Ezekiel 12 16

Ezekiel 12:16 kjv

But I will leave a few men of them from the sword, from the famine, and from the pestilence; that they may declare all their abominations among the heathen whither they come; and they shall know that I am the LORD.

Ezekiel 12:16 nkjv

But I will spare a few of their men from the sword, from famine, and from pestilence, that they may declare all their abominations among the Gentiles wherever they go. Then they shall know that I am the LORD."

Ezekiel 12:16 niv

But I will spare a few of them from the sword, famine and plague, so that in the nations where they go they may acknowledge all their detestable practices. Then they will know that I am the LORD."

Ezekiel 12:16 esv

But I will let a few of them escape from the sword, from famine and pestilence, that they may declare all their abominations among the nations where they go, and may know that I am the LORD."

Ezekiel 12:16 nlt

But I will spare a few of them from death by war, famine, or disease, so they can confess all their detestable sins to their captors. Then they will know that I am the LORD."

Ezekiel 12 verses

Ezekiel 12 16 Meaning

Ezekiel 12:16 pronounces a partial and purposeful reprieve amidst the prophesied severe judgments of God against Judah. While most of the people will perish by war, starvation, and plague, God declares His sovereign intention to preserve a small remnant. The survival of this few is not an accident but has a divine purpose: that they might openly confess and recount the full extent of Judah's idolatry and immoral practices to the foreign nations among whom they are scattered. This public declaration of their sins, by humbling themselves and acknowledging God's just wrath, serves to glorify the LORD, causing both the nations and the remnant to recognize Him as the uniquely sovereign, just, and covenant-keeping God.

Ezekiel 12 16 Context

Ezekiel 12 is a chapter primarily focused on demonstrating the certainty and immediacy of Jerusalem's destruction and the Babylonian exile. Ezekiel performs symbolic acts, such as digging through a wall and packing his bags to leave like an exile, trembling and eating food with anxiety. These actions are designed to vividly portray the fate awaiting Judah's king, Zedekiah, and the remaining inhabitants of Jerusalem: escape through a breach in the city walls, capture, exile, and consumption of food in terror due to siege conditions. The people of Judah were in a state of denial, believing peace would endure and judgment was far off. In verses 14-15, God declares He will scatter all who accompany Zedekiah and sends the sword after them. Verse 16 then provides a specific exception and purpose for a few who will survive this extensive judgment, setting them apart to testify to God's justice and Judah's sin among the very nations to which they are scattered. This partial reprieve highlights God's justice while paradoxically weaving in a theme of His self-revelation even through severe discipline.

Ezekiel 12 16 Word analysis

• But: This introductory conjunction, often rendered from the Hebrew waw (וְ), signals a sharp contrast or exception to the pervasive and destructive judgment described in the preceding verses (v. 14-15). It points to an act of divine mercy or sovereign selection within the broader narrative of destruction.
• I will leave: The Hebrew verb is וְהִשְׁאַרְתִּי (wəhiš'artî), Hifil imperfect of שָׁאַר (sha'ar). The Hifil stem indicates a causative action: "I will cause to remain" or "I will spare." This emphasizes God's active and deliberate role in the preservation of this specific group. Their survival is not coincidental but a direct result of His divine will and intervention.
• a few men: The Hebrew reads מִסְפַּר אֲנָשִׁים (mispar 'ănāšîm), literally "a number of men." This phrase strongly emphasizes the small quantity—a mere "handful"—relative to the total population facing judgment. It highlights the rarity of their survival, underscoring the severity of the widespread destruction and pointing to the concept of a "remnant."
• of them: Refers to the people of Judah, specifically those in Jerusalem and its environs who are subject to God's imminent judgments as foretold throughout the chapter.
• from the sword: Hebrew מֵחֶרֶב (méḥerev). Represents death by military invasion and warfare. It's one of God's instruments of judgment against the rebellious.
• from the famine: Hebrew מֵרָעָב (méra'av). Represents starvation, a common consequence of siege warfare, divine curse (Deut 28), and a judgment against those who misused their abundance.
• and from the pestilence: Hebrew וּמִדֶּבֶר (ûmiddever). Represents plague or widespread disease, another common instrument of divine wrath and a consequence of poor sanitation in times of siege. This triad—sword, famine, and pestilence—is a recurring prophetic formula in Jeremiah and Ezekiel to describe God's comprehensive judgment (e.g., Ez 5:12; Jer 14:12).
• that they may declare: The Hebrew לְמַעַן יְסַפְּרוּ (ləma'an yəsappərû) uses the preposition לְמַעַן (lema'an, "in order that, to the end that"), signifying a specific divine purpose. The verb יְסַפְּרוּ is from סָפַר (sapar), Piel imperfect, which means to "recount, tell in detail, proclaim fully." It's not just a casual mention but a deliberate and comprehensive narration.
• all their abominations: Hebrew אֵת כָּל־תּוֹעֲבֹתֵיהֶם ('et kol-tô‘ávōtêhem). תוֹעֲבָה (to'evah) denotes things that are morally disgusting or detestable to God, specifically referring to idolatry, grave moral transgressions, and covenant violations. The emphatic "all" signifies a complete, unsparing confession of the totality of Judah's wickedness that provoked God's judgment.
• among the nations where they come: This refers to the Gentile nations (גּוֹיִם - goyim) into which the exiles would be scattered, primarily Babylonia and other regions. The declaration of Israel's sin is intended to be public, outside of their covenant land, for the Gentile world to hear and observe.
• and they shall know: Hebrew וְיָדְעוּ (wəyād'û) from יָדַע (yada', "to know, perceive, recognize, understand intimately"). This is a deep, experiential knowing, not just intellectual assent. It encompasses a full acknowledgment of God's character and power. This knowledge applies both to the surviving remnant and the observing nations.
• that I am the LORD: Hebrew כִּי אֲנִי יְהוָה (kî 'ănî YHVH). "The LORD" is the covenant name of God, Yahweh (YHVH), revealing His immutable, self-existent nature, faithfulness, and sovereignty. This phrase is a central motif in Ezekiel, occurring over 60 times. It signifies God's self-revelation, His justification in judgment, and His ultimate demonstration of unique divine power and authority to all creation.

