Old Testament
Ezekiel 28:5
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
By your great wisdom and your trade, you have increased your riches, and your heart is lifted up because of your riches.
Compare translations
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.

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

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 PlansAsk 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
Related Bible verses
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.