Ezekiel Chapter 5 — The Sign of the Shaven Hair
Ezekiel shaves his head and beard, dividing the hair into three parts to symbolize the different ways God will judge the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
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Notable Verses
Ezekiel 5:5
“The Lord GOD says: ‘This is Jerusalem. I have set her in the middle of the nations, and countries are around her.’”
This verse establishes Jerusalem's central geographic and spiritual position, highlighting her role and her accountability before the world.
Ezekiel 5:12
“A third part of you will die with the pestilence, and they will be consumed with famine within you. A third part will fall by the sword around you. A third part I will scatter to all the winds, and will draw out a sword after them.”
This provides the direct interpretation of Ezekiel's symbolic hair-cutting action regarding the specific fates of the city's inhabitants.
Chapter Summary
In Ezekiel 5, the prophet is commanded to perform a dramatic symbolic act using a sharp sword as a razor to shave his head and beard. He is instructed to weigh and divide the hair into three equal parts. One third is burned in the middle of the city, one third is struck with the sword, and one third is scattered to the wind, representing the various fates awaiting the residents of Jerusalem: pestilence, famine, war, and exile. A tiny remnant of hair is tucked into the folds of his robe, symbolizing a small surviving group. God explains that Jerusalem has been more rebellious than the surrounding nations despite being placed in a central, honored position. Because they defiled the sanctuary and rejected His statutes, God declares He will execute judgment in the sight of all nations. The chapter emphasizes that these severe consequences, including famine and the sword, serve as a public witness to God's holiness and the reality of His spoken word.
Frequently Asked Questions
It represents the destruction and scattering of the people of Jerusalem. The three divisions of hair signify that the population will be split between those who die by famine and plague, those who die by the sword, and those who are scattered into exile.
The text states that Jerusalem rebelled against God's laws more than the surrounding nations and defiled the sanctuary with 'detestable things' and abominations, leading God to execute judgment in the sight of the world.
These hairs represent a small remnant of people who are initially preserved from the general destruction, though even some of these are later cast into the fire, indicating continued trials for the survivors.
Study Note
The use of a sword as a razor signifies that the coming judgment is both violent and humiliating, as shaving one's hair was a common sign of mourning or disgrace in the ancient Near East.
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