¶ 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.
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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.
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
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:
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.