Ezekiel 9:10

And as for me also, mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity, [but] I will recompense their way upon their head.

And as for me also, mine eye {H5869} shall not spare {H2347}, neither will I have pity {H2550}, but I will recompense {H5414} their way {H1870} upon their head {H7218}.

But as far as I am concerned, my eye will not spare, and I will have no pity, but I will bring [the consequences of] their ways on their own heads."

But as for Me, I will not look on them with pity, nor will I spare them. I will bring their deeds down upon their own heads.”

And as for me also, mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity, but I will bring their way upon their head.

Commentary

Ezekiel 9:10 stands as a stark declaration of divine judgment, emphasizing God's unwavering resolve to bring consequences upon those who have persistently rebelled against Him. This verse concludes a solemn pronouncement of impending destruction upon Jerusalem, a judgment necessitated by the deep-seated idolatry and moral corruption within the city.

Context

The prophet Ezekiel is given a terrifying vision in Ezekiel chapter 9. He sees six men with slaughter weapons and one with a writing inkhorn. Before the judgment begins, those who lament the abominations in Jerusalem are marked on their foreheads to be spared, while the rest are condemned to destruction, starting from the sanctuary itself. This specific verse, "And as for me also, mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity, [but] I will recompense their way upon their head," is God's own declaration, underscoring His direct involvement and the finality of the judgment. It reflects the culmination of His patience with a people who had repeatedly turned away from Him, engaging in detestable practices (Ezekiel 8:6-18).

Key Themes

  • Divine Justice and Judgment: The verse powerfully conveys God's attribute of justice. It's not merely a threat but a determined act of righteous recompense for sin. God's holiness demands that sin be addressed.
  • No Pity for Persistent Rebellion: While God is known for His mercy and compassion, this verse reveals a point where persistent and unrepentant sin exhausts His forbearance. His "eye shall not spare" and He "will not have pity" signifies the severity of the consequences for those who have hardened their hearts. This is a contrast to His willingness to forgive those who truly repent (Ezekiel 18:23).
  • Consequences of Actions: The phrase "I will recompense their way upon their head" highlights the principle that individuals will face the direct consequences of their deeds. It's a clear statement that actions have spiritual and often tangible repercussions.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "recompense their way upon their head" is a powerful Hebrew idiom. The word for "recompense" (שָׁלַם - shalem) implies a bringing to completion or making whole, in this context, bringing a full and just payment for one's actions. It signifies that the consequences will fall directly and fully upon those who committed the offenses, a direct correlation between their "way" (their conduct, actions, and lifestyle) and the resulting judgment "upon their head." This concept is consistent throughout Scripture, emphasizing personal accountability.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 9:10 serves as a sober reminder of God's unyielding justice and the seriousness of sin. While God is abundant in mercy and slow to anger, there comes a time when persistent and unrepentant rebellion leads to inevitable and severe consequences. This verse encourages believers to:

  • Take Sin Seriously: Understand that God does not overlook sin indefinitely. His character is holy and just.
  • Embrace Repentance: The path to avoiding such divine judgment is genuine repentance and turning back to God, seeking His mercy before the time of grace expires.
  • Live Righteously: Strive to live a life pleasing to God, knowing that He will ultimately bring every deed into judgment, whether good or bad (Ecclesiastes 12:14). This principle of sowing and reaping is a fundamental truth throughout the Bible.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 7:4

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

  • Ezekiel 11:21

    But [as for them] whose heart walketh after the heart of their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their way upon their own heads, saith the Lord GOD.

  • Ezekiel 8:18

    Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, [yet] will I not hear them.

  • Isaiah 65:6

    Behold, [it is] written before me: I will not keep silence, but will recompense, even recompense into their bosom,

  • Hosea 9:7

    ΒΆ The days of visitation are come, the days of recompence are come; Israel shall know [it]: the prophet [is] a fool, the spiritual man [is] mad, for the multitude of thine iniquity, and the great hatred.

  • Ezekiel 5:11

    Wherefore, [as] I live, saith the Lord GOD; Surely, because thou hast defiled my sanctuary with all thy detestable things, and with all thine abominations, therefore will I also diminish [thee]; neither shall mine eye spare, neither will I have any pity.

  • Joel 3:4

    Yea, and what have ye to do with me, O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine? will ye render me a recompence? and if ye recompense me, swiftly [and] speedily will I return your recompence upon your own head;
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