Charles Ellicott Commentary Ezekiel 5:2

"A third part shalt thou burn in the fire in the midst of the city, when the days of the siege are fulfilled; and thou shalt take a third part, and smite with the sword round about it; and a third part thou shalt scatter to the wind, and I will draw out a sword after them." — Ezekiel 5:2 (ASV)

Burn with fire a third part in the midst of the city. —It is better to suppose this was done only in description than to imagine that the prophet actually carried it out on the tile on which the city (Jerusalem) was portrayed. The meaning of this verse is explained in Ezekiel 5:12 and is made clearer by translating the same word consistently as “sword,” instead of changing it to “knife.” The third part, which is scattered, plainly signifies the small portion of the people who, escaping destruction, will be scattered among the nations.

A similar prophecy, referring however to a later time, may be found in Zechariah 13:8-9. The expression, “when the days of the siege are fulfilled,” of course refers to the symbolic siege of the prophet. The words, “I will draw out a sword after them,” are taken from Leviticus 26:33, and are repeated in Ezekiel 5:12 and again in Ezekiel 12:14. The suffering from the Divine judgments would still follow them in their exile. Plain prophecy is here mixed with the symbolism.