King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 6:10 Mean?

Ezekiel 6:10 in the King James Version says “And they shall know that I am the LORD, and that I have not said in vain that I would do this evil unto them.” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And they shall know that I am the LORD, and that I have not said in vain that I would do this evil unto them.”

Ezekiel 6:10 · KJV

Context

8

Yet will I leave a remnant, that ye may have some that shall escape the sword among the nations, when ye shall be scattered through the countries.

9

And they that escape of you shall remember me among the nations whither they shall be carried captives, because I am broken with their whorish heart, which hath departed from me, and with their eyes, which go a whoring after their idols: and they shall lothe themselves for the evils which they have committed in all their abominations.

10

And they shall know that I am the LORD, and that I have not said in vain that I would do this evil unto them.

11

Thus saith the Lord GOD; Smite with thine hand, and stamp with thy foot, and say, Alas for all the evil abominations of the house of Israel! for they shall fall by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence.

12

He that is far off shall die of the pestilence; and he that is near shall fall by the sword; and he that remaineth and is besieged shall die by the famine: thus will I accomplish my fury upon them.

Read Ezekiel 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And they shall know that I am the LORD, and that I have not said in vain that I would do this evil unto them. The recognition formula reappears with addition: not only will they know God's identity but also His word's reliability—"I have not said in vain" (lo-chinam dibarti, לֹא־חִנָּם דִּבַּרְתִּי). Hebrew chinam means "for nothing, without cause, in vain." God's prophetic warnings weren't empty threats or exaggerated rhetoric but certain predictions that must be fulfilled. The phrase "this evil" (hara'ah hazot) refers to the comprehensive judgments just described. When prophecy becomes history, skeptics become believers. Fulfilled prediction vindicates both God's knowledge and His veracity.

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Historical & Cultural Context

For decades before exile, false prophets promised peace (Jeremiah 6:14; 8:11; 23:17; 28:2-4; Ezekiel 13:10), contradicting true prophets who warned of judgment. Many dismissed Jeremiah and Ezekiel as pessimistic extremists. But when Jerusalem fell exactly as predicted, survivors recognized that true prophets spoke God's word while false prophets spoke their own imagination. The fulfilled prophecy established Ezekiel's credibility for later messages of restoration—if judgment prophecies proved true, restoration promises would likewise be fulfilled. God's word never returns void (Isaiah 55:10-11).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does fulfilled prophecy vindicate Scripture's divine origin and reliability?
  2. What does God's word 'not being in vain' teach about taking biblical warnings seriously?
  3. How should the certainty of God's promises (both judgment and blessing) shape our lives?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וְיָדְע֖וּ1 of 12

“And they shall know”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

כִּֽי2 of 12
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֲנִ֣י3 of 12
H589

i

יְהוָ֑ה4 of 12

“that I am the LORD”

H3068

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

לֹ֤א5 of 12
H3808

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

אֶל6 of 12
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

חִנָּם֙7 of 12

“in vain”

H2600

gratis, i.e., devoid of cost, reason or advantage

דִּבַּ֔רְתִּי8 of 12

“and that I have not said”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת9 of 12

“that I would do”

H6213

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

לָהֶ֖ם10 of 12
H0
הָרָעָ֥ה11 of 12

“this evil”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

הַזֹּֽאת׃12 of 12
H2063

this (often used adverb)

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 6:10 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 6:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 44:28Jeremiah 5:12-14Daniel 9:12Ezekiel 14:22-23Ezekiel 6:7Zechariah 1:6

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