Ezekiel 5:4
New International Version
Again, take a few of these and throw them into the fire and burn them up. A fire will spread from there to all Israel.

New Living Translation
Then take some of these hairs out and throw them into the fire, burning them up. A fire will then spread from this remnant and destroy all of Israel.

English Standard Version
And of these again you shall take some and cast them into the midst of the fire and burn them in the fire. From there a fire will come out into all the house of Israel.

Berean Standard Bible
Again, take a few of these, throw them into the fire, and burn them. From there a fire will spread to the whole house of Israel.

Berean Literal Bible
And some of them you shall take again and cast them into the midst of the fire, and you shall burn them in the fire; from there will go out a fire into all the house of Israel!

King James Bible
Then take of them again, and cast them into the midst of the fire, and burn them in the fire; for thereof shall a fire come forth into all the house of Israel.

New King James Version
Then take some of them again and throw them into the midst of the fire, and burn them in the fire. From there a fire will go out into all the house of Israel.

New American Standard Bible
Take again some of them and throw them into the fire and burn them in the fire; from it a fire will spread to all the house of Israel.

NASB 1995
“Take again some of them and throw them into the fire and burn them in the fire; from it a fire will spread to all the house of Israel.

NASB 1977
“And take again some of them and throw them into the fire, and burn them in the fire; from it a fire will spread to all the house of Israel.

Legacy Standard Bible
Take again some of them and throw them into the fire and burn them in the fire; from it a fire will spread to all the house of Israel.

Amplified Bible
Again take some hair and throw them into the fire and burn them in the fire; from it a fire will spread to all the house of Israel.

Berean Annotated Bible
Again, take a few of these, throw them into the fire, and burn them. From there a fire will spread to the whole house of Israel (he wrestles with God).

Christian Standard Bible
Take some more of them, throw them into the fire, and burn them in it. A fire will spread from it to the whole house of Israel.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Take some more of them, throw them into the fire, and burn them in it. A fire will spread from it to the whole house of Israel.”

American Standard Version
And of these again shalt thou take, and cast them into the midst of the fire, and burn them in the fire; therefrom shall a fire come forth into all the house of Israel.

Contemporary English Version
Then pull out a few of those hairs and throw them in the fire, so they will also burn. This fire will spread, destroying everyone in Israel.

English Revised Version
And of these again shalt thou take, and cast them into the midst of the fire, and burn them in the fire; therefrom shall a fire come forth into all the house of Israel.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Later, take some of them, and throw them in a fire and burn them up. From there a fire will spread throughout the whole nation of Israel.

Good News Translation
Then take a few of them out again, throw them in the fire, and let them burn up. From them fire will spread to the whole nation of Israel."

International Standard Version
Then you are to take a few strands, throw them in the fire, and incinerate them. A fire will proceed to the house of Israel from there."

NET Bible
Again, take more of them and throw them into the fire, and burn them up. From there a fire will spread to all the house of Israel.

New Heart English Bible
Of these again you shall take, and cast them into the midst of the fire, and burn them in the fire; from it shall a fire come forth into all the house of Israel."

Webster's Bible Translation
Then take of them again, and cast them into the midst of the fire, and burn them in the fire: from which a fire shall come forth into all the house of Israel.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
Again, take a few of these, throw them into the fire, and burn them. From there a fire will spread to the whole house of Israel.

World English Bible
Of these again you shall take, and cast them into the middle of the fire, and burn them in the fire. From it a fire will come out into all the house of Israel.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and you take of them again, and have cast them into the midst of the fire, and have burned them in the fire—out of it comes forth a fire to all the house of Israel.”

Berean Literal Bible
And some of them you shall take again and cast them into the midst of the fire, and you shall burn them in the fire; from there will go out a fire into all the house of Israel!

Young's Literal Translation
and of them thou dost take again, and hast cast them unto the midst of the fire, and hast burned them in the fire -- out of it cometh forth a fire unto all the house of Israel.

