Ezekiel 6:7

KJV

And the slain shall fall in the midst of you, and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the slain {H2491} shall fall {H5307} in the midst {H8432} of you, and ye shall know {H3045} that I am the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The slain will fall among you; then you will know that I am ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

The slain will fall among you, and you will know that I am the LORD.

American Standard Version

And the slain shall fall in the midst of you, and ye shall know that I am Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 6:7 delivers a stark and profound prophecy of divine judgment against the idolatrous house of Israel, declaring that widespread death will befall them as a direct consequence of their spiritual rebellion. This grim pronouncement serves a crucial theological purpose: through the unfolding of these devastating events, the people of Israel will be compelled to acknowledge and experientially know Yahweh as the one true God, distinct from the impotent idols they have worshipped. The verse encapsulates both the severity of God's righteous justice and His ultimate aim of self-revelation, even amidst calamity, ensuring His sovereignty is recognized.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 6:7 is strategically placed within a major prophetic oracle (Ezekiel 6:1-14) specifically targeting the "mountains of Israel," which symbolize the entire land and its inhabitants. This chapter marks a pivotal shift in Ezekiel's prophecy, moving from his call and symbolic actions to direct pronouncements of judgment against Judah and Jerusalem. Immediately preceding this verse, Ezekiel details Israel's pervasive idolatry—the setting up of high places, the worship of false gods, and the defilement of the land with their detestable practices (e.g., [Ezekiel 6:3-5](/ezekiel/6-3-5 "Ezekiel 6:3-5 - Judgment on Idolatrous Mountains")). The judgment described in these verses—the desolation of their altars and the scattering of their bones around their idols—culminates in verse 7, which summarizes the immediate, devastating outcome: widespread death. This verse serves as a chilling summary statement, emphasizing the sheer scale of the impending destruction and, crucially, its ultimate theological purpose: God's undeniable self-revelation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy in Ezekiel 6 was delivered during the early to mid-period of the Babylonian exile, likely to the Jewish exiles already in Babylon, but with a message primarily directed towards those still residing in Judah and Jerusalem. At this time, Judah faced the imminent threat of, or was already experiencing, the final stages of Babylonian conquest, which would culminate in the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 586 BC. Historically, Israel had a persistent and deeply entrenched pattern of syncretism and idolatry, frequently adopting the religious practices of surrounding Canaanite cultures. This included the worship of Baal, Asherah, and even abhorrent practices like child sacrifice, which defiled the land and the very precincts of the Temple. The "mountains of Israel" were not merely geographical features but often served as "high places" for these pagan rituals. Culturally, the people had repeatedly violated their covenant with Yahweh, seeking security and prosperity from false gods despite repeated warnings from prophets. The judgment described—widespread death and desolation—was a common consequence of divine wrath in ancient Near Eastern thought, but here it is specifically tied to the covenant curses for idolatry, designed to demonstrate Yahweh's unique and incomparable sovereignty over all other deities.
* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 6:7 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes central to the book of Ezekiel and broader biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Judgment and Holiness**, where God's righteous and holy character necessitates a severe response to persistent sin, particularly the egregious sin of idolatry. The phrase "the slain shall fall" underscores the certainty and devastating scale of this judgment, reflecting God's unwavering commitment to His own purity. Intertwined with this is the pivotal theme of **God's Sovereignty and Self-Revelation**. The recurring phrase, "ye shall know that I am the LORD," found over 70 times throughout Ezekiel, highlights God's ultimate purpose in all His actions, whether in judgment or restoration: to reveal His unique, incomparable identity as Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God. This "knowing" is not merely intellectual assent but a profound, experiential recognition, often forged through the crucible of suffering and the undeniable fulfillment of His prophetic word. The verse also implicitly addresses the **Folly and Futility of Idolatry**, demonstrating that the very idols Israel trusted in for security and prosperity would prove utterly powerless to save them from the consequences of their rebellion, leading instead to their destruction. This theme resonates throughout the Old Testament, from the warnings in [Deuteronomy 4](/deuteronomy/4 "Deuteronomy 4 - Warnings Against Idolatry") to the scathing critiques of idols in [Psalm 115](/psalms/115 "Psalm 115 - The Impotence of Idols").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Slain (Hebrew, _châlâl'_):** From H2491, meaning "pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted." This term specifically refers to those who have been killed, often violently, or mortally wounded. In this context, it emphasizes the widespread and brutal nature of the impending judgment, indicating a massive loss of life through warfare or divine intervention, leaving the land littered with corpses. It underscores the severity of God's righteous response to Israel's idolatry and the defilement it brought.
