King James Version
What Does Ezekiel 5:9 Mean?
“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.”
Ezekiel 5:9 · KJV
Context
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.
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.
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryAnd 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. God declares unprecedented judgment—something never done before and never to be repeated. The Hebrew asher lo-asiti (אֲשֶׁר לֹא־עָשִׂיתִי, "which I have not done") emphasizes absolute uniqueness. Jerusalem's judgment would exceed even the flood, Sodom's destruction, or Egypt's plagues in specific horror. "Whereunto I will not do any more the like" (va'asher lo e'eseh khamoh'u) promises this level of judgment would never recur—unrepeatable severity matching unrepeatable privilege.
"Because of all thine abominations" (yayin kol-to'avotayikh, יַעַן כָּל־תּוֹעֲבֹתַיִךְ) provides the cause—accumulated detestable practices, especially idolatry. The Hebrew to'evah (תּוֹעֵבָה) denotes what God finds utterly abhorrent, often applied to idolatry and sexual perversion (Deuteronomy 18:9-12; Leviticus 18:22-30). Jerusalem combined maximum privilege (God's presence, revelation, covenant) with maximum perversion (idolatry, child sacrifice, injustice), warranting maximum judgment.
This principle of proportionate judgment runs throughout Scripture—to whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48). Jerusalem received unparalleled blessings: God's temple, David's throne, prophetic ministry, covenant promises. These very blessings made their betrayal uniquely heinous, warranting uniquely severe punishment. Yet even here, grace appears—the judgment's unrepeatable nature implies eventual restoration. After this unprecedented discipline, God would restore, not repeat destruction (Jeremiah 31:31-34).
"Because of all thine abominations" (yayin kol-to'avotayikh, יַעַן כָּל־תּוֹעֲבֹתַיִךְ) provides the cause—accumulated detestable practices, especially idolatry. The Hebrew to'evah (תּוֹעֵבָה) denotes what God finds utterly abhorrent, often applied to idolatry and sexual perversion (Deuteronomy 18:9-12; Leviticus 18:22-30). Jerusalem combined maximum privilege (God's presence, revelation, covenant) with maximum perversion (idolatry, child sacrifice, injustice), warranting maximum judgment.
This principle of proportionate judgment runs throughout Scripture—to whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48). Jerusalem received unparalleled blessings: God's temple, David's throne, prophetic ministry, covenant promises. These very blessings made their betrayal uniquely heinous, warranting uniquely severe punishment. Yet even here, grace appears—the judgment's unrepeatable nature implies eventual restoration. After this unprecedented discipline, God would restore, not repeat destruction (Jeremiah 31:31-34).
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
Jerusalem's 586 BC destruction involved horrors unprecedented in Israel's history: the temple burned, David's dynasty ended, systematic slaughter, mothers eating their children (Lamentations 4:10), mass deportation, and the holy city razed. Even the Assyrian invasion of 722 BC that destroyed northern Israel didn't match this devastation of Jerusalem, which held special covenant status as God's dwelling place.
Historical records confirm Babylon's siege was uniquely brutal. The 18-month blockade caused starvation extreme enough for cannibalism. When walls were breached, systematic execution of nobility, priests, and leaders followed (2 Kings 25:18-21). The temple's deliberate burning desecrated what Israel considered God's earthly throne. Archaeological excavations reveal destruction layers with burnt debris, smashed pottery, and arrowheads confirming violent conquest.
God's promise that He would "not do any more the like" proved true. Though Jerusalem suffered under Antiochus Epiphanes (167 BC) and Rome (70 AD, 135 AD), none matched the theological significance of 586 BC—God's judgment on His own temple-city. Post-exilic restoration (Ezra-Nehemiah) demonstrated God's faithfulness to restore after unrepeatable discipline. The New Covenant in Christ ensures believers never face such wrath (Romans 8:1).
Historical records confirm Babylon's siege was uniquely brutal. The 18-month blockade caused starvation extreme enough for cannibalism. When walls were breached, systematic execution of nobility, priests, and leaders followed (2 Kings 25:18-21). The temple's deliberate burning desecrated what Israel considered God's earthly throne. Archaeological excavations reveal destruction layers with burnt debris, smashed pottery, and arrowheads confirming violent conquest.
God's promise that He would "not do any more the like" proved true. Though Jerusalem suffered under Antiochus Epiphanes (167 BC) and Rome (70 AD, 135 AD), none matched the theological significance of 586 BC—God's judgment on His own temple-city. Post-exilic restoration (Ezra-Nehemiah) demonstrated God's faithfulness to restore after unrepeatable discipline. The New Covenant in Christ ensures believers never face such wrath (Romans 8:1).
Reflection Questions
- How does the unprecedented nature of Jerusalem's judgment reveal the seriousness of violating covenant relationship?
- What does God's promise not to repeat this judgment teach about His purposes in discipline?
- In what ways does the unrepeatable judgment on Jerusalem foreshadow the once-for-all judgment Christ bore on the cross?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 15 wordsבָ֗ךְ2 of 15
H0אֵ֚ת3 of 15
H853properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר4 of 15
H834who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹֽא5 of 15
H3808not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
וְאֵ֛ת7 of 15
H853properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶֽׁר8 of 15
H834who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹֽא9 of 15
H3808not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
ע֑וֹד12 of 15
H5750properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
יַ֖עַן13 of 15
“any more the like because”
H3282properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause
כָּל14 of 15
H3605properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
תּוֹעֲבֹתָֽיִךְ׃15 of 15
“of all thine abominations”
H8441properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol
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 5:9 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 5:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge