Ezekiel 5:7

KJV

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye multiplied more than the nations that [are] round about you, [and] have not walked in my statutes, neither have kept my judgments, neither have done according to the judgments of the nations that [are] round about you;

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore thus saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}; Because ye multiplied {H1995} more than the nations {H1471} that are round about {H5439} you, and have not walked {H1980} in my statutes {H2708}, neither have kept {H6213} my judgments {H4941}, neither have done {H6213} according to the judgments {H4941} of the nations {H1471} that are round about {H5439} you;

Complete Jewish Bible

"Therefore here is what Adonai ELOHIM, says: 'Because you have outdone the nations around you by not living according to my laws or following my rulings or even following the rules of the nations around you,'

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘You have been more insubordinate than the nations around you; you have not walked in My statutes or kept My ordinances, nor have you even conformed to the ordinances of the nations around you.’

American Standard Version

Therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Because ye are turbulent more than the nations that are round about you, and have not walked in my statutes, neither have kept mine ordinances, neither have done after the ordinances of the nations that are round about you;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 5:7 stands as a severe divine indictment against the nation of Israel, specifically Jerusalem, articulating the profound reasons for the impending and devastating judgment. This verse reveals that Israel's moral and spiritual depravity had surpassed even that of the surrounding pagan nations, not only in their blatant disregard for God's explicit statutes and judgments but also in their failure to uphold even the basic ethical standards observed by their Gentile neighbors. It underscores Israel's egregious covenant unfaithfulness, justifying the extreme measures of divine discipline prophesied by Ezekiel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 5:7 is a pivotal verse within a highly symbolic prophetic action described in [Ezekiel 5:1-12](/ezekiel/5 "Ezekiel 5 - The Symbolic Shaving of Hair"). The prophet Ezekiel is commanded by God to shave his head and beard, then divide the hair into three portions to be dealt with in distinct ways: a third burned in the city, a third struck with a sword around the city, and a third scattered to the wind, with a small remnant bound in his garment. This dramatic visual prophecy serves as a terrifying metaphor for the various fates awaiting the inhabitants of Jerusalem during the Babylonian siege and subsequent exile. Verse 7 directly follows the detailed description of this symbolic act, providing the divine rationale and theological justification for such severe judgment, connecting the symbolic actions to Israel's specific transgressions.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy of Ezekiel 5:7 is delivered during a period of immense national crisis for Judah, specifically during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem (588-586 BC) or shortly before its final fall. Many of the Jewish elite, including Ezekiel himself, had already been deported to Babylon in 597 BC. The remaining population in Jerusalem clung to a false sense of security, believing their city and temple were inviolable due to God's presence. Historically, Israel was called to be a distinct, holy nation, set apart from the surrounding Canaanite and other pagan cultures, upholding God's covenant laws (e.g., [Deuteronomy 7:6](/deuteronomy/7-6 "Deuteronomy 7:6 - Israel as a Holy People")). However, the nation had repeatedly succumbed to idolatry, social injustice, and moral corruption, often adopting the practices of their neighbors. This verse highlights the shocking reality that Israel, despite possessing divine revelation, had become *more* corrupt than the very nations they were meant to influence and stand apart from.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Ezekiel and the broader prophetic literature. The theme of **Covenant Faithfulness and Violation** is central; Israel's failure to "walk in my statutes" and "keep my judgments" represents a direct breach of their covenant obligations, leading to the curses outlined in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). It also emphasizes **Divine Justice and Sovereignty**, as God, the "Lord GOD," declares His righteous judgment, demonstrating that He is not mocked and will hold His people accountable. Furthermore, the theme of **Israel's Unique Calling and Failure** is starkly presented; chosen to be a light to the nations, they instead became a reproach, even surpassing the Gentiles in wickedness. This sets the stage for the subsequent judgment and the ultimate hope of restoration found later in the book of Ezekiel, where God promises to act for the sake of His holy name, not just Israel's merit (e.g., [Ezekiel 36:22-23](/ezekiel/36-22 "Ezekiel 36:22-23 - God's Name Vindicated")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **multiplied (Hebrew, _hâmôwn'_):** While this word typically refers to a "noise, tumult, crowd," or "abundance," in this specific context, especially with the accompanying accusations, the nuance shifts to an "increase in wickedness" or "multiplication of rebellion." The KJV's "multiplied more than" captures this sense of an overwhelming proliferation of sin and idolatry that exceeded the moral depravity of surrounding pagan cultures, making Israel's transgression particularly heinous.
