Ezekiel 5:5

¶ Thus saith the Lord GOD; This [is] Jerusalem: I have set it in the midst of the nations and countries [that are] round about her.

Thus saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}; This is Jerusalem {H3389}: I have set {H7760} it in the midst {H8432} of the nations {H1471} and countries {H776} that are round about {H5439} her.

"Here is what Adonai ELOHIM, says: 'This is Yerushalayim! I have placed her in the middle of the nations; countries can be found all around her.

This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘This is Jerusalem, which I have set in the center of the nations, with countries all around her.

Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: This is Jerusalem; I have set her in the midst of the nations, and countries are round about her.

Commentary

Ezekiel 5:5 introduces a profound statement from the Lord GOD concerning Jerusalem's unique position and significance in divine history. This verse serves as a preamble to the severe judgment pronounced upon the city in the subsequent verses of Ezekiel chapter 5.

Historical and Cultural Context

The prophet Ezekiel delivered this message during the Babylonian exile, a time of immense despair and questioning for the Jewish people. Jerusalem, though not yet destroyed at this point in Ezekiel's prophecy (it would fall in 586 BC), was under severe threat. For centuries, Jerusalem had been considered the spiritual and geographical heart of Israel, chosen by God as the place for His temple and His dwelling among His people. Its location was strategically positioned at the crossroads of major ancient civilizations, including Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the burgeoning empires of the north and south. This verse underscores God's deliberate placement of Jerusalem not in isolation, but "in the midst of the nations," implying a unique role and visibility.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Election and Centrality: The phrase "I have set it in the midst of the nations" highlights God's sovereign choice and deliberate placement of Jerusalem. It wasn't accidental but divinely ordained. This echoes the broader theme of Israel's chosen status among the nations, intended to be a beacon of God's truth.
  • Witness and Responsibility: Being "in the midst of the nations" meant Jerusalem was meant to be a testimony to God's character and laws. Its central location implied a responsibility to reflect God's glory and righteousness to the surrounding Gentile world. This aligns with the concept of Israel being a "light to the Gentiles" as seen in Isaiah 49:6.
  • Foundation for Judgment: The immediate context of Ezekiel 5 is one of severe judgment. This verse sets the stage by emphasizing Jerusalem's privileged position, making its subsequent rebellion and unfaithfulness all the more egregious. The city, which should have been an example of faithfulness, became an example of apostasy.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "Lord GOD" is Adonai Yahweh (אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה), emphasizing God's absolute sovereignty and covenant faithfulness. The term "nations" (goyim) refers to the Gentile peoples surrounding Israel. The emphasis on Jerusalem being "in the midst" (b'tok) signifies its unique and prominent placement, not merely geographically, but also in God's redemptive plan for humanity.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 5:5 reminds us that God places individuals, communities, and nations in strategic positions for His divine purposes. Just as Jerusalem was given a privileged place with a corresponding responsibility, so too are believers called to be a light in the world. Our actions, whether good or bad, are often visible to those around us. This verse serves as a sober reminder that privilege comes with accountability. When we fail to live up to our divine calling, the consequences can be severe, not only for ourselves but for the witness we are meant to bear to the world. It encourages us to consider our own "position" and how we are using it to reflect God's truth and righteousness, much like the call for believers to be the light of the world in Matthew 5:14.

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Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 4:1 (5 votes)

    ¶ Thou also, son of man, take thee a tile, and lay it before thee, and pourtray upon it the city, [even] Jerusalem:

  • Jeremiah 6:6 (4 votes)

    For thus hath the LORD of hosts said, Hew ye down trees, and cast a mount against Jerusalem: this [is] the city to be visited; she [is] wholly oppression in the midst of her.

  • Deuteronomy 4:6 (4 votes)

    Keep therefore and do [them]; for this [is] your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation [is] a wise and understanding people.

  • Ezekiel 16:14 (3 votes)

    And thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty: for it [was] perfect through my comeliness, which I had put upon thee, saith the Lord GOD.

  • Micah 5:7 (2 votes)

    ¶ And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the LORD, as the showers upon the grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men.

  • Matthew 5:14 (2 votes)

    Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

  • Luke 22:19 (2 votes)

    And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake [it], and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.