Ezekiel 5
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Take thee a sharp knife - Among the Israelites, and indeed among most ancient nations, there were very few edge-tools. The sword was the chief; and this was used as a knife, a razor, etc., according to its different length and sharpness. It is likely that only one kind of instrument is here intended; a knife or short sword, to be employed as a razor. Here is a new emblem produced, in order to mark out the coming evils. 1. The prophet represents the Jewish nation. 2. His hair, the people. 3. The razor, the Chaldeans. 4. The cutting the beard and hair, the calamities, sorrows, and disgrace coming upon the people. Cutting off the hair was a sign of mourning; see on Jer 45:5 (note); Jer 48:37 (note); and also a sign of great disgrace; see Sa2 10:4. 5. He is ordered to divide the hair, Sa2 10:2, into three equal parts, to intimate the different degrees and kinds of punishment which should fall upon the people. 6. The balances, Sa2 10:1, were to represent the Divine justice, and the exactness with which God's judgments should be distributed among the offenders. 7. This hair, divided into three parts, is to be disposed of thus: 1. A third part is to be burnt in the midst of the city, to show that so many should perish by famine and pestilence during the siege. 2. Another third part he was to cut in small portions about the city, (that figure which he had pourtrayed upon the brick), to signify those who should perish in different sorties, and in defending the walls. 3. And the remaining third part he was to scatter in the wind, to point out those who should be driven into captivity. And, 4. The sword following them was intended to show that their lives should be at the will of their captors, and that many of them should perish by the sword in their dispersions. 5. The few hairs…
Open source ↗VISION OF CUTTING THE HAIRS, AND THE CALAMITIES FORESHADOWED THEREBY. (Eze. 5:1-17) knife . . . razor--the sword of the foe (compare Isa 7:20). This vision implies even severer judgments than the Egyptian afflictions foreshadowed in the former, for their guilt was greater than that of their forefathers. thine head--as representative of the Jews. The whole hair being shaven off was significant of severe and humiliating (Sa2 10:4-5) treatment. Especially in the case of a priest; for priests (Lev 21:5) were forbidden "to make baldness on their head," their hair being the token of consecration; hereby it was intimated that the ceremonial must give place to the moral. balances--implying the just discrimination with which Jehovah weighs out the portion of punishment "divided," that is, allotted to each: the "hairs" are the Jews: the divine scales do not allow even one hair to escape accurate weighing (compare Mat 10:30).
Open source ↗And thou, son of man, take thee a sharp knife,.... Or, "sword" (m). The word signifies any sharp instrument, by which anything is cut off, or cut asunder; what is here meant is explained by the following: take thee a barber's razor. The Septuagint and Arabic versions read this in conjunction with the former, thus, "take thee a knife", or "sword, sharper than a barber's razor"; and so the Syriac version, "take thee a sword sharp as a barber's razor"; this sharp knife, sword, or razor, signifies, as Jarchi interprets it, Nebuchadnezzar; and very rightly; so the king of Assyria is called in Isa 7:20, and cause it to pass upon thine head, and upon thy beard; the "head" was a symbol of the city of Jerusalem, the metropolis of Judea; the "beard", of the cities, towns, and villages about it; and the "hair" of both, of the common people; compared to hair for their numbers, for their levity and unsteadiness, and for their being the beauty and ornament of the places where they lived; and the shaving of them denotes their disgrace and destruction, and mourning on account thereof: then take thee balances to weigh and divide the hair. The Syriac version adds, "into three parts"; signifying, that several distinct punishments would be inflicted on them, and these according to the righteous judgment of God; balances being a symbol of justice. (m) "gladium", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus, Junius & Tremellius, Polanus, Starckius.
