Ezekiel 5:4

KJV

Then take of them again, and cast them into the midst of the fire, and burn them in the fire; [for] thereof shall a fire come forth into all the house of Israel.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then take of them again {H3947}, and cast {H7993} them into the midst {H8432} of the fire {H784}, and burn {H8313} them in the fire {H784}; for thereof shall a fire {H784} come forth {H3318} into all the house {H1004} of Israel {H3478}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Again, of these take some; throw them in the fire, and burn them up; from there a fire will come out against the entire house of Isra'el.

Berean Standard Bible

Again, take a few of these, throw them into the fire, and burn them. From there a fire will spread to the whole house of Israel.

American Standard Version

And of these again shalt thou take, and cast them into the midst of the fire, and burn them in the fire; therefrom shall a fire come forth into all the house of Israel.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 5:4 concludes a powerful symbolic act initiated by God through the prophet Ezekiel, illustrating the comprehensive and inescapable nature of divine judgment upon Jerusalem and the entire house of Israel due to their persistent idolatry and rebellion. This verse depicts the burning of a small, previously preserved portion of Ezekiel's shaved hair, symbolizing that even the few who might initially escape the impending calamities of famine, plague, and sword would ultimately face a pervasive, refining fire of judgment that would spread throughout the nation. It underscores the severity of God's justice and the far-reaching consequences of unrepentant sin.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 5:4 is the culminating action in a dramatic prophetic sign-act spanning [Ezekiel 5:1-12](/ezekiel/5 "Ezekiel 5 - The Symbolic Act of Judgment"). In the preceding verses, Ezekiel is commanded to shave his hair and beard, a highly unusual and humiliating act for a priest. He then divides the hair into three equal parts: one-third to be burned in the city (representing death by plague and famine, [Ezekiel 5:2a](/ezekiel/5-2 "Ezekiel 5:2a - Burning of Hair")), one-third to be struck with a sword around the city (representing death by war, [Ezekiel 5:2b](/ezekiel/5-2 "Ezekiel 5:2b - Striking with a Sword")), and one-third to be scattered to the wind (representing dispersion and pursuit, [Ezekiel 5:2c](/ezekiel/5-2 "Ezekiel 5:2c - Scattering to the Wind")). A very small handful of hairs is to be bound in his garment, symbolizing a tiny remnant that God would preserve ([Ezekiel 5:3](/ezekiel/5-3 "Ezekiel 5:3 - The Remnant Preserved")). Ezekiel 5:4 then describes the further judgment even upon this small remnant, signifying that the judgment would be so thorough that even those who initially seemed spared would face a final, pervasive "fire" of divine wrath, spreading beyond Jerusalem to encompass all Israel.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Ezekiel ministered to the Jewish exiles in Babylon during a critical period (c. 593-571 BC), following the first deportation of Jerusalem's elite in 597 BC. The people, both in exile and still in Jerusalem, harbored false hopes of a quick return and believed Jerusalem was impregnable, protected by God's presence. Ezekiel's ministry was designed to shatter these illusions, demonstrating the certainty and severity of God's impending judgment on Jerusalem, which would culminate in its destruction in 586 BC. Shaving one's head and beard was a sign of mourning, humiliation, or defilement in ancient Israel, making Ezekiel's act a stark visual representation of the nation's disgrace and impending desolation. The "fire" imagery would have resonated deeply, as fire was a common means of destruction in ancient warfare and was also associated with divine judgment and purification in the Old Testament.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of [Ezekiel](/ezekiel "The Book of Ezekiel - Prophecies of Judgment and Restoration"). It emphasizes the **certainty and severity of divine judgment**, demonstrating that God's patience with Israel's idolatry and rebellion had reached its limit. The progression of the symbolic act, from widespread destruction to the burning of even the remnant, highlights the **pervasiveness of God's wrath**, indicating that few, if any, would escape the consequences of national sin. It also underscores the theme of **God's holiness and justice**, revealing that He cannot tolerate unrighteousness indefinitely. While the immediate focus is on judgment, the tiny, initially preserved remnant (even if ultimately subject to further judgment) subtly hints at God's ultimate faithfulness to His covenant and the possibility of a future restoration, a theme that becomes more prominent later in [Ezekiel](/ezekiel "The Book of Ezekiel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fire (Hebrew, _ʼêsh'_):** This primitive word (H784) carries significant weight, appearing three times in this single verse. It denotes literal fire but also powerfully symbolizes divine wrath, judgment, and purification throughout Scripture. Its repetition here emphasizes the intensity, certainty, and pervasive nature of the impending destruction. The fire is not merely an agent of destruction but a manifestation of God's righteous anger against sin.
* **Come forth (Hebrew, _yâtsâʼ'_):** Derived from a primitive root (H3318) meaning "to go out" or "bring forth," this word indicates the active emergence or emanation of the fire. It implies that the judgment is not merely passive destruction but an active, divinely initiated force that will spread from a specific point—symbolized by the burning of the remnant—and extend throughout the entire nation. It signifies an inescapable and expanding consequence.
* **House (Hebrew, _bayith'_):** This term (H1004) refers literally to a dwelling but broadly encompasses a family, household, or, in this context, the entire nation or people of Israel. When combined with "Israel" (H3478), it signifies the collective identity of God's covenant people. The phrase "all the house of Israel" underscores the comprehensive scope of the judgment, indicating that no part of the nation, no individual within its bounds, would be untouched by the consequences of their corporate rebellion.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then take of them again, and cast them into the midst of the fire, and burn them in the fire;":** This clause describes the final, most severe stage of Ezekiel's symbolic act. After dividing his hair and preserving a small portion in his garment, God commands him to take *some* of that small, preserved remnant and subject it to fire. This signifies that even those few who might have seemed to escape the initial waves of judgment (famine, sword, dispersion) would not be entirely spared. The repetition of "fire" emphasizes the thoroughness and intensity of the impending destruction, indicating that God's wrath would be all-consuming and inescapable for the vast majority.
* **"for thereof shall a fire come forth into all the house of Israel.":** This second clause reveals the prophetic meaning and far-reaching consequence of the symbolic burning. The fire that consumes the remnant is not merely localized but is a source from which a greater "fire" will "come forth" and spread throughout "all the house of Israel." This signifies that the judgment will not be confined to Jerusalem but will extend to every part of the nation, affecting all its inhabitants. It implies a pervasive spiritual and physical desolation, emanating from the heart of their rebellion and consuming the entire community.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 5:4 employs powerful **Symbolism** and **Metonymy** to convey its message of pervasive judgment. The "fire" is a potent symbol, representing not only literal destruction but also the consuming wrath and purifying judgment of God. The act of burning the hair, especially the remnant, is a **Prophetic Sign-Act**, where the prophet's physical actions embody and communicate God's message. The phrase "all the house of Israel" uses **Metonymy**, where "house" stands for the entire nation, emphasizing the comprehensive reach of the impending judgment. The repetition of "fire" and "burn" throughout the verse and the broader passage is an example of **Repetition**, which serves to underscore the intensity, certainty, and inescapable nature of the divine wrath. The entire passage functions as an **Allegory**, where the details of Ezekiel's hair and its treatment correspond to the various fates awaiting the people of Jerusalem and Israel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 5:4 stands as a stark testament to the unwavering justice of God and the severe consequences of persistent sin, particularly the sin of idolatry and rebellion against a covenant-keeping God. It reveals that divine judgment, though often delayed, is utterly comprehensive when it finally comes, sparing few. This "fire" of judgment, while destructive, also carries a theological implication of purification, suggesting that even through such severe means, God is working to purge His people of their impurities, preparing them for a future, albeit distant, restoration. The judgment is not arbitrary but a righteous response to a nation that had repeatedly broken its covenant vows and defiled God's name among the nations.

