Ezekiel 5:13

Thus shall mine anger be accomplished, and I will cause my fury to rest upon them, and I will be comforted: and they shall know that I the LORD have spoken [it] in my zeal, when I have accomplished my fury in them.

Thus shall mine anger {H639} be accomplished {H3615}, and I will cause my fury {H2534} to rest {H5117} upon them, and I will be comforted {H5162}: and they shall know {H3045} that I the LORD {H3068} have spoken {H1696} it in my zeal {H7068}, when I have accomplished {H3615} my fury {H2534} in them.

In this way my anger will spend itself, my fury against them will die down, and I will be satisfied. Then, when I have spent my fury on them, they will know that I, ADONAI, have spoken out of my zeal.

And when My anger is spent and I have vented My wrath against them, I will be appeased. And when I have spent My wrath on them, they will know that I, the LORD, in My zeal have spoken.

Thus shall mine anger be accomplished, and I will cause my wrath toward them to rest, and I shall be comforted: and they shall know that I, Jehovah, have spoken in my zeal, when I have accomplished my wrath upon them.

Commentary

Ezekiel 5:13 is a stark declaration from God concerning the severe judgment He would bring upon Jerusalem and the people of Israel. It emphasizes the divine certainty and purpose behind the impending destruction and scattering of the inhabitants.

Context of Ezekiel 5:13

This verse is part of a prophetic act and divine explanation in Ezekiel chapter 5, where the prophet Ezekiel performs a symbolic ritual involving his hair and beard. This act vividly illustrates the three-fold fate of Jerusalem's inhabitants: a third consumed by famine and pestilence, a third struck down by the sword, and a third scattered by the wind. The judgment is portrayed as a consequence of Israel's profound spiritual defection and idolatry, which had surpassed the wickedness of even the surrounding pagan nations (Ezekiel 5:7). God's pronouncement here underscores the finality and divine rationale for this devastating punishment, which culminated in the Babylonian exile and the destruction of the Temple.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment and Wrath: The verse clearly states, "Thus shall mine anger be accomplished, and I will cause my fury to rest upon them." This signifies that God's patience has run out, and His righteous indignation will be fully executed. It's a powerful reminder of God's holiness and His intolerance for persistent sin and rebellion.
  • God's Justice and Comfort: The phrase "and I will be comforted" might seem unsettling, but it speaks to the satisfaction of divine justice. It doesn't imply God takes pleasure in suffering, but rather that His righteous grief over Israel's rebellion will cease once His justice is vindicated. The disorder caused by sin will be resolved by the execution of just judgment, bringing a form of divine peace or comfort to His holy character.
  • Knowledge of God: "And they shall know that I the LORD have spoken [it] in my zeal." A primary purpose of the judgment is for Israel and the surrounding nations to recognize the sovereignty and power of the God of Israel. Through the fulfillment of His warnings, they would undeniably understand that the Lord is the one true God, passionate in His commitment to His covenant and His own glory. This theme of "knowing the Lord" through judgment is recurrent throughout Ezekiel (Ezekiel 6:7, Ezekiel 7:27).
  • God's Zeal (Qin'ah): The word "zeal" (Hebrew: qin'ah) denotes a fervent, often intense, passion or indignation. Here, it speaks to God's burning commitment to His own holiness, His covenant, and His people, which compels Him to act decisively against their unfaithfulness.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "comforted" is nacham (נחם). While it can mean "to be sorry" or "to repent" (as in God repenting of a course of action), in this context, it signifies "to be consoled" or "to find relief." God is not grieving over His decision, but finding satisfaction in the righteous resolution of the deep offense caused by Israel's apostasy. His holy character, which had been grieved by their rebellion, is now vindicated and at peace through the execution of justice.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 5:13 serves as a powerful reminder of several timeless truths:

  • God is Holy and Just: He does not overlook sin indefinitely. There are real and severe consequences for rebellion against His commands and covenant.
  • The Seriousness of Idolatry: For ancient Israel, idolatry was a direct betrayal of their covenant with God. For us today, idolatry can take many forms, including placing anything (money, power, relationships, self) before God. This verse underscores God's passionate response to such unfaithfulness.
  • God's Word is True: Every warning and promise of God will be fulfilled. His "zeal" ensures that what He has spoken will come to pass, whether in judgment or blessing. This should encourage both a healthy fear of God and a confident trust in His faithfulness.
  • Understanding God's Character: This difficult passage reveals a facet of God's character often overlooked: His righteous anger and His need for His justice to be satisfied. It helps us appreciate the depth of sin and the immense cost of redemption found in Christ, who bore God's wrath in our place (Romans 5:8).
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Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 36:5

    Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Surely in the fire of my jealousy have I spoken against the residue of the heathen, and against all Idumea, which have appointed my land into their possession with the joy of all [their] heart, with despiteful minds, to cast it out for a prey.

  • Ezekiel 36:6

    Prophesy therefore concerning the land of Israel, and say unto the mountains, and to the hills, to the rivers, and to the valleys, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I have spoken in my jealousy and in my fury, because ye have borne the shame of the heathen:

  • Isaiah 1:24

    Therefore saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies:

  • Ezekiel 6:12

    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.

  • Ezekiel 20:21

    Notwithstanding the children rebelled against me: they walked not in my statutes, neither kept my judgments to do them, which [if] a man do, he shall even live in them; they polluted my sabbaths: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness.

  • Ezekiel 7:8

    Now will I shortly pour out my fury upon thee, and accomplish mine anger upon thee: and I will judge thee according to thy ways, and will recompense thee for all thine abominations.

  • Ezekiel 21:17

    I will also smite mine hands together, and I will cause my fury to rest: I the LORD have said [it].