Ezekiel 14:21 Meaning and Explanation
“For thus saith the Lord GOD; How much more when I send my four sore judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God will send all four judgments simultaneously upon Jerusalem, making the devastation overwhelming.
The Context of Ezekiel 14:21
God announces that all four judgments will fall upon Jerusalem simultaneously.
What Does Ezekiel 14:21 Mean?
The rhetorical 'how much more' shifts the focus to Jerusalem specifically. Rather than these judgments coming separately or as hypotheticals, God declares that all four will be unleashed together: sword, famine, beasts, and pestilence. The word 'sore' emphasizes their severity and intensity. Combined, these judgments leave no escape route and no refuge. Jerusalem faces total devastation that goes beyond even the individual judgments described separately.
This announcement represents the climax of God's judgment on the city. The exiles hearing Ezekiel's prophecy would understand this as the final catastrophe that has already begun to unfold through the Babylonian conquest, famine, and siege. The fourfold character of judgment suggests completeness and totality—God uses every means at His disposal to enforce His judgment on covenant violation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ezekiel 14:21
What does Ezekiel 14:21 mean?
God will send all four judgments simultaneously upon Jerusalem, making the devastation overwhelming.
What is the context of Ezekiel 14:21?
God announces that all four judgments will fall upon Jerusalem simultaneously.