* [Deuteronomy 4:24](/deuteronomy/4-24 "Deuteronomy 4:24 - God as a Consuming Fire")
* [Hebrews 12:29](/hebrews/12-29 "Hebrews 12:29 - Our God is a Consuming Fire")
* [Lamentations 2:3](/lamentations/2-3 "Lamentations 2:3 - God's Burning Anger")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 5:4 serves as a profound and sobering reminder of the gravity of sin and the certainty of God's righteous judgment. For contemporary believers, it calls for a serious introspection regarding personal and corporate sin, urging us to recognize that unaddressed rebellion against God's holiness can lead to devastating and far-reaching consequences. It compels us to understand that God's love is inextricably linked to His holiness and justice; He is not indifferent to sin. This verse should cultivate a deep reverence for God and motivate a sincere desire for repentance and obedience. While the judgment described is severe, it also implicitly points to the redemptive purpose behind God's discipline—to purify a people for Himself. Therefore, our application should move beyond fear to a humble recognition of God's sovereignty and a renewed commitment to living in accordance with His will, trusting in His ultimate plan for restoration, even through difficult times.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of "fire" in Ezekiel 5:4 shape your understanding of God's holiness and His response to sin?**
* **In what ways might the "fire" of judgment manifest in our lives or in society today, and how should we respond?**
* **Considering the severity of this judgment, what does it teach us about the importance of repentance and turning back to God?**

