King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 5:1 Mean?

Ezekiel 5:1 in the King James Version says “And thou, son of man, take thee a sharp knife, take thee a barber's razor, and cause it to pass upon thine head and upon...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And thou, son of man, take thee a sharp knife, take thee a barber's razor, and cause it to pass upon thine head and upon thy beard: then take thee balances to weigh, and divide the hair.”

Ezekiel 5:1 · KJV

Context

1

And thou, son of man, take thee a sharp knife, take thee a barber's razor, and cause it to pass upon thine head and upon thy beard: then take thee balances to weigh, and divide the hair.

2

Thou shalt burn with fire a third part in the midst of the city, when the days of the siege are fulfilled: and thou shalt take a third part, and smite about it with a knife: and a third part thou shalt scatter in the wind; and I will draw out a sword after them.

3

Thou shalt also take thereof a few in number, and bind them in thy skirts. skirts: Heb. wings

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And thou, son of man, take thee a sharp knife, take thee a barber's razor, and cause it to pass upon thine head and upon thy beard: then take thee balances to weigh, and divide the hair. Ezekiel receives another shocking prophetic command—to shave his head and beard with a sword (cherev chaddah, חֶרֶב חַדָּה, "sharp sword") functioning as a barber's razor. For an Israelite priest, this act violated sacred norms. Levitical law prohibited priests from shaving their heads or beards (Leviticus 21:5), as such disfigurement was associated with pagan mourning rituals and ritual defilement.

The "sharp knife" or "sword" symbolizes violent judgment—not gentle trimming but forcible removal. Using military weaponry for personal grooming creates jarring imagery: warfare invades the most intimate personal spaces. The "balances to weigh" (moznei mishqal, מֹאזְנֵי מִשְׁקָל) introduce meticulous division, emphasizing God's precise, measured judgment. Nothing is random; everything is carefully apportioned according to divine justice.

The shaving of head and beard represents utter humiliation and loss of dignity (2 Samuel 10:4-5; Isaiah 7:20). In ancient Near Eastern culture, beards signified manhood, wisdom, and honor. Forcing a priest to violate these marks through self-inflicted shaving dramatizes the comprehensive shame and degradation exile would bring. Theologically, this points toward Christ who endured ultimate humiliation (Isaiah 50:6; 53:3) bearing our shame so we might receive His honor (Hebrews 12:2).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Hair held deep cultural significance in ancient Israel. Long, well-groomed beards indicated dignity and maturity. Forcing someone to shave represented profound disgrace—Hanun's humiliation of David's ambassadors by shaving half their beards was grounds for war (2 Samuel 10:4-5). For priests, whose appearance symbolized holiness and consecration to God, shaving violated sacred duty.

Ezekiel's public performance of this degrading act before the exile community would shock and disturb. The priest, who should exemplify holiness and dignity, becomes object of pity and horror. This visceral demonstration communicated what words alone couldn't: Jerusalem's coming judgment would strip away every vestige of dignity, honor, and sacred status.

The use of a sword rather than normal shaving implements foreshadows violence. Within a decade, Babylonian swords would indeed 'shave' Jerusalem—stripping the city of inhabitants, wealth, and glory. The prophetic drama enacted in Ezekiel's body would become historical reality in the nation's experience.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Ezekiel's violation of priestly norms to deliver God's message teach about the cost of faithful prophetic ministry?
  2. What does the imagery of using a sword as a razor reveal about judgment's violent, invasive nature?
  3. In what ways does Christ's bearing of ultimate shame enable believers to stand before God with dignity?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וְאַתָּ֨ה1 of 21
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

בֶן2 of 21

“And thou son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אָדָ֜ם3 of 21

“of man”

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

וְלָקַחְתָּ֥4 of 21

“take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

לְךָ֣׀5 of 21
H0
חֶ֣רֶב6 of 21

“knife”

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

חַדָּ֗ה7 of 21

“thee a sharp”

H2299

sharp

תַּ֤עַר8 of 21

“razor”

H8593

a knife or razor (as making bare); also a scabbard (as being bare, i.e., empty)

הַגַּלָּבִים֙9 of 21

“thee a barber's”

H1532

a barber

וְלָקַחְתָּ֥10 of 21

“take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

לָּ֔ךְ11 of 21
H0
וְהַעֲבַרְתָּ֥12 of 21

“and cause it to pass”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

עַל13 of 21
H5921

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

רֹאשְׁךָ֖14 of 21

“upon thine head”

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

וְעַל15 of 21
H5921

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

זְקָנֶ֑ךָ16 of 21

“and upon thy beard”

H2206

the beard (as indicating age)

וְלָקַחְתָּ֥17 of 21

“take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

לְךָ֛18 of 21
H0
מֹאזְנֵ֥י19 of 21

“thee balances”

H3976

(only in the dual) a pair of scales

מִשְׁקָ֖ל20 of 21

“to weigh”

H4948

weight (numerically estimated); hence, weighing (the act)

וְחִלַּקְתָּֽם׃21 of 21

“and divide”

H2505

to be smooth (figuratively)

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 5:1 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 5:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 7:20Leviticus 21:5Ezekiel 44:20Daniel 5:27

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