King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 5:7 Mean?

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye multiplied more than the nations that are round about you, and have not walked in my statutes, neither have kept my judgments, neither have done according to the judgments of the nations that are round about you;

Ezekiel 5:7 · KJV


Context

5

Thus saith the Lord GOD; This is Jerusalem: I have set it in the midst of the nations and countries that are round about her.

6

And she hath changed my judgments into wickedness more than the nations, and my statutes more than the countries that are round about her: for they have refused my judgments and my statutes, they have not walked in them.

7

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye multiplied more than the nations that are round about you, and have not walked in my statutes, neither have kept my judgments, neither have done according to the judgments of the nations that are round about you;

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye multiplied more than the nations that are round about you, and have not walked in my statutes, neither have kept my judgments, neither have done according to the judgments of the nations that are round about you; This shocking indictment declares Israel worse than pagan nations—they failed to keep even the basic moral standards surrounding peoples maintained. "Multiplied" (hemonkem, הֲמֹנְכֶם) can mean "increased in tumult/disorder" or "exceeded"—Israel's rebellion surpassed pagan nations in quantity and quality. They received God's perfect law yet lived more lawlessly than Gentiles operating from mere conscience (Romans 2:14-15).

The triple negative emphasizes comprehensive failure: (1) not walked in statutes, (2) not kept judgments, (3) not even maintained pagan nations' standards. This final point stings—peoples without revelation maintained better social order and basic morality than covenant Israel. The Hebrew construction intensifies the shock: having superior revelation, Israel produced inferior behavior. Knowledge without obedience compounds guilt rather than excusing it (James 4:17; Luke 12:47-48).

Theologically, this confronts religious presumption. External covenant membership, possession of Scripture, and religious heritage mean nothing without obedient faith. Worse, they increase condemnation when violated. Jesus made this same point: Sodom and Gomorrah's judgment would be more tolerable than unrepentant Jewish cities that witnessed His miracles (Matthew 11:20-24). Greater light brings greater accountability. Only Christ's righteousness credited to believers by faith satisfies God's perfect standard (2 Corinthians 5:21).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Israel's moral decline below pagan standards manifested in multiple ways. Despite having laws protecting workers, widows, orphans, and foreigners (Exodus 22:21-27; Deuteronomy 24:17-22), they oppressed these vulnerable groups (Ezekiel 22:6-12, 29). Child sacrifice, explicitly forbidden (Leviticus 18:21; 20:2-5), was practiced in the Hinnom Valley (2 Kings 23:10; Jeremiah 7:31). Ritual prostitution, temple defilement, and syncretism filled Jerusalem despite clear prohibitions.

Meanwhile, pagan nations maintained certain moral and social standards. Ancient Near Eastern law codes (Hammurabi, Hittite laws) protected property, regulated commerce, and punished violence. While imperfect, these societies functioned with basic order and justice. Israel, possessing superior divine law, descended into chaos worse than their pagan neighbors—a shocking indictment.

The prophets repeatedly highlighted this shameful comparison. Jeremiah declared even faithless Israel more righteous than treacherous Judah (Jeremiah 3:11). Ezekiel compared Jerusalem unfavorably to Sodom (Ezekiel 16:48-50). When God's people sink below pagan morality despite superior revelation, their condemnation is righteous and severe. Privilege unused becomes a millstone of guilt.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Israel's failure to meet even pagan standards challenge our confidence in mere religious heritage?
  2. What modern parallels exist where Christian societies or churches behave worse than secular counterparts?
  3. In what ways does greater biblical knowledge increase our accountability before God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
לָכֵ֞ן1 of 24
H3651

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

כֹּֽה2 of 24
H3541

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

אָמַ֣ר׀3 of 24

Therefore thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֣י4 of 24

the Lord

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִ֗ה5 of 24
H3068

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

יַ֤עַן6 of 24
H3282

properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause

הֲמָנְכֶם֙7 of 24

Because ye multiplied

H1995

a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth

מִן8 of 24
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַגּוֹיִ֛ם9 of 24

more than the nations

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

אֲשֶׁ֣ר10 of 24
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

סְבִיבוֹתֵיכֶ֖ם11 of 24

that are round about

H5439

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

בְּחֻקּוֹתַי֙12 of 24

in my statutes

H2708

a statute

לֹ֣א13 of 24
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

הֲלַכְתֶּ֔ם14 of 24

you and have not walked

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

וְאֶת15 of 24
H853

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

וּֽכְמִשְׁפְּטֵ֧י16 of 24

according to the judgments

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

לֹ֣א17 of 24
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

עֲשִׂיתֶֽם׃18 of 24

neither have done

H6213

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

וּֽכְמִשְׁפְּטֵ֧י19 of 24

according to the judgments

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

הַגּוֹיִ֛ם20 of 24

more than the nations

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

אֲשֶׁ֥ר21 of 24
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

סְבִיבוֹתֵיכֶ֖ם22 of 24

that are round about

H5439

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

לֹ֥א23 of 24
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

עֲשִׂיתֶֽם׃24 of 24

neither have done

H6213

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


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 5:7 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 5:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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