Yehezkel 5-6

In perek 5 we reach the climax of the series of symbolic acts to which we were introduced in the last perek. This perek includes a difficult, long and complex symbolic act (1-4) as well as the meaning of the act (5-10). The purpose of this act is to symbolize the conquest of the city, and the bitter fate of its citizens.

While the previous prophecy dealt with Jerusalem and her citizens, in the prophecy of perek 6 the prophet turns to the mountains of Israel and prophesies a major calamity for them. Yehezkel specifies the sins for which the nation is being punished with destruction and exile, focusing on the sin of idolatry whose roots lay in the long years of rule of Menashe, King of Judah.