Smith's Literal Translation
And thou shalt yet take from them and cast them into the midst of the fire, and burn them in fire: from it shall come forth fire to all the house of Israel.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And thou shalt take of them again, and shalt cast them in the midst of the fire, and shalt burn them with fire: and out of it shall come forth a fire into all the house of Israel.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And again, you shall take from them, and you shall throw them into the midst of the fire, and you shall burn them with fire. And from it, there shall go forth a fire to the entire house of Israel.”

New American Bible
Take some of these and throw them into the fire and burn them in the fire. Because of this, fire will flash out against the whole house of Israel.

New Revised Standard Version
From these, again, you shall take some, throw them into the fire and burn them up; from there a fire will come out against all the house of Israel.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then take some of them again and cast them into the midst of the fire, and burn them in the fire; for from them shall come forth a fire into all the house of Israel.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And some of them again take and you will throw them within the fire, and you will burn them in fire, and from them a fire shall go forth to all of the house of Israel
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And of them again shalt thou take, and cast them into the midst of the fire, and burn them in the fire; therefrom shall a fire come forth into all the house of Israel.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And thou shalt take of these again, and cast them into the midst of the fire, and burn them up with fire: from thence shall come forth fire; and thou shalt say to the whole house of Israel,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Judgment Against Jerusalem
3But you are to take a few strands of hair and secure them in the folds of your garment. 4Again, take a few of these, throw them into the fire, and burn them. From there a fire will spread to the whole house of Israel. 5This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘This is Jerusalem, which I have set in the center of the nations, with countries all around her.…

Cross References
Again, take a few of these,

Ezekiel 12:16
But I will spare a few of them from sword and famine and plague, so that in the nations to which they go, they can recount all their abominations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.”

Isaiah 10:20-22
On that day the remnant of Israel and the survivors of the house of Jacob will no longer depend on him who struck them, but they will truly rely on the LORD, the Holy One of Israel. / A remnant will return—a remnant of Jacob—to the Mighty God. / Though your people, O Israel, be like the sand of the sea, only a remnant will return. Destruction has been decreed, overflowing with righteousness.

Romans 11:5
In the same way, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.
throw them into the fire,

John 15:6
If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Such branches are gathered up, thrown into the fire, and burned.

Daniel 3:20-21
and he commanded some mighty men of valor in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing fiery furnace. / So they were tied up, wearing robes, trousers, turbans, and other clothes, and they were thrown into the blazing fiery furnace.

Matthew 13:42
And they will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
and burn them.

Ezekiel 15:4-5
No, it is cast into the fire for fuel. The fire devours both ends, and the middle is charred. Can it be useful for anything? / Even when it was whole, it could not be made useful. How much less can it ever be useful when the fire has consumed it and charred it!

Jeremiah 11:16
The LORD once called you a flourishing olive tree, beautiful with well-formed fruit. But with a mighty roar He will set it on fire, and its branches will be consumed.

Malachi 4:1
“For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace, when all the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble; the day is coming when I will set them ablaze,” says the LORD of Hosts. “Not a root or branch will be left to them.”
From there a fire will spread to the whole house of Israel.

Ezekiel 20:47-48
Say to the forest of the Negev: Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Lord GOD says: I am about to ignite in you a fire, and it will devour all your trees, both green and dry. The blazing flame will not be quenched, and by it every face from south to north will be scorched. / Then all people will see that I, the LORD, have kindled it; it will not be quenched.”

Hosea 8:14
Israel has forgotten his Maker and built palaces; Judah has multiplied its fortified cities. But I will send fire upon their cities, and it will consume their citadels.

Jeremiah 7:20
Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, My anger and My fury will be poured out on this place, on man and beast, on the trees of the field and the produce of the land, and it will burn and not be extinguished.
Jeremiah 24:9
I will make them a horror and an offense to all the kingdoms of the earth, a disgrace and an object of scorn, ridicule, and cursing wherever I have banished them.

Leviticus 26:33
But I will scatter you among the nations and will draw out a sword after you as your land becomes desolate and your cities are laid waste.

Deuteronomy 28:64
Then the LORD will scatter you among all the nations, from one end of the earth to the other, and there you will worship other gods, gods of wood and stone, which neither you nor your fathers have known.

