Ezekiel 5:10

As a result, fathers among you will eat their sons, and sons will eat their fathers. I will execute judgments against you and scatter all your remnant to every wind.'

Study Bible

As surely as I live
This phrase is a solemn oath from God, emphasizing the certainty and seriousness of His declaration. In Hebrew, the phrase is "חי אני" (chai ani), which translates to "I live." It underscores God's eternal existence and His sovereign authority to execute judgment. This is a reminder of God's unchanging nature and His commitment to justice, serving as a powerful introduction to the pronouncement that follows.

declares the Lord GOD
The Hebrew term used here is "נְאֻם אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה" (ne'um Adonai YHWH), which is a formal declaration from the sovereign Lord. This phrase is used throughout the prophetic books to assert the divine origin of the message. It assures the reader that the words are not merely Ezekiel's but are directly from God, carrying divine authority and weight.

because you have defiled My sanctuary
The word "defiled" comes from the Hebrew "טָמֵא" (tame), meaning to make unclean or impure. The sanctuary, or "מִקְדָּשׁ" (miqdash), was the holy place where God's presence dwelled among His people. The defilement of the sanctuary signifies a profound breach of the covenant relationship between God and Israel, highlighting the gravity of their sin and the reason for the impending judgment.

with all your detestable idols and abominations
The Hebrew word for "detestable" is "שִׁקּוּץ" (shiqquts), often used to describe idols or practices that are abhorrent to God. "Abominations" is translated from "תוֹעֵבָה" (to'evah), referring to actions that are morally repugnant. This phrase underscores the extent of Israel's idolatry and moral corruption, which provoked God's righteous anger and necessitated His judgment.

I Myself will withdraw
The phrase indicates God's active decision to remove His presence and protection from His people. In Hebrew, "וְגַם־אֲנִי" (vegam-ani) emphasizes the personal involvement of God in this action. This withdrawal signifies the severing of the intimate relationship between God and Israel, a consequence of their persistent rebellion and idolatry.

I will not look on you with pity
The Hebrew word for "pity" is "חָמַל" (chamal), meaning to spare or have compassion. God's decision to withhold pity reflects the severity of Israel's sin and the necessity of divine justice. It serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the seriousness with which He views sin.

nor will I spare you
The word "spare" comes from the Hebrew "חָסָה" (chasah), which means to show mercy or refrain from punishment. This phrase reinforces the inevitability of judgment due to the people's persistent disobedience. It highlights the balance between God's mercy and justice, reminding believers of the importance of repentance and faithfulness to God.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Ezekiel
A prophet called by God to deliver messages of judgment and hope to the Israelites during their Babylonian exile.

2. Jerusalem
The city under judgment in this passage, representing the center of Israel's spiritual and political life.

3. Fathers and Sons
Symbolic of the breakdown of societal and familial structures due to the severe judgment and siege.

4. Judgments
Refers to the divine retribution that God is executing upon Jerusalem for their disobedience and idolatry.

5. Remnant
The survivors of the judgment who will be scattered, indicating both punishment and the hope of future restoration.

Teaching Points

The Severity of Sin
Sin has severe consequences, and God's judgment is a response to persistent disobedience and idolatry.

The Breakdown of Society
Disobedience to God leads to the breakdown of societal and familial structures, as seen in the extreme measures of survival during the siege.

God's Faithfulness in Judgment
God's warnings are consistent and fulfilled, demonstrating His faithfulness to His word, both in judgment and in promises of restoration.

Hope for the Remnant
Even in judgment, God preserves a remnant, offering hope for future restoration and renewal.

Call to Repentance
The passage serves as a call to repentance, urging believers to turn back to God to avoid the consequences of sin.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the imagery of fathers eating their sons and vice versa illustrate the severity of God's judgment on Jerusalem?

2. In what ways does this passage challenge us to consider the consequences of our own disobedience to God?

3. How can we see God's faithfulness in both His judgment and His promise of a remnant?

4. What parallels can we draw between the societal breakdown in Jerusalem and challenges faced in our own communities today?

5. How can we apply the call to repentance found in Ezekiel 5:10 to our personal lives and spiritual walk?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Leviticus 26:29
This passage also warns of cannibalism as a consequence of disobedience, showing the consistency of God's warnings throughout Scripture.

Deuteronomy 28:53-57
Similar warnings are given in the context of the curses for disobedience, emphasizing the severity of turning away from God.

Lamentations 4:10
Describes the fulfillment of this prophecy during the Babylonian siege, highlighting the historical reality of God's judgments.

Jeremiah 19:9
Another prophetic warning of cannibalism due to siege, reinforcing the message of Ezekiel.

2 Kings 6:28-29
An earlier instance of cannibalism during a siege, illustrating the dire consequences of Israel's repeated disobedience.