Ezekiel 5:3

KJV

Thou shalt also take thereof a few in number, and bind them in thy skirts.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou shalt also take {H3947} thereof a few {H4592} in number {H4557}, and bind {H6696} them in thy skirts {H3671}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Also take a few hairs and tie them up in the folds of your garment.

Berean Standard Bible

But you are to take a few strands of hair and secure them in the folds of your garment.

American Standard Version

And thou shalt take thereof a few in number, and bind them in thy skirts.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 5:3 is a pivotal verse within a series of dramatic prophetic actions commanded by God to the prophet Ezekiel, symbolizing the impending, severe judgment upon Jerusalem and Judah. Following instructions to divide his hair into portions representing destruction by famine, sword, and dispersion, this verse introduces a crucial counterpoint: a small, preserved portion of hair, to be secured by Ezekiel within his garment. This act powerfully illustrates God's sovereign distinction amidst widespread devastation, signifying His merciful intention to preserve a faithful remnant, a small number of His people who will be protected from the full extent of the impending wrath and kept for His future redemptive purposes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 5:3 is embedded within a highly symbolic prophetic act spanning the entirety of [Ezekiel chapter 5](/ezekiel/5 "Ezekiel 5 - The Judgment of Jerusalem"). In [Ezekiel 5:1-2](/ezekiel/5-1 "Ezekiel 5:1-2 - The Shaving of the Hair"), the prophet is commanded to shave his head and beard, a deeply humiliating act for a priest, and to divide the hair into three precise portions. One-third is to be burned in the city's midst, symbolizing death by famine and plague; another third is to be struck with a sword around the city, representing death by war; and the final third is to be scattered to the wind, signifying dispersion and pursuit by the sword. Against this backdrop of comprehensive destruction, verse 3 introduces a crucial exception, a divine act of preservation that highlights God's sovereignty even in judgment. It serves as a narrative pivot, shifting from total devastation to the glimmer of hope for a select few, setting the stage for the broader theological concept of the remnant.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Ezekiel ministered during the Babylonian exile, specifically to the Jewish community already deported to Babylon, while Jerusalem still stood, albeit under Babylonian siege. The people of Judah, including those in Jerusalem, had persistently engaged in idolatry, covenant unfaithfulness, and moral corruption, despite repeated warnings from prophets. God's judgment, as depicted in Ezekiel's prophecies, was a direct consequence of this rebellion. The act of binding a small portion of hair "in thy skirts" would have been understood culturally as a gesture of personal care, protection, and security. The "skirts" or "hem" of a garment, particularly a cloak, provided a secure place for carrying precious items or offering refuge, much like a mother bird gathers her young under her wings. This imagery would have resonated with the audience, emphasizing the deliberate and intimate nature of God's protective act.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Ezekiel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it introduces the profound concept of the **Remnant**, emphasizing that even in the most severe divine judgments, God preserves a faithful few for His ongoing purposes. This theme is foundational to understanding God's covenant faithfulness, as seen in passages like [Isaiah 1:9](/isaiah/1-9 "Isaiah 1:9 - A Very Small Remnant") and later affirmed by Paul in [Romans 11:5](/romans/11-5 "Romans 11:5 - The Remnant Chosen by Grace"). Secondly, it underscores **Divine Preservation**, showcasing God's active and intentional safeguarding of those He chooses. This is not a matter of chance but a deliberate act of sovereign mercy. Finally, the verse highlights **Mercy Amidst Judgment**. While the dominant message of [Ezekiel 5](/ezekiel/5 "Ezekiel 5 - The Judgment of Jerusalem") is one of righteous wrath against sin, verse 3 serves as a poignant reminder that God's justice is always tempered with a measure of grace, ensuring that His covenant promises and redemptive plan will ultimately prevail through a preserved seed.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **take (Hebrew, _lâqach'_):** From H3947, this primitive root signifies "to take" in a wide variety of applications, including to accept, bring, fetch, seize, or receive. In Ezekiel 5:3, the command to "take" implies a deliberate, intentional act on God's part, executed through the prophet. It is not a casual gathering but a purposeful selection, underscoring divine agency in the preservation of the remnant.