Words-group analysis:

• But I will leave a few men of them: This phrase establishes God's sovereign preservation of a chosen minority, showcasing a blend of divine mercy (sparing some) and severe justice (only sparing a few). This forms the core of the "remnant" theology.
• from the sword, from the famine, and from the pestilence: These three destructive forces represent the full spectrum of divine judgment against disobedience, especially during siege warfare. The remnant's escape from them highlights God's specific act of protection against these severe and pervasive threats.
• that they may declare all their abominations among the nations where they come: This section clarifies the purpose of the remnant's survival. They are to act as unwilling yet effective missionaries, not by preaching salvation initially, but by publically acknowledging their national sins. This confession validates God's judgments and vindicates His righteousness to the Gentile world.
• and they shall know that I am the LORD: This is the ultimate theological climax. Through the severe judgment, the scattered remnant's confession, and the observation by the nations, the unique, sovereign, and covenant-keeping identity of God is profoundly revealed and acknowledged by both Israel and the Gentiles.

Ezekiel 12 16 Bonus section

• Paradoxical Witness: The effectiveness of the remnant's witness lies in their humbled and scattered state. Their testimony carries weight precisely because it comes from those who have suffered God's just judgment for their sins, not from a position of power or pride. Their confession serves as a powerful, non-verbal sermon on the consequences of disobedience to God.
• Theology of Divine Name: The phrase "they shall know that I am the LORD" (כִּי אֲנִי יְהוָה) is a foundational element in Ezekiel. It represents the primary goal of God's actions—whether in judgment or salvation—to ensure His divine name and character are recognized and honored throughout creation. The profaning of His name by Israel's apostasy (Ez 36:20-23) makes this vindication all the more critical.
• Early Global Missional Aspect: While not traditional evangelism, this verse outlines an early aspect of God's global plan to make His character known to the nations. The scattering of His people, rather than solely a punishment, becomes a means by which His identity and righteous standards are proclaimed beyond Israel's borders, setting a precedent for a more expansive understanding of God's reach and purpose.
• Future Hope: Although set in a context of impending judgment, the mention of a remnant subtly plants a seed of future hope. This preserved remnant often forms the core for future restoration and the fulfillment of God's covenant promises, a major theme developed in later parts of Ezekiel and other prophetic books.

Ezekiel 12 16 Commentary

Ezekiel 12:16 provides a glimpse of God's complex character, where severe judgment against a rebellious people is tempered by a redemptive purpose. The preservation of "a few men" from the instruments of His wrath—sword, famine, and pestilence—underscores the remnant principle central to prophetic theology. Their survival is not merely about enduring but is for a specific, divinely ordained task: to humble themselves and proclaim the full measure of Israel's egregious "abominations" to the foreign nations. This act serves a dual function: it explains to the Gentile world why God, their covenant LORD, permitted such destruction upon His chosen people, thus vindicating His holiness and justice; and it is meant to lead both the observers and the remnant to a profound, experiential "knowing" that Yahweh, the God of Israel, is indeed the sovereign and true LORD over all. The confession of sin by the scattered is a stark and powerful witness, demonstrating that God's judgments are always just and aimed at the revelation of His unique identity.