What Does Ezekiel 5:8 Mean in the King James?
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, am against thee, and will execute judgments in the midst of thee in the sight of the nations.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
Here judgment is not a verdict sent from afar: it is enacted in the midst of the one addressed, where the nations can see.
THE MEANING
The verse names direct opposition, “I am against thee”, and judgment within the one addressed, before the nations. Its force is exposure: what is judged is neither abstract nor hidden from view.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The belief that judgment is always private or distant is undone: this verse locates it in the midst and in public view.
THE ROOT
מִשְׁפָּטִים
mishpatim
GROWS FROM
שפט
sh-p-t
שפט (shaphat): to judge, govern, or render a decision.
Mishpatim names concrete judgments or decisions, and shares its root with the one who judges and the act of judging. The verse places this active adjudication within the one addressed and before witnesses, not in a distant or merely abstract verdict.
ALSO GROWS
shaphat: to judge or govern
שָׁפַט
This is the verb behind “judgments,” linking the stated outcome to the act of judging.
shofet: judge
שֹׁפֵט
The person who judges comes from the same root as the judgments carried out in the verse.
mishpat: judgment, decision, or ordinance
מִשְׁפָּט
The singular form shows that the verse’s plural “judgments” belongs to a word family for decisions and acts of judgment.
THE PATTERN
Divine judgment and action are made visible before the nations.
The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.And I will set my glory among the heathen, and all the heathen shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid upon them.Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.THE THREAD
And I will set my glory among the heathen, and all the heathen shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid upon them.Ezekiel 39:21 uses the same Hebrew word family, mishpat, for “my judgment.” There the nations see the judgment carried out, making explicit the public witness described here.
Read the SDV Bible.
Every verse has a Deep Dive in the app.
The iPhone Bible app with the Selah Decoded Version.
Does something in this reading look wrong? Tell us