### FAQ
**What does the "fire" in Ezekiel 5:4 specifically represent?**

Answer: The "fire" in Ezekiel 5:4 primarily represents the intense and pervasive divine judgment that would come upon Jerusalem and the entire house of Israel. It symbolizes the consuming wrath of God against their idolatry, rebellion, and covenant unfaithfulness. While destructive, biblical fire also often carries connotations of purification, suggesting that this severe judgment was intended to purge the nation of its impurities, albeit through painful means, to prepare a remnant for future restoration. The fire would consume and spread, indicating that the judgment would be inescapable and affect every part of the nation.

**Why is even the "remnant" subjected to fire in this verse?**

Answer: The symbolic act in [Ezekiel 5](/ezekiel/5 "Ezekiel 5 - The Symbolic Act of Judgment") initially shows a small portion of hair preserved in Ezekiel's garment ([Ezekiel 5:3](/ezekiel/5-3 "Ezekiel 5:3 - The Remnant Preserved")), representing a small remnant that God would preserve through the initial calamities. However, Ezekiel 5:4 describes taking *some* of that very remnant and casting it into the fire. This signifies the extreme thoroughness and severity of God's judgment. It implies that even those who might initially escape death by famine, plague, or sword would still face a further, pervasive "fire" of divine discipline or destruction. It underscores that the consequences of Israel's sin would be so far-reaching that few, if any, would completely escape the refining or destructive work of God's wrath, emphasizing the deep corruption that necessitated such a comprehensive judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezekiel 5:4 speaks of a terrifying judgment, its ultimate fulfillment points to Christ in several profound ways. The "fire" that comes forth into all the house of Israel, though destructive, also carries a purifying aspect, foreshadowing the ultimate divine judgment against sin that culminates in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the one who bears the full wrath of God for sin, becoming the ultimate sacrifice that cleanses and purifies His people from their iniquities ([1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Cleansing by the Blood of Jesus")). The severity of the judgment in Ezekiel highlights the desperate need for a Savior, one who could stand in the gap and offer a perfect atonement. Furthermore, the concept of a remnant, though severely disciplined in Ezekiel, finds its ultimate hope in Christ. He gathers a new "house of Israel," not by physical lineage alone, but by faith, forming a spiritual Israel, the church, purified by His blood and indwelt by His Spirit ([Romans 9:6-8](/romans/9-6 "Romans 9:6-8 - Not All Israel is Israel")). Thus, the consuming fire of judgment against sin, so vividly portrayed in Ezekiel, is ultimately absorbed and overcome by the sacrificial love of Christ, who offers true purification and eternal life to all who believe, ensuring that His redeemed "house" will stand firm against the judgment to come ([1 Corinthians 3:12-15](/1_corinthians/3-12 "1 Corinthians 3:12-15 - Building on the Foundation")).

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 48:45

They that fled stood under the shadow of Heshbon because of the force: but a fire shall come forth out of Heshbon, and a flame from the midst of Sihon, and shall devour the corner of Moab, and the crown of the head of the tumultuous ones.

Jeremiah 4:4

Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench [it], because of the evil of your doings.

2 Kings 25:25

But it came to pass in the seventh month, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, of the seed royal, came, and ten men with him, and smote Gedaliah, that he died, and the Jews and the Chaldees that were with him at Mizpah.

Jeremiah 41:1

¶ Now it came to pass in the seventh month, [that] Ishmael the son of Nethaniah the son of Elishama, of the seed royal, and the princes of the king, even ten men with him, came unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and there they did eat bread together in Mizpah.

Jeremiah 41:18

Because of the Chaldeans: for they were afraid of them, because Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had slain Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, whom the king of Babylon made governor in the land.

Jeremiah 52:30

In the three and twentieth year of Nebuchadrezzar Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive of the Jews seven hundred forty and five persons: all the persons [were] four thousand and six hundred.