Ezekiel 6:5

KJV

And I will lay the dead carcases of the children of Israel before their idols; and I will scatter your bones round about your altars.

KJV (with Strong's)

And I will lay {H5414} the dead carcases {H6297} of the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} before {H6440} their idols {H1544}; and I will scatter {H2219} your bones {H6106} round about {H5439} your altars {H4196}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I will lay the corpses of the people of Isra'el in front of their idols and scatter your bones all around your altars.

Berean Standard Bible

I will lay the corpses of the Israelites before their idols and scatter your bones around your altars.

American Standard Version

And I will lay the dead bodies of the children of Israel before their idols; and I will scatter your bones round about your altars.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 6:5 delivers a chilling prophecy of God's severe judgment against the idolatrous Israelites, declaring that their dead bodies and scattered bones would desecrate the very altars and high places where they worshipped false gods. This graphic imagery underscores the utter contempt God holds for idolatry and the profound shame and destruction that would befall those who abandoned Him, turning their sites of rebellion into monuments of their demise.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Ezekiel's initial prophecies concerning the impending desolation of the land of Israel, specifically chapters 4-7. These chapters detail God's righteous judgment against Jerusalem and Judah for their pervasive sin, particularly idolatry. Ezekiel 6 focuses intently on the "mountains of Israel," which were notorious sites for pagan worship, replete with high places, altars, and idols. The prophecy systematically targets these locations, promising their destruction and the desecration of those who worshipped there. The grim pronouncements in this chapter serve as a stark counterpoint to the false hopes of the exiles who believed Jerusalem would not fall, emphasizing that God's covenant faithfulness demanded a response to their persistent rebellion.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel delivered this prophecy to the Jewish exiles in Babylon, around 593-571 BC, during a period when Jerusalem still stood but was under threat. Idolatry was deeply entrenched in Judah, with the worship of Canaanite deities like Baal and Asherah, as well as astral deities, often mingling with the worship of Yahweh. The practice of sacrificing children (as seen in [Jeremiah 19:5](/jeremiah/19-5 "Jeremiah 19:5 - Child Sacrifice in Topheth")) and engaging in cultic prostitution was rampant. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, proper burial was of paramount importance, signifying dignity and peace in the afterlife. To have one's "carcases" left unburied and "bones" scattered was the ultimate humiliation and curse, denying the deceased any rest and signifying complete annihilation and disgrace, often associated with divine wrath, as hinted at in [Deuteronomy 28:26](/deuteronomy/28-26 "Deuteronomy 28:26 - The Curse of Unburied Bodies").
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Ezekiel and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, **Divine Judgment and Desecration** is central, as God directly intervenes to punish sin, turning places of illicit worship into scenes of horror and shame. The imagery of "dead carcases" and "scattered bones" signifies not only widespread death but also a profound act of disgrace and defilement, directly targeting the objects and locations of their rebellion. Secondly, it highlights the severe **Consequences of Idolatry**. The Israelites' worship of false gods is shown to be a direct cause of their impending doom, demonstrating that spiritual infidelity has tangible, devastating physical and national repercussions. This echoes the solemn warnings and curses for disobedience outlined in the [Deuteronomic covenant](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). Lastly, even in judgment, God asserts His **Sovereignty and Holiness**. He will not tolerate the defilement of His covenant people or the land He gave them, demonstrating His righteous indignation against sin and His unwavering commitment to His own glory, a theme frequently emphasized in the book of Ezekiel (e.g., [Ezekiel 36:23](/ezekiel/36-23 "Ezekiel 36:23 - God's Holy Name Vindicated")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **carcases (Hebrew, _peger'_):** From H6297, meaning "a carcase (as limp), whether of man or beast; figuratively, an idolatrous image." This word emphasizes the lifeless, discarded nature of the bodies, highlighting the utter worthlessness and humiliation of those who worshipped idols. It can even metaphorically refer to the idols themselves, suggesting that the worshippers would become as dead and useless as the false gods they served.
* **idols (Hebrew, _gillûwl'_):** From H1544, a derogatory term often translated as "dung-gods" or "filthy things." This word expresses God's utter contempt and abhorrence for these false deities, stripping them of any perceived power or dignity. By using this term, Ezekiel underscores the spiritual filth and abomination of Israel's idolatry, making the judgment of laying dead bodies before them a fitting and ironic consequence.
* **scatter (Hebrew, _zârâh'_):** From H2219, meaning "to toss about; by implication, to diffuse, winnow." This verb implies a violent, widespread dispersal, not merely a casual placement. The act of scattering bones signifies a complete lack of respect for the dead, denying them proper burial and ensuring their utter dishonor and annihilation, leaving no trace or memorial.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I will lay the dead carcases of the children of Israel before their idols;":** This clause reveals God as the active agent of judgment ("I will lay"). The victims are "the children of Israel," emphasizing that His own covenant people are facing His wrath due to their apostasy. The specific location of their demise and disgrace is "before their idols," the very objects of their illicit worship. This act serves as a direct indictment and humiliation, demonstrating the impotence of the idols to protect their worshippers and the ultimate sovereignty of Yahweh.
* **"and I will scatter your bones round about your altars.":** This second clause intensifies the judgment, moving beyond merely laying "carcases" to the extreme desecration of "scattering bones." This signifies a more profound and lasting dishonor, preventing any proper burial and leaving the remains exposed and dishonored. The phrase "round about your altars" again highlights the poetic justice, as the places of their false worship become the sites of their ultimate shame and destruction, turning their sacred spaces into defiled burial grounds.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 6:5 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of severe judgment. **Imagery** is central, painting a stark and gruesome picture of "dead carcases" and "scattered bones" before "idols" and "altars." This vivid, visceral imagery evokes a sense of horror, defilement, and utter defeat, making the consequences of idolatry tangible and terrifying. The verse also utilizes profound **Irony**: the very places and objects intended for worship and blessing become the sites of death, disgrace, and desecration for the worshippers themselves. This highlights the futility and destructive nature of false worship. Furthermore, the act of "scattering bones" can be seen as a form of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the extreme nature of the judgment and the complete annihilation of dignity and memory for the deceased. Finally, **Anthropomorphism** is present in God's active declaration "I will lay" and "I will scatter," portraying God not as a distant observer but as a direct, powerful agent of judgment, personally executing His righteous wrath against sin.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 6:5 profoundly illustrates the severe consequences of spiritual infidelity and the unwavering holiness of God. It underscores that idolatry is not merely a minor transgression but a profound act of rebellion that provokes divine wrath. God's judgment is precise and fitting, turning the very sites of Israel's sin into monuments of their shame, demonstrating His absolute sovereignty over all false gods and the ultimate futility of worshipping anything other than Him. This passage serves as a stark reminder that God demands exclusive devotion and that His justice will ultimately prevail against all forms of unrighteousness and spiritual compromise.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Psalm 106:36-39](/psalms/106-36 "Psalm 106:36-39 - The Consequences of Idolatry")
* [Jeremiah 19:4-7](/jeremiah/19-4 "Jeremiah 19:4-7 - Topheth and the Valley of Slaughter")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 6:5 serves as a timeless and sobering warning against idolatry, a sin that continues to manifest in various forms today. While modern idolatry may not always involve physical statues, it encompasses anything that takes the place of God in our hearts and lives—be it wealth, power, comfort, self-image, relationships, or even intellectual pursuits. This verse compels us to examine our allegiances, reminding us that God is a jealous God who demands our undivided loyalty and worship. The severity of the judgment described here underscores the profound seriousness of diverting our ultimate devotion from the Creator to the created. It calls us to repentance, to dismantle the "altars" of our contemporary idols, and to re-center our lives entirely on the one true God, trusting in His justice and seeking His mercy. It challenges us to live lives of genuine, exclusive devotion, recognizing that true flourishing comes only from Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "idols" might subtly hold sway in my life today, diverting my ultimate allegiance from God?**
* **How does the severity of God's judgment against idolatry in Ezekiel 6:5 underscore His holiness and His demand for exclusive worship?**
* **In what practical ways can I ensure my worship and devotion are solely directed towards the one true God?**