* **bind (Hebrew, _tsûwr'_):** From H6696, this root means "to cramp," "confine," "besiege," or "inclose." Here, it denotes the act of securely fastening or tying the small portion of hair. This binding is not merely for storage but for protection and safekeeping, signifying a secure enclosure that shields the remnant from the surrounding chaos and destruction, emphasizing God's active role in their security.
* **skirts (Hebrew, _kânâph'_):** From H3671, this word literally means "wing" or "extremity," often referring to the corner or hem of a garment. Symbolically, it conveys ideas of protection, refuge, and close proximity. The act of binding the hair in the "skirts" of Ezekiel's garment illustrates a tender, personal, and secure protection, much like a bird sheltering its young under its wings or a person seeking refuge under another's covering. It signifies an intimate and secure place of preservation, hidden from the destructive forces at work.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou shalt also take thereof a few in number,"**: This clause emphasizes the deliberate selection and the limited quantity of those to be preserved. "Thereof" refers to the hair, which symbolizes the people of Jerusalem. The phrase "a few in number" (Hebrew: _mᵉʻaṭ miçpâr_) highlights the smallness of this group in contrast to the vast majority facing judgment. This is a divine act of choosing, not a random sparing, underscoring God's sovereign prerogative to select and preserve.
* **"and bind them in thy skirts."**: This second clause describes the method and location of preservation. The act of "binding" (Hebrew: _tsûwr_) implies securing and protecting, while "in thy skirts" (Hebrew: _b'kânâpheyka_) denotes a place of intimate safety and refuge. Just as one might secure precious items within the folds of their garment, God instructs Ezekiel to safeguard this small portion, symbolizing divine protection and care for the chosen remnant amidst the widespread desolation.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 5:3 is rich in **Symbolism**, where the physical act of the prophet represents profound spiritual realities. The "hair" symbolizes the people of Jerusalem, and its division and subsequent fates (burning, sword, scattering) represent the various forms of judgment. The "few in number" of hair bound in the "skirts" symbolizes the **Remnant**—a small portion of God's people whom He will preserve from the impending destruction. This act is part of a larger **Prophetic Act** or **Sign-Act**, a common feature in Ezekiel's ministry, where the prophet's physical actions serve as visual sermons. There is also a powerful **Contrast** presented: the overwhelming destruction depicted in the preceding verses is starkly contrasted with the meticulous preservation of a small portion, highlighting God's mercy and faithfulness even amidst His wrath.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 5:3 is a profound theological statement on God's sovereignty, justice, and enduring faithfulness. It introduces the biblical doctrine of the remnant, demonstrating that even when a nation as a whole faces severe judgment due to widespread unfaithfulness, God, in His covenant loyalty and redemptive purpose, always preserves a faithful few. This is not merely an act of sparing but a deliberate, protective measure to ensure the continuity of His people and the fulfillment of His promises. The preservation of this remnant serves as a testament to God's character—He is just in His judgments but also merciful and committed to His redemptive plan, ensuring that His purposes will not be thwarted by human sin. This theme echoes throughout salvation history, pointing to God's consistent method of working through a chosen few to bring about His greater designs.