Open source ↗We have here the sign by which the utter destruction of Jerusalem is set forth; and here, as before, the prophet is himself the sign, that the people might see how much he affected himself with, and interested himself in, the case of Jerusalem, and how it lay to his heart, even when he foretold the desolations of it. he was so much concerned about it as to take what was done to it as done to himself, so far was he from desiring the woeful day. I. He must shave off the hair of his head and beard (Eze 5:1), which signified God's utter rejecting and abandoning that people, as a useless worthless generation, such as could well be spared, nay, such as it would be his honour to part with; his judgments, and all the instruments he made use of in cutting them off, were this sharp knife and this razor, that were proper to be made use of, and would do execution. Jerusalem had been the head, but, having degenerated, had become as the hair, which, when it grows thick and long, is but a burden which a man wishes to get clear of, as God of the sinners in Zion. Ah! I will ease me of my adversaries, Isa 1:24. Ezekiel must not cut off that hair only which was superfluous, but cut it all off, denoting the full end that God would make of Jerusalem. The hair that would not be trimmed and kept neat and clean by the admonitions of the prophets must be all shaved off by utter destruction. Those will be ruined that will not be reformed. II. He must weigh the hair and divide it into three parts. This intimates the very exact directing of God's judgments according to equity (by him men and their actions are weighed in the unerring balance of truth and righteousness) and the proportion which divine justice observes in punishing some by one judgment and others by another; one way or other, they sh…
Open source ↗5:1-4 The prophet was required to perform two further sign acts. First, he used a sharp sword . . . as a razor to shave his head and beard, tangibly demonstrating the destruction described in ch 4 (cp. Isa 7:20). Shaving off a man’s hair implied the loss of his manhood and was a gesture of dishonor (see 2 Sam 10:4-5). Second, Ezekiel weighed the hair he had shaved off into three equal parts to show that God’s measured judgment would take three different forms.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) חַד (chad, H2299) — sharp חֶרֶב (chereb, H2719) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or… גַּלָּב (gallâb, H1532) — a barber תַּעַר (taʻar, H8593) — a knife or razor (as making bare); also a scabbard (as being bare, i.e. empty) עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… זָקָן (zâqân, H2206) — the beard (as indicating age) מֹאזֵן (môʼzên, H3976) — (only in the dual) a pair of scales מִשְׁקָל (mishqâl, H4948) — weight (numerically estimated); hence, weighing (the act) חָלַק (châlaq, H2505) — to be smooth (figuratively); by implication (as smooth stones were used for lots) to…
Open source ↗בָּעַר (bâʻar, H1197) — to kindle, i.e. consume (by fire or by eating); to be(-come) brutish אוּר (ʼûwr, H217) — flame; hence (in the plural) the East (as being the region of light) שְׁלִישִׁי (shᵉlîyshîy, H7992) — third; feminine athird (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a… תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… מָצוֹר (mâtsôwr, H4692) — something hemming in, i.e. (objectively) a mound (of besiegers), (abstractly) a siege,… מָלֵא (mâlêʼ, H4390) — to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively) לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) סָבִיב (çâbîyb, H5439) — (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without… חֶרֶב (chereb, H2719) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or… זָרָה (zârâh, H2219) — to toss about; by implication, to diffuse, winnow רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,…
Open source ↗לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) מְעַט (mᵉʻaṭ, H4592) — a little or few (often adverbial or compar.) מִסְפָּר (miçpâr, H4557) — a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also… צוּר (tsûwr, H6696) — to cramp, i.e. confine (in many applications, literally and figuratively, formative or… כָּנָף (kânâph, H3671) — an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or…
Open source ↗לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) שָׁלַךְ (shâlak, H7993) — to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively) תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively) שָׂרַף (sâraph, H8313) — to be (causatively, set) on fire יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֲדֹנָי (ʼĂdônây, H136) — the Lord (used as a proper name of God only) יְהֹוִה (Yᵉhôvih, H3069) — {YHWH} יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) סָבִיב (çâbîyb, H5439) — (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without…
