King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 5:10 Mean?

Ezekiel 5:10 in the King James Version says “Therefore the fathers shall eat the sons in the midst of thee, and the sons shall eat their fathers; and I will execute ...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Therefore the fathers shall eat the sons in the midst of thee, and the sons shall eat their fathers; and I will execute judgments in thee, and the whole remnant of thee will I scatter into all the winds.”

Ezekiel 5:10 · KJV

Context

8

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, am against thee, and will execute judgments in the midst of thee in the sight of the nations.

9

And I will do in thee that which I have not done, and whereunto I will not do any more the like, because of all thine abominations.

10

Therefore the fathers shall eat the sons in the midst of thee, and the sons shall eat their fathers; and I will execute judgments in thee, and the whole remnant of thee will I scatter into all the winds.

11

Wherefore, as I live, saith the Lord GOD; Surely, because thou hast defiled my sanctuary with all thy detestable things, and with all thine abominations, therefore will I also diminish thee; neither shall mine eye spare, neither will I have any pity.

12

A third part of thee shall die with the pestilence, and with famine shall they be consumed in the midst of thee: and a third part shall fall by the sword round about thee; and I will scatter a third part into all the winds, and I will draw out a sword after them.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Therefore the fathers shall eat the sons in the midst of thee, and the sons shall eat their fathers; and I will execute judgments in thee, and the whole remnant of thee will I scatter into all the winds. The prophecy reaches horrific climax—cannibalism within families, the ultimate collapse of natural order and human society. "Fathers shall eat the sons" reverses the natural parental instinct to protect children, depicting desperation so extreme that basic humanity evaporates. This fulfills covenant curses warned in Leviticus 26:29 and Deuteronomy 28:53-57, where extreme siege conditions drive people to unthinkable acts.

The reciprocal cannibalism ("sons shall eat fathers") emphasizes complete social breakdown. Neither generation spares the other; family bonds dissolve under starvation's pressure. This represents the ultimate consequence of rejecting God—when covenant relationship fractures, all other relationships deteriorate. Sin doesn't just separate us from God; it corrupts every dimension of created order, reducing humans to bestial survival instincts.

"The whole remnant will I scatter into all the winds" adds exile to judgment. Even survivors of siege face dispersion, fulfilling Deuteronomy's curse of scattering among nations (Deuteronomy 28:64). Yet "remnant" language contains hope—though scattered, a remnant remains. God's judgment is severe but not utterly destructive. He preserves seed for future restoration, demonstrating that even in wrath, God remembers mercy (Habakkuk 3:2). This points toward Christ gathering God's scattered children from every nation (John 11:52; Ephesians 2:11-13).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Lamentations 4:10 confirms this prophecy's literal fulfillment: "The hands of compassionate women have boiled their own children; they became their food during the destruction of the daughter of my people." Josephus records similar horrors during Rome's siege of Jerusalem (70 AD), where a woman killed and ate her infant son. These historical accounts validate Ezekiel's prophetic warning and demonstrate sin's degrading consequences.

Ancient Near Eastern siege warfare regularly produced such extremes. Assyrian annals describe cities under siege resorting to cannibalism. The Dead Sea Scrolls and other texts reference these horrors as ultimate covenant curse. For Jerusalem, the holy city housing God's temple, to experience this represented the nadir of fallen humanity—those who should have been light to nations descended below animals in desperation.

The scattering 'into all winds' occurred in multiple stages: Babylon's exiles (597, 586 BC), refugees fleeing to Egypt (Jeremiah 43), and subsequent dispersions. The Jewish diaspora that resulted spread throughout the ancient world, creating communities from Babylon to Rome. This dispersion, though rooted in judgment, providentially positioned Jews to hear the gospel in their own languages at Pentecost (Acts 2:5-11), demonstrating God's redemptive purposes working even through judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the horror of cannibalism illustrate the comprehensive devastation that results from rejecting God?
  2. What does the breakdown of family bonds teach about sin's effect on all human relationships?
  3. In what ways does the preservation of a 'remnant' demonstrate God's mercy even in severe judgment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
לָכֵ֗ן1 of 17
H3651

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

אֲבוֹתָ֑ם2 of 17

“Therefore the fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

יֹאכְל֣וּ3 of 17

“shall eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

וּבָנִ֖ים4 of 17

“of thee and the sons”

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

בְּתוֹכֵ֔ךְ5 of 17

“in the midst”

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

וּבָנִ֖ים6 of 17

“of thee and the sons”

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

יֹאכְל֣וּ7 of 17

“shall eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

אֲבוֹתָ֑ם8 of 17

“Therefore the fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וְעָשִׂ֤יתִי9 of 17

“and I will execute”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

בָךְ֙10 of 17
H0
שְׁפָטִ֔ים11 of 17

“judgments”

H8201

a sentence, i.e., infliction

וְזֵרִיתִ֥י12 of 17

“of thee will I scatter”

H2219

to toss about; by implication, to diffuse, winnow

אֶת13 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל14 of 17
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

שְׁאֵרִיתֵ֖ךְ15 of 17

“in thee and the whole remnant”

H7611

a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion

לְכָל16 of 17
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

רֽוּחַ׃17 of 17

“into all the winds”

H7307

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

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 5:10 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 5:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Zechariah 2:6Jeremiah 19:9Ezekiel 12:14Leviticus 26:29Deuteronomy 28:64Ezekiel 36:19

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
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