King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 6:11 Mean?

Ezekiel 6:11 in the King James Version says “Thus saith the Lord GOD; Smite with thine hand, and stamp with thy foot, and say, Alas for all the evil abominations of ... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Ezekiel 6:11 · KJV


Context

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.

13

Then shall ye know that I am the LORD, when their slain men shall be among their idols round about their altars, upon every high hill, in all the tops of the mountains, and under every green tree, and under every thick oak, the place where they did offer sweet savour to all their idols.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. God commands Ezekiel to perform dramatic gestures—smiting hand and stamping foot—expressing grief and horror at Israel's abominations. The Hebrew hach be-khapkha (הַךְ בְּכַפֶּךָ, "smite with thine hand") and reka be-raglekha (רְקַע בְּרַגְלֶךָ, "stamp with thy foot") create visceral, physical proclamation. The exclamation "Alas" (ach, אָח) expresses lament. The triple judgment (sword, famine, pestilence) repeats Jeremiah's formula (Jeremiah 14:12; 21:7-9; 24:10), emphasizing comprehensive destruction from all sources.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Prophets regularly used dramatic physical actions to communicate messages (Isaiah 20:2-3; Jeremiah 27:2; Hosea 1:2). Ezekiel's hand-smiting and foot-stamping would create memorable spectacle, embedding the message emotionally. The exile community watching would feel the prophet's grief and horror, internalizing the seriousness of Israel's sin. The threefold judgment—sword (war), famine (siege), pestilence (disease)—characterized ancient warfare and fulfilled covenant curses (Leviticus 26:25-26; Deuteronomy 28:21-22, 48-57). Babylon's conquest brought all three simultaneously.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does physical expression of grief and horror model appropriate response to sin's devastating consequences?
  2. What does the triple judgment (sword, famine, pestilence) teach about sin's comprehensive destructive effects?
  3. In what ways should we demonstrate visceral grief over cultural and personal sins?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
כֹּֽה1 of 21
H3541

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

וֶֽאֱמָר2 of 21

Thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֣י3 of 21

the Lord

H136

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

יְהוִ֗ה4 of 21
H3068

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

הַכֵּ֨ה5 of 21

Smite

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

בְכַפְּךָ֜6 of 21

with thine hand

H3709

the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-

וּרְקַ֤ע7 of 21

and stamp

H7554

to pound the earth (as a sign of passion); by analogy to expand (by hammering); by implication, to overlay (with thin sheets of metal)

בְּרַגְלְךָ֙8 of 21

with thy foot

H7272

a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda

וֶֽאֱמָר9 of 21

Thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אָ֔ח10 of 21

Alas

H253

oh! (expressive of grief or surprise)

אֶ֛ל11 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כָּל12 of 21
H3605

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

תּוֹעֲב֥וֹת13 of 21

abominations

H8441

properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol

רָע֖וֹת14 of 21

for all the evil

H7451

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

בֵּ֣ית15 of 21

of the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל16 of 21

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

אֲשֶׁ֗ר17 of 21
H834

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

בַּחֶ֛רֶב18 of 21

by the sword

H2719

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

בָּרָעָ֥ב19 of 21

by the famine

H7458

hunger (more or less extensive)

וּבַדֶּ֖בֶר20 of 21

and by the pestilence

H1698

a pestilence

יִפֹּֽלוּ׃21 of 21

for they shall fall

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)


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 6:11 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 6:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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