### FAQ

**Why is the desecration of "carcases" and "bones" such a severe judgment in this context?**

Answer: In ancient Near Eastern cultures, proper burial was a deeply significant ritual, believed to ensure peace for the deceased and honor for their family. To be denied burial, to have one's "carcases" left exposed, and especially to have one's "bones" scattered, was the ultimate act of humiliation, disgrace, and curse. It signified complete annihilation, a denial of dignity even in death, and often implied a divine curse, as seen in [Deuteronomy 28:26](/deuteronomy/28-26 "Deuteronomy 28:26 - The Curse of Unburied Bodies"). This judgment in Ezekiel 6:5 highlights the utter contempt God had for Israel's idolatry and the profound consequences of their rebellion, extending even beyond physical death to a state of perpetual dishonor.

**What is the significance of the "idols" and "altars" being the specific locations of judgment?**

Answer: The choice of "idols" and "altars" as the sites of judgment is highly significant, demonstrating a powerful act of poetic justice and divine irony. These were the very places where the Israelites sought blessing, security, and power from false gods, in direct defiance of the true God. By having their dead bodies and scattered bones desecrate these very locations, God demonstrates the utter impotence of the idols to protect their worshippers and the supreme sovereignty of Yahweh. The places of their rebellion become the monuments of their destruction, turning their supposed "sacred" spaces into scenes of defilement and shame, thereby validating God's holiness and His righteous indignation against sin, as emphasized throughout [Ezekiel 6](/ezekiel/6 "Ezekiel 6 - Prophecy Against the Mountains of Israel").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 6:5, with its grim portrayal of judgment against idolatry, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. While the Old Testament judgment on physical idolatry was severe, it pointed to a deeper spiritual reality: humanity's inherent tendency to worship created things rather than the Creator. Christ's coming addresses this root issue. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice to atone for humanity's idolatry and rebellion. Through His death and resurrection, believers are freed from the dominion of sin and false gods, enabling them to worship God "in spirit and truth" ([John 4:23-24](/john/4-23 "John 4:23-24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")), not bound to physical altars or the pursuit of earthly idols. The "dead carcases" and "scattered bones" of Ezekiel 6:5 foreshadow the spiritual death and brokenness that sin brings, but in Christ, we find new life and reconciliation with God ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin and the Gift of God")). He calls us to "put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry" ([Colossians 3:5](/colossians/3-5 "Colossians 3:5 - Put to Death Earthly Things")), demonstrating that the battle against idolatry continues in the heart of every believer, now empowered by the Spirit of Christ.

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 8:1

¶ At that time, saith the LORD, they shall bring out the bones of the kings of Judah, and the bones of his princes, and the bones of the priests, and the bones of the prophets, and the bones of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, out of their graves:

Jeremiah 8:2

And they shall spread them before the sun, and the moon, and all the host of heaven, whom they have loved, and whom they have served, and after whom they have walked, and whom they have sought, and whom they have worshipped: they shall not be gathered, nor be buried; they shall be for dung upon the face of the earth.

2 Kings 23:14

And he brake in pieces the images, and cut down the groves, and filled their places with the bones of men.

2 Kings 23:16

And as Josiah turned himself, he spied the sepulchres that [were] there in the mount, and sent, and took the bones out of the sepulchres, and burned [them] upon the altar, and polluted it, according to the word of the LORD which the man of God proclaimed, who proclaimed these words.