Old Testament

Ezekiel 28:5

Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.

ClearClear Bible Translation

By your great wisdom and your trade, you have increased your riches, and your heart is lifted up because of your riches.

Compare translations
KJVKing James Version

By thy great wisdom and by thy traffick hast thou increased thy riches, and thine heart is lifted up because of thy riches:

What Ezekiel 28:5 means

Plain-English insight for readers

This verse highlights how someone has become wealthy through their intelligence and business dealings. Their success has led to a sense of pride and arrogance. It serves as a reminder that while skills and hard work can lead to prosperity, they can also foster an inflated sense of self-worth. When we achieve success, it’s easy to forget the contributions of others and the role of humility. This passage warns against letting wealth define our identity or lead us to look down on others. True wisdom involves recognizing that our abilities and achievements are gifts, not just personal triumphs. We should remain grounded and grateful, understanding that wealth can be fleeting and that character is far more important than material possessions. Reflecting on this can help us maintain a balanced perspective on success and its impact on our hearts and relationships. Ultimately, it encourages us to seek wisdom that leads to humility rather than pride, ensuring that our hearts remain aligned with what truly matters in life.

How to apply Ezekiel 28:5 to your life

Consider how your achievements affect your attitude towards others. Are you becoming prideful or dismissive? Strive to remain humble and grateful for your successes. Remember that true value lies in character and relationships, not just in material wealth. Reflect on your motivations regularly to stay grounded in humility and gratitude. “,”chapter_summary_teaser”: “This chapter discusses the dangers of pride and the consequences of wealth. It emphasizes the importance of humility and recognizing the source of our

Curated for this public verse page. Ezekiel Summary

Explore more of the Bible

Learn the Bible through its people and places

Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.

A painting of Samuel anointing the young David in Bethlehem

Illustrated scene from David's story: Samuel Anoints David (1 Samuel 16:1–13)

Meet the people of the Bible

Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.

David

An old color photograph of Hebron on a hillside above olive groves.

Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002724987). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Hebron, West Bank; print preserved by the Library of Congress. Resized for the web.

Explore the places of the Bible

See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.

Hebron

Where Abraham lived and buried Sarah, and where David was first made king.

Get full access with one subscription

Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.

See Plans

Ask AI about Ezekiel 28:5

Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.

Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter

Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.

Keep studying Ezekiel 28:5

At a Glance — the Book of Ezekiel

Author
Ezekiel the prophet
Written
Around 590 BC
Genre
Prophecy
Original Audience
Exiled Israelites in Babylon

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Ezekiel 28:5 mean?

Ezekiel 28:5 means that a person has gained wealth through their intelligence and business skills, but this success has led to pride and arrogance. It serves as a warning about the dangers of letting wealth inflate one's self-worth.

What is the meaning of pride in Ezekiel 28:5?

In Ezekiel 28:5, pride refers to the inflated sense of self-importance that comes from wealth and success. The verse cautions against allowing riches to lead to arrogance and a lack of humility.

How does Ezekiel 28:5 relate to humility?

Ezekiel 28:5 relates to humility by warning that wealth can lead to pride, which can cloud judgment and relationships. It encourages individuals to recognize their achievements as gifts and to remain humble.

What lessons can we learn from Ezekiel 28:5?

From Ezekiel 28:5, we learn that while intelligence and hard work can lead to success, they should not foster arrogance. The verse teaches the importance of maintaining humility and valuing character over material wealth.

Daily Verse — straight to your inbox

A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.