Ezekiel 5:10 Meaning and Explanation
“Therefore the fathers shall eat the sons in the midst of thee, and the sons shall eat their fathers; and I will execute judgments in thee, and the whole remnant of thee will I scatter into all the winds.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Cannibalism will occur during the siege, and the survivors will be scattered among all nations.
The Context of Ezekiel 5:10
God now describes the specific horrors of the siege—cannibalism—and the final fate of survivors: scattering into exile.
What Does Ezekiel 5:10 Mean?
The image of 'fathers eating sons' and 'sons eating fathers' describes the extremity of famine during the siege. In the desperation of starvation, normal bonds of love and kinship collapse, and people consume their own family members. This is not metaphorical; siege archaeology and ancient records confirm that such atrocities occurred in extreme famines. The detail shows the absolute breakdown of society under judgment.
After the siege, the remnant—those who survive the fire, sword, and famine—will be scattered into all winds, meaning dispersed to every direction and nation. This scattering accomplishes both punishment (exile away from the promised land) and preservation (they are not annihilated). The judgment is thus complete: those inside perish horrifically; those outside are dispersed and live under foreign rule.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ezekiel 5:10
What does Ezekiel 5:10 mean?
Cannibalism will occur during the siege, and the survivors will be scattered among all nations.
What is the context of Ezekiel 5:10?
God now describes the specific horrors of the siege—cannibalism—and the final fate of survivors: scattering into exile.