Open source ↗מָרָה (mârâh, H4784) — to be (causatively, make) bitter (or unpleasant); (figuratively) to rebel (or resist;… מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… רִשְׁעָה (rishʻâh, H7564) — wrong (especially moral) גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… חֻקָּה (chuqqâh, H2708) — {an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)} אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) סָבִיב (çâbîyb, H5439) — (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without… מָאַס (mâʼaç, H3988) — to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֲדֹנָי (ʼĂdônây, H136) — the Lord (used as a proper name of God only) יְהֹוִה (Yᵉhôvih, H3069) — {YHWH} הָמוֹן (hâmôwn, H1995) — a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… סָבִיב (çâbîyb, H5439) — (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without… הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) חֻקָּה (chuqqâh, H2708) — {an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)} עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a…
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֲדֹנָי (ʼĂdônây, H136) — the Lord (used as a proper name of God only) יְהֹוִה (Yᵉhôvih, H3069) — {YHWH} עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight…
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application יַעַן (yaʻan, H3282) — properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate… תּוֹעֵבַה (tôwʻêbah, H8441) — properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e. (as noun) an abhorrence; especially…
Open source ↗אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application שֶׁפֶט (shepheṭ, H8201) — a sentence, i.e. infliction שְׁאֵרִית (shᵉʼêrîyth, H7611) — a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion זָרָה (zârâh, H2219) — to toss about; by implication, to diffuse, winnow רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,…
Open source ↗חַי (chay, H2416) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially… נְאֻם (nᵉʼum, H5002) — an oracle אֲדֹנָי (ʼĂdônây, H136) — the Lord (used as a proper name of God only) יְהֹוִה (Yᵉhôvih, H3069) — {YHWH} טָמֵא (ṭâmêʼ, H2930) — to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated) מִקְדָּשׁ (miqdâsh, H4720) — a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of Jehovah or of… שִׁקּוּץ (shiqqûwts, H8251) — disgusting, i.e. filthy; especially idolatrous or (concretely) an idol תּוֹעֵבַה (tôwʻêbah, H8441) — properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e. (as noun) an abhorrence; especially… גָּרַע (gâraʻ, H1639) — to scrape off; by implication, to shave, remove, lessen, withhold עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) חוּס (chûwç, H2347) — properly, to cover, i.e. (figuratively) to compassionate חָמַל (châmal, H2550) — to commiserate; by implication, to spare
Open source ↗שְׁלִישִׁי (shᵉlîyshîy, H7992) — third; feminine athird (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a… מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill דֶּבֶר (deber, H1698) — a pestilence רָעָב (râʻâb, H7458) — hunger (more or less extensive) כָּלָה (kâlâh, H3615) — to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitived (to complete,… תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… חֶרֶב (chereb, H2719) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or… סָבִיב (çâbîyb, H5439) — (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without… זָרָה (zârâh, H2219) — to toss about; by implication, to diffuse, winnow רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,… רוּק (rûwq, H7324) — to pour out (literally or figuratively), i.e. empty אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various…
Open source ↗אַף (ʼaph, H639) — properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the… כָּלָה (kâlâh, H3615) — to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitived (to complete,… חֵמָה (chêmâh, H2534) — heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever) נוּחַ (nûwach, H5117) — to rest, i.e. settle down; used in a great variety of applications, literal and… נָחַם (nâcham, H5162) — properly, to sigh, i.e. breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e. (in a… יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… קִנְאָה (qinʼâh, H7068) — jealousy or envy
Open source ↗נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) חׇרְבָּה (chorbâh, H2723) — properly, drought, i.e. (by implication) a desolation חֶרְפָּה (cherpâh, H2781) — contumely, disgrace, the pudenda גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… סָבִיב (çâbîyb, H5439) — (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without… עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,…
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Priests must not make bald spots on their heads, shave off the edges of their beards, or make cuts in their bodies.
They must not shave their heads or let their hair grow long, but must carefully trim their hair.
On that day the Lord will use a razor hired from beyond the Euphrates—the king of Assyria—to shave your head and the hair of your legs, and to remove your beard as well.
TEKEL means that you have been weighed on the scales and found deficient.