Ezekiel 7:5

Thus saith the Lord GOD; An evil, an only evil, behold, is come.

Thus saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}; An evil {H7451}, an only {H259} evil {H7451}, behold, is come {H935}.

"Here is what Adonai ELOHIM says: 'Disaster, unique disaster - here it comes!

This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Disaster! An unprecedented disaster— behold, it is coming!

Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: An evil, an only evil; behold, it cometh.

Ezekiel 7:5 is a stark declaration from the Lord God, emphasizing the certainty and severe nature of an impending disaster upon the land of Israel. It is part of a series of pronouncements detailing the comprehensive judgment that would befall the nation due to its persistent sin and rebellion.

Context

This verse is situated within Ezekiel chapter 7, which delivers a powerful and urgent message of judgment against the land of Israel and its inhabitants. The prophet Ezekiel, ministering during the Babylonian exile, conveys God's word that the "end is come" (Ezekiel 7:2) upon the land. The preceding verses paint a picture of God's anger and the desolation that awaits, making it clear that the time for punishment has arrived. Verse 5 intensifies this message, highlighting the unique and overwhelming nature of the calamity.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment: The phrase "Thus saith the Lord GOD" unequivocally establishes that this "evil" or calamity is not a random event but a direct, sovereign act of God. It is His righteous judgment being executed upon a disobedient people.
  • Unparalleled Calamity: The powerful repetition, "An evil, an only evil," emphasizes the singular, severe, and comprehensive nature of the impending disaster. It signifies a unique catastrophe, unlike any they had experienced before, designed to bring about total desolation and underscore the gravity of their sin.
  • Imminence and Certainty: The declaration "behold, is come" conveys a sense of immediate and unavoidable arrival. The judgment is not a distant threat but an imminent reality, already at the door, signaling that the time for repentance has passed and the consequences are at hand.
  • Consequences of Sin: While this verse itself focuses on the judgment, the broader context of Ezekiel's prophecy makes it clear that this "evil" is the direct and inevitable outcome of Israel's widespread idolatry, moral corruption, and rejection of God's covenant.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "an evil, an only evil" is ra'ah achat, ra'ah yechidah (רָעָה אַחַת, רָעָה יְחִידָה). The word ra'ah (רָעָה) in this context refers to a calamity, disaster, or misfortune, rather than moral wickedness. The repetition and the use of yechidah, meaning "only" or "unique," serve as a strong rhetorical device to emphasize the unparalleled and singular nature of the impending doom. It signifies that this particular judgment is unique in its severity and scope, a final and decisive blow.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 7:5 serves as a solemn and enduring warning about the consequences of persistent disobedience to God. It highlights several timeless truths:

  • God's Justice is Real: This verse reminds us that God is not only loving but also just. He will ultimately hold individuals and nations accountable for their actions and rebellion against His standards.
  • Warnings Should Be Heeded: The certainty of the "evil" coming emphasizes that divine warnings, often given through prophets or scripture, are not idle threats but declarations of what will surely transpire if people do not turn from their sin.
  • The Gravity of Sin: The "only evil" underscores how seriously God views sin and unfaithfulness. It leads to severe and unique consequences.
  • Call to Repentance: While this verse speaks of an "evil" already come, the broader message of the Bible consistently calls for repentance and a return to God. Understanding the severity of His judgment should motivate us to live in obedience and faithfulness.
  • For believers today, while we are under grace through Christ, this passage reinforces the principle that God is sovereign and righteous, and His word is true. It encourages us to live lives that honor Him, knowing that He is a God of both immense love and perfect justice.
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.
  • 2 Kings 21:12

    Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Behold, I [am] bringing [such] evil upon Jerusalem and Judah, that whosoever heareth of it, both his ears shall tingle.
  • 2 Kings 21:13

    And I will stretch over Jerusalem the line of Samaria, and the plummet of the house of Ahab: and I will wipe Jerusalem as [a man] wipeth a dish, wiping [it], and turning [it] upside down.
  • Nahum 1:9

    ¶ What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time.
  • Ezekiel 5:9

    And I will do in thee that which I have not done, and whereunto I will not do any more the like, because of all thine abominations.
  • Matthew 24:21

    For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
  • Amos 3:2

    You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.
  • Daniel 9:12

    And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem.

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