* **walked (Hebrew, _hâlak'_):** This primitive root signifies "to walk" in a broad sense, encompassing literal movement but frequently used figuratively to describe one's conduct, lifestyle, or manner of living. When God states Israel has "not walked in my statutes," it implies a complete failure to order their lives, decisions, and daily practices according to His divine commands. It denotes a deliberate and persistent pattern of disobedience rather than an isolated incident.
* **judgments (Hebrew, _mishpâṭ'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to judge," _mishpâṭ_ refers to a "verdict," "sentence," "formal decree," or "law." It encompasses both divine and human law, including justice, rights, privileges, and customary practices. In this verse, it refers to God's specific moral and legal decrees given to Israel, and also, shockingly, to the basic ethical standards or "judgments" (customary laws/practices) of the surrounding nations. Israel's failure to keep God's _mishpâṭ_ and to even align with the _mishpâṭ_ of the nations underscores a profound moral collapse.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD;":** This opening phrase functions as a divine declaration, asserting the absolute authority and sovereignty of God (YHWH, represented by "Lord GOD," _ʼĂdônây Yᵉhôvih_). It signals that the pronouncement to follow is not a human opinion but an infallible, divinely ordained judgment, emphasizing the certainty and righteousness of the impending consequences.
* **"Because ye multiplied more than the nations that [are] round about you,":** This clause lays the primary charge against Israel. The "multiplying" here is not merely demographic growth but a proliferation of wickedness, idolatry, and moral corruption. The shocking aspect is the comparison: Israel's depravity had exceeded that of the pagan nations surrounding them, who did not have the benefit of God's revealed law. This highlights the severity of Israel's sin, as they had greater light and a unique covenant relationship, yet descended to a lower moral state.
* **"[and] have not walked in my statutes,":** This is a direct accusation of covenant violation. "Statutes" (_chuqqâh_) refer to God's specific decrees, ordinances, and prescribed ways of life. Israel's failure to "walk" (live according to) these statutes signifies a deliberate and persistent rejection of God's revealed will, indicating a fundamental rebellion against His authority and a departure from the path of holiness He had set for them.
* **"neither have kept my judgments,":** Similar to "statutes," "judgments" (_mishpâṭ_) refer to God's legal and moral rulings, His righteous decrees that define justice and right living. To "not keep" them implies a failure to observe, obey, or uphold these divine standards. This reinforces the comprehensive nature of Israel's disobedience, encompassing both the ceremonial and ethical aspects of the Law.
* **"neither have done according to the judgments of the nations that [are] round about you;":** This is the most damning part of the indictment. Not only did Israel reject God's perfect law, but they also failed to live up to the basic, often unwritten, moral codes or customary laws of the pagan nations around them. This implies a complete ethical collapse, where Israel's conduct was so debased that it fell below even the relative moral standards of societies without divine revelation, making their sin exceptionally grievous.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 5:7 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of divine judgment. The most prominent is **Hyperbole**, particularly in the phrase "multiplied more than the nations that are round about you." While Israel's sin was indeed profound, the statement emphasizes the shocking degree of their moral descent, suggesting an almost unimaginable level of depravity that surpassed even those who did not know God. This serves to underscore the gravity of their covenant unfaithfulness. There is also clear **Covenant Language** present through the use of terms like "statutes" and "judgments," which are direct references to the Mosaic Law and the terms of the covenant established at Sinai. The repetition of "neither have kept... neither have done" creates a strong sense of **Anaphora** and **Parallelism**, driving home the comprehensive and persistent nature of Israel's disobedience. Finally, the entire passage, especially when read in conjunction with the preceding verses, functions as a powerful **Symbolism**, where Ezekiel's actions with his hair physically represent the spiritual reality of Israel's judgment and dispersion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 5:7 profoundly articulates the consequences of covenant unfaithfulness and the severity of God's righteous judgment. It reveals that Israel's unique status as God's chosen people came with heightened responsibility; their failure to live according to His revealed will, and indeed their descent into a moral state worse than the surrounding pagan nations, constituted a grave offense. This verse underscores the principle that divine privilege without obedience leads to greater accountability and more severe discipline. It highlights God's unwavering commitment to His holiness and justice, even when it means judging His own people.

