Ezekiel 7:9

I will not look on you with pity, nor will I spare you, but I will punish you for your ways and for the abominations among you. Then you will know that it is I, the LORD, who strikes the blow.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — God speaks through Ezekiel to rebellious Israel at the moment of impending national collapse, declaring that judgment is immediate and inescapable. The prophet announces that divine wrath has been poured out and the day of doom has arrived.

The words — תָּח֥וֹס (taḥōs) means "it will look with compassion" and אֶתֵּ֗ן ('etṯēn) means "I will requite." The Hebrew frames the judgment as a direct, proportional response rather than arbitrary punishment.

The thread — This theme of proportional judgment appears in Revelation 20:13, where the dead are judged according to their deeds, and Isaiah 9:13, where the people fail to return to the One who strikes them. Micah 6:9 similarly calls the city to heed the rod and the One who disciplines it.

Why it lands — The text demands recognition that suffering is a direct consequence of chosen actions, not a random event. It requires the reader to acknowledge that divine judgment is intentional, measured, and meant to establish God's authority.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

וְלֹא־ve./lo'-and/ not תָח֥וֹסta.Chosit will look with compassion עֵינִ֖י'ei.N/ieye/ my וְלֹ֣אve./Lo'and/ not אֶחְמ֑וֹל'ech.MolI will show pity כִּדְרָכַ֜יִךְki/d.ra.Kha.yi/khaccording to/ ways/ your עָלַ֣יִךְ'a.La.yi/khto/ you אֶתֵּ֗ן'e.TenI will requite וְתוֹעֲבוֹתַ֙יִךְ֙ve./to.'a.vo.Ta.yi/khand/ abominations/ your בְּתוֹכֵ֣ךְbe./to.Khe/khin/ midst of/ you תִּֽהְיֶ֔יןָtih.Yei.nathey will be וִֽידַעְתֶּ֕םvi./da'.Temand/ you will know כִּ֛יkithat אֲנִ֥י'a.NiI יְהוָ֖הYah.wehYahweh מַכֶּֽה׃ma.Keh[am] striking

King James Version

And mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: I will recompense thee according to thy ways and thine abominations that are in the midst of thee; and ye shall know that I am the Lord that smiteth.

Cross-references

Revelation 20:13 The sea gave up its dead, and Death and Hades gave up their dead, and each one was judged according to his deeds.
Isaiah 9:13 But the people did not return to Him who struck them; they did not seek the LORD of Hosts.
Micah 6:9 The voice of the LORD calls out to the city (and it is sound wisdom to fear Your name): “Heed the rod and the One who ordained it.
Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return.