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Famine, Sword, and Dispersion
Ezekiel 5:11–17 is a severe prophecy of judgment. The Lord Yahweh states why he is acting, names the disasters to come, and repeats that his own spoken word stands behind this message.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
In these verses, the Lord Yahweh speaks directly. He says his sanctuary has been defiled, then announces famine, pestilence, the sword and scattering. He also says surrounding nations will see the result, and he repeats that he himself has spoken these judgments.
Ezekiel 5:11–17Main takeaway
This passage teaches that the Lord Yahweh declares severe judgment for defiling his sanctuary, and his words are meant to be recognised as certain and weighty.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01The reason for judgmentThe passage opens with the Lord Yahweh swearing by his own life. He gives the reason for judgment: his sanctuary has been defiled with detestable things and abominations.
Explanation
The passage opens with the Lord Yahweh swearing by his own life. He gives the reason for judgment: his sanctuary has been defiled with detestable things and abominations. Because of that, he says he will diminish them. His eye will not spare, and he will have no pity, which shows the seriousness of the sentence.
02Three parts of disasterVerse 12 divides the coming judgment into thirds. One third will die with pestilence and be consumed with famine within them.
Explanation
Verse 12 divides the coming judgment into thirds. One third will die with pestilence and be consumed with famine within them. One third will fall by the sword around them. One third will be scattered to all the winds. Even those scattered are not described as safe, because the sword will be drawn out after them.
03Wrath accomplishedThe Lord then says his anger will be accomplished and his wrath will come to rest. The passage says they will know that Yahweh has spoken in his zeal when he has accomplished his wrath on them.
Explanation
The Lord then says his anger will be accomplished and his wrath will come to rest. The passage says they will know that Yahweh has spoken in his zeal when he has accomplished his wrath on them. This makes the judgment a revelation of who is speaking, not only a description of disaster.
04A lesson to the nationsNext, the Lord says he will make them a desolation and a reproach among the surrounding nations, in the sight of all who pass by.
Explanation
Next, the Lord says he will make them a desolation and a reproach among the surrounding nations, in the sight of all who pass by. He adds that they will become a reproach, a taunt, an instruction and an astonishment when he executes judgments in anger, wrath and wrathful rebukes.
05Famine and final blowsThe last verses return to the announced disasters. Famine is pictured as destructive arrows, and the Lord says he will break the staff of bread, meaning the support of food.
Explanation
The last verses return to the announced disasters. Famine is pictured as destructive arrows, and the Lord says he will break the staff of bread, meaning the support of food. He also names evil animals, pestilence, blood and the sword. The closing line again stresses, “I, Yahweh, have spoken it.”
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What reason does the Lord Yahweh give for this judgment?
Use the wording in the opening verse about the sanctuary, detestable things and abominations.
02What are the three outcomes named in verse 12?
List each third in order and include the different disasters attached to each one.
03How does the passage show that the surrounding nations are meant to learn from this judgment?
Look for the words reproach, taunt, instruction and astonishment in the verses about the nations.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Ezekiel 5:11–17
11Therefore as I live,’ says the Lord Yahweh, ‘surely, because you have defiled my sanctuary with all your detestable things, and with all your abominations, therefore I will also diminish you. My eye won’t spare, and I will have no pity.
12A third part of you will die with the pestilence, and they will be consumed with famine within you. A third part will fall by the sword around you. A third part I will scatter to all the winds, and will draw out a sword after them.
13“ ‘Thus my anger will be accomplished, and I will cause my wrath toward them to rest, and I will be comforted. They will know that I, Yahweh, have spoken in my zeal, when I have accomplished my wrath on them.
14“ ‘Moreover I will make you a desolation and a reproach among the nations that are around you, in the sight of all that pass by.
15So it will be a reproach and a taunt, an instruction and an astonishment, to the nations that are around you, when I execute judgments on you in anger and in wrath, and in wrathful rebukes—I, Yahweh, have spoken it—
16when I send on them the evil arrows of famine that are for destruction, which I will send to destroy you. I will increase the famine on you and will break your staff of bread.
17I will send on you famine and evil animals, and they will bereave you. Pestilence and blood will pass through you. I will bring the sword on you. I, Yahweh, have spoken it.’ ”