Ezekiel 5:10 — Is It Real?
Understanding God’s character is important when reading difficult passages in Scripture. One example is this verse from the Bible:
“Therefore in your midst parents will eat their children, and children will eat their parents. I will punish you and scatter to the winds all who survive.”
— Ezekiel 5:10
Note: Did God truly say this, or was it added later? And where are the original tablets or writings connected to the Book of Ezekiel?
Note: The concept that "God is not bipolar" argues that God does not have unpredictable mood swings, switching between love and wrath, but is consistently good and loving, as portrayed through Jesus.
When people talk about “the real tablets” of Ezekiel, they are usually referring to a few different things—some archaeological, some biblical.
1. The Archaeological “Ezekiel Plates”
There is a collection often referred to as the Ezekiel Plates, consisting of 66 stone tiles inscribed in Hebrew with the text of the Book of Ezekiel.
Discovery: These plates were reportedly found in the late 19th or early 20th century near the traditional tomb of the prophet Ezekiel in Al Kifl, Iraq.
Unique Feature: Unlike most ancient inscriptions that are carved into stone, the letters on these plates are raised.
Significance: Some believe they may represent extremely early biblical texts, possibly dating back hundreds or even thousands of years. However, they have not received the same level of scholarly verification as discoveries like the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Current Location: The plates are said to be housed at the Yad Ben-Zvi Institute in Jerusalem.
2. The “Sticks” in Ezekiel 37
In Ezekiel 37:15–23, God commands Ezekiel to take two “sticks” and write on them.
Meaning of “Stick”: Many scholars understand the Hebrew word ‘êṣ to mean wooden writing tablets, possibly coated with wax, which were commonly used in ancient Babylon.
Symbolism: One tablet represented Judah and the other Joseph. Joining them together symbolized the future reunification of the divided tribes of Israel.
3. The Clay Tablet in Ezekiel 4
In Ezekiel 4:1, Ezekiel is instructed to take a brick—or clay tablet—and draw the siege of Jerusalem on it.
Cultural Context: Clay tablets were a common writing and drawing surface in Babylonian society during Ezekiel’s exile, making this a historically consistent prophetic sign-act.
Taken together, these details show that Ezekiel’s message was delivered through symbolic actions and written media common to his time. The harsh language in Ezekiel 5:10 reflects prophetic judgment imagery, not a loss of God’s character, but a warning rooted in historical judgment and covenant consequences.
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