Ezekiel 5:16

16 When I shoot deadly arrows of famine at them, arrows for destruction that I will send to destroy you, [inhabitants of Jerusalem], I will intensify the famine against you and cut off your supply 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 "I will make you a ruin and a disgrace among the nations around you, in the sight of everyone who passes by.

15 So you will be a disgrace and a taunt, a warning and a horror, to the nations around you when I execute judgments against you in anger, wrath, and furious rebukes. I, the Lord, have spoken.

16 When I shoot deadly arrows of famine at them, arrows for destruction that I will send to destroy you, [inhabitants of Jerusalem], I will intensify the famine against you and cut off your supply of bread.

17 I will send famine and dangerous animals against you. They will leave you childless, [Jerusalem]. Plague and bloodshed will sweep through you, and I will bring a sword against you. I, the Lord, have spoken."