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.
Original Language Analysis
וְלֹא
H3808
וְלֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תָח֥וֹס
shall not spare
H2347
תָח֥וֹס
shall not spare
Strong's:
H2347
Word #:
2 of 17
properly, to cover, i.e., (figuratively) to compassionate
עֵינִ֛י
And mine eye
H5869
עֵינִ֛י
And mine eye
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
3 of 17
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
עָלַ֖יִךְ
H5921
עָלַ֖יִךְ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
4 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אֶחְמ֑וֹל
thee neither will I have pity
H2550
אֶחְמ֑וֹל
thee neither will I have pity
Strong's:
H2550
Word #:
6 of 17
to commiserate; by implication, to spare
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
7 of 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
דְרָכַ֜יִךְ
thy ways
H1870
דְרָכַ֜יִךְ
thy ways
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
8 of 17
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
עָלַ֣יִךְ
H5921
עָלַ֣יִךְ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
9 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֶתֵּ֗ן
but I will recompense
H5414
אֶתֵּ֗ן
but I will recompense
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
10 of 17
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
וְתוֹעֲבוֹתַ֙יִךְ֙
upon thee and thine abominations
H8441
וְתוֹעֲבוֹתַ֙יִךְ֙
upon thee and thine abominations
Strong's:
H8441
Word #:
11 of 17
properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol
בְּתוֹכֵ֣ךְ
shall be in the midst
H8432
בְּתוֹכֵ֣ךְ
shall be in the midst
Strong's:
H8432
Word #:
12 of 17
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
תִּֽהְיֶ֔יןָ
H1961
תִּֽהְיֶ֔יןָ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
13 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
וִידַעְתֶּ֖ם
of thee and ye shall know
H3045
וִידַעְתֶּ֖ם
of thee and ye shall know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
14 of 17
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
Cross References
Ezekiel 6:7And the slain shall fall in the midst of you, and ye shall know that I am the LORD.Ezekiel 5:11Wherefore, 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.Ezekiel 11:21But 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 6:14So will I stretch out my hand upon them, and make the land desolate, yea, more desolate than the wilderness toward Diblath, in all their habitations: and they shall know that I am the LORD.Ezekiel 9:10And as for me also, mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity, but I will recompense their way upon their head.Ezekiel 7:27The king shall mourn, and the prince shall be clothed with desolation, and the hands of the people of the land shall be troubled: I will do unto them after their way, and according to their deserts will I judge them; and they shall know that I am the LORD.Ezekiel 16:43Because thou hast not remembered the days of thy youth, but hast fretted me in all these things; behold, therefore I also will recompense thy way upon thine head, saith the Lord GOD: and thou shalt not commit this lewdness above all thine abominations.Hosea 12:2The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.Hosea 9:7The 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.
Historical Context
For generations, God showed mercy despite continued rebellion: sending prophets, providing reforming kings (Hezekiah, Josiah), allowing repentance opportunities. But when mercy is despised and patience presumed upon, judgment without mitigation becomes necessary. Lamentations confirms this: 'The LORD has done what he purposed; he has carried out his word, which he commanded long ago; he has thrown down without pity' (Lamentations 2:17). The unsparing judgment demonstrated God's holiness and taught that mercy can be exhausted by persistent rebellion, though never for those who genuinely repent.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God withholding mercy challenge sentimental views that minimize divine wrath?
- What does 'abominations in the midst of thee' teach about sin's consequences returning on perpetrators?
- In what ways does unmixed judgment teach truths that mixed mercy obscured?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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. God declares He will withhold mercy—"mine eye shall not spare" (lo-tachoss eini, לֹא־תָחוֹס עֵינִי) and "neither will I have pity" (velo echmol, וְלֹא אֶחְמֹל). This doesn't contradict God's merciful nature but reveals that persistent unrepentant sin exhausts patience. "Abominations shall be in the midst of thee" means they'll experience the full consequences of their detestable practices—sin will turn back on sinners. The recognition formula concludes: through unmixed judgment, they'll finally acknowledge "I am the LORD"—truth that blessing failed to teach.