Ezekiel 5:16

16 'When I send against them the deadly arrows of famine which were for the destruction of those whom I will send to destroy you, then I will also intensify the famine upon you and break the staff of bread.

Ezekiel 5:16 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 5:16

When I shall send upon them the evil arrows of famines
Either famine itself, which is as an arrow; it is taken out of the quiver of the Lord of hosts, and is shot by him; and moves swiftly when it has a commission; and is very destructive: or arrows which bring on a famine, such as drought, excessive rains, blasting, mildew, locusts, &c. or arrows which the famine brings, as leanness, faintness, blackness, and death; and, in either sense, are evil ones; and are sent of God for the following end: which shall be for [their] destruction, [and] which I will send to
destroy you;
God's design in sending them was to destroy, and that was answered; and a very destroying arrow famine is, and therefore called evil: and I will increase the famine upon you;
or "gather ^F25 [it] upon", or "against you"; as if it was an army with bows and arrows: and will break your staff of bread:
take away the virtue from the little they had, that that should not nourish and satisfy; (See Gill on Ezekiel 4:16).

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FOOTNOTES:

F25 (Mkyle Poa) "famen congregabo, super vos", V. L. Pagninus; "famen colligam super vos", Montanus, Polanus, Starckius.

Ezekiel 5:16 In-Context

14 'Moreover, I will make you a desolation and a reproach among the nations which surround you, in the sight of all who pass by.

15 'So it will be a reproach, a reviling, a warning and an object of horror to the nations who surround you when I execute judgments against you in anger, wrath and raging rebukes. I, the LORD , have spoken.

16 'When I send against them the deadly arrows of famine which were for the destruction of those whom I will send to destroy you, then I will also intensify the famine upon you and break the staff of bread.

17 'Moreover, I will send on you famine and wild beasts, and they will bereave you of children; plague and bloodshed also will pass through you, and I will bring the sword on you. I, the LORD , have spoken.' "

Footnotes

• [a] Lit "evil"
• [b] Or "are for destruction, which I will send"