Jeremiah 9:16
I will scatter them among the nations that neither they nor their fathers have known, and I will send a sword after them until I have finished them off.”


Treasury of Scripture

Then take of them again, and cast them into the middle of the fire, and burn them in the fire; for thereof shall a fire come forth into all the house of Israel.

take

2 Kings 25:25
But it came to pass in the seventh month, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, of the seed royal, came, and ten men with him, and smote Gedaliah, that he died, and the Jews and the Chaldees that were with him at Mizpah.

Jeremiah 41:1-45:1
Now it came to pass in the seventh month, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah the son of Elishama, of the seed royal, and the princes of the king, even ten men with him, came unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and there they did eat bread together in Mizpah…

Jeremiah 52:30
In the three and twentieth year of Nebuchadrezzar Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive of the Jews seven hundred forty and five persons: all the persons were four thousand and six hundred.

shall a fire

Jeremiah 4:4
Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.

Jeremiah 48:45
They that fled stood under the shadow of Heshbon because of the force: but a fire shall come forth out of Heshbon, and a flame from the midst of Sihon, and shall devour the corner of Moab, and the crown of the head of the tumultuous ones.

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Ezekiel 5
1. Under the type of hair
5. is shown the judgment of Jerusalem for their rebellion
12. by famine, sword, and dispersion












Again, take a few of these
This phrase refers to the symbolic act that God commands Ezekiel to perform. Ezekiel is instructed to take a few strands of hair, representing a remnant of the people of Israel. This act is part of a larger prophetic sign that illustrates the fate of Jerusalem. The remnant concept is significant throughout Scripture, often symbolizing those who remain faithful to God amidst widespread apostasy (e.g., Isaiah 10:20-22, Romans 11:5).

throw them into the fire
The act of throwing the hair into the fire symbolizes judgment and purification. Fire is a common biblical symbol for God's judgment (e.g., Malachi 3:2-3, 1 Corinthians 3:13). In the context of Ezekiel, it represents the severe judgment that God is about to bring upon Jerusalem due to their idolatry and rebellion. This imagery is consistent with the broader biblical theme of God using fire to purify and refine His people.

and burn them
The burning of the hair signifies the complete destruction and consumption by God's wrath. This act foreshadows the coming destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians, which is a historical event that took place in 586 BC. The burning also serves as a warning to the people of Israel about the consequences of their continued disobedience and idolatry.

From there a fire will spread to the whole house of Israel
This phrase indicates that the judgment is not limited to Jerusalem but will extend to the entire nation of Israel. The "fire" spreading symbolizes the widespread impact of God's judgment, affecting all the tribes of Israel. This can be seen as a fulfillment of the covenant curses outlined in Deuteronomy 28 for disobedience. The imagery of fire spreading also connects to the prophetic warnings found in other parts of the Old Testament, such as Amos 2:4-5, where judgment is pronounced on Judah and Israel.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ezekiel
A prophet and priest during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel is called by God to deliver messages of judgment and hope to the Israelites.

2. Jerusalem
The city that is the focal point of God's judgment in this passage, representing the center of Israel's spiritual and political life.

3. Babylonian Exile
The historical context in which Ezekiel prophesies, where the Israelites are in captivity due to their disobedience to God.
Teaching Points
Symbolism in Prophecy
Ezekiel 5:4 uses symbolic acts to convey God's message. Understanding these symbols helps us grasp the seriousness of God's judgment.

The Consequences of Disobedience
The passage highlights the severe consequences of Israel's disobedience, reminding us of the importance of faithfulness to God.

God's Sovereignty in Judgment
God's control over nations and events is evident, teaching us to trust in His ultimate plan and justice.

Repentance and Restoration
While the passage focuses on judgment, it also implies the need for repentance, leading to eventual restoration.

The Role of a Prophet
Ezekiel's role as a messenger of God underscores the importance of delivering God's truth, even when it is difficult.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Ezekiel 5:4?

