Ezekiel 6:11
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Ezekiel 6:11
11 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Smite with thine hand, and stamp with thy foot, and say, Alas for all the evil abominations of the house of Israel! for they shall fall by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence.
Chapter Context
Ezekiel 6 is a prophetic vision chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of faith, salvation, fellowship. Written during the Babylonian exile (c. 593-570 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Ministered to exiles in Babylon with visions of God's glory and future restoration.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-14: Central message and teachings
This chapter is significant because it foreshadows Christ's work through typology and prophetic elements. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Ezekiel and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Ezekiel 6:11
11 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Smite with thine hand, and stamp with thy foot, and say, Alas for all the evil abominations of the house of Israel! for they shall fall by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence.
Analysis
Thus saith the Lord GOD; Smite with thine hand, and stamp with thy foot, and say, Alas for all the evil abominations of the house of Israel! for they shall fall by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence. God commands Ezekiel to perform dramatic gestures—smiting hand and stamping foot—expressing grief and horror at Israel's abominations. The Hebrew hach be-khapkha (הַךְ בְּכַפֶּךָ, "smite with thine hand") and reka be-raglekha (רְקַע בְּרַגְלֶךָ, "stamp with thy foot") create visceral, physical proclamation. The exclamation "Alas" (ach, אָח) expresses lament. The triple judgment (sword, famine, pestilence) repeats Jeremiah's formula (Jeremiah 14:12; 21:7-9; 24:10), emphasizing comprehensive destruction from all sources.
Historical Context
Prophets regularly used dramatic physical actions to communicate messages (Isaiah 20:2-3; Jeremiah 27:2; Hosea 1:2). Ezekiel's hand-smiting and foot-stamping would create memorable spectacle, embedding the message emotionally. The exile community watching would feel the prophet's grief and horror, internalizing the seriousness of Israel's sin. The threefold judgment—sword (war), famine (siege), pestilence (disease)—characterized ancient warfare and fulfilled covenant curses (Leviticus 26:25-26; Deuteronomy 28:21-22, 48-57). Babylon's conquest brought all three simultaneously.
Reflection
- How does physical expression of grief and horror model appropriate response to sin's devastating consequences?
- What does the triple judgment (sword, famine, pestilence) teach about sin's comprehensive destructive effects?
- In what ways should we demonstrate visceral grief over cultural and personal sins?
Word Studies
- Lord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai) H3068 - The LORD / Lord
Cross-References
- References Lord: Ezekiel 9:4, Joel 1:15
- References God: Ezekiel 25:6
- Word: Ezekiel 5:12, 14:21, Jeremiah 24:10