* [Isaiah 10:21](/isaiah/10-21 "Isaiah 10:21 - A Remnant Will Return")
* [Romans 9:27-29](/romans/9-27 "Romans 9:27-29 - Paul on the Remnant")
* [Zephaniah 3:12-13](/zephaniah/3-12 "Zephaniah 3:12-13 - The Humble Remnant")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 5:3 offers profound hope and a powerful reminder of God's unchanging faithfulness, even in the darkest and most desperate times. For believers today, this verse serves as an anchor, assuring us that God's purposes will prevail regardless of the widespread spiritual decay or moral chaos we may witness in the world. It encourages us to find comfort in the knowledge that God is always at work, meticulously preserving His own, even when they appear to be "a few in number." This truth should inspire us to live faithfully, knowing that our obedience, however small it may seem in a large, unfaithful world, is significant in God's eyes. We are called to be part of that preserved remnant, a people set apart by God's grace, living in hope and demonstrating His light to a world in need of His mercy.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of a "remnant" challenge or affirm your understanding of God's justice and mercy?**
* **In what ways might you be called to be part of God's "remnant" in your current context, standing firm in faith amidst cultural pressures?**
* **What comfort or challenge does this verse offer you regarding the future of the church or society?**

### FAQ
**What does "in thy skirts" mean symbolically?**

Answer: The phrase "in thy skirts" (Hebrew: _b'kânâpheyka_) uses the word _kânâph_, which literally means "wing" or "extremity," often referring to the corner or hem of a garment. Symbolically, it signifies a place of intimate protection, refuge, and security. Just as a bird gathers its young under its wings for safety (as seen in [Psalm 91:4](/psalm/91-4 "Psalm 91:4 - Under His Wings")) or as Ruth sought refuge under Boaz's "wing" or covering ([Ruth 2:12](/ruth/2-12 "Ruth 2:12 - Ruth's Refuge")), so too does God's instruction to bind the hair in Ezekiel's skirts symbolize His personal, tender, and secure preservation of a chosen few from the surrounding judgment. It represents a divine act of safeguarding that which is precious to Him.

**Why is only "a few" preserved, and what is the significance of this small number?**

Answer: The preservation of "a few in number" underscores God's sovereign prerogative and the severity of the judgment against the unfaithful majority. It highlights that salvation is not a mass phenomenon but a selective act of divine grace. The smallness of the number emphasizes the depth of the people's rebellion and the righteousness of God's judgment, while simultaneously showcasing His enduring faithfulness to His covenant promises. This "remnant" ensures the continuity of God's redemptive plan, providing a seed for future restoration and the fulfillment of His purposes, as seen throughout biblical history, from Noah to the faithful in Israel.

**Is the "remnant" concept only found in the Old Testament?**

Answer: No, the concept of the remnant is a continuous theological thread throughout both the Old and New Testaments. While prominent in the prophetic books of the Old Testament (e.g., [Isaiah 1:9](/isaiah/1-9 "Isaiah 1:9 - A Very Small Remnant"), [Micah 2:12](/micah/2-12 "Micah 2:12 - The Remnant Gathered")), it is explicitly carried into the New Testament. The Apostle Paul, in [Romans 9:27-29](/romans/9-27 "Romans 9:27-29 - Paul's Use of the Remnant Concept") and [Romans 11:5](/romans/11-5 "Romans 11:5 - The Remnant According to Grace"), directly applies the Old Testament remnant theology to the Jewish people of his day, explaining that not all Israel is true Israel, but rather a chosen remnant exists by grace. This concept extends to the church, which is seen as God's chosen people, a spiritual remnant called out of the world, preserved by grace, and entrusted with the gospel message ([1 Peter 2:9-10](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9-10 - A Chosen Race, a Holy Nation")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 5:3, with its emphasis on the preserved remnant, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament remnant pointed to a physical preservation of a faithful few for the continuation of God's covenant with Israel, Christ Himself is the ultimate and perfect remnant. He is the one truly faithful Israelite, the "seed" through whom all God's promises are fulfilled ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Galatians 3:16 - The Seed is Christ")). In His person, the entire hope of salvation, once contained in a "few in number," is perfectly embodied. Furthermore, through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection, Jesus creates a new remnant—His church. Those who believe in Him are gathered and "bound" securely in Him, much like the hair in Ezekiel's skirts, protected from the ultimate judgment of sin ([John 10:28-29](/john/10-28 "John 10:28-29 - No One Can Snatch Them")). The New Covenant, established through Christ's blood, ensures that this spiritual remnant, drawn from every nation, tribe, and tongue, will be eternally preserved, not by their own merit, but by God's sovereign grace and Christ's finished work ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Saved by Grace Through Faith")). Thus, the small, protected portion in Ezekiel's hand foreshadows the vast, yet specifically chosen, company of believers who find their secure refuge and eternal life in Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 40:6

Then went Jeremiah unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and dwelt with him among the people that were left in the land.

Jeremiah 52:16

But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left [certain] of the poor of the land for vinedressers and for husbandmen.

Jeremiah 39:10

But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left of the poor of the people, which had nothing, in the land of Judah, and gave them vineyards and fields at the same time.

Luke 13:23

¶ Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,

Luke 13:24

Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

Matthew 7:14

Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

1 Peter 4:18

And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?