* **Know (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** From H3045, a primitive root meaning "to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition)." This is a crucial term in Ezekiel. It implies far more than mere intellectual assent; it signifies an experiential, relational, and often painful recognition of God's true nature, power, and sovereignty. Through the devastating judgment, Israel would be forced to truly understand who Yahweh is, not just intellectually, but through undeniable, lived experience.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** From H3068, referring to "(the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God." This is the sacred, covenant name of God, YHWH, emphasizing His eternal, self-sufficient, and unchanging nature. It is the name by which God revealed Himself to Israel as their covenant partner and redeemer. The declaration "ye shall know that I am the LORD" is God's assertion of His unique identity and absolute authority over all false gods, confirming His faithfulness to His covenant, even when that faithfulness necessitates severe judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the slain shall fall in the midst of you":** This clause pronounces the immediate and devastating consequence of Israel's pervasive idolatry. "The slain" refers to those who will be killed in battle or by other means of divine judgment, emphasizing the widespread death that will occur. "In the midst of you" underscores that this calamity will not be an external threat but will strike at the very heart of the community, affecting everyone within the land of Israel. It paints a vivid picture of carnage and desolation, a direct and unavoidable result of God's righteous wrath against their persistent rebellion and spiritual infidelity.
* **"and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD":** This is the profound theological lynchpin of the verse and indeed, of much of Ezekiel's prophecy. The suffering, death, and desolation are not arbitrary acts of vengeance but serve a profound revelatory purpose. Through the experience of this severe judgment, the people of Israel will be forced to confront the impotence of their idols and the undeniable power, uniqueness, and sovereignty of Yahweh. The "knowing" is an experiential, transformative recognition of God's unique identity (YHWH), His covenant faithfulness, and His absolute authority. It signifies a profound shift from a superficial or intellectual awareness to a lived, undeniable understanding of who God truly is, demonstrating that He alone is God.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 6:7 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message with chilling clarity and theological depth. The phrase "the slain shall fall" uses **Hyperbole** to emphasize the overwhelming scale of death, creating a vivid and terrifying image of widespread carnage that would literally litter the land with corpses. This is further amplified by the phrase "in the midst of you," which uses **Synecdoche** to represent the entire nation and its territory, implying that no one will be untouched by the judgment, affecting the very core of their society. The entire verse functions as a form of **Prophetic Proclamation**, directly declaring God's certain future action and its inevitable, divinely ordained outcome. Most significantly, the recurring phrase "ye shall know that I am the LORD" is a powerful **Leitmotif** throughout the book of Ezekiel, serving as a theological refrain that underscores God's ultimate purpose in both judgment and restoration. It also functions as a form of **Didactic Irony**, as the very suffering brought about by their rebellion is the means by which they will be compelled to truly understand the God they abandoned, revealing the utter futility of their idolatry.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 6:7 profoundly articulates the biblical truth that God's judgment, while severe and often devastating, is never without purpose. It is a holy response to sin, particularly the egregious sin of idolatry, but also a means of divine self-revelation. The suffering inflicted is designed to strip away false securities and bring His people to a true, experiential knowledge of His unique sovereignty and covenant faithfulness. This "knowing" is not merely intellectual assent but a deep, relational acknowledgment of Yahweh as the one true God, exposing the impotence of all false deities. The verse thus highlights God's unwavering commitment to His name and His people, even when that commitment requires painful discipline to restore them to right relationship and demonstrate His unparalleled glory.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15-68 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Psalm 9:16](/psalms/9-16 "Psalm 9:16 - The Lord is Known by His Judgment")
* [Isaiah 45:5-6](/isaiah/45-5-6 "Isaiah 45:5-6 - God is the Only Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 6:7 serves as a timeless and sobering reminder of the gravity of sin, particularly the sin of idolatry, and the certainty of God's holy judgment. While we live in an era of grace through Christ, the underlying principle remains profoundly relevant: anything that takes God's rightful place in our hearts and lives—be it materialism, self-reliance, career, relationships, comfort, or even our own spiritual performance—becomes an idol that ultimately leads to spiritual emptiness, destructive consequences, and a distorted view of God. This verse challenges us to examine our loyalties and priorities with brutal honesty, urging us to ensure that our worship, trust, and ultimate devotion are exclusively placed in the one true God. More profoundly, it reveals God's persistent desire for us to truly "know" Him. Sometimes, it is through the stripping away of our false gods and the shaking of our comfortable foundations that we come to a deeper, more authentic, and experiential understanding of His character, His power, and His unwavering sovereignty. This process, though often painful and disorienting, is ultimately redemptive, leading us to a more profound, steadfast, and life-giving relationship with Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "idols" (anything that takes God's rightful place) might be subtly present in my life today, and how might they be hindering my spiritual growth or leading to unhealthy patterns?**
* **How have I experienced God's "knowing" in my own life, particularly through difficult or challenging circumstances that forced me to rely solely on Him?**
* **In what practical ways can I deepen my experiential knowledge of God, moving beyond mere intellectual assent to a more profound, relational understanding and trust in His sovereignty?**

