Ezekiel 5:12

A third part of thee shall die with the pestilence, and with famine shall they be consumed in the midst of thee: and a third part shall fall by the sword round about thee; and I will scatter a third part into all the winds, and I will draw out a sword after them.

A third part {H7992} of thee shall die {H4191} with the pestilence {H1698}, and with famine {H7458} shall they be consumed {H3615} in the midst {H8432} of thee: and a third part {H7992} shall fall {H5307} by the sword {H2719} round about {H5439} thee; and I will scatter {H2219} a third part {H7992} into all the winds {H7307}, and I will draw out {H7324} a sword {H2719} after {H310} them.

A third of you will die from plague or be consumed by famine inside [Yerushalayim]; a third will fall by the sword all around [Yerushalayim]; and a third I will scatter to all the winds and pursue with the sword.'

A third of your people will die by plague or be consumed by famine within you, a third will fall by the sword outside your walls, and a third I will scatter to every wind and unleash a sword behind them.

A third part of thee shall die with the pestilence, and with famine shall they be consumed in the midst of thee; and a third part shall fall by the sword round about thee; and a third part I will scatter unto all the winds, and will draw out a sword after them.

Ezekiel 5:12 is a stark prophetic declaration detailing the severe judgment awaiting Jerusalem and its inhabitants due to their persistent rebellion against God. It graphically describes the threefold fate of the city's population, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of divine retribution.

Context

This verse is part of a powerful symbolic act initiated by God in Ezekiel chapter 5. The prophet Ezekiel is commanded to shave his hair and beard, dividing it into three portions to symbolize the fate of the people of Jerusalem. The cutting and dividing of the hair represent the cutting off and division of the population. The judgments described here — pestilence, famine, sword, and scattering — are direct consequences of Jerusalem's idolatry and breaking of God's covenant, as detailed throughout the book. This prophecy foretells the impending destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians and the subsequent exile, which was a historical reality for the Jewish people.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Retribution: The verse clearly illustrates God's active role in bringing judgment upon a rebellious people. The repeated "I will" underscores His sovereignty and determination to execute justice.
  • Severity of Consequences: The division into three parts (death by pestilence/famine, death by sword, and scattering) shows that no one would escape the judgment unscathed. This was a comprehensive and inescapable punishment for deep-seated sin and idolatry.
  • Covenant Faithfulness: Underlying this judgment is the principle that God holds His people accountable to the covenant He made with them. Their unfaithfulness led to these dire consequences, fulfilling warnings found in the Law (Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28).
  • Scattering and Exile: The scattering "into all the winds" points to the diaspora, where the remnant would be dispersed among foreign nations, yet still under God's watchful, albeit punitive, eye.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew terms for the judgments are potent. "Debher" (דֶּבֶר) for pestilence often refers to a divine plague or epidemic, signifying God's direct hand. "Ra'av" (רָעָב) for famine highlights a severe lack of food, a common consequence of siege warfare. The sword ("cherev", חֶרֶב) represents violent death in battle. The phrase "scatter into all the winds" (וְזֵרֵיתִי אֹתָם לְכָל־רוּחַ) vividly portrays a complete and forceful dispersal, leaving no fixed place of refuge and signifying a loss of national identity and security, a theme echoed in other prophetic warnings about the scattering of Israel.

Practical Application

While this prophecy was specifically directed at ancient Jerusalem, its principles remain relevant. It serves as a powerful reminder of:

  • The Seriousness of Sin: God does not take rebellion lightly. Persistent disobedience and idolatry have severe consequences.
  • God's Justice and Sovereignty: Even in judgment, God remains sovereign and just. His warnings are not idle threats but expressions of His righteous character.
  • The Call to Repentance: The severity of the judgment underscores the urgency of turning from sin and returning to God. Although judgment was decreed, the prophets often offered hope for those who would repent.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Ezekiel 5:2

    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.

  • Jeremiah 15:2

    And it shall come to pass, if they say unto thee, Whither shall we go forth? then thou shalt tell them, Thus saith the LORD; Such as [are] for death, to death; and such as [are] for the sword, to the sword; and such as [are] for the famine, to the famine; and such as [are] for the captivity, to the captivity.

  • Jeremiah 43:10

    And say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will send and take Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will set his throne upon these stones that I have hid; and he shall spread his royal pavilion over them.

  • Jeremiah 43:11

    And when he cometh, he shall smite the land of Egypt, [and deliver] such [as are] for death to death; and such [as are] for captivity to captivity; and such [as are] for the sword to the sword.

  • Ezekiel 12:14

    And I will scatter toward every wind all that [are] about him to help him, and all his bands; and I will draw out the sword after them.

  • Jeremiah 21:9

    He that abideth in this city shall die by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth out, and falleth to the Chaldeans that besiege you, he shall live, and his life shall be unto him for a prey.

  • Ezekiel 6:11

    ¶ 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.

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