Ezekiel 5:17

17 Famine and more famine - and then I'll send in the wild animals to finish off your children. Epidemic disease, unrestrained murder, death - and I will have sent it! I, God, have spoken."

Ezekiel 5:17 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 5:17

So will I send upon you famine, and evil beasts
Famine is repeated for the further confirmation of it; and "evil beasts" are added, by whom are meant, not the Chaldeans, comparable to such; but literally lions, wolves, hears which are threatened the Jews, in case of disobedience, ( Leviticus 26:22 ) ; and which sometimes were sent, ( 2 Kings 17:24 ) ; and they shall bereave thee;
that is, of her children, whom the evil beasts should destroy; they not being able to defend themselves against them, as men can: and pestilence and blood shall pass through thee, and I will bring the
sword upon thee;
the pestilence, famine, sword, which is meant by blood, and evil beasts, are the Lord's four sore judgments; see ( Ezekiel 14:21 ) . I the Lord have spoken [it]:
who was able to perform it, and did, both at the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar and by Titus.

Ezekiel 5:17 In-Context

15 When I finish my angry punishment and searing rebukes, you'll be reduced to an object of ridicule and mockery, turned into a horror story circulating among the surrounding nations. I, God, have spoken.
16 "When I shoot my lethal famine arrows at you, I'll shoot to kill. Then I'll step up the famine and cut off food supplies.
17 Famine and more famine - and then I'll send in the wild animals to finish off your children. Epidemic disease, unrestrained murder, death - and I will have sent it! I, God, have spoken."
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.