### FAQ

**What does "ye shall know that I am the LORD" mean in this context?**

Answer: In Ezekiel, and particularly in [Ezekiel 6:7](/ezekiel/6-7 "Ezekiel 6:7 - Judgment and Knowing the Lord"), this phrase signifies an experiential and undeniable recognition of God's unique identity, power, and sovereignty. It's not just intellectual understanding, but a profound, often painful, realization that Yahweh (the LORD) is the one true God, and that all other gods or sources of security are impotent. In this specific context, this knowledge is forged through the devastating judgment of widespread death and destruction, proving God's words true and exposing the futility of Israel's idolatry. This theme is central to Ezekiel, recurring over 70 times, emphasizing God's ultimate purpose in both judgment and restoration, as seen in passages like [Ezekiel 36:23](/ezekiel/36-23 "Ezekiel 36:23 - God's Name Vindicated"), where His actions vindicate His holy name.

**Why is God's judgment so severe in Ezekiel 6:7?**

Answer: God's judgment in Ezekiel 6:7 is severe because it is a righteous and holy response to Israel's persistent and egregious sin of idolatry, which constituted a direct breach of their covenant with Him (e.g., [Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment")). Idolatry was not merely a minor offense; it was spiritual adultery, a profound betrayal of the unique, exclusive relationship God had established with His people. The severity of the judgment—widespread death and desolation—reflects God's absolute holiness and His unwavering commitment to justice. It also serves as a stark demonstration of His sovereignty over all false gods, proving that only He has the power to bring about such consequences and that their idols are utterly powerless to save them from His wrath.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 6:7, with its grim pronouncement of judgment against idolatry and the ultimate purpose of God's self-revelation, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "slain" in Ezekiel, victims of divine wrath against sin, foreshadows the ultimate "slain" one, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). While Ezekiel speaks of judgment against Israel's idolatry leading to physical death, Christ bore the full spiritual and physical judgment for all humanity's idolatry and sin on the cross, dying a sacrificial death to reconcile us to God. Through His atoning death, Christ became the ultimate means by which humanity can truly "know that I am the LORD." He is the perfect, incarnate revelation of the Father, as Jesus Himself declared, "[He who has seen Me has seen the Father](/john/14-9 "John 14:9 - Jesus Reveals the Father")" and "[No one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him](/matthew/11-27 "Matthew 11:27 - Jesus Reveals the Father")." The judgment against sin was fully executed in Christ, allowing for a new covenant where knowing God is not forged primarily through physical destruction but through spiritual transformation and intimate relationship with Him, enabled by the indwelling Holy Spirit (cf. [Jeremiah 31:34](/jeremiah/31-34 "Jeremiah 31:34 - The New Covenant Promise")). Thus, in Christ, God's holiness is satisfied, His justice is upheld, and His ultimate desire for humanity to truly know Him is perfectly fulfilled through grace, not condemnation.

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

Ezekiel 11:12

And ye shall know that I [am] the LORD: for ye have not walked in my statutes, neither executed my judgments, but have done after the manners of the heathen that [are] round about you.

Ezekiel 7:9

And mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: I will recompense thee according to thy ways and thine abominations [that] are in the midst of thee; and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD that smiteth.

Jeremiah 25:33

And the slain of the LORD shall be at that day from [one] end of the earth even unto the [other] end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the ground.

Exodus 7:5

And the Egyptians shall know that I [am] the LORD, when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them.

Ezekiel 24:24

Thus Ezekiel is unto you a sign: according to all that he hath done shall ye do: and when this cometh, ye shall know that I [am] the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 13:14

So will I break down the wall that ye have daubed with untempered [morter], and bring it down to the ground, so that the foundation thereof shall be discovered, and it shall fall, and ye shall be consumed in the midst thereof: and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.

Ezekiel 15:7

And I will set my face against them; they shall go out from [one] fire, and [another] fire shall devour them; and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD, when I set my face against them.