Old Testament
Ezekiel 28:5
The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English
At a Glance
This verse highlights how someone has become wealthy through their intelligence and business dealings.
- Author
- Ezekiel the prophet
- Written
- Around 590 BC
- Genre
- Prophecy
- Original Audience
- Exiled Israelites in Babylon
By your great wisdom and your trade, you have increased your riches, and your heart is lifted up because of your riches.
By thy great wisdom and by thy traffick hast thou increased thy riches, and thine heart is lifted up because of thy riches:
Verse Analysis
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.
Related Bible verses
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
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.
The Book of Ezekiel
Ezekiel 1: Visions of God
The word of the LORD comes to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, by the river Chebar in the land of the Chaldeans. He sees visions of God as the heavens open. A great cloud comes from the north with a fire flashing continually and brightness around it, and from the midst appears something like glowing metal. From the fire emerge four living creatures, each with the likeness of a man. Each has four faces and four wings, and their legs are straight with feet like a calf's foot, shining like polished brass. Their faces are those of a man, a lion, an ox, and an eagle, and their wings are joined one to another as they move straight forward without turning.
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