* [Leviticus 18:24-30](/leviticus/18-24 "Leviticus 18:24-30 - Warnings Against Abominations")
* [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Jeremiah 2:13](/jeremiah/2-13 "Jeremiah 2:13 - Israel's Double Evil")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 5:7 serves as a sobering reminder that God's standards are immutable and that His people are called to a distinctive life of obedience and holiness. For believers today, this verse challenges us to consider whether our lives truly reflect the transforming power of the Gospel or if we have, like ancient Israel, become indistinguishable from, or even worse than, the surrounding culture in our attitudes, ethics, and priorities. It calls us to a radical commitment to God's Word, recognizing that true faith is demonstrated not merely by profession but by a life lived in active submission to His "statutes" and "judgments." The warning against surpassing pagan nations in wickedness is particularly poignant, urging us to examine if our moral compass is truly calibrated to God's truth or if we have subtly adopted the relativistic and often depraved standards of the world. This verse compels us to pursue genuine spiritual distinctiveness and to live as salt and light, rather than blending into the darkness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life might I be conforming to worldly standards rather than God's statutes?**
* **How does my daily conduct reflect my claim to be a follower of Christ, especially in comparison to those who do not know Him?**
* **Am I actively seeking to understand and obey God's "judgments" (His moral and ethical commands) as revealed in Scripture?**
* **What steps can I take to cultivate a deeper commitment to obedience and spiritual distinctiveness in my personal life and community?**

### FAQ

**What does it mean that Israel "multiplied more than the nations that are round about you"?**

Answer: This phrase, particularly in its original Hebrew context, is not a demographic statement about population growth. Instead, it is a severe indictment meaning that Israel had *increased in wickedness* or *multiplied in rebellion* to a greater degree than the pagan nations surrounding them. Despite having the unique privilege of God's revealed law and a covenant relationship, Israel had descended into a moral and spiritual depravity that surpassed even those who did not know God. It emphasizes the shocking extent of their unfaithfulness and the grievous nature of their sin, given their greater light and knowledge of the divine will.

**What is the significance of Israel failing to keep God's "statutes" and "judgments" while also failing to act "according to the judgments of the nations"?**

Answer: This dual failure highlights the profound depth of Israel's spiritual and moral collapse. First, their failure to keep God's "statutes" (_chuqqâh_) and "judgments" (_mishpâṭ_) signifies a direct and deliberate breach of the Mosaic Covenant, rejecting the divine laws given specifically to them. This was a rebellion against their unique calling and relationship with God. Second, the shocking addition that they did not even live "according to the judgments of the nations" means their conduct was so debased that it fell below the basic, often unwritten, ethical and customary standards observed even by pagan societies. This underscores a complete ethical breakdown, making their sin particularly egregious and justifying the severe judgment pronounced by God in [Ezekiel 5](/ezekiel/5 "Ezekiel 5 - The Symbolic Shaving of Hair").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezekiel 5:7 vividly portrays Israel's profound failure and the resulting divine judgment, it implicitly points to the necessity of a new covenant and a perfect obedience that Israel could not achieve. The Law, with its statutes and judgments, was given to reveal sin and humanity's inability to perfectly fulfill God's righteous demands ([Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - The Law Reveals Sin")). Israel's failure, as articulated in this verse, underscores the need for a savior who could perfectly "walk in" God's statutes and "keep His judgments." Jesus Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of this need. He perfectly obeyed the Father's will in every respect, fulfilling the Law not by external adherence alone, but by a perfect internal disposition of love and obedience ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). Through His atoning sacrifice, He bore the judgment for humanity's multiplied rebellion and unfaithfulness, including that of Israel ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). In Christ, believers are given a new heart and the Holy Spirit, enabling them to "walk in His statutes" and "keep His judgments" not by their own strength, but by grace through faith, reflecting the righteousness of Christ Himself ([Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - A New Heart and Spirit")). Thus, Ezekiel 5:7, in its stark depiction of human failure, ultimately magnifies the perfect obedience and redemptive work of Jesus, who alone provides the way for humanity to be reconciled to a holy 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 2:10

For pass over the isles of Chittim, and see; and send unto Kedar, and consider diligently, and see if there be such a thing.

Jeremiah 2:11

Hath a nation changed [their] gods, which [are] yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for [that which] doth not profit.

2 Chronicles 33:9

So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, [and] to do worse than the heathen, whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel.

2 Kings 21:9

But they hearkened not: and Manasseh seduced them to do more evil than did the nations whom the LORD destroyed before the children of Israel.

2 Kings 21:11

Because Manasseh king of Judah hath done these abominations, [and] hath done wickedly above all that the Amorites did, which [were] before him, and hath made Judah also to sin with his idols:

Ezekiel 16:47

Yet hast thou not walked after their ways, nor done after their abominations: but, as [if that were] a very little [thing], thou wast corrupted more than they in all thy ways.

Ezekiel 16:48

[As] I live, saith the Lord GOD, Sodom thy sister hath not done, she nor her daughters, as thou hast done, thou and thy daughters.