King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 5:2 Mean?

Ezekiel 5:2 in the King James Version says “Thou shalt burn with fire a third part in the midst of the city, when the days of the siege are fulfilled: and thou shal...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Ezekiel 5:2 · 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

4

Then take of them again, and cast them into the midst of the fire, and burn them in the fire; for thereof shall a fire come forth into all the house of Israel.

Read Ezekiel 5 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. God commands Ezekiel to divide his shaved hair into precise thirds, each representing Jerusalem's population fate. The first third burned "in the midst of the city" (betokh ha-ir, בְּתוֹךְ הָעִיר) symbolizes death by fire, famine, and pestilence during siege. The second third smitten "about it with a knife" represents death by sword during the city's fall. The final third "scattered in the wind" depicts exile and dispersion.

The threefold division demonstrates comprehensive judgment—no escape exists; every possibility ends in death or exile. Yet even exile offers no safety: "I will draw out a sword after them" (arik acharehem charev, אָרִיק אַחֲרֵיהֶם חָרֶב). God's pursuing sword follows the scattered remnant, ensuring judgment reaches even refugees. This echoes Amos 9:1-4—no hiding place exists from divine wrath.

The mathematical precision (one-third, one-third, one-third) emphasizes God's sovereign control and perfect justice. Nothing occurs by chance; each person's fate fulfills divine decree. This anticipates Jesus' teaching that God numbers even the hairs on our heads (Luke 12:7)—nothing escapes divine knowledge and sovereign ordering. The terror is that this sovereign precision here serves judgment; the gospel comfort is that the same sovereignty works all things for believers' good (Romans 8:28).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ezekiel's prophecy came true with devastating accuracy during Jerusalem's fall (586 BC). Historical records confirm that approximately one-third of Jerusalem's population died during the 18-month siege from famine, disease, and fire. When Babylon breached the walls, approximately one-third died by sword in the ensuing slaughter. The final third was exiled to Babylon, though even there many faced execution or death.

Jeremiah's parallel account confirms these proportions: "A third part of you shall die of pestilence and be consumed with famine in your midst; a third part shall fall by the sword all around you; and a third part I will scatter to all the winds" (Jeremiah 15:2; cf. Zechariah 13:8-9). The prophetic word proved precise in fulfillment.

The 'sword drawn after' the exiles manifested in various ways: some exiles were executed by Babylonians; others died in subsequent rebellions or purges; Jewish refugees who fled to Egypt were pursued there by Babylonian armies (Jeremiah 43-44). No refuge provided safety when God decreed judgment. The only safety lay in repentance and submission to God's disciplining hand.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the precise division of Jerusalem's fate demonstrate God's sovereign control even in judgment?
  2. What does the 'sword drawn after' exiles teach about the impossibility of fleeing from God?
  3. In what ways does this comprehensive judgment drive us to seek refuge in Christ alone?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וְהַשְּׁלִשִׁית֙1 of 20

“a third part”

H7992

third; feminine a third (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a third-story cell)

בָּא֤וּר2 of 20

“with fire”

H217

flame; hence (in the plural) the east (as being the region of light)

תַּבְעִיר֙3 of 20

“Thou shalt burn”

H1197

to be(-come) brutish

בְּת֣וֹךְ4 of 20

“in the midst”

H8432

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

הָעִ֔יר5 of 20

“of the city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

כִּמְלֹ֖את6 of 20

“are fulfilled”

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

יְמֵ֣י7 of 20

“when the days”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַמָּצ֑וֹר8 of 20

“of the siege”

H4692

something hemming in, i.e., (objectively) a mound (of besiegers), (abstractly) a siege, (figuratively) distress; or (subjectively) a fastness

וְלָֽקַחְתָּ֣9 of 20

“and thou shalt take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת10 of 20
H853

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

וְהַשְּׁלִשִׁית֙11 of 20

“a third part”

H7992

third; feminine a third (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a third-story cell)

תַּכֶּ֤ה12 of 20

“and smite”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

וְחֶ֖רֶב13 of 20

“a sword”

H2719

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

סְבִ֣יבוֹתֶ֔יהָ14 of 20

“about”

H5439

(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

וְהַשְּׁלִשִׁית֙15 of 20

“a third part”

H7992

third; feminine a third (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a third-story cell)

תִּזְרֶ֣ה16 of 20

“thou shalt scatter”

H2219

to toss about; by implication, to diffuse, winnow

לָר֔וּחַ17 of 20

“in the wind”

H7307

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

וְחֶ֖רֶב18 of 20

“a sword”

H2719

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

אָרִ֥יק19 of 20

“and I will draw out”

H7324

to pour out (literally or figuratively), i.e., empty

אַחֲרֵיהֶֽם׃20 of 20

“after”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

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 5:2 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 5:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 5:12Leviticus 26:33Ezekiel 4:1-8Ezekiel 12:14Jeremiah 9:16Jeremiah 15:2

Places in This Verse

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