2. How does Ezekiel 5:4 illustrate God's judgment on Jerusalem's disobedience?

3. What does the "fire" in Ezekiel 5:4 symbolize in God's plan?

4. How can we apply Ezekiel 5:4's warning to our spiritual lives today?

5. What connections exist between Ezekiel 5:4 and other biblical judgments on nations?

6. How does Ezekiel 5:4 emphasize the importance of obedience to God's commands?

7. What does Ezekiel 5:4 reveal about God's judgment on Jerusalem?

8. How does Ezekiel 5:4 reflect God's sovereignty and justice?

9. Why does God command such severe actions in Ezekiel 5:4?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 5?

11. What fate awaits Edom according to biblical prophecies?

12. What are the key events in 2 Kings?

13. How does Elijah's challenge to the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18:21-24 align or conflict with other biblical teachings on monotheism?

14. What is the metaphorical meaning in the Bible?
What Does Ezekiel 5:4 Mean
Again,

• The word signals repetition, underscoring that God’s warning is not a one-time notice but a reiterated call to listen (Isaiah 28:10; 2 Peter 3:9).

• Ezekiel repeats the act because Israel has repeatedly ignored earlier prophetic alarms (Jeremiah 25:3).

• God’s patience is evident, yet His justice will not be postponed forever (Nahum 1:3).


take a few of these,

• “These” refers to the few hairs Ezekiel was told to bind in his garment (Ezekiel 5:3); they picture the surviving remnant.

• A “few” reminds us that even in judgment God preserves a remnant for His purposes (Romans 11:5; Isaiah 10:22).

• Yet the remnant’s safety is conditional upon faithfulness; complacency is not an option (Amos 5:14-15).


throw them into the fire,

• Fire is an unmistakable image of divine judgment (Hebrews 12:29; Deuteronomy 4:24).

• The act shows that some who appear spared at first can still face discipline if they turn from the Lord (Zephaniah 1:12).

• It reinforces personal accountability within the community (Ezekiel 18:20).


and burn them.

• Total consumption depicts the completeness of the coming calamity (Malachi 4:1).

• Burning purges impurity, illustrating that God’s goal is both judgment and purification (Isaiah 1:25).

• The severity warns against assuming that partial obedience will suffice (1 Samuel 15:22-23).


From there a fire will spread

• Judgment that begins with a few will radiate outward when sin is unrepented (1 Peter 4:17).

• Like embers fanned into flame, consequences multiply if roots of rebellion remain (Hosea 8:7).

• God’s actions are measured yet unstoppable once unleashed (Ezekiel 20:47-48).


to the whole house of Israel.

• Northern Israel had fallen earlier, but Judah believed herself immune; God refutes that false security (Jeremiah 7:4).

• The phrase unites the divided kingdom under a single verdict, stressing national responsibility (2 Kings 17:18-20).

• Even so, restoration is hinted by later promises to the “whole house of Israel” (Ezekiel 37:11-14), proving judgment is a prelude to renewal.


summary

Ezekiel 5:4 dramatizes how God, after repeated warnings, will extend judgment from a symbolic handful to the entire nation. A protected remnant exists, yet unfaithfulness can draw them into the same consuming fire. The passage calls God’s people to earnest repentance, sober reverence, and steadfast obedience, trusting that the same God who judges also preserves and ultimately restores.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Again,
ע֣וֹד (‘ō·wḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 5750: Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more

take
תִּקָּ֔ח (tiq·qāḥ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

a few of these,
וּמֵהֶם֙ (ū·mê·hem)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

throw
וְהִשְׁלַכְתָּ֤ (wə·hiš·laḵ·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7993: To throw out, down, away

them into
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the fire,
הָאֵ֔שׁ (hā·’êš)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 784: A fire

and burn
וְשָׂרַפְתָּ֥ (wə·śā·rap̄·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 8313: To be, on fire

them.
אֹתָ֖ם (’ō·ṯām)
Direct object marker | third person masculine plural
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

From there
מִמֶּ֥נּוּ (mim·men·nū)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

a fire
אֵ֖שׁ (’êš)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 784: A fire

will spread
תֵצֵא־ (ṯê·ṣê-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the whole
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

house
בֵּ֥ית (bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of Israel.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 5:4 Of these again you shall take (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 5:3
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