Ezekiel 7 15

Ezekiel 7:15 kjv

The sword is without, and the pestilence and the famine within: he that is in the field shall die with the sword; and he that is in the city, famine and pestilence shall devour him.

Ezekiel 7:15 nkjv

The sword is outside, And the pestilence and famine within. Whoever is in the field Will die by the sword; And whoever is in the city, Famine and pestilence will devour him.

Ezekiel 7:15 niv

Outside is the sword; inside are plague and famine. Those in the country will die by the sword; those in the city will be devoured by famine and plague.

Ezekiel 7:15 esv

The sword is without; pestilence and famine are within. He who is in the field dies by the sword, and him who is in the city famine and pestilence devour.

Ezekiel 7:15 nlt

There is war outside the city
and disease and famine within.
Those outside the city walls
will be killed by enemy swords.
Those inside the city
will die of famine and disease.

Ezekiel 7 verses

Ezekiel 7 15 meaning

Ezekiel 7:15 declares the comprehensive and inescapable nature of God's impending judgment upon Israel, specifically Jerusalem, prior to its fall to Babylon. It reveals a terrifying dual threat: external military aggression and internal, debilitating crises. No inhabitant will find refuge; whether in the open countryside or within the supposed safety of the fortified city, death by sword, famine, or pestilence awaits, leaving no path for escape or survival. This verse underscores the divine certainty and severity of the judgment for the nation's profound unfaithfulness.

Ezekiel 7 15 Context

Ezekiel 7 introduces a series of pronouncements known as "The End" (ha-ketz) concerning the imminent judgment and destruction of the nation of Israel and the city of Jerusalem. The entire chapter serves as a lamentation over the impending disaster, emphasizing its totality, suddenness, and inevitability. The prophecy targets specifically the inhabitants of the land for their pervasive idolatry, injustice, and disregard for God's law. Verse 15 fits into this broader context by detailing the specific mechanisms of this impending doom and stressing its all-encompassing reach. Historically, Ezekiel's prophecies were delivered to the Jewish exiles in Babylon around 593-571 BC, shortly before or during the final siege and destruction of Jerusalem (588-586 BC) by King Nebuchadnezzar. The prophet's words are a stark refutation of any false hopes that the city, considered God's dwelling place, or its people would be spared.

Ezekiel 7 15 Word analysis

• The sword (חרב - cherev): A literal weapon of war, symbolizing external invasion, battle, and violent death. In a biblical context, it frequently signifies divine judgment or the instrument of God's wrath against disobedient nations or peoples (e.g., Jer 12:12). It highlights the impending Babylonian invasion.
• is outside (מחוץ - michutz): Refers to being physically external to the fortified city walls. It implies the military threat approaching and encircling Jerusalem, striking those in the open country or those who might try to flee.
• and the pestilence (דבר - dever): Refers to disease or plague, often an act of divine judgment. This is a common element in God's curses against disobedience (e.g., Lev 26:25). It highlights an internal, uncontrollable horror.
• and the famine (רעב - ra'av): Refers to scarcity of food, a devastating consequence of siege warfare, agricultural disruption, and God's judgment (e.g., Lev 26:26). Another internal, debilitating scourge.
• are inside (מבפנים - mibbifnim): Refers to being within the city walls. This dramatically portrays the internal collapse, where the very defenses meant to protect are ironically turning into traps, allowing disease and starvation to decimate the population from within.
• he who is in the field (אשר בשדה - 'asher ba-sadeh): Refers to anyone in the open countryside, traditionally associated with farming and vulnerable to raids. This signifies those exposed to the initial onslaught of the invading army.
• will die by the sword (בחרב ימות - ba-cherev yamuth): A definitive statement of unavoidable death by violent means, directly linked to the external threat.
• and he who is in the city (ואשר בעיר - we'asher ba-ir): Refers to anyone dwelling within Jerusalem's walls, traditionally perceived as a place of refuge and safety. This subverts the expectation of security.
• will be consumed (יכלנוהו - yekallunuhu from כלך - kalah - to complete, finish, perish): Implies a slow, painful, and total destruction or wearing away. It highlights the lingering, agonizing death distinct from the suddenness of the sword.
• by famine and pestilence (רעב ודבר - ra'av wa-dever): Reiteration of the internal threats, now specified as the agents of destruction for those within the city. This reinforces the parallel yet distinct modes of judgment.

Words-group analysis:

• "The sword is outside, and the pestilence and the famine are inside": This stark juxtaposition creates a powerful image of a besieged city caught between an external and internal doom. It forms a powerful merism, indicating "everywhere." It systematically dismantles any notion of safety, showing that destruction comes from all directions and by multiple means, whether swift or slow.
• "he who is in the field will die by the sword, and he who is in the city will be consumed by famine and pestilence": This parallel structure emphatically underscores the universality and inescapability of the judgment. No matter one's location—field or city—a specific and terrifying fate is assigned, signifying that there is absolutely no escape from God's wrath against Judah.

Ezekiel 7 15 Bonus section

• The phrasing reflects a common prophetic trope where God uses multiple, simultaneous agents of destruction (often sword, famine, pestilence, sometimes wild beasts) to emphasize the completeness of His judgment, rendering escape impossible. This multi-faceted judgment demonstrates God's sovereignty over every aspect of life and death, even in a fallen world.
• The prophetic perfect tense often implied in these kinds of statements emphasizes the certainty and imminent nature of the event, as if it has already occurred or is actively in motion. For the original audience, it left no room for hope of reprieve or intervention, declaring the decision of judgment sealed.
• The theological implication extends beyond physical destruction to highlight the consequences of profound spiritual departure. Judah’s reliance on its fortified city, its false gods, and its own perceived strength proved futile against a righteous God executing His holy justice. This served as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and the severe cost of disobedience.

Ezekiel 7 15 Commentary

Ezekiel 7:15 serves as a chilling summary of the comprehensive judgment facing Judah. The verse meticulously dismantles every potential illusion of safety. The sword outside represents the brutal reality of military invasion and conquest, a clear external threat that devours those unprotected by city walls or caught attempting to flee. Conversely, the pestilence and famine inside portray the agonizing, slow destruction within the supposed sanctuary of the city, where supplies dwindle, and disease runs rampant under siege conditions. This dual threat means no one can evade God's wrath; both rural inhabitants and urban dwellers face distinct, yet equally terminal, fates. The prophet’s message is devoid of hope for the wicked; it is an pronouncement of unmitigated divine justice. It vividly illustrates the fulfillment of covenant curses (Lev 26; Deut 28) for persistent idolatry and moral corruption, showing God's unyielding commitment to uphold His word, both in blessing and judgment. The precision with which different modes of death are allocated to different locations underscores the meticulous and absolute nature of the judgment. It leaves no room for doubt concerning Jerusalem's ultimate doom.