King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 11:5 Mean?

Ezekiel 11:5 in the King James Version says “And the Spirit of the LORD fell upon me, and said unto me, Speak; Thus saith the LORD; Thus have ye said, O house of Isr...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the Spirit of the LORD fell upon me, and said unto me, Speak; Thus saith the LORD; Thus have ye said, O house of Israel: for I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them.”

Ezekiel 11:5 · KJV

Holy Spirit

Context

3

Which say, It is not near; let us build houses: this city is the caldron, and we be the flesh. It is: or, It is not for us to build houses near

4

Therefore prophesy against them, prophesy, O son of man.

5

And the Spirit of the LORD fell upon me, and said unto me, Speak; Thus saith the LORD; Thus have ye said, O house of Israel: for I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them.

6

Ye have multiplied your slain in this city, and ye have filled the streets thereof with the slain.

7

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Your slain whom ye have laid in the midst of it, they are the flesh, and this city is the caldron: but I will bring you forth out of the midst of it.

Read Ezekiel 11 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God declares: "I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them." The Hebrew yada (יָדַע, "know") indicates intimate, comprehensive knowledge. Nothing escapes divine omniscience—thoughts, motives, and secret counsels all lie open before God (Hebrews 4:13). This knowledge isn't merely informational but judicial; God judges not just actions but heart attitudes. The phrase warns against hypocrisy that maintains external conformity while harboring inward rebellion. Jesus similarly condemned Pharisees whose hearts contradicted their religious performances (Matthew 23:25-28). The Reformed emphasis on God's exhaustive knowledge undergirds both the comfort of providence and the terror of judgment.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ezekiel prophesied against Jerusalem's leaders (592 BC) who plotted political alliances with Egypt rather than trusting God. These princes thought their secret counsels were hidden, but God revealed their inner thoughts to Ezekiel. The leaders' false confidence despite impending judgment exemplifies the self-deception of hardened hearts. Archaeological discoveries including the Lachish letters reveal the political intrigues of this period as Judah's leaders sought survival through alliances rather than repentance. God's declaration of omniscience exposed their folly and warned that no conspiracy could succeed against divine purposes.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's perfect knowledge of our thoughts challenge our tendency toward secret sins and hidden compromises?
  2. What comfort does divine omniscience provide for believers trusting in God's providential care?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וַתִּפֹּ֣ל1 of 18

“fell”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

עָלַי֮2 of 18
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

רֽוּחֲכֶ֖ם3 of 18

“And the Spirit”

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

יְהוָ֔ה4 of 18

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֲמַרְתֶּ֖ם5 of 18

“Thus have ye said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלַ֗י6 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֲמַרְתֶּ֖ם7 of 18

“Thus have ye said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

כֹּה8 of 18
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אֲמַרְתֶּ֖ם9 of 18

“Thus have ye said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֔ה10 of 18

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

כֵּ֥ן11 of 18
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

אֲמַרְתֶּ֖ם12 of 18

“Thus have ye said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

בֵּ֣ית13 of 18

“O house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל14 of 18

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וּמַעֲל֥וֹת15 of 18

“the things that come”

H4609

elevation, i.e., the act (literally, a journey to a higher place, figuratively, a thought arising), or (concretely) the condition (literally, a step o

רֽוּחֲכֶ֖ם16 of 18

“And the Spirit”

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

אֲנִ֥י17 of 18
H589

i

יְדַעְתִּֽיהָ׃18 of 18

“for I know”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 11:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 11:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 17:10Revelation 2:23Jeremiah 16:17Ezekiel 2:2Psalms 7:9Hebrews 4:13

Test Your Knowledge

Ezekiel 11 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterEzekiel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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