Ezekiel 5:4

Verse

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.

American Standard Version (1901)

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.

Bible in Basic English

And again take some of these and put them in the fire, burning them up in the fire; and say to all the children of Israel,

Douay-Rheims 1899

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.

Free Bible Version

Take some of these and toss them into the fire to burn them. A fire will spread from there to burn everyone in Israel.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

Translation for Translators

Then take a few of those hairs, throw them into the fire, and burn them up. That will symbolize that a fire will spread from Jerusalem and destroy things throughout Israel.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Then take more of the hair and throw it into the midst of the fire; and burn it in the fire; from there a fire will go out to all the house of Israel.”

Noah Webster Bible

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.

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.

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.

Context

The Razor of Judgment

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.

Summary

Ezekiel 5:4 describes the judgment of God upon the people of Jerusalem, symbolized by the prophet cutting off his hair and beard. This act represents the severity of the punishment that will befall the Israelites due to their disobedience and idolatry. The shaving of hair signifies the loss of honor, dignity, and protection that the people will experience as a consequence of their sins. This verse serves as a warning of the impending destruction and exile that will come upon Jerusalem if they do not repent and turn back to God.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

Then take of them again,.... Of that small number preserved: and cast them into the midst of the fire, and burn them in the fire: this was fulfilled in Gedaliah and the Jews that were with him, over whom the king of Babylon had made him governor, who were slain by Ishmael, Jer 41:1; for thereof shall a fire come forth into all the house of Israel; from this barbarous murder of Gedaliah and his men, judgment came upon all the house of Israel; a war commenced between Ishmael and Johanan the son of Kareah; and afterwards Nebuzaradan carried captive great numbers of them that were left in the land. The Syriac and Arabic versions render it, "from these shall a fire come forth", &c. which Jarchi interprets of these intimations given the prophet, from whence judgments should come upon all the house of Israel. It may be understood of those that were left in the land, and of such who returned from the captivity; for whose sins, and those of their posterity, the wrath of God came forth upon all the house of Israel, to the utter destruction of their nation, city, and temple, by Titus Vespasian. Next: Ezekiel Chapter 6