Ezekiel 6:11

¶ Thus saith the Lord GOD; Smite with thine hand, and stamp with thy foot, and say, Alas for all the evil abominations of the house of Israel! for they shall fall by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence.

Thus saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}; Smite {H5221} with thine hand {H3709}, and stamp {H7554} with thy foot {H7272}, and say {H559}, Alas {H253} for all the evil {H7451} abominations {H8441} of the house {H1004} of Israel {H3478}! for they shall fall {H5307} by the sword {H2719}, by the famine {H7458}, and by the pestilence {H1698}.

"Here is what Adonai ELOHIM says: 'Strike with your hand, and stamp with your foot, and bemoan all the terrible disgusting practices of the house of Isra'el. For they will fall by sword, famine and plague.

This is what the Lord GOD says: Clap your hands, stomp your feet, and cry out “Alas!” because of all the wicked abominations of the house of Israel, who will fall by sword and famine and plague.

Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Smite with thy hand, and stamp with thy foot, and say, Alas! because of all the evil abominations of the house of Israel; for they shall fall by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence.

Context of Ezekiel 6:11

Ezekiel 6:11 is part of a prophetic message delivered by the prophet Ezekiel during his exile in Babylon. This chapter specifically focuses on God's severe judgment against the idolatry of the "house of Israel," primarily referring to the remaining kingdom of Judah and its inhabitants who continued in their rebellious ways even after the initial deportations. Despite repeated warnings, the people had defiled the land with their worship of false gods on every high hill and under every green tree. This verse marks a poignant shift, as the Lord commands Ezekiel to perform a symbolic act of lament and despair, underscoring the inevitability and severity of the impending judgment.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment for Idolatry: The core message is God's righteous wrath against Israel's persistent and widespread idolatry. Their "evil abominations" (worship of idols, pagan rituals, and associated immoral practices) provoked God to bring severe consequences.
  • Prophetic Lament and Despair: Ezekiel is commanded to "smite with thine hand, and stamp thy foot," which are physical expressions of extreme grief, sorrow, and despair over the impending doom of his people. This action emphasizes the depth of the tragedy that awaits them due to their sin, acting as a visual sermon for the exiles.
  • Inevitable Consequences of Sin: The verse explicitly lists the three primary instruments of God's judgment: "the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence." These were common and devastating forms of divine discipline in the Old Testament, representing a complete societal collapse and a stark fulfillment of the covenant curses found in passages like Leviticus 26:25 and Deuteronomy 28:21.
  • God's Sovereignty and Justice: Even in judgment, the phrase "Thus saith the Lord GOD" reaffirms God's absolute authority and control over the destiny of nations. His justice is unwavering, and His warnings are not idle threats.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Alas" translates the Hebrew interjection `'oy` (אוֹי), which signifies deep woe, lamentation, or sorrow. It is an exclamation of profound grief and despair, often used in prophetic pronouncements of doom. This word amplifies the emotional weight of Ezekiel's commanded actions. The term "abominations" (Hebrew: to'ebah, תּוֹעֵבָה) is a strong word used throughout the Old Testament to describe practices that are utterly detestable and repugnant to God, especially referring to idolatry, sexual immorality, and other acts that violate His holy character and covenant. Its repetition in Ezekiel underscores the severity of Israel's transgressions.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 6:11 serves as a timeless reminder of the seriousness of spiritual idolatry in any form. For a modern audience, idolatry is not just bowing down to physical statues; it can be anything that takes the place of God in our hearts, such as wealth, power, pleasure, self, or even good causes that become ultimate concerns. This verse calls us to:

  • Examine Our Hearts: To identify and renounce any "abominations" or idols that may subtly or overtly compete with God for our ultimate allegiance.
  • Take Sin Seriously: To understand that sin has real, often severe, consequences, both personally and corporately. God's holiness demands justice, and His warnings are for our good.
  • Respond to God's Warnings: To heed prophetic and biblical warnings about sin and judgment, turning to repentance before such severe consequences are inevitable. The lament of Ezekiel should stir us to compassion for those who remain in spiritual darkness and rebellion.

Ultimately, this passage from Ezekiel underscores God's unwavering commitment to His holiness and justice, even as He expresses profound sorrow over the necessity of judgment on His people due to their persistent rebellion and detestable idolatry.

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.
  • Ezekiel 5:12

    A third part of thee shall die with the pestilence, and with famine shall they be consumed in the midst of thee: and a third part shall fall by the sword round about thee; and I will scatter a third part into all the winds, and I will draw out a sword after them.
  • Jeremiah 24:10

    And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, among them, till they be consumed from off the land that I gave unto them and to their fathers.
  • Ezekiel 25:6

    For thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast clapped [thine] hands, and stamped with the feet, and rejoiced in heart with all thy despite against the land of Israel;
  • Ezekiel 9:4

    And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.
  • Ezekiel 21:14

    Thou therefore, son of man, prophesy, and smite [thine] hands together, and let the sword be doubled the third time, the sword of the slain: it [is] the sword of the great [men that are] slain, which entereth into their privy chambers.
  • Ezekiel 21:17

    I will also smite mine hands together, and I will cause my fury to rest: I the LORD have said [it].
  • Joel 1:15

    Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD [is] at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.

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