Ezekiel 5:4

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.

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}.

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.

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.

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.

Context

Ezekiel 5:4 is a critical part of a profound symbolic act commanded by God to the prophet Ezekiel, who was ministering to the Jewish exiles in Babylon. The preceding verses (Ezekiel 5:1-3) describe Ezekiel shaving his hair and beard, dividing it into three parts: one-third to be burned in the city (representing death by plague and famine), one-third to be struck with a sword (representing death by war), and one-third to be scattered to the wind (representing dispersion). A very small portion of the hairs was to be kept in his garment, symbolizing a small remnant.

This verse, Ezekiel 5:4, describes the final, most severe stage of this prophecy: taking even some of that tiny remnant and burning them. This act symbolizes a further, inescapable judgment that would affect even those who initially survived the initial calamities, indicating the thoroughness of God's wrath against Jerusalem's rebellion and idolatry.

Key Themes

  • Intensified and Pervasive Judgment: The act of burning even the few remaining hairs signifies that God's judgment would be relentless and would spare very few. The phrase "thereof shall a fire come forth into all the house of Israel" emphasizes that the consequences of Jerusalem's sin would not be confined to the city but would spread throughout the entire nation, affecting everyone.
  • Divine Justice and Consequences of Sin: This verse powerfully illustrates the severity of God's justice in response to prolonged disobedience and apostasy. It underscores the biblical principle that sin has far-reaching and devastating consequences (Romans 6:23).
  • Refining Fire: While destructive, biblical fire often symbolizes purification or a purging process. This "fire" from the remnant suggests that even through severe judgment, God was working to purify His people, albeit through painful means, to prepare them for a future restoration.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "fire" is 'esh, a powerful and recurring motif in the Old Testament, often representing God's presence, His wrath, and His purifying judgment. The repetition of "burn them in the fire" emphasizes the intensity and certainty of the impending destruction. The phrase "come forth into all the house of Israel" (yatsa' 'esh 'el kol-beyth Yisra'el) highlights the pervasive nature of this judgment, indicating it would not be localized but would affect the entire community of Israel.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 5:4 serves as a solemn reminder of the gravity of sin and the unwavering nature of God's justice. For a contemporary audience, it encourages:

  • Serious Reflection on Sin: It prompts believers to take sin seriously, understanding that unaddressed rebellion against God can lead to severe and widespread consequences, both individually and corporately.
  • Understanding God's Holiness: The intensity of the judgment reveals God's absolute holiness and His intolerance for unrighteousness. This should inspire reverence and a desire to live in obedience.
  • Hope for Restoration: While the judgment is severe, the ultimate purpose of God's corrective actions, even through fire, is often to bring about repentance and a turning back to Him, ultimately leading to restoration for those who humble themselves (2 Chronicles 7:14). The remnant, though severely disciplined, points to God's faithfulness to His covenant promises.
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.

  • 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.

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