people, refusing to show mercy or listen to their cries for help, even if they call out loudly. This verse shows a moment when God’s patience has run out because of the people’s persistent wrongdoing.

In this passage, God is speaking to Ezekiel, a prophet in exile, about the people of Jerusalem who have turned to idolatry and other sins. The verse comes at the end of a vision where God reveals the depth of the people’s unfaithfulness. Here, God makes it clear that there will be consequences, and that He will not be moved by pleas or loud prayers because the people have ignored many warnings.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 8:18

  • "fury" (חֵמָה, ḥēmāh): This word means intense anger or wrath. It emphasizes that God’s response is not mild disappointment but a strong, burning anger toward persistent disobedience.
  • "spare" (חָסַךְ, ḥāsakh): This word means to withhold or refrain from harming. God says He will not hold back or restrain judgment, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.
  • "pity" (חוּס, ḥūs): This word means to have compassion or show mercy. God’s statement that He will not have pity underlines that the usual expectation of divine mercy will not apply here.
  • "cry" (קָרָא, qārā’): This word means to call out or cry for help. Even though the people will call out loudly, God says He will not "hear" (שָׁמַע, shāma‘), meaning He will not respond to their pleas.

Why Ezekiel 8:18 matters

  • Ezekiel 8:18 clears up the idea that God’s patience is unlimited; it shows there is a point where persistent rebellion leads to judgment without further warning.
  • The verse emphasizes that loud or desperate prayers are not a substitute for genuine change of heart or obedience; God is not moved by noise but by true repentance.
  • This verse connects to the broader message of Ezekiel 8, where God reveals the hidden sins of the people, showing that nothing is concealed from Him and that consequences are certain when warnings are ignored.

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.

“fury” Hebrew H2534 · used in 117 verses

  • Genesis 27:44 And tarry with him a few days, until thy brother's fury turn away;
  • Psalms 106:23 Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.
  • Lamentations 2:4 He hath bent his bow like an enemy: he stood with his right hand as an adversary, and slew all that were pleasant to the eye in the tabernacle of the daughter of Zion